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- Aug 17, 2018
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I'm writing this a few months into this adventure. Start is in early July 2018
A recent trip to Bonaire for a week at a dive resort really peaked my interest in starting a saltwater tank. I had a 10g betta tank and a 65g Cichlid tank before this currently in my house.
I found a BioCube, stand, light/hood, and return pump all for a great deal on Facebook Marketplace for $75. Talked with the owner, found out they live not even 5min from my house. Checked it out in-person, they assured it had no problems (leaks, broken lights, cracks in the glass, things like that) I did this at their house and I thus know where they live so I trusted them a fair bit. Once I saw it and everything looked good I took it home. Was a tight fit in my Honda civic, just barely fit in the back seat. I set it up in the living room in a central spot. I immediately start doing research and learning as much as I can about starting a saltwater tank. Seemed hard at first but I liked the challenge.
Once I thought I was ready to start setting up the tank by getting live rock, sand, and reef salts. Looked online for a LFS I could go to. Found one an hour from my house that specialized in saltwater and reef tanks. (Ocean Image Aquatics) Went there expecting to get everything I need to get started and set up, wound up leaving with nothing. The store is fairly small and run (entirely as far as i am aware) by the owner. He is really into the hobby and started teaching me everything I would need to know and what I should do from here. Super nice guy, can easily tell that he is very passionate about reefing and knows a fair bit. (In the off chance that you are reading this: Hi, Thanks for everything, hope you enjoy this). He suggested I first fill the tank to check for any leaks. Then add a few drops of bleach to kill any lingering bacteria or anything. Also, to run the pump with this for about an hour and then re-check for leaks and then empty the tank, rinse it out with water, and bring it to his store in a day or so so he can have a look at it.
I followed his instructions exactly because I trusted him. I brought the tank to his store a few days later, he had a good look at it, and started me off with live sand.
(Just realized I first ordered a test kit, some reef salt, the Biocube 29 protein skimmer (That he suggested I return because of the wood that clogs up,(i did)), the scope thing to check the salt levels in the water (Cant remember the name right now), a fishtank heater, thermometer, and 2 timers for the lights, nothing was used or opened before i first went to him)
He taught me how to mix the salt to the right salinity and set me off to start. I got home, filled the tank with water and the reef salt. Eventually got it to the right salinity, used the return pump to mix it all. Then added the live sand:
I filled up the internal sump with filter floss and let this run for a while to clean the small particles from the water (to make it clear). This took a few hours, i agitated the sand with my hand, washed out the filter floss, and put it back in to sit for a few more hours over the course of about 2 days. Eventually got the water to be fairly clear:
I then added the heater and the thermostat after cleaning it our a few more times:
Water looked clear enough and I had finished the nitrogen cycle (after adding a small dose of ammonia he gave me to start it off) so I returned to my LFS following his instructions. He started me off with 3 pieces of live rock that he had (thing it was 30lbs worth, can't remember).
I then added that and had it sit like so for a few days, still monitoring the nitrogen cycle.
After a few days I noticed this creepy crawly one night-
I knew it was a bristle worm from earlier research on pests. Knew it was safe but still thought it was creepy and wanted it gone (later got it out with another one of his friends a little later with tweeters one night)
After a week long trip to Florida with some friends I was confident that the cycle was completed and everything was good. So I returned to my LFS to pick up some young clowns he had ordered in-
They were paired and I named them Kevin (bottom, little darker, more black, bigger) and Clyde (top, little lighter, less black, smaller) They are adorable and I fell in love immediately.
I also picked up 3 snails (didn't name them) to deal with the detritus what was starting as I expected.-
I later got a wave maker, a fan to blow a cross the topwater to fix an issue I will soon explain, a replacement return pump i had to overnight after the one i had running failed, and an ATO to fix the issue i will explain.
Before I ordered all these things I noticed that during the day the water temp would rise to nearly 90^F. I opened the little hoods for a day but the tank would still get too hot during the day. I Figured this was due to the florescence bulbs in the stock hood after I unplugged the heater for a day and the temps still got too high. I then purchased the fan, this helped to bring the temps back down but then caused the water to evaporate to the point to where I was filling the tank with fresh water almost daily. It also looked bad on the top of the tank.
So I knew this was only a temporary fix. Due to the water evaporating so quickly I had to get an ATO to keep up, this filled the tank from a Home Depot bucket next to the tank stand.
I then had to return for college for my 2nd year. Couldn't get to see my tank for a while. Had to have my mother feed them, fill the bucket with water, and send me pics every now and then.
Because the fast evaporation was annoying me, and now my mother, I had to get a new light asap. After I returned from college for winter break between semesters I did some research I learned that this light would fit under a gutted hood on my tank so I got it. I gutted the hood, removing everything but the plastic and used the light for several days.
Old, original light:
New Light:
I loved the color, made the coraline algae pop really nice. I also really enjoyed playing with the settings: adjusting the color, playing with the light cycle... However, this enjoyment didn't last long.
I returned to my LFS to start on corals, I explained my tank after being gone for months to the owner and he easily remembered me. That day he taught me that the light I got really isn't something he would suggest. (Silly me, buying something expensive, at least for a college student, before consulting my expert). He said, if I can, i should return that one and get this one because this one was roughly the same price, one he had used and has success with, and is stronger so I will be able to grow a higher range of corals) I agreed with his suggestion. Although it meant I would have to make a stand for the light and a cover for the tank.
(Don't think he is forcing any of this on me, he has no reason too, he doesn't make any profit off me going on amazon and getting the new light...)
That day he suggested if I want to start with corals (I did, a lot) I could get one of the zoa frags he had for sale. So i got this one-
I was also interested in getting a shrimp (I think they look cool and are really interesting) so he wrangled a cleaner shrimp up for me from his frag tank (This took like 20min, cheeky little shrimp kept hiding) and thus I got Henry here-
The same day I ordered the light he suggested earlier.
After a few days it arrived and I quickly took measurements and went to home depot before they closed for the day. I picked up a long 2x4 for the stand and some polycarbonate for a cover (don't want anyone jumping out)
I cut all the wood to length and set up a basic stand. The LFS owner suggested I make it a certain way but I misheard him and made this monstrosity-
I knew it looked janky and had started making some plans to change it and make it look better. (Spray paint it black, make it shorter...) The cover came out pretty good though, if I do say so myself-
I later went back to my LFS to chat with the owner and maybe get another coral frag. I showed him the picture of the light stand i made and he explained how he originally envisioned it and laughed a little at my masterpiec... monstrosity. I noted his suggestion carefully this time. That day he showed me some hammer frags he had, I picked out one I liked and he cut a piece off for me. He explained to me how I should glue it to the rock with "Gorilla Super Glue Gel" specifically. I took the Hammer frag home and quickly picked up that glue on the way. Following his instructions I attached it without any issue.
I later fixed the stand and made it much shorter and painted it black, and it looks quite nice now. I don't have a current picture of the stand as I left for my 2nd year of college soon after and didn't think to take one. (I also reached the picture limit for this post)
That is basically all you need to know to get caught up. I am a few weeks away from spring break so I will update when I get back home. Thanks for reading!
A recent trip to Bonaire for a week at a dive resort really peaked my interest in starting a saltwater tank. I had a 10g betta tank and a 65g Cichlid tank before this currently in my house.
I found a BioCube, stand, light/hood, and return pump all for a great deal on Facebook Marketplace for $75. Talked with the owner, found out they live not even 5min from my house. Checked it out in-person, they assured it had no problems (leaks, broken lights, cracks in the glass, things like that) I did this at their house and I thus know where they live so I trusted them a fair bit. Once I saw it and everything looked good I took it home. Was a tight fit in my Honda civic, just barely fit in the back seat. I set it up in the living room in a central spot. I immediately start doing research and learning as much as I can about starting a saltwater tank. Seemed hard at first but I liked the challenge.
Once I thought I was ready to start setting up the tank by getting live rock, sand, and reef salts. Looked online for a LFS I could go to. Found one an hour from my house that specialized in saltwater and reef tanks. (Ocean Image Aquatics) Went there expecting to get everything I need to get started and set up, wound up leaving with nothing. The store is fairly small and run (entirely as far as i am aware) by the owner. He is really into the hobby and started teaching me everything I would need to know and what I should do from here. Super nice guy, can easily tell that he is very passionate about reefing and knows a fair bit. (In the off chance that you are reading this: Hi, Thanks for everything, hope you enjoy this). He suggested I first fill the tank to check for any leaks. Then add a few drops of bleach to kill any lingering bacteria or anything. Also, to run the pump with this for about an hour and then re-check for leaks and then empty the tank, rinse it out with water, and bring it to his store in a day or so so he can have a look at it.
I followed his instructions exactly because I trusted him. I brought the tank to his store a few days later, he had a good look at it, and started me off with live sand.
(Just realized I first ordered a test kit, some reef salt, the Biocube 29 protein skimmer (That he suggested I return because of the wood that clogs up,(i did)), the scope thing to check the salt levels in the water (Cant remember the name right now), a fishtank heater, thermometer, and 2 timers for the lights, nothing was used or opened before i first went to him)
He taught me how to mix the salt to the right salinity and set me off to start. I got home, filled the tank with water and the reef salt. Eventually got it to the right salinity, used the return pump to mix it all. Then added the live sand:
I filled up the internal sump with filter floss and let this run for a while to clean the small particles from the water (to make it clear). This took a few hours, i agitated the sand with my hand, washed out the filter floss, and put it back in to sit for a few more hours over the course of about 2 days. Eventually got the water to be fairly clear:
I then added the heater and the thermostat after cleaning it our a few more times:
Water looked clear enough and I had finished the nitrogen cycle (after adding a small dose of ammonia he gave me to start it off) so I returned to my LFS following his instructions. He started me off with 3 pieces of live rock that he had (thing it was 30lbs worth, can't remember).
I then added that and had it sit like so for a few days, still monitoring the nitrogen cycle.
After a few days I noticed this creepy crawly one night-
I knew it was a bristle worm from earlier research on pests. Knew it was safe but still thought it was creepy and wanted it gone (later got it out with another one of his friends a little later with tweeters one night)
After a week long trip to Florida with some friends I was confident that the cycle was completed and everything was good. So I returned to my LFS to pick up some young clowns he had ordered in-
They were paired and I named them Kevin (bottom, little darker, more black, bigger) and Clyde (top, little lighter, less black, smaller) They are adorable and I fell in love immediately.
I also picked up 3 snails (didn't name them) to deal with the detritus what was starting as I expected.-
I later got a wave maker, a fan to blow a cross the topwater to fix an issue I will soon explain, a replacement return pump i had to overnight after the one i had running failed, and an ATO to fix the issue i will explain.
Before I ordered all these things I noticed that during the day the water temp would rise to nearly 90^F. I opened the little hoods for a day but the tank would still get too hot during the day. I Figured this was due to the florescence bulbs in the stock hood after I unplugged the heater for a day and the temps still got too high. I then purchased the fan, this helped to bring the temps back down but then caused the water to evaporate to the point to where I was filling the tank with fresh water almost daily. It also looked bad on the top of the tank.
So I knew this was only a temporary fix. Due to the water evaporating so quickly I had to get an ATO to keep up, this filled the tank from a Home Depot bucket next to the tank stand.
I then had to return for college for my 2nd year. Couldn't get to see my tank for a while. Had to have my mother feed them, fill the bucket with water, and send me pics every now and then.
Because the fast evaporation was annoying me, and now my mother, I had to get a new light asap. After I returned from college for winter break between semesters I did some research I learned that this light would fit under a gutted hood on my tank so I got it. I gutted the hood, removing everything but the plastic and used the light for several days.
Old, original light:
New Light:
I loved the color, made the coraline algae pop really nice. I also really enjoyed playing with the settings: adjusting the color, playing with the light cycle... However, this enjoyment didn't last long.
I returned to my LFS to start on corals, I explained my tank after being gone for months to the owner and he easily remembered me. That day he taught me that the light I got really isn't something he would suggest. (Silly me, buying something expensive, at least for a college student, before consulting my expert). He said, if I can, i should return that one and get this one because this one was roughly the same price, one he had used and has success with, and is stronger so I will be able to grow a higher range of corals) I agreed with his suggestion. Although it meant I would have to make a stand for the light and a cover for the tank.
(Don't think he is forcing any of this on me, he has no reason too, he doesn't make any profit off me going on amazon and getting the new light...)
That day he suggested if I want to start with corals (I did, a lot) I could get one of the zoa frags he had for sale. So i got this one-
I was also interested in getting a shrimp (I think they look cool and are really interesting) so he wrangled a cleaner shrimp up for me from his frag tank (This took like 20min, cheeky little shrimp kept hiding) and thus I got Henry here-
The same day I ordered the light he suggested earlier.
After a few days it arrived and I quickly took measurements and went to home depot before they closed for the day. I picked up a long 2x4 for the stand and some polycarbonate for a cover (don't want anyone jumping out)
I cut all the wood to length and set up a basic stand. The LFS owner suggested I make it a certain way but I misheard him and made this monstrosity-
I knew it looked janky and had started making some plans to change it and make it look better. (Spray paint it black, make it shorter...) The cover came out pretty good though, if I do say so myself-
I later went back to my LFS to chat with the owner and maybe get another coral frag. I showed him the picture of the light stand i made and he explained how he originally envisioned it and laughed a little at my masterpiec... monstrosity. I noted his suggestion carefully this time. That day he showed me some hammer frags he had, I picked out one I liked and he cut a piece off for me. He explained to me how I should glue it to the rock with "Gorilla Super Glue Gel" specifically. I took the Hammer frag home and quickly picked up that glue on the way. Following his instructions I attached it without any issue.
I later fixed the stand and made it much shorter and painted it black, and it looks quite nice now. I don't have a current picture of the stand as I left for my 2nd year of college soon after and didn't think to take one. (I also reached the picture limit for this post)
That is basically all you need to know to get caught up. I am a few weeks away from spring break so I will update when I get back home. Thanks for reading!
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