Jules' New 90 Gallon Build

[julesjt]

I am new to the forum but wanted to create a build thread to go over my sucesses and failures.

Date Started: Nov. 25th 2009

90 Gallon Tank w/ builtin overflow with 30 Gallon Sump

Filtration:
- In Sump Skimmer
- Phosphate Reactore
- 1.5 Inch Argonite and Live Sand mix
- About 100lbs dead and live rock

Lights:
- 2 x 175w Metal Halides 10k (moving to 14k this week)
- 2 x T11 Super Actinic
- 2 x LED Moon Lighing
(all on a timer)

I am going to change a few things but they will be a part of this thread as I do them

Also I will have pictures of the phases I went through even though they were 3 months ago

[julesjt]

Here is some pictures from start to a few weeks ago.

[julesjt]

Few more pics.

Again this is my first time so I am doing the best I can.

[julesjt]

Video of my tank a few weeks ago.

YouTube - Jules - My First Reef Tank 1.5 Months In.

[Steve McKay]

Looks good,I knew all my hard work would pay off.Don't forget when you add more coral that means more photos.Good job.

[julesjt]

Here are some pictures as of today. I have a 3rd powerhead coming in this week and my new lights. My diatom issue also is starting to go away. Hope things continue to improve.

[julesjt]

Couple more

[julesjt]

Looks good,I knew all my hard work would pay off.Don't forget when you add more coral that means more photos.Good job.

You sure did help and I appreciate the hard work you put into my tank. It is almost like I didnt have to do anything, you did it all

[metalhead]

Looks great! Good work!!!

Tell Steve he needs to come off one of those bottles of purple up... I heard he orders it by the case!

[Steve McKay]

If anyone wants a free bottle of Purple Up,just come see me.

[julesjt]

Actually I just bought some last week, do you really recommend using it?

[julesjt]

I want to add, I dont do the instructions on the bottle I was testing my levels first. But I am not hearing good things about it, so I dont think I am doing anything with it anymore.

The only thing I been really adding and monitoring is Cal, and Alk. Not messing with the iodine or st, or magnesium yet.

I hear really magnesium would be the next thing to look into but I dont have enough coral to worry about it. My water changes should bring the minerals needed for now.

But of course would like opinions of the masters of Reefland.

[Parrothead]

Actually I just bought some last week, do you really recommend using it?

Hel% NO

[Steve McKay]

No I don't recommend it,the earlier statement was an ongoing joke among the other people here at Reefland.If you keep your water parameters where they need to be you don't need it,adding it will only raise your levels and you don't need that.Purple Up is for people that don't keep there water parameters in check,you can't use one product to control everything.If your low on one thing and add to bring it up,all the other things will be to high.The only way to control your water parameters is to add only what you need separately.

[Parrothead]

In addition to what Steve said, only add what you can actually test for

[julesjt]

It is in the trash as we speak.

[Steve McKay]

Welcome to the "No Purple Up Club".

[metalhead]

Welcome to the "No Purple Up Club".

Oh no.... What have I done?

[twisted]

nice tank! welcome to the site!
hey! whats wrong with purple up? thats the best product in the world! its one of those magic bottles that makes your tank beautiful, perfectly balanced, and gives you coraline over night!
good call on chucking that crp in the trash.....definitly never add anything you cant test for. there arent many things that need to be added with proper water care....good luck with your tank!

[julesjt]

BAD NEWS!!!!!

Well I live in the Pittsburgh area and my area got hit with the big snow storm. My power has been out since Friday night and my tank died. All that work and everything is dead due to the temperature.

I tried to find generator and etc and nothing I could do.

So I don't what I am going to do. If my insurance covers it, I will actually put the money towards a new tank and will actually go with a 150 Gallon and build a new sump/refugium. If they don't cover it, it will be awhile until I come back.