Hows it Looking?

[Martin Cox]

Just started this marine tank, thought Id update its progress as I go.

Lots of Marine Sand, and 15KG of Live Rock to start me off, Currently running the Interpet internal filter until my Tetratec External arrives later in the week, I`ll let them run side by side for a few weeks and then remove the Internal to free a bit of space, Also got two powerheads circulating the water. Live Rock is showing signs off growth and water parameters are looking ok so far, still waiting on my spike to happen until I can even think about any fish....

What do you think of the layout?

Any changes you would make?

Any recommendations?

[Original Fin]

Just started this marine tank, thought Id update its progress as I go.

Lots of Marine Sand, and 15KG of Live Rock to start me off, Currently running the Interpet internal filter until my Tetratec External arrives later in the week, I`ll let them run side by side for a few weeks and then remove the Internal to free a bit of space, Also got two powerheads circulating the water. Live Rock is showing signs off growth and water parameters are looking ok so far, still waiting on my spike to happen until I can even think about any fish....

What do you think of the layout?

Any changes you would make?

Any recommendations?

Looks good to me Martin.

Have you considered covering the back glass with vinyl backing? In my opinion, a nice black background is the best contrasting color for viewing your fish. Of course, it will eventually cake over in coraline anyway. I did dark blue on mine, but I wish I had done black now.
Where are you from? I'm not familiar with some of the brands you mentioned, and I see that you are using metric. UK?

[chrisfont23]

Wow Martin, that looks really nice. +1 with the back comment. For a tank like that it will really bring out the color as it will contrast nicely w/ what you have done. The only thing I might do differently is aim one of those PHs at the surface. You would be surprised how much surface agitation plays to the flow for the bottom/middle of the tank.

[Martin Cox]

Hi thanks for the replies and feedback

Im in the UK, Manchester, so they must be UK Brands (i think)

I was looking into a background, but I was looking at more a light blue effect, under the sea style? I thought this might make the tank look brighter?
Not sure about the black never really thought of black to be honest!

"it will eventually cake over in coraline anyway" does this mean you put it inside the tank? Or do you mean the coraline will form on the back glass of the tank?

Also, with aiming the powerhead at the surface, do you actually mean to cut the water? Kind of a ripple effect?

Thanks again guys, and keep all the comments flowing, I will keep you updated of any progress or changes

[Martin Cox]

I forgot to add, i currently have two lights in the lid, both Daylight lights, I was thinking of purchasing an Aquarium Light Starter Unit and fixing a Blue Marine Light onto the hood fixing it with Clips,

Is it as easy to do as Superglue the right clips on and clip in the light? It sounds to easy just wanted to double check

[Original Fin]

Yes, you apply your backing to the outside. Coraline will eventually cover it from the inside, unless you care to take the time to scrape it down occasionally. It can be a bit difficult to do that on the back wall because of the reachover, rockwork, etc.

You're right about a light blue background makin the overall tank look brighter. I like black because it doesn't distract from the colors of the corals I'm trying to showcase.
It's all personal preference. You can't choose incorrectly.

About surface agitation...yes, the ripple effect is ideal. This breaks the surface tension, keeps a film of funk from forming, and aids in the exchange of gasses from the air to water column and vice versa.

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[leebca]

Tanks like this often experience a 'sudden death' event. The substrate, being that thick, can help establish pockets of hydrogen sulfide gas which when released can kill. The recommended depth is 1.5 inches. Do you have a particular reason for having such deep substrate?

If you were trying for a deep sand bed, this is not deep enough and the particle size looks to be incorrect for that system.

[Original Fin]

On the lighting question, I'm not quite sure I follow, but it sounds like you're talking about what we'd call a (fluorescent) retrofit kit, which are specifically designed for canopy applications. You can search some of the online marine fish supply stores based on your tube size (T8, T5, VHO, Power Compact, etc.) and probably find your answer that way.

I imagine most of the endcap standoffs are designed to be screwed into something, but I've never had or done one myself.

[Martin Cox]

Great chat, I love this place. How is it, that no matter what answers you get there are always more questions!! haha!!

OK, so I think I will give the Blue background a whirl, see how it looks, then if not I can always change it to the black, until I'm happy!

I will also aim one of the powerheads to be "cutting" the top of the water, Lee.... do you agree with this?

And I will be taking out some of the sand tonight, I thought it looked a little too deep but I was unsure, I was liking the way the powerheads "formed" the sand, I liked the look of the deep but any "deadly pockets" has put me off, I need to keep it simple at this stage with being a beginner.

In regards to the lighting, It is something similar to the picture I have attached.......... I currently have completely sealed White lights, but would want a blue marine light to come on for a few hours at night (kind of a wind down for the fish ;) ). I was looking at getting the starter unit (this is all completely waterproof and aquarium safe) and then fastening some metal tube light clips to the back of my hood (with superglue) and simply clipping the tube of the light into place.

Thanks again for all your help, Speak soon I guess!

[Original Fin]

I'd feel a lot more comfortable using screws to attach those clips.
The blue marine lights you want to look for are called actinics. I'm not sure if fluorescent tube sizing standards are different between the US and UK, but here T5 is the hottest seller. It's the slimmest, most efficient and intense fl bulb on the market. The endcaps and ballasts would need to be specifically matched for T5 though. On the pic you attached, I see no reference to which size (diameter) bulb it is designed for.


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[Martin Cox]

Yeah, I will probably end up using screws to be honest, It fits the T5 tubes so that is what I will be using. Do you see any problem with just attaching the clips and using these to hold the light with?

OK AN UPDATE...........................

My external filter has arrived, yahooooooo!! Ive put it on and its up and running, sounding super quiet and seems to be pumping as it should be!!

Ive reduced the layer of sand to I think a more acceptable level, its slightly thicker towards the back but I think the Powerheads will shift it around a bit.

Ive added a nice blue background, what do you think? i might change it to black eventually but I think it looks pretty cool....

I wasnt sure about pointing the powerhead to the top now as the spray tube from my external seems to be cutting the water,

Another question though, how long should I run both filters together till I can take the internal out?? I dont want to run them both full time, but obviously the external needs to settle in how long should I give it?

Any other tips or suggestions for the moment........? Im playing the waiting game really now, everything is set, Ive moved things around here and there but I think Im at a point where I am happy and have everything I need, I dont plan to invest in a skimmer at the moment, Ive got my live rock, good filtration, an external filter, and Im not going to be growing any coral, I will be introducing the fish super slowly, so Im not convinced Im going to need one.

Also the tank has been running now about 2 1/2 weeks, as I have changed everything around, mixed the sand up when taking it out, started a new filter, done a water change, does my cycle really start from now? Or am I ok to class the 2 1/2 weeks its been moving?

Thanks again, any more tips, advice etc I love ready suggestions, keep them coming!

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

The cycle starts whenever ammonia starts to register on your test kit. There is no set time when the cycle is finished either. When ammonia spikes and then falls to zero, nitrITES will spike and fall to zero, followed by nitrATES rising, the cycle is finished. After that happens, wait a couple/ few weeks to be sure the bacteria is stable and add your clean up crew (if you're going to use one) or your first fish. Don't worry too much about how long it's been since your cycle started because it doesn't really matter. Your test results will tell you when the cycle is over. Skimmers are good to have in any marine system because they remove organics from the water before they get a chance to become ammonia, nitrites or nitrates. They also aid in oxygenating the water. Running the filters in tandem is a good idea. It gives the new filter media time to become colonized by bacteria but since you don't have any livestock and are currently cycling, it won't hurt if you decided to remove the old one right away. It might prolong the cycle a little but I doubt it will be enough to worry about. If the system was already established, i would say running the two together for 4 weeks would be enough time but it's up to you. Are you using a lid on the tank or is open top? If there's a lid, you're better off removing it so that there is sufficient gas exchange. You may already know that but I thought I'd ask anyway.

[leebca]

Martin,

It seems from your questions and posts that you have a lot to learn about the hobby. It's hard to take you through it step by step in a forum type of communication. I'd suggest a beginner's book on the subject or if you want there is a step-by-step guide here: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

The reasons I suggest the above is because you'll get a variety of suggestions from multiple sources and posters in this forum, whereas it is best to follow one set of guidance. Another is that having a written process in front of you, in print will include all the details you need, whereas the forum guidance is most likely going to forget something, leave something out or not even realize you don't know something we might take for granted. Another reason is that doing this by forum posts is going to take a lot of time, with the information all spread out and not easily reviewed -- not in one condensed spot. All these reasons make it in your best interest to get a book, written guide, or use the post in the forum to take you through the process. In the forum guide there are reasons given for the steps you take, and links to other posts that explain reasons and things in greater detail, so you get the details without missing anything.

I'm not against you continuing to post and go along here, if that is what you want. I just want to be sure your are given a thorough understanding of the things you need to know and not risk missing something that will lead to failure or frustration.

Best of luck!

[Martin Cox]

No worries Lee, I`ll pick up a book instead.

Last one then?

*** Are you using a lid on the tank or is open top? If there's a lid, you're better off removing it so that there is sufficient gas exchange. You may already know that but I thought I'd ask anyway ***

I have a lid on the tank, is this a problem really? I have never heard this before? Any way around this as I would prefer to leave the lid on as it has my lights in it and what not?

Thanks.

[chrisfont23]

I disagree with this. A forum - from ancient Greek times - is meant for open conversation and promoting ideas. Needless to say, the ever changing posts and replys are equally important toward promoting Reefland.com and of course, the little web-bots and crawlers that populate the engines that make Googling something easily attainable in reefland.com. After all, that's how I landed here. I am sure someone labored intensively through to build and upgrade this site, so by discouraging posting you are really doing him/her a major dis-service.

Please understand Lee, this is coming from someone with 15+ years in the IT industry on the development side. I am not some kid on a rhetorical soapbox. I am not being derisive; I respect your knowledge, but question the continual approach. Reading and researching is part of the equation, but asking questions - answered or not - should be encouraged. I suppose constantly directing someone to (5 year old) stickies is fine (assuming they are updated too), but lets continue to encourage the rhetoric rather than point people to books or narratives.

OK?

[chrisfont23]

No worries Lee, I`ll pick up a book instead.

Last one then?

*** Are you using a lid on the tank or is open top? If there's a lid, you're better off removing it so that there is sufficient gas exchange. You may already know that but I thought I'd ask anyway ***

I have a lid on the tank, is this a problem really? I have never heard this before? Any way around this as I would prefer to leave the lid on as it has my lights in it and what not?

Thanks.

Forget the book. This is a forum. The lid is optional in my opinion, but I am sure others may strongly agree one way or another. As Lee stated, you will definitely have better gas exchange but you will also deal with higher evaporation rates. And of course, you also run the risk of crap falling in your tank (bugs, dust etc.). Just make sure if you choose to run w/o one, you have an adequate cover for your lights, to protect them from SW, the occasional splash etc. By having an open top, a little surface agitation will also allow CO2 out and O2 in. I have also read that some folks have also had problems keeping proper PH levels w/ a lid.

[leebca]

chris,

As is generally understood, the forum is an exchange of ideas and where discussions take place. It isn't a training place or a place of basic education. Greek students generally didn't speak in their forums, only their teachers, until the students became educated and knowledgeable about the subject. There are books, classes, posts that handle training from which the basics can be leanred and then, from there, a point from which discussions and an exchange of ideas can take place.

But as I hope I made clear to Martin, it is his choice as to the way he wants to go. He can continue to extend this thread to multiple pages and attempt to learn the basics from posters.

[chrisfont23]

Greek students also didn't rely on web crawlers indexing billions of meta data a second to return their page to the top of a list in an effort to get noticed ...and possibly turn a profit

As Ron Burgundy said, "agree to disagree." OK?

[leebca]

This hobby is just so deep and so much to learn.

I'm good.

[Mad Mead]

this is too funny

As Ron Burgundy said, "agree to disagree." OK?

So true