And we've been working on installing an RODI system in a cabinet out in the garage. I got extra long poly tubing so Mark can run the lines under the house. They won't be visible, or poked through any sheetrock in the house. Almost done.
Kim's 75
- Thread starter kamar
- Start date
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Gettin close 
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Looks like you'll be up & running soon!
I got my 75 pounds of dry rocks from Bulk Reef Supply, and have them curing right now in a big Rubber Maid garbage can out in the garage. There's a really nice selection of pieces. I started them on 8/14/13, and just tested again today. Ammonia level is almost at zero, nitrates are off the charts, so still a ways to go. Surprisingly, it doesn't stink that bad. I had read all the horror stories out there, but I think it's really important to do this in the garage if you can.
I set them out on a work bench, in an arrangement that might work in the tank and with the size I had to work with marked out on the bench. They're all really big, which I like, so i can just set them in the tank as individuals instead of making a rock pile. The rocks are really porous, with plenty of places to attach corals. I'm already picturing my plating corals swirling around with new growth, and the LPS spreading out and moving in the current. I knocked a few more hidey holes out that the fish might like (very easy to do), and flattened the bottom of each with a loose hacksaw blade so they sit good and flat. If I can get it to work, the one will make a cool tower. Here's what the rocks look like :
I set them out on a work bench, in an arrangement that might work in the tank and with the size I had to work with marked out on the bench. They're all really big, which I like, so i can just set them in the tank as individuals instead of making a rock pile. The rocks are really porous, with plenty of places to attach corals. I'm already picturing my plating corals swirling around with new growth, and the LPS spreading out and moving in the current. I knocked a few more hidey holes out that the fish might like (very easy to do), and flattened the bottom of each with a loose hacksaw blade so they sit good and flat. If I can get it to work, the one will make a cool tower. Here's what the rocks look like :
Thanx for the update . Summer must be coming to an end huh . Lookin forward to progress pics from both of you
. Summer must be coming to an end huh . Lookin forward to progress pics from both of youSummer must be coming to an end huh
Yes, you know it! When I can finally quit doing projects around the house, I can do fish tank stuff.
Nice Update, glad to see you're still on it.
Can't wait to see some movin around Kim . The rock looks really neat.
. The rock looks really neat.
myindoorocean
Well-known member
Yeah I like that rock. Nice.
Here's an update with pictures of a fully functioning tank. Yup, you and me both . . . I never thought this day would arrive.
After curing / cycling the rock for just over three months (yeah, you read that right), I now have it in the tank, full of water, and everything is up and running. Whew, I can't believe how long that dry live rock will leach PO4! After reading a really lengthy thread over at Reef Central, I decided to let the rock be the judge as to when it was ready to use, and that meant testing for phosphate until it basically read zero (I really like the Hanna ULR), and using liquid phosphate binder to turn the phosphate to solid and settle out. I did several 100% water changes as well. The rock is gorgeous, and worth the effort. I literally have only three main rocks in the tank, along with a few "connecting" rocks to help balance out the transition to sand, and provide some nice places for bottom corals. I set all of the rocks on 3/8" plexiglas to elevate them out of the sand. I turned them around and around to find some sort of natural tripod to stand on too that I sawed flat with a hacksaw so they have space underneath for circulation.
During that time, Mark and I went over the plumbing several times to make sure we had everything thought out and left it in the dry fit stage quite awhile. It's an unusual overflow, at least the part inside the display, but so far it works well and is fairly quiet.
It's so nice having a sump.
The overflows run into socks, and the skimmer I ultimately chose was an AquaC Urchin, which is the sump version of the Remora that I already have on the 36. Rob made some great points regarding spray injection, and ya know, I came to realize that I really had no problems with my Remora - ever. It always works, no adjusting, no water height issues. It is a little noisy though, but I found that AquaC addressed that issue and now makes them with a muffler, and upgraded the performance too. Wow, inside the cabinet and muffled, this thing is quiet. The return pump is a variable Eheim, and I also have a BRS dual reactor to make sure the PO4 levels stay low. For lighting, I put on two Aqua Illumination LED Vega Blues for lights and wow, they look awesome! The controller has a ton of cool features and these babies put out the light! They're even blue enough for me! I also have an orange back fairy wrasse in QT right now. He's absolutely beautiful, eating great and looks healthy, and is going to make a great addition to the crew. I will get a picture posted when I get a good one. He's really shy. Yes, I have a tight fitting cover - on both the QT and a really nice clear mesh one for the display for when he goes in to his new home. The mesh is great . . it basically leaves the tank open to oxygen and is clear so does not interfere with the lights at all. And if he does try to go carpet surfing, he won't smack into it and hurt himself like glass can. Mark did a great job building all of this stuff for me.
Here is the full tank shot. Now I'm going to start moving corals over.
After curing / cycling the rock for just over three months (yeah, you read that right), I now have it in the tank, full of water, and everything is up and running. Whew, I can't believe how long that dry live rock will leach PO4! After reading a really lengthy thread over at Reef Central, I decided to let the rock be the judge as to when it was ready to use, and that meant testing for phosphate until it basically read zero (I really like the Hanna ULR), and using liquid phosphate binder to turn the phosphate to solid and settle out. I did several 100% water changes as well. The rock is gorgeous, and worth the effort. I literally have only three main rocks in the tank, along with a few "connecting" rocks to help balance out the transition to sand, and provide some nice places for bottom corals. I set all of the rocks on 3/8" plexiglas to elevate them out of the sand. I turned them around and around to find some sort of natural tripod to stand on too that I sawed flat with a hacksaw so they have space underneath for circulation.
During that time, Mark and I went over the plumbing several times to make sure we had everything thought out and left it in the dry fit stage quite awhile. It's an unusual overflow, at least the part inside the display, but so far it works well and is fairly quiet.
It's so nice having a sump.
The overflows run into socks, and the skimmer I ultimately chose was an AquaC Urchin, which is the sump version of the Remora that I already have on the 36. Rob made some great points regarding spray injection, and ya know, I came to realize that I really had no problems with my Remora - ever. It always works, no adjusting, no water height issues. It is a little noisy though, but I found that AquaC addressed that issue and now makes them with a muffler, and upgraded the performance too. Wow, inside the cabinet and muffled, this thing is quiet. The return pump is a variable Eheim, and I also have a BRS dual reactor to make sure the PO4 levels stay low. For lighting, I put on two Aqua Illumination LED Vega Blues for lights and wow, they look awesome! The controller has a ton of cool features and these babies put out the light! They're even blue enough for me! I also have an orange back fairy wrasse in QT right now. He's absolutely beautiful, eating great and looks healthy, and is going to make a great addition to the crew. I will get a picture posted when I get a good one. He's really shy. Yes, I have a tight fitting cover - on both the QT and a really nice clear mesh one for the display for when he goes in to his new home. The mesh is great . . it basically leaves the tank open to oxygen and is clear so does not interfere with the lights at all. And if he does try to go carpet surfing, he won't smack into it and hurt himself like glass can. Mark did a great job building all of this stuff for me.
Here is the full tank shot. Now I'm going to start moving corals over.
Awesome, just flat awesome, could be time for that visit I was in the process of spacing out . Beautiful job you two, that is just great.
. Beautiful job you two, that is just great.
Next week sometime? When would be a good time to call, are you all gonna be home like Friday?
I wanted to know if you were gonna be home this Friday so I could call ya?
