New Guy

[Snowboarda42]

Hey I'm brand new here so I thought I would register and say whatsup? I've been reading topics on this site and thought it was a great source for information and whatnot, so I registered.

As for the Tank, I just bought an All-Glass 45 Gallon Aquarium and Black Wood stand.







I've been into Tropical Freshwater for a while now with good results, and have always been interested in saltwater. So I'm giving it a try.

My Name is Elliott, I'm 21, I live in Wenatchee, WA (Right in the middle of the state). I work for an Ambulance company out here as a Full Time Emergency Medical Technician.

For the Tank I'm going to go full reef. I've been reading lots for the past two months to see what I'm getting into.

 

[Snowboarda42]

Anyways, I'm a picture whore so I'm posting a bunch of pictures up 8)


This was about 9 days ago, with live sand only and Saltwater:

I decided since I don't want any rocks falling, to go for the pillar idea that everyone's been using.

But, I did it a little differently.

I used egg crate, and Tapwater Faucet hook up lines I got from Home Depot.

I shaved the bigger round part down into a square shape, then epoxied it into the egg crating.

Then the Live Rock came:


I used a 1/2" masonry drill bit to drill holes in the rock for the 1/2" rods to go through.

Lots of color and life on these:

Cleaned and set one in the tank to see what it looked like:

 

[Snowboarda42]

After All the Drilling, Rodding, Brushing, and Scaping were done:

From the Top:

Left Side:

Right Side:

So in the end, the egg crate sits on the bottom of the tank, the rock sits on top if it, and the sand sits over the egg crate.

I think i'm going to get another 40lbs of sand though.

Time to cycle!

 

[rocket]

Looks like a good start! But from the first pic, shouldnt your name be skia42?

 

[returnofsid]

Everything looks really good so far. I do have a couple questions and maybe a suggestion or 2. It looks like you might be running a cannister filter. Is that what that water intake is? If so, I'd rethink that. Cannister filters are known to become wonderful Nitrate Factories. Also, you mentioned a glass top. Depending on your lighting system, well, not really depending on your lighting. You'll end up getting rid of the top. I think you'll find that with Saltwater, you'll end up going topless!! LOL

Your live rock looks like really good quality!! How much of it do you have?

Okay, enough questions and suggestions for now...just one more thing...and this is the most important so pay close attention...

WELCOME TO REEF FRONTIERS!!!!

You'll find this is the greatest source of reefing information you can find. It's also a great "extended family!!" This forum is made up of a group of really friendly and very informative folks. Enjoy your stay and we're very glad to have you!! Keep up the good work.

 

[Snowboarda42]

Thanks!

Rocket:
Those Skii's were my roommate's, but he moved to Texas (no snow there) so they're gone now. My snowboard's hanging on the wall.

ReturnOfSid:
Yes, I am running a Cannister filter. The day it Arrived I read that they can become nitrate factories. But I think I'll try my luck b/c I've seen quite a few that have had great success with them if they are cleaned regularly. Maybe later I'll go to a sump. As for the glass tops, I took them back b/c I heard they can inhibit gas exchange.

BTW, you're both from Spokane, I hear that theres meetings out there once in a while. I was talking to the guy at Aquatic Dreams a few weeks ago and he's way helpful, I think I'm going to order some stuff from him since he can have it shipped to the pangborn airport by plane which is about 8 minutes up the hill from me.

Oh, and thats 45.7lbs of Live Rock from SWF dot com. I'm getting impatient with no fish...

 

[Damsel13]

Ok so you have OCD too???

Nice setup

 

[Damsel13]

just run the cannister empty or with a little carbon that you change often.

but I know nothing. I keep forgetting.

 

[coralsplus]

looks awesome keep up the good work! and remember don't rush anything, thats the number one rule i've found in salt water is give it time!

 

[Meche]

I run a canister. It is a great place to put carbon, phosphate remover, and/or polyfilters.

I agree with Sid about the tops though. I went out and bought some when I up graded my lights. They were the bane of my existance! :evil: Without them you will have less to clean, better gas exchange, and (IMO) a better look.

Good luck and welcome to RF!!!

 

[brady816]

nice setup keep the pics coming

 

[Krish]

Welcome to RF! Nice setup so far

 

[theJ]

Snow,

Great job so far! YES we have RAD meetings in spokane, check out the Spokane reef society forum on reef frontiers. Also, barraquatics.com, home of Brent Barr, he organizes our SRS meetings. And the guy at Aquatic Dreams? He will treat you RIGHT+. He knows what he is doing and he is definately a good resource. His shop is what got me into saltwater Oh his name is Kevin btw Great tank and hope to see you at a meeting some time!

 

[spongebob lover]

My Name is Elliott, I'm 21, I live in Wenatchee, WA (Right in the middle of the state). I work for an Ambulance company out here as a Full Time Emergency Medical Technician.

you forgot to say ..what food you like :lol: .... j/k .

Ok so you have OCD too???

LMAO!!! :lol: .. where did you read that .

Welcome to RF dood ... i hope you like it here .

 

[Snowboarda42]

you forgot to say ..what food you like :lol: .... j/k .

Pasta

 

[Meche]

Nice '87-'93 5.0L LX hatch!

 

[returnofsid]

If you do decide to continue using the canister filter, do one of 2 things. Either clean the media religiously!!! Don't get lazy on it at all....which most tend to do after a couple months....OR...remove the media. Use the canister to run carbon as mentioned above...and use it for added flow. If you do those things, canister filters work great!! Pasta??? Did someone mention Pasta?? Oh, did I mention that I'm a chef?? lol.

Aquatic Dreams? You probably spoke with Kevin. Great guy and REALLY knows his stuff!!

 

[Brenden]

Gaby is our local stalker. Just ignore her but she still will not go away.:badgrin: Tank is looking good. Had a few comments but others have already covered it.

 

[spongebob lover]

Gaby is our local stalker. Just ignore her but she still will not go away. Tank is looking good. Had a few comments but others have already covered it.

LMAO!!! i thought we were gonna keep that as a secret dood :shock: :lol: :lol:

 

[Damsel13]

Writing in my little notebook "Gaby is the local stalker. by Brenden ".