My 1st Saltwater Aquarium

rjskds33 · 05/26/2017, 08:15 AM

I have a 40 gallon oceanic tank giving to me from a friend. I add rinsed and mixed sand and crushed coral for substrate (not live). I have 30 lbs of live rock and 10-15 dry. Tanked has been cycled and has clean up crew of 6 large turbo snails, crabs, and a few other types of snails. I'm using a 350 gallon hang on back filter for surface agitation, and jebao pp-4 wavemaker. Running 10,000k spectrum leds 12 on 12 off. I have 2 clown fish and a chromis. I do weekly water change of 5 gallons. Tank has been up for a couple months and I'm enjoying taking my time and watching this little environment grow.

I figured I would start this to document progression and hopefully receive constructive feedback along my journey.

Exceptionrule · 05/26/2017, 09:37 AM

350 gallon hang on back might be a little overkill for just a 40 gallon.

exsequor · 05/26/2017, 11:02 AM

I think he probably means 350gph. I have a 45g and 55g I run a emperor 75g appx 350gph. I also run reactors and uv and protein skimmers on those tanks in addition to circulation pumps. One even has a dosing system and ATO, the 45g just doesn't have a lot of great space for a sump in the stand it came with. Nice set up so far, time time time persistence and keeping up on things and learning I see your tank continuing to do great.

rjskds33 · 06/21/2017, 09:18 AM

Added more dry rock to fill out rest of tank after rinsing rock thoroughly.

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Crack1sWak · 06/21/2017, 08:26 PM

The rockscape seems to be a little tight. I feel like you may run into issues with having things settle in it and not being able to have the flow in the tank take it out. I do like the look however and can't wait to see how this turns out.

Diana A · 06/21/2017, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjskds33

Added more dry rock to fill out rest of tank after rinsing rock thoroughly.

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Your biggest battle will be getting the phosphate to unbind from the dead/dry rock. Here is an interesting thread on how to cure dry rock
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2145395

Diana A · 06/21/2017, 08:48 PM

Here is a recent thread on crushed coral substrate http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...=crushed+coral

rjskds33 · 06/22/2017, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crack1sWak

The rockscape seems to be a little tight. I feel like you may run into issues with having things settle in it and not being able to have the flow in the tank take it out. I do like the look however and can't wait to see how this turns out.

Thanks I will take that into consideration.

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rjskds33 · 06/22/2017, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diana A

Your biggest battle will be getting the phosphate to unbind from the dead/dry rock. Here is an interesting thread on how to cure dry rock
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2145395

Thanks I'll look into this

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rjskds33 · 06/22/2017, 05:43 AM

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Crack1sWak · 06/22/2017, 09:22 AM

How are your test results for the tank looking? And what settings are you using with the jebao pp-4? I don't know if I missed it but what are your plans with the tank? Are you wanting to keep it more of with just fish and inverts or do you eventually want to add corals later on?

rjskds33 · 06/22/2017, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crack1sWak

How are your test results for the tank looking? And what settings are you using with the jebao pp-4? I don't know if I missed it but what are your plans with the tank? Are you wanting to keep it more of with just fish and inverts or do you eventually want to add corals later on?

My goal is to do corals, my test have all come back where they should be I need to get phosphate tester though before I go any further

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Crack1sWak · 06/22/2017, 05:45 PM

Are you planning on sticking with the light you have now for the corals or changing it up down the road?

rjskds33 · 06/22/2017, 05:47 PM

What would be the best testers to get for phosphates

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Crack1sWak · 06/22/2017, 05:49 PM

If you have the money I would go with the Hannah Checker.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosph...ine-water.html
But if you don't want to spend that much which I haven't I would suggest getting the NYOS test kit. I haven't used it but I have heard nothing but good things about it and that using it is simple.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosph...-kit-nyos.html

rjskds33 · 06/23/2017, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crack1sWak

Are you planning on sticking with the light you have now for the corals or changing it up down the road?

Yes I'm planning on T5's any suggestions?

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rjskds33 · 06/23/2017, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crack1sWak

If you have the money I would go with the Hannah Checker.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosph...ine-water.html
But if you don't want to spend that much which I haven't I would suggest getting the NYOS test kit. I haven't used it but I have heard nothing but good things about it and that using it is simple.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosph...-kit-nyos.html

Thank you for the info I will look into this

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Crack1sWak · 06/23/2017, 12:44 PM

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/36-ati...t-fixture.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/36-blu...giesemann.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ati-36...r-fixture.html
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/matrix...giesemann.html
These are four that are typically the most popular do you know what type of corals you are wanting to house because then I could give you a specific fixture with the correct amount of bulbs and which bulbs to use?

pfan151 · 06/25/2017, 12:35 PM

I think your rock was much better before you added more.

05/26/2017, 08:15 AM	#1
rjskds33 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 0	My 1st Saltwater Aquarium I have a 40 gallon oceanic tank giving to me from a friend. I add rinsed and mixed sand and crushed coral for substrate (not live). I have 30 lbs of live rock and 10-15 dry. Tanked has been cycled and has clean up crew of 6 large turbo snails, crabs, and a few other types of snails. I'm using a 350 gallon hang on back filter for surface agitation, and jebao pp-4 wavemaker. Running 10,000k spectrum leds 12 on 12 off. I have 2 clown fish and a chromis. I do weekly water change of 5 gallons. Tank has been up for a couple months and I'm enjoying taking my time and watching this little environment grow. I figured I would start this to document progression and hopefully receive constructive feedback along my journey.

06/21/2017, 08:48 PM	#7
Diana A Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 682	Here is a recent thread on crushed coral substrate http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...=crushed+coral __________________ diana

05/26/2017, 09:37 AM	#2
Exceptionrule Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 52	350 gallon hang on back might be a little overkill for just a 40 gallon.

05/26/2017, 11:02 AM	#3
exsequor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 224	I think he probably means 350gph. I have a 45g and 55g I run a emperor 75g appx 350gph. I also run reactors and uv and protein skimmers on those tanks in addition to circulation pumps. One even has a dosing system and ATO, the 45g just doesn't have a lot of great space for a sump in the stand it came with. Nice set up so far, time time time persistence and keeping up on things and learning I see your tank continuing to do great.

06/21/2017, 09:18 AM	#4
rjskds33 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 0	Added more dry rock to fill out rest of tank after rinsing rock thoroughly. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06/21/2017, 08:26 PM	#5
Crack1sWak Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Indiana Posts: 8	The rockscape seems to be a little tight. I feel like you may run into issues with having things settle in it and not being able to have the flow in the tank take it out. I do like the look however and can't wait to see how this turns out.

06/22/2017, 05:43 AM	#10
rjskds33 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 0	Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06/22/2017, 09:22 AM	#11
Crack1sWak Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Indiana Posts: 8	How are your test results for the tank looking? And what settings are you using with the jebao pp-4? I don't know if I missed it but what are your plans with the tank? Are you wanting to keep it more of with just fish and inverts or do you eventually want to add corals later on?

06/22/2017, 05:45 PM	#13
Crack1sWak Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Indiana Posts: 8	Are you planning on sticking with the light you have now for the corals or changing it up down the road?

06/22/2017, 05:47 PM	#14
rjskds33 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 0	What would be the best testers to get for phosphates Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06/22/2017, 05:49 PM	#15
Crack1sWak Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Indiana Posts: 8	If you have the money I would go with the Hannah Checker. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosph...ine-water.html But if you don't want to spend that much which I haven't I would suggest getting the NYOS test kit. I haven't used it but I have heard nothing but good things about it and that using it is simple. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/phosph...-kit-nyos.html

06/23/2017, 12:44 PM	#18
Crack1sWak Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Indiana Posts: 8	http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/36-ati...t-fixture.html http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/36-blu...giesemann.html http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ati-36...r-fixture.html http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/matrix...giesemann.html These are four that are typically the most popular do you know what type of corals you are wanting to house because then I could give you a specific fixture with the correct amount of bulbs and which bulbs to use?

06/25/2017, 12:35 PM	#19
pfan151 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: FL Posts: 1,897	I think your rock was much better before you added more.