55 gallon reef tank diary, my first tank!

[matt2364]

This is my first aquarium ever! Please offer any criticisms or suggestions.
It is a 55 gallon tank
w/overflow box
lifereef sump (8.5 gallon media tower w/LR)
1400gph iwaki pump
2 175w (6,500K) halides, 2 actinic fluorescents
75 lbs of LR, fiji and tonga
25 lbs of LS
As you can see below the stand was in pretty bad shape so my friend, OSUAquarist and I refinished it.
BEFORE

AFTER

After the stand was complete I painted the back of the tank with a gloss black latex paint. I think it took around 6 coats.

We then constructed all of the PVC piping you see in the picture below. At the top of the column the water shoots off at the T into 1/2'' fittings. One goes straight up and other shoots over to the other side of the DT. Once the pipes make the bend into the tank they are split again and the water comes out of two adjustable elbows. In total, there are four adjustable returns into the tank.

Here is a picture of underneath the tank. I ended up having so much rock that I smashed it up and put it in the media tower. As I find new unique pieces of rock I plan on removing rock from the DT and putting it in the sump and replacing with new rock.

After putting in the crushed up live rock...things got a little cloudy!

 

[matt2364]

Here is a picture of everything cleared up.

I could use some help here. I am pretty self-conscious of my rock placement. I am not sure what it is, but something about it looks off to me. Any suggests of comments would be very helpful. Here are some close ups, pictures are from left to right.

 

[matt2364]

First addition to the tank today. Started the clean up crew to get the ammonia going. Just got 5 black Mexican turbo's and 5 blue leg hermits.
How long should I wait to try putting a fish in? The rock in the tank came from an established tank and has been cycling in a trash can for a couple weeks. Nitrites, Nitrates, Ammonia are all 0, PH is 8.6 and the salinity is currently 1.02. I am going to try and pick up some more salt tomorrow and raise the salinity.
Once I start getting some more algae growth I am planning on ordering a big clean up crew of Saltwaterfish. Has anyone ordered one of these packages? I think I might get the Big 20 reef package and then get a mated pair of coral branded shrimp. Do you think this would be too big of a clean up crew? How long should I wait until I order it, I want to make sure there is enough growth in the tank for everyone to get enough to eat! A healthy clean up crew is a productive one!
I also have a lot of micro bubbles in the tank, I have read recently that micro bubbles can kill certain types of corals. Is this true? If so, why are micro bubbles so harmful? Could I get rid of them with adding some simple baffles to my sump?

 

[matt2364]

Just ordered some new 14,000K halides

 

[caseysimp7]

good luck!! hope everything works out

 

[gbell5]

The stand turned out nice. It looks like a fun project for you. I'm not sure what size cleaning crew you should get. I have an 8 gallon Biocube and I have 3 hermits, 6 snails and a star fish. They seem to do just fine. Let us know what you get im curious to know what is needed. I just bought a 65 gallon tank and will soon be in the same position. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

[matt b]

You prob should have just cycled the tank with a raw shrimp. the CUC might die from the ammonia (if you even see a spike, sometimes you can get away without cycling). but just wait it out. And the big 20 should be fine. just wait until you get more algae for them to eat. And for the fish I would wait about 3 weeks but it is all about when you cycle gets done if you get one. but other then that it looks great!!! if you dont mind me asking where did you get your setup?
BTW, It looks really good so far!!!

 

[matt2364]

I got everything off of craigslist. It initially came with a 48'' lifereef protein skimmer, but I ended up selling it. In the process of looking for a smaller skimmer that will fit in my stand.
What does everyone think about the rock formation? Any suggestions? I am not 100% happy with it right now, I feel like it is too cluttered or forced.
MaTT B, you live very close to me I live on 16th avenue, be OSU campus. Once I get my tank going maybe we could trade frags or something.

 

[matt b]

Originally Posted by matt2364
http:///forum/post/2492148
I got everything off of craigslist. It initially came with a 48'' lifereef protein skimmer, but I ended up selling it. In the process of looking for a smaller skimmer that will fit in my stand.
What does everyone think about the rock formation? Any suggestions? I am not 100% happy with it right now, I feel like it is too cluttered or forced.
MaTT B, you live very close to me I live on 16th avenue, be OSU campus. Once I get my tank going maybe we could trade frags or something.
Ya I am setting up a 75 SPS/LPS tank right now. I am taking everything from my 29 and putting it in the new tank. but ya once we both get some growth we could def trade!!!

 

[paintballer768]

I think the rock looks good, except it doesnt look like theres many good places to actually let corals grow out. Maybe some different, more "full", rock is what is missing. Just my opinion. Hope it goes well!
The cycling process is done once your ammonia and nitrites reach 0. In most cases, you will see a spike in both, and a reduction. Always ammonia, then nitrite, but if you only see nitrite, then the ammo. one happened in between testing.

 

[matt2364]

I am getting a lot of micro bubbles. Is this normal in a new tank, or would it be best to add some baffles to my sump? I have posted a picture below, I am thinking about installing a baffle to the left and right of the acrylic piece that is already in there. Any recommendations on baffle height would be appreciated.

 

[matt b]

Where are the bubbles coming from? ( i.e skimmer, return, powerhead)

 

[matt2364]

I am getting a lot of micro bubbles. Is this normal in a new tank, or would it be best to add some baffles to my sump? I have posted a picture below, I am thinking about installing a baffle to the left and right of the acrylic piece that is already in there. Any recommendations on baffle height would be appreciated.

 

[matt2364]

They are coming from the return. I don't even have a skimmer hooked up yet

 

[matt b]

Originally Posted by matt2364
http:///forum/post/2492648
They are coming from the return. I don't even have a skimmer hooked up yet
so do you see bubbles forming in the sump or are the forming after the sump and in the return?

 

[matt2364]

there are some big bubbles in the sump. Not a ton or anything, but there are always some bubbles in it. They could be forming after the sump too though. I guess I will just have to put in some baffles and go from there.

 

[matt b]

Originally Posted by matt2364
http:///forum/post/2492725
there are some big bubbles in the sump. Not a ton or anything, but there are always some bubbles in it. They could be forming after the sump too though. I guess I will just have to put in some baffles and go from there.
Ya sorry i couldent help more. its kind of a troubleshooting thing

 

[peef]

Looking good! I would say the only thing about your rockwork is it doesn't look natural. It looks like you tried to balance it in precarious ways. Not saying that it looks bad though. Nice work on the stand. I have a 55g that I just got also. I just have it running through with fresh water at the moment though.
I think if you add a baffle it will help a bit. Just be careful that by adding the baffle and raising your water level in doing so you have enough room that if your pump failed your water wont overflow.

 

[matt2364]

I think if you add a baffle it will help a bit. Just be careful that by adding the baffle and raising your water level in doing so you have enough room that if your pump failed your water wont overflow.
I will definitely do some tests. Earlier in the set up, I forgot to put little wholes in the top of the returns...all the water started to syphon down into the sump. luckily, I had a very strong power head attached to a tube and was able to drain most of the water out into a trashcan. Still lost a gallon or two to the floor...It was pretty scary!!
Adding the baffles, I should just put one to the right and one to the left of the one that is already there right? and have both of them elevated so the water can go under both of them and then over the middle one?

 

[matt2364]

Another question:
I was thinking about hanging my lights about 8'' above my tank. Would I need to have something covering the lights? I am worried about evaporating water getting on my halides and them exploding.