Snake's 75g build thread

[novahobbies]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/120#post_3493622

Yeah, I'm the nerd with a Visual C++ CD. LOL
Ugh, I took a C++ programming course in college. I know enough to be dangerous....enough to read the code, but a programmer I will never be. My brain just does not work that way. Heck, I had a hard time programming an ATM Machine.
Put another way, I know just enough to know that this is pretty funny: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/27f9/

 

[novahobbies]

Boy, you're making progress! I like it; it's really coming together.
OK, I need to get off my arse and go mail you those pumps.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493643
Thanks Flower - Yeah, I really like the pull chain lights underneath the tank. It really makes it a lot easier to do maintenance.
Ugh, I took a C++ programming course in college. I know enough to be dangerous....enough to read the code, but a programmer I will never be. My brain just does not work that way. Heck, I had a hard time programming an ATM Machine.
Put another way, I know just enough to know that this is pretty funny: http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/27f9/
That is funny. lol. I taught myself C++ when I was in 8th grade / 9th grade. Like you, I have forgotten most of it by now. I used to modify gaming engines to make mods for games.... but I just lost interest in games so I quit programming. That's been a little over a decade now. lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493644
Boy, you're making progress! I like it; it's really coming together.
OK, I need to get off my arse and go mail you those pumps.

Yeah, it's all coming along really well. I think that it's going to get salt in it by tomorrow or the next day. I might even get the sand and some base rock from my parents house over today just so that I can start playing with an aquascape.
I don't have to have those pumps immediately. It would be nice, but I think I can get by with just that one Koralia until then. Take your time, no rush. But, I still want them and will use them until I can get my two MP40s.

 

[novahobbies]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493647
That is funny. lol. I taught myself C++ when I was in 8th grade / 9th grade. Like you, I have forgotten most of it by now. I used to modify gaming engines to make mods for games.... but I just lost interest in games so I quit programming. That's been a little over a decade now. lol
That's how I learned CorelDraw, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver (back before AdobeBorg bought it and folded it into CreativeSuite). I still use Corel and Photoshop in my day to day work. I'm more artsy-fartsy, not analytical enough for good programming.

 

[mxsnow145]

Wow, looks really really good!

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493676
That's how I learned CorelDraw, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver (back before AdobeBorg bought it and folded it into CreativeSuite). I still use Corel and Photoshop in my day to day work. I'm more artsy-fartsy, not analytical enough for good programming.
I'm halfway ok with photoshop. I haven't done a whole lot with it in recent years. I just went through all of the tutorials and started using it for something with the game mods, and then I used to be really big into drawing sketches and coloring them in photoshop. Not so much in the last four years. It's been a blur. So, what do you do for a living, if you don't mind me asking. PM me if you don't want everyone to know.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mxsnow145 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493711
Wow, looks really really good!
Thanks buddy. It's not really anything at the moment. It doesn't really feel like I'm proud of it just yet. I'm just happy that I am making progress on it and finally have some money to spend on my hobby and on my baby.

 

[snakeblitz33]

So far, the sump isn't leaking and the baffles are all properly sealed and don't leak. WOOHOO! All it needs is about 5 more gallons and I'll be able to turn the return pump on and check the return plumbing for leaks. So far, the drain line and the overflow does not appear to be leaking at all. So, that's a blessing so far.
If the freshwater test goes well tonight, I think I might just go ahead and add salt this evening. No reason why I couldn't do it right now. lol.
I also am going to make the mechanical filtration chamber this evening to quiet down the overflow some and filter out some of the particles floating around. I am not really satisfied yet with the flow pattern in the tank coming from the Koralia 8. It's pushing particles away from the overflow - whereas I need it to push particles into the overflow. I'll leave the powerhead in place for the time being and turn the return pump on to see how long it takes for the mechanical filtration in the sump to collect all the particles. Time it or something like that.
I'm kind of concerned about my floor. I am going to go under the trailer to figure out exactly where my tank sits. I measured everything out and it looked like the tank was sitting on two floor joists that are directly on top of two metal beams. I'll have to figure this out soon for some peace of mind.
I left some filter floss in my 20g sump in my other tank to get dirty - so I will add it to my 75g tank to get some good bacteria growing. and I'll throw in a piece of shrimp soon as well.
I am debating whether I want to put sand in the tank now or not. I like the look of sand, and I also like the look of a painted barebottom. Barebottoms are much easier to maintain, but they really do limit the creatures that you can put in the tank. Sand is just so... demanding. Yeah, now I sound like a lazy reefer. lol

 

[novahobbies]

Totally your preference, personally I'm not a barebottom reefer. And boy does THAT sound weird. But I'm a fan of at least a minimum sandbed. If you're mixing salt in the tank, I would mix the bulk of the salt before you added sand, then do your sand, then adjust salinity to finish.
I'm an office administrator (read: slave) for a couple companies sharing office space, and a personal assistant for the very wealthy father of one of the company owners. The main company is a media and marketing co....so basically we sell and trade air. I use my artsey talents for magazine ads, flyers, newspaper sales sheets etc...but I don't get to do that often enough IMO. Usually I'm just paying bills and chasing after people who owe us money. And I think my boss is absolutely fantastic.
Did you hear that, Steve?? Stop reading my posts....yes, I know I'm posting during work, but you're on the golf course this afternoon anyway.
So, anyway....back to the tank. Yeah, the floor bit is a concern. I would make double and triple sure. Here's an interesting long-term tip: When you're done and filled with water/sand/rock, take a level to the x and y axes and PHOTOGRAPH the level bubble. That way you know where the level mark was at when you re-test for level in a month.

 

[sweatervest13]

Looking real good Seth!!!
Man o man do I hate waiting for an RO unit to make a new set up full of water. It takes soooooooooo long. I remember driving up to Walmart for the last 15 gallons on my 125g deal.
I am going to agree with Nova on this one, regarding the sand. I know you really liked your bare bottom 20g. But I would go with at least a shallow sand bed. Do not do sugar fine though. It blows!!!!

Dang I did not notice that you have a Koralia 8. That thing is a monster. I am sure you will figure something out to get the flow pattern right in the tank. Now is a good time to try some things. But of course it will change once you add your rock work.
I really like the idea of a simple sump. Does not need to be super complex to work very well.
Keep up the good work man.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by novahobbies http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493849
Totally your preference, personally I'm not a barebottom reefer. And boy does THAT sound weird. But I'm a fan of at least a minimum sandbed. If you're mixing salt in the tank, I would mix the bulk of the salt before you added sand, then do your sand, then adjust salinity to finish.
I'm an office administrator (read: slave) for a couple companies sharing office space, and a personal assistant for the very wealthy father of one of the company owners. The main company is a media and marketing co....so basically we sell and trade air. I use my artsey talents for magazine ads, flyers, newspaper sales sheets etc...but I don't get to do that often enough IMO. Usually I'm just paying bills and chasing after people who owe us money. And I think my boss is absolutely fantastic.
Did you hear that, Steve?? Stop reading my posts....yes, I know I'm posting during work, but you're on the golf course this afternoon anyway.
So, anyway....back to the tank. Yeah, the floor bit is a concern. I would make double and triple sure. Here's an interesting long-term tip: When you're done and filled with water/sand/rock, take a level to the x and y axes and PHOTOGRAPH the level bubble. That way you know where the level mark was at when you re-test for level in a month.
I think I might buy some course grain sand for a shallow sand bed anyways. What could it hurt. LOL.
Sounds like you have a pretty demanding job. I couldn't be a personal assistant - I would have to be sooo much more organized.
I am going to tripple check the floor the next chance I get.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweatervest13 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493852
Looking real good Seth!!!
Man o man do I hate waiting for an RO unit to make a new set up full of water. It takes soooooooooo long. I remember driving up to Walmart for the last 15 gallons on my 125g deal.
I am going to agree with Nova on this one, regarding the sand. I know you really liked your bare bottom 20g. But I would go with at least a shallow sand bed. Do not do sugar fine though. It blows!!!!

Dang I did not notice that you have a Koralia 8. That thing is a monster. I am sure you will figure something out to get the flow pattern right in the tank. Now is a good time to try some things. But of course it will change once you add your rock work.
I really like the idea of a simple sump. Does not need to be super complex to work very well.
Keep up the good work man.
I have no problem with patience if that saves me some money. lol.
Yeah, I think I am going to buy some course grain sand.
That Koralia 8 is a monster. I'll be glad to get the MP40s in place within the next year. Nova is sending me some K3's to supplement the flow for the time being as well. Thanks Nova!
The sump so far isn't putting any bubbles in the water - but it's only a freshwater test right now. I'll be adding salt tonight, I hope. I just have to get the mechanical filtration in order before I can add any salt, really.

 

[reefr]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493897
I think I might buy some course grain sand for a shallow sand bed anyways. What could it hurt. LOL.
Sounds like you have a pretty demanding job. I couldn't be a personal assistant - I would have to be sooo much more organized.
I am going to tripple check the floor the next chance I get.
I have no problem with patience if that saves me some money. lol.
Yeah, I think I am going to buy some course grain sand.
That Koralia 8 is a monster. I'll be glad to get the MP40s in place within the next year. Nova is sending me some K3's to supplement the flow for the time being as well. Thanks Nova!
The sump so far isn't putting any bubbles in the water - but it's only a freshwater test right now. I'll be adding salt tonight, I hope. I just have to get the mechanical filtration in order before I can add any salt, really.
get leds!

 

[snakeblitz33]

Freshwater leak test went fine
No leaks in the plumbing so far.
Having slight microbubble issue with the Diablo XS160 protein skimmer, but it will be resolved shortly. Contacting Coralvue to see what the issue might be. It might just need some protein in the water to skim - and it might need a break-in period in order to get rid of some of the microbubbles. I know that it didn't put near as many bubbles into the water when I had it in my little 20g sump system, so I think it might just need some proteins and a good break-in period. Coralvue will get back in contact with me to help me through it.
Salt has obviously been added to the tank now. I used the rest of a bucket of instant ocean and I also added 15g mix of Saltwater Correct Organic Sea Salt to the tank to help balance everything out. I will be ordering more of this organic sea salt from Saltwater Correct when I get some more money together. I am happy with their products and hopefully will be able to continue to use them for this SPS dominate reef build.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by REEFR http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493904
get leds!
I am. Just have to save a little money and I'll be ordering a couple of dimmable Chinese made LEDs here in the near future.
I'm not worried about lighting at the moment, to be honest. I can do with stock lighting that I have until I get all of the fish and non-photosynthetic inverts that I want in and settled. It could take a few months until that happens. In the mean time, I will be saving for an LED Unit. ... as well as a slew of other wish list items.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Tomorrow I think I am going to jump the gun and after checking the salinity, go ahead and put some live rock in the sump for some biological filtration and go ahead and add a piece of shrimp or some food. I might even take out that dirty filter in my 20g and add it to the new system. Just ready to get the tank started and going. I know it won't take long with my methods. I just am anxious to get it going.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Just checked salinity... it's at 1.024.
I have to buy more salt and mix some more up and use it as top offs because tomorrow I am going to start adding sand and live rock to the tank.
This polyfil Quilters Batting is getting the tank super polished. Looks like every little particle that was floating in the tank is now filtered out. I can even see the top filter pad already dirty. I'll change it out in the morning.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493929
Just checked salinity... it's at 1.024.
I have to buy more salt and mix some more up and use it as top offs because tomorrow I am going to start adding sand and live rock to the tank.
This polyfil Quilters Batting is getting the tank super polished. Looks like every little particle that was floating in the tank is now filtered out. I can even see the top filter pad already dirty. I'll change it out in the morning.
If you add sand and live rock you take up more space in the tank and shouldn't need more water, you will have to remove water....why would you top off with saltwater? Unless you have an ATO unit, the 1.024 is ideal. The filter pads build good bacteria so you shouldn't have to swap it out more than once a month, once every other week max....it will always look dirty after just a day.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493936
If you add sand and live rock you take up more space in the tank and shouldn't need more water, you will have to remove water....why would you top off with saltwater? Unless you have an ATO unit, the 1.024 is ideal. The filter pads build good bacteria so you shouldn't have to swap it out more than once a month, once every other week max....it will always look dirty after just a day.
Being late at night, I skip over obvious steps. Removing saltwater and adding sand and rock - and then topping off with that saltwater to reach my desired salinity. I figured I should probably switch out my filter media once a week or so.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493947
Being late at night, I skip over obvious steps. Removing saltwater and adding sand and rock - and then topping off with that saltwater to reach my desired salinity. I figured I should probably switch out my filter media once a week or so.
Oh, that makes more sense.
I hope were able to get back to sleep...I'm still up since 4:30 this morning....I could go sleep now, but the day has begun.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/392906/snakes-75g-build-thread/140#post_3493965
Oh, that makes more sense.
I hope were able to get back to sleep...I'm still up since 4:30 this morning....I could go sleep now, but the day has begun.
Yeah, I slept another hour this morning.
My daughter kept waking up every hour on the hour last night wanting to be coddled and occasionally fed. It's like it's a regression from all the progress that she has made. It's fine though, she occasionally has a bad night, just ended up that it was on my night to take care of her. lol
I am getting back on my sleeping meds tonight, so maybe I will be better off here in the next week or two. Who knows.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I have been doing more research on lighting recently. All of the LED lights that I want are now on pre-order. lol. I don't have the money just right now to buy one, but I know I will here in a few weeks. I just wish that they would go ahead and release the new models so that I can read some reviews before making a decision.
I'm kinda looking at the Maxspect R4Z0R (razor) by Coralvue... It seems like it might do well for a 75g tank and it won't break my bank either. My other option is SOLs or Vegas,... I just don't know yet.
I know halides are proven effective - and I have a pair that I could use. I just don't want a lot of excessive heat in the tank and I don't want to have to pay for a higher electric bill if I can keep from it.