supermarvin76 Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 Ok Ok.... Here we go.You may or may not have seen a thread I started a couple weeks ago where I wanted to plan a tank with a budget of about $600 including everything: the tank, stand, RODI, test kits, you name it, I needed it. Well, unfortunately I have little self control when I am not being monitored, and the tank planning is in full swing and the "budget" is blown. Big time. About 10 years ago I was really getting into tanks, and making all the rookie mistakes. Crushed coral substrate, began with a canister filter and then upgraded to a wet/dry, changed the substrate to sand, added live rock slowly, had shoddy lights, not enough flow. Topped off from a less than suitable water supply. So here I go with what started as a "$600 budget"... PicO III from PicO Aquariums AI Sol Nano Tunze 9002 skimmer replaced in September with a Cad Lights PLS-50 Vortec MP10 Tunze Nano ATO BRS RODI New 29 gallon Bio Cube stand Mr Aqua 18" placement mat- although I think it's a tad too small 50 W Ehiem Jager heater- oops, I think I need the 100W AI Sol controller 20 pounds of Fiji Pink Arag-Alive 20 gallon Brute can about 16 lbs live rock 25 Sept 2013: 1 Sept 2013 June 8, 2013 March 24, 2013:March 21, 2013:FTS Feb 25, 2013: Link to comment
JR! Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 sounds like a really cool build so far. Link to comment
Spirofucci Posted February 25, 2013 Share Posted February 25, 2013 LOL @ FTS. Looks like you are starting off with all the right stuff! Link to comment
supermarvin76 Posted February 25, 2013 Author Share Posted February 25, 2013 Ooh!!! Ooh!!!! Chris is cutting my glass!!!!! Whooooooooooohoooooooo!!!!!!!!! Sorry. I excite easily. Link to comment
supermarvin76 Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share Posted February 28, 2013 I just bought sand!!!! 20 pounds of Fiji Pink Arag-Alive. I figure that should be about enough, right? I believe the footprint is 18"x14". I also picked up an API test kit. Not nearly as cool as sand, but gotta have one. Told ya I excite easily! Link to comment
Giga Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 I just bought sand!!!! 20 pounds of Fiji Pink Arag-Alive. I figure that should be about enough, right? I believe the footprint is 18"x14". I also picked up an API test kit. Not nearly as cool as sand, but gotta have one. Told ya I excite easily! Sounds about right Link to comment
hey Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 yeh I only needed about 10lbs to cover the egg crate in mine and seeing as how our tanks will be twins 20 should have your needs covered. The build looks great looking forward to seeing how you choose to scape it. Link to comment
supermarvin76 Posted February 28, 2013 Author Share Posted February 28, 2013 yeh I only needed about 10lbs to cover the egg crate in mine and seeing as how our tanks will be twins 20 should have your needs covered. The build looks great looking forward to seeing how you choose to scape it. I'm still debating whether or not to use egg crate. Is "egg crate" the light diffuser sold at Home Depot? If so, that stuff is reef safe?!? Link to comment
hey Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 I assume, it is the only egg crate that is sold, lowes didn't carry it and it was sold at home depot. I have seen enough people using them to decide it was safe. Link to comment
supermarvin76 Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 Here is the plan for this weekend: I really need to learn how to post full photos here instead of these thumbnails.... Link to comment
hey Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Here is the plan for this weekend: a1.png I really need to learn how to post full photos here instead of these thumbnails.... Looking solid, btw for pictures I upload mine to photobucket then just grab the img link and insert in the link button on the toolbar Link to comment
Hexadron Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Ooooh can't wait to see more! Congrats on the PicO Link to comment
supermarvin76 Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 Looking solid, btw for pictures I upload mine to photobucket then just grab the img link and insert in the link button on the toolbar I try to paste in the link to the photobucket photo and then it tells me I am not allowed to use "that file extension here" Link to comment
hey Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 I try to paste in the link to the photobucket photo and then it tells me I am not allowed to use "that file extension here" from photobucket, open the picture you want, click the button above it called share to other services, this will open a small 3 tabbed window, click links, the second bar down should be named direct link click that and it will automatically copy the img's direct link. then from there click the insert image button on the posting taskbar and paste the link that u got from the bucket voila! Link to comment
supermarvin76 Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 from photobucket, open the picture you want, click the button above it called share to other services, this will open a small 3 tabbed window, click links, the second bar down should be named direct link click that and it will automatically copy the img's direct link. then from there click the insert image button on the posting taskbar and paste the link that u got from the bucket voila! Got it! Thanks!!! Link to comment
supermarvin76 Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 WOOT!!!!! My order status has changed from "cutting glass" to "build in progress"!!!!!!! I celebrated by buying a 20 gallon Brute can, and pulling the trigger on my BRS order I posted above. Link to comment
supermarvin76 Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share Posted March 6, 2013 Who got goodies today!?!? ME!!!!! It was my first transaction with BRS and it was a great experience. I ordered late Saturday night, and here it is Tuesday afternoon. I will buy from them again for sure! Link to comment
TristanC Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Nice! Same stuff I'm using except for the rodi. Link to comment
BadCrab Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Awww yeah. We need to start a club. Link to comment
Justice Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Very nice start! The tunze nano is awesome. I've never used an ATO before until now, but I see how good they are to have. Link to comment
TristanC Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 I like the nano too, it's low tech but gets the job done well. I am however thinking of setting up an extra float switch to my rkl in case the first float switch fails. Link to comment
1reefluvr2 Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Lookin great cant wait to see it wet! Link to comment
supermarvin76 Posted March 11, 2013 Author Share Posted March 11, 2013 Happy Monday to you!!! I messaged with Chris from Pico Aquariums yesterday and my tank will be shipping next Monday. I'm ready for it! Sorta.... Here is some of my growing list of questions and concerns. Please let me know what you KNOW. A) See the black egg crate in the photos above? Should I put that down in my tank under the rock and sand? Or only under the rock? Or not at all? Why? B- I am going to order about 16 lbs of cured Manado rock from Premium Aquatics. Should I dip this in a high salinity bucket prior to putting it in the tank? C) I am worried about handling the tank when it gets here. I've never handled a rimless tank before. I understand I can not lift it by one side, but then how? Hold two sides at the top at the same time and lift straight up? D) I guess when it gets here I need to take it to the basement for a couple days and let it run with water to leak check it. What should I set the tank on down there? The stand is in my living room. E) I have a 1/4" Mr Aqua Mat on my stand. Think this is ok, or should I downsize to 1/8" F) I'm having a hard time finding a place to set the RODI in the basement. Really don't want to drill into the wall to hang it... And I'll gladly accept any other advice you can send! Thanks! Link to comment
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