rawlins06 Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 My first ever attempt at saltwater. I've had freshwater planted tanks for almost 15 years. I've had the fluval spec for about a year now. It was originally a freshwater but quickly got up graded to a larger tank. Its been sitting in its box for awhile. I've been researching modifying the spec. Equipment: Spec V Stock pump has been upgraded to the Mini Jet 606 Jager heater Hydor Flo deflector. Going to try out the spin stream later on. Lighting: Coral Compulsion 14W PAR30 LED 18k Livestock: About 7lbs live sand. Just over 5lbs live rock. Small Snails 1 Yellow Clown Goby 1 Porcelain Crab "Bisque" Corals: Ricordia Florida & a Yuma Acan lord Trumpet Coral Green Star Polyps Zoas Pipe Organ Coral Pink Stylophora Using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. Going to try something new, not sure what yet. Filter media is filter pads, purigen and chemi pur elite. Link to comment
jestep Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Nice. Looks like you did your research on the tank. Where are you from in CO? Originally from there but down in TX now. I know there's a few good local communities up there you might want to look at. Great places to get cheaper coral, livestock, and equipment. Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 Finally got a pic uploaded! Stupid Droid Ultra! I'm in the Springs. Got most of my rock from Seascapes. I'm wanting to add some Zoas and Mushrooms after I get my light. Seascapes has cute Green Clown Gobys for $10-15. Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 Attaching the rocks together was a pain. Epoxy is hard to use on wet rock. Ended up doing a rock, reef glue, epoxy, reef glue, rock sandwich. That worked way better. Link to comment
saltwatercoral Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Looking Nice! Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 According to USPS website my pump, heater and skimmer should be here tomorrow!!! Link to comment
lecroj Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Good start. I always do the same Crazy Glue/epoxy sandwich and it works great. It might be too late but if you are only seeing one side, you can spray paint the back black. Also, you might end up adding a tiny pump on the right side. You can use the original Spec V pump and turn it down, since you are replacing it anyway. Just hack saw a hole in the hood where the cord will be. Also, if you cut the top off the stock sponge, it is easier to remove and clean. Finally, I recommend cutting a 3" x 14" piece of thin plexi glass to cover the hole in the center. It will reduce your evaporation to just a few ounces per day. It will also keep blennies and gobies from jumping out. Also, you will need to upload photos to Photobucket and link to that soon because you will run out of posting space on this board after about 10 photos. Link to comment
Kijho Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Nice start to the Spec V, Welcome! Nice looking scape too! You gotta get some lighting on that baby!! Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 Thanks for all the tips lecroj. I never thought of using my current pump like that. I'm going to get a background for my tank later. I don't really like the idea of using paint. I don't have that original foam media holder anymore.. After I saw people using egg crate to make one I just threw mine away. I'll be getting egg crate when we go to Lowes to get wood to make a stand. The tank is going to go in the family room. Having my husband put wheels on it too so I can role it out to get to the back easier if needed. I was planing on getting some screen to cover the hole in the lid or would plexi be better? Going to try to figure photo bucket out lol Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/rawlins06/media/Fluval%20Spec%20V/IMG_20140912_112140482_zps1728acc6.jpg.html'> Yay! I think I figured photobucket out Link to comment
Mckinney0171 Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Let me know how the intank surface skimmer works for you. I have had lots of issues with it. If I raise it the pump chamber water dries up over the course of the day. And if I lower it to prevent that it doesn't surface skim. Pretty frustrating so far... Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 Look what came today! Had to cut the top part of the skimmer off. The pump water level dropped too much. I'll play with it when I have more time to watch it. If I was using the stock pump it would probably be just fine. Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 Where should I put the stock pump? Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 In its new home. Link to comment
lecroj Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 I put the second pump on the back wall (90 degrees from where yours is) but it should go wherever you aren't getting enough flow. Now that my tank has been running a while, I think it might work best below the main return nozzle near the bottom but facing 90 degrees from the main. Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 15, 2014 Author Share Posted September 15, 2014 Running both pumps was putting my tank over 80 degrees. Link to comment
lecroj Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 The 606 pump should be enough and you can always add the second pump in the winter. What are your thoughts on fish? Link to comment
saltwatercoral Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Looking nice! That light when you get it should look nice over that tank! Link to comment
ETucc Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Running both pumps was putting my tank over 80 degrees. Definitely no need for both pumps! Do you have some sort of media rack in your sump? Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 16, 2014 Author Share Posted September 16, 2014 I will be making a media rack. I've seen where people have been using egg crate. I've never worked with that stuff before. What's the best way to cut it? The 606 pump should be enough and you can always add the second pump in the winter.What are your thoughts on fish? Planning on getting a green clown goby. My hubby wants me to get a clown fish but I think even the smaller species wouldn't be very happy for long. Maybe I'll have to do another tank in a year or so Link to comment
ETucc Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 I've never worked with the egg crate, but a quick Google search should help you out! Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 Omg so excited!! http://cosprings.craigslist.org/for/4669778684.html Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 craigslist nazis flagged the post > Fragtoberfest! in the springs in a couple weeks! I will have my light by then! Link to comment
rawlins06 Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Look what I made, and I only glued myself to it once! Egg crate is a pain but it fits nice and snug.http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/rawlins06/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-09/IMG_20140919_172205484_zpsjxvx3z0n.jpg.html'>http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/rawlins06/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-09/IMG_20140919_171609347_HDR_zpscok5pwec.jpg.html'> Link to comment
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