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GNT's Tank Build


GNT

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Fellow tank fans. Relatively new to the hobby. Very excited. Tank arrives in a few days and will send tank shots as soon as possible.

 

As of 1/30

 

Nuvo 30L

20 lb. Fiji Pink Arag-Alive! Reef Sand

25 lb Pukani dry rock

Osmolator Universal 3155 Auto Top Off - Tunze

Reef Octopus Classic 1000 Hang-on-Back Protein Skimmer

CD-87698 Current USA Orbit Marine LED Saltwater Reef Lighting System 36-48"

"Jebao RW-4 Series wave-maker

Ro water 50GPD

 

1/23 - Started curing rock

1/28 - Ammonia spike no nitrate/nitrite. PH levels are lower than 8.2. Wondering if this is just a part of curing.

2/1. - Ammonia 8+, PH is around 7.9, still no Nitrite/Nitrate, temp 82. (Tank arrives in two days!)

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1/30 - Started curing 25 pds dry Pukani 1/23. Ammonia levels off the chart, PH about 7.9-8.0 but nitrate/nitrite still not showing up. I anticipated some creep in those levels by now. Will wait a few days to see.

 

Tank and materials show up next week. Very exciting.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Finally got a replacement tank. BRS guys were great and getting a new one out. I think IM can do some lessons learned on packing. For example they let the pump sit free inside and both pumps came broken. Onto more interesting topics. Here is my stand assembled with tank and first pass at aquascapi F. I got 25 pounds of Pukani and this is only about 2/3 of the total rock. I have a massive piece left over I will try and utilize in a dump sometime in the future.

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Oooh, that is going to be nice! By the way, welcome to the hobby and N-R! There are lots of nice folks here to help so don't be afraid to ask.

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Added Reef Octopus Classic HOB 1000. It's profile is a bit larger than I anticipated and it's not "whisper" quiet but not loud by any means. I don't have fish yet and already started pulling a brown discharge. The assembly wasn't overly difficult with help from some good people posting how to videos on YouTube. What I find interesting is the time Reef Octopus puts into the design and production of their equipment and the obvious gap and lack of effort placed on their instructions.

 

couple takeaways

1. Make sure you fit the o-rings snugly.

2. Misplaced o-ring doesn't produce only a water leak. It can create air pockets in the pump that will essentially turn the pump off and stop the bubbles.

3. Micro bubbles don't appear to be a huge problem, but might attempt to add some additional barriers in the outake to reduce further. The filters were a little challenge to fit in the back of the Nuvo, but worked well once I moved tubes over. Here are some pics:

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Couple questions, seems like we are mirroring each other with our builds, albeit different setups. I have a 20 gallon high and am currently shopping for a HOB skimmer. I was told the Reef octopus Classic 1000 was too big for my set up, your thoughts? I was a bit disappointed because that is the skimmer I really want, or possibly the Aquamaxx. Second question is what test kit are you using? I use the API tests.

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Simulated Fish

Current Water Parameters (02/24/16)

Temperature: 78.0


Ammonia: 0.0

Nitrates: 40ppm

Nitrites: 5.0ppm

pH: 8.0


Salinty: 1.026

Getting close!

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Glorious day! Could it be?!? Is Nitrite beginning a decent?!? Go bacteria go !!!

Couple questions, seems like we are mirroring each other with our builds, albeit different setups. I have a 20 gallon high and am currently shopping for a HOB skimmer. I was told the Reef octopus Classic 1000 was too big for my set up, your thoughts? I was a bit disappointed because that is the skimmer I really want, or possibly the Aquamaxx. Second question is what test kit are you using? I use the API tests.

Let me answer the easy one first. I am using the API Saltwater Master Test Kit. I will expand my testing as I begin to populate (picture attached)

 

I will say on the HOB 1000 that it was a lot bigger than I expected. Not sure what the dimensions of your tank are, but could easily see a smaller sized tank might have problems finding room for the intake/output pipes. I was quite shocked at how big it was when it showed up and somewhat surprised I got it to fit.

 

Having said that I love the skimmer itself. If your someone who wants/needs a very "clean" look then it certainly isn't for you, but I already started pulling scum out before I added fish.

 

Have you thought about the 100 or a Tunze?

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Simulated Fish

Where did these come from. I don't recall them this morning. Must be getting close !!! Looks like some brown algae blooms?

Datioms, very common in new tanks. Get that CUC!

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Datioms, very common in new tanks. Get that CUC!

Do you think CUC before cycle is completed? How many snails for a 30 gallon?

Looks like Nitrites are one step closer. This test is taken a day after previous image is posted/taken and has come done a bit more. Diatoms are on the rise and will add CUC and first few fish soon.

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Simulated Fish

Do you think CUC before cycle is completed? How many snails for a 30 gallon?Looks like Nitrites are one step closer. This test is taken a day after previous image is posted/taken and has come done a bit more. Diatoms are on the rise and will add CUC and first few fish soon.

 

Head over to ReefCleaners John has great product and "kits" based on tank size. I wouldn't trust anyone else more when I need a CUC. He can also put together a custom CUC if you feel none of the packages are what you want.

 

Personally I would wait maybe a couple days as insurance that the cycle is done but I also play things very safe :)

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