Tamberav Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 You can just wash the sand since you are trying to save money...people wash it with tap even. If the sand is cloudy and dirty I would definitely pull it and rinse. You can save a cup of it unwashed to 'seed'. Quote Link to comment
Juno Posted July 20, 2019 Author Share Posted July 20, 2019 1 hour ago, Tamberav said: You can just wash the sand since you are trying to save money...people wash it with tap even. If the sand is cloudy and dirty I would definitely pull it and rinse. You can save a cup of it unwashed to 'seed'. I did rinse it a little. It looks fantastic. It’s clear and pretty. I was going to wait a few weeks to test it. Maybe I’ll go ahead and test it to see if it’s got crazy phosphates or nitrates? If not, could it maybe be ok? Quote Link to comment
Tamberav Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 6 minutes ago, Juno said: I did rinse it a little. It looks fantastic. It’s clear and pretty. I was going to wait a few weeks to test it. Maybe I’ll go ahead and test it to see if it’s got crazy phosphates or nitrates? If not, could it maybe be ok? Maybe the guy rinsed it when he took it out? If it seems clean I would just wait then. Worst case it doesn't work and you have to pull it out later. Usually used sand is pretty gross but sounds like it might have been washed already. Quote Link to comment
5*Chris Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 7 hours ago, Juno said: I do need to settle on a good light. The tank is 34 gal, 20 x 20 x 20. I do plan on attempting everything that would need good strong light. 🤦🏽♂️I should of read up more, didn't realize it was a bigger tank Quote Link to comment
BehindGlass Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 3 hours ago, Juno said: I did buy buy the used AI Prime light. Thanks for the tip on that! That's Great and your welcome. Quote Link to comment
Juno Posted July 23, 2019 Author Share Posted July 23, 2019 Alright...I got home from work today and siphoned out all the water. Man, the tank looked so beautiful, but I knew I had to get the old sand out. I pulled out all the water and then scooped out the sand. I got about 99% of it out. I added back in new and fresh Caribsea Bahama Oolite and now it's just a waiting game for the dust to settle. I also bought some biofuel and a large bio block at the recommendation of my LFS. Because I'm going for a super clean look and keeping my live rock and sand bed on the lower side of what's recommended for the tank size, I figured it was probably a good idea. I'm not in any rush, but figure I should be cycled in about a week and can start adding in a clean up crew. Honestly, once I get something living in there, I won't feel so motivated to stock fast or heavy. Any life form at all will be cool enough for me. The setup is so pretty in my living room and the sound of the trickling water is almost enough! I will forge ahead though, it'll be really pretty in a year or two. For now, I want to move slowly and stave off as much of the ugly algae as I can. I hate that "ugly tank" phase. If anyone has any advise on how to minimize the algae phase, I'm all ears. I think aquariums are either hideous or gorgeous with no in between. As a total design nerd, it hurts to think I'll have to deal with brown or red slime for more than a minute! Quote Link to comment
BehindGlass Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 The red slime algae normally forms in low flow areas.... so make sure you have good flow to all areas. At least that has been my past experience. The uglies are part of it. With the new sand you are likely to see a brown algae bloom on the sand and glass within the next 7-10 days. Also my experience. 1 Quote Link to comment
Juno Posted July 23, 2019 Author Share Posted July 23, 2019 Oh, and now I'm researching getting a new return pump. It's pretty pitiful as is. I'll add a koralia to the display as well. I hope not to need 2. I think I position them competing, it will be enough. Quote Link to comment
Juno Posted July 23, 2019 Author Share Posted July 23, 2019 Looking better now, though I need to clean my glass. I like the new, fine sand much better. Quote Link to comment
Juno Posted July 23, 2019 Author Share Posted July 23, 2019 Just checked my water parameters...ammonia =0, nitrites =0, nitrates = 0. Either I didn’t cycle because I used existing sand or I haven’t even started. Well give it another week. Quote Link to comment
Juno Posted July 24, 2019 Author Share Posted July 24, 2019 I know it’s the same photo over and over, and I fully recognize that there is nothing happening inside the box. But that doesn’t change my excitement over how cool it looks one bit! 3 2 Quote Link to comment
Juno Posted July 28, 2019 Author Share Posted July 28, 2019 We're taking off today for a couple of days, my husband is whisking me off to Sarasota for a few nights, and then two days after we get back we go to the beach for a week. I always have someone stay at the house to take care of all the animals because there are too many! We have 2 dogs, 2 cats, a parakeet, 2 geckos, a sugar glider and 4 chickens. Anyway, I'm sure I'm cycled now and as much as I love looking at a clean box of water, I want to start adding fish. I can wait till we get back from all our traveling, I guess...🙄. I know I want a shrimp/goby pair. I'm thinking about a high fin red banded goby and pistol shrimp. One of my kids wants a pair of clowns. I'll do 1, but I don't need 2. I also really like a starry blenny. So there's 3 fish. I want something that is super swimmy, since the goby and the blenny don't swim much and the clown will do it's weird wiggle in mostly one place. Maybe something with color would be nice. My tank is 34 gallons...help me pick out some fish! I can't imagine I'd want to do more than 1 medium or maybe 2 small. What are your favorite colorful fish? 1 Quote Link to comment
BehindGlass Posted July 28, 2019 Share Posted July 28, 2019 Starcki Damsel, orchid dottyback, 6 line wrasse - these are active swimmers I had a list for my 40 gallon, but can't put my hands on it right now. make sure you have a lid on the tank. Quote Link to comment
Tamberav Posted July 28, 2019 Share Posted July 28, 2019 5 hours ago, Juno said: We're taking off today for a couple of days, my husband is whisking me off to Sarasota for a few nights, and then two days after we get back we go to the beach for a week. I always have someone stay at the house to take care of all the animals because there are too many! We have 2 dogs, 2 cats, a parakeet, 2 geckos, a sugar glider and 4 chickens. Anyway, I'm sure I'm cycled now and as much as I love looking at a clean box of water, I want to start adding fish. I can wait till we get back from all our traveling, I guess...🙄. I know I want a shrimp/goby pair. I'm thinking about a high fin red banded goby and pistol shrimp. One of my kids wants a pair of clowns. I'll do 1, but I don't need 2. I also really like a starry blenny. So there's 3 fish. I want something that is super swimmy, since the goby and the blenny don't swim much and the clown will do it's weird wiggle in mostly one place. Maybe something with color would be nice. My tank is 34 gallons...help me pick out some fish! I can't imagine I'd want to do more than 1 medium or maybe 2 small. What are your favorite colorful fish? Active small swimmers: Pygmy wrasse Small flasher wrasse like a McCosker or Carpenters Long-fin fairy wrasse or lubbocks fairy wrasse Quote Link to comment
Juno Posted August 2, 2019 Author Share Posted August 2, 2019 I'd like to order a new return pump. The one that came with my system is clearly old and is really just limping along. The output is pretty pitiful. What would you recommend for a 34 gallon tank? Quote Link to comment
mcarroll Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 1 hour ago, Juno said: I'd like to order a new return pump. The one that came with my system is clearly old and is really just limping along. The output is pretty pitiful. What would you recommend for a 34 gallon tank? I'd take it apart completely and soak it in vinegar for an hour. Then scrub it clean inside and out -- pay particular attention to the impeller and the impeller well. After, give it a complete and thorough rinse and let it completely air-dry. You'll be able to clearly see any remaining deposits once dry. Thin films can be totally transparent when wet and are enough to affect performance if in a place like the impeller well. Repeat the whole process again if needed. If it's still slow once cleaned then a replacement impeller would be the next logical thing to look at. If you get an impeller from your dealer and it doesn't work, they will probably be willing to take it back and sell you a new pump instead. (Ask first of course.) Quote Link to comment
Juno Posted August 2, 2019 Author Share Posted August 2, 2019 On 7/19/2019 at 7:57 PM, seabass said: A capable, but budget light: https://www.amazon.com/MarsAqua-Dimmable-165W-LED-Aquarium/dp/B017GWDF7E/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=mars+aqua&qid=1563580318&s=gateway&sr=8-2 The light in your cart is like a 30W fixture (not more than some PAR38 bulbs). An AI Prime HD is a decent choice (about 55W) I really like the MarsAqua light but don’t like the idea of a pendant fixture. I’d really like some sort of arm or brace for it. Have you seen any good mods? Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 Just about any brace should work. You can attach it to your stand, wall stud, etc. Shelf brackets would work. Maybe you can get an idea from here: https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=mounting arm for led black box reef&qs=n&form=QBIR&sp=-1&pq=mounting arm for led black box reef&sc=0-35&sk=&cvid=211BD33507514FCB94E4B86081583C5A Quote Link to comment
Ratvan Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 2 hours ago, Juno said: I really like the MarsAqua light but don’t like the idea of a pendant fixture. I’d really like some sort of arm or brace for it. Have you seen any good mods? Television wall mount is a common one, so is a DIY aluminium frame. Any sound L bracket would make a good support depending on where you attach it. I used a cheap rope pulley to hang mine but I have ceiling tiles in the office 1 Quote Link to comment
Juno Posted August 3, 2019 Author Share Posted August 3, 2019 Yay! I got a used AI Prime w arm mount for $125 from the LFS. It came off an 8 month old system that was upgraded. Squeeee!!! 2 Quote Link to comment
Juno Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 I've begun a new journal thread here: I'll be letting this thread go... Quote Link to comment
Oldfishwife Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 On 7/19/2019 at 4:36 PM, Juno said: Thanks guys!!! I picked this tank up today in CL. It’s 20 x 20 x 20, 34 gal. Not sure if the make/model. I got it for $100 with pump and skimmer. I am a MINIMALIST so I’m going to try to work without the skimmer for now. It has an IM sticker on it so I’m guessing it’s Innovative Marine. It even came with sand. I need lighting. I’m planning on keeping all the usual suspects: anemones, sps, softies, lps, etc. My LFS offered me an AI Prime for $190. I’d be happy to go with a non name brand if I can get something off amazon for cheaper that is still reliable. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment
Oldfishwife Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Nice tank and good deal. Take a look at the Current Orbit for your 20. When I was considering a 20, that’s what I was going to go with. It sits on the tank, no need for a fan and the 18-24” model is very reasonable, I think $139 for everything, including controller. Quote Link to comment
Oldfishwife Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Whoops! Never mind, I misread your post. Much bigger tank and you got a Prime for a good price. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment
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