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DisneyCoralReef
10-17-2010, 03:52 AM
Here we go!
Let's this started. Start posting some pictures as we put this together. Hopefully the mistakes we make will be minor ones we can learn from, and hoping that the tank can look even half as good as the ones posted on here! been overwhelmed with the amount of help I've gotten so far. Thanks so much-stay posted! :biggrin:

Initial shopping trip. Took a look at what might work as a first time tank. Wanted to start with a lot smaller than the 75g, but after some reading online and advice, realized for tank stability alone, going with a minimum of 75 gallon was more ideal. Was almost convinced that you HAD to start with a 120 gallon, this staff worked there for crap's sake!! :laluot_32:.......... Thankfully didn't go with it.


We did order a 75 gallon tank with corner overflow and a stand. Bought the thermometer, pump, salt, refractometer, and glass top EVEN CAME WITH A LIVE CRICKET? being a women it's still sitting in my tank and I'm to disgusted to try to remove him from there. With some luck he will starve and die??? :rip::rip:

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/40599/2589598030101961236S600x600Q85.jpg (http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2589598030101961236dnDNrS)

http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/46482/2824373210101961236S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2824373210101961236rTSIdo)

http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/45007/2232776220101961236S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2232776220101961236pTsyPA)




Fast forward to about 2 months ago, I ordered my light fixture, skimmer and powerheads through an online store, out of the states :ranger:. Unfortunately at that point I didn't know about some of the lovely folks I have locally here, so I didn't buy locally. You have no idea how many bad words came out of my lovely mouth :tape2: when I tried to load this in my lovely car.
http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/46180/2319462350101961236S600x600Q85.jpg (http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2319462350101961236RbFsoP)

http://inlinethumb03.webshots.com/1026/2289467100101961236S600x600Q85.jpg (http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2289467100101961236NacnsI)



Now on friday I was able to go pick up what was supposed to be the full order of equipment I had ordered...not. The stand and sump never arrived, not only that, but after waiting for over 2 months(order was supposed to take 3 weeks), the first thing the staff who ordered this stuff for us told me when I inquired about the order "Oh I don't take care of orders anymore"....WHAT?!:snipersm: good customer care! thank God for the 2 truly great reefers who also work out of that location, things were straightened out. Still might be having some issues with a crack into the new sump, but Im sure it will get figured out.

Now onto the pictures! :cheer2:
...again...waiting for that bug thing in the tank to die...typical women that I am. I can do dead bodies, blood gore, whatever my jobs intales, but grasshoppers/crickets-NO THANK YOU.
http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/47811/2796749510101961236S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2796749510101961236nnugjC)

http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/45813/2518907090101961236S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2518907090101961236YfpXIH)

As for the sump...unfortunately, not sure yet what is happening with that. Hoping it's nothing-but won't know until it's looked at and replaced if necessary.
http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/46012/2183087640101961236S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2183087640101961236PCcedX)
lockrookie
10-17-2010, 04:24 AM
looksk like a good start... and welcome to the obsession
lobsterboy
10-17-2010, 04:50 AM
Nice stuff.

what are you planning ? Mixed reef or SPS, LPS ??
DisneyCoralReef
10-17-2010, 04:58 AM
Nice stuff.

what are you planning ? Mixed reef or SPS, LPS ??
:redface: mixed reef I think is the safe answer :lol: "SPS" are soft corals right? and "LPS" the opposite? I believe soft corals are easier right? I wasn't kidding when I said I knew very little :laugh:
Bloodasp
10-17-2010, 05:04 AM
SPS(soft polyp stony) include acroporas and montiporas, LPS(large polyp stony) Brain corals, trumpet corals, chalices etc. Soft corals, kenya tree, pulsing xenia, finger leather, mushrooms, zoanthids etc.
lobsterboy
10-17-2010, 05:06 AM
:redface: mixed reef I think is the safe answer :lol: "SPS" are soft corals right? and "LPS" the opposite? I believe soft corals are easier right? I wasn't kidding when I said I knew very little :laugh:

I think we all started with soft corals, I guess i missed that part.

SPS are small polyp stony coral
LPS are Large polyp stony coral

and soft corals are pretty easy, IMO some great starters are leathers and zoas.
Borderjumper
10-17-2010, 05:08 AM
SPS(soft polyp stony) include acroporas and montiporas, LPS(large polyp stony) Brain corals, trumpet corals, chalices etc.
That would be Small polyp stony, defiantly more challenging than softies
Bloodasp
10-17-2010, 05:09 AM
That would be Small polyp stony, defiantly more challenging than softies

oopps, right, My brain froze a bit.
DisneyCoralReef
10-17-2010, 05:12 AM
Great, thank you for the info :biggrin: now mu question is this, how safe are zoa's? because I just tread the thread of one of the poor reefers on here who ended up in hospital because of inhaled or contact with some of his corals? should I even worry about it?
Bloodasp
10-17-2010, 05:18 AM
All corals do emit chemicals for defense. I've handled zoas with no issues but some people might just be more sensitive to them. I've handled my anemone with my bare hands, which is kind of stupid maybe, but with no ill effects but still just be cautious around them i guess, wearing gloves for your protection and theirs would be a smart idea.
lobsterboy
10-17-2010, 05:30 AM
Great, thank you for the info :biggrin: now mu question is this, how safe are zoa's? because I just tread the thread of one of the poor reefers on here who ended up in hospital because of inhaled or contact with some of his corals? should I even worry about it?

Zoas, among other corals and tank inhabitaints each come with there own safety and caution measures. There are so many to list, but a few are:

1. xenia- looks cool, but can be invasive and take over your reef.
2. Tangs have a sharp hook on there tail.
3. the list goes on.

Here is a great thread
Marine aquarium cautions (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=47571)

always helps to do your research before buying as well.
DisneyCoralReef
10-17-2010, 05:38 AM
Reading through the threads as we speak. The other question I have, is have you guys painted the back of your tank? I hear it really smooths out the background, but I dont know if its something I should look into or not. If I were to go down that route, what kind of paint would be safe to use? best way to do it?
Bloodasp
10-17-2010, 05:43 AM
If I had the chance to drain my tank I would, I hate looking at those wires and plumbing behind my tank. coraline growing on the back glass kind of mutes it out a bit but i can still see through it.
Keri
10-17-2010, 06:44 AM
If you are afraid of a cricket I can't wait till you see what comes out of your live rock... Just kill the cricket, it's not nice to starve to death.

edit: I'm sorry if I come off as rude, I just don't like to see things suffer. Good luck with your tank.
Delphinus
10-17-2010, 07:07 AM
Crickets can live for MONTHS man on seemingly nothing. When I had salamanders I was listening to a constant sound of creekeet creekeet creekeet all night long for months and months after I stopped buying crickets. My suggestion is take a kleenex (that way you don't have to see it), grab him with that and toss the whole wad outside (you can retrieve the kleenex later). :lol:

Welcome to Canreef BTW :)

Looks like a decent enough start to things. You have some wicked fun ahead of you, enjoy the ride! :)

As far as painting the tank, I have, but a couple alternatives to consider:
1) get some of that plastic cardboard (you can get it at Home Depot/Rona/etc. in the lighting baffles section - not the lighting section itself but the spot where you find the acrylic lenses for fluorescent fixtures), and paint that instead and attach it with velcro strips. This way you can remove it if need be which can be useful if you need to see in from the back for whatever reason.
2) I think Ocean City sells this kind of plastic sheeting that sticks on sort of like window tinting. This is about as permanent as paint but at least is far less messy to apply.
3) Or just say to heck with it and paint it. Get some Krylon Fusion brand spray paint (can get it at Canuck Tire), this is a known safe/inert when dry paint, tape up the tank, lay out the newspaper over everything you don't want spray paint on and go for it.
4) Or construction paper, I used black construction paper on my FW tank. 4 years in and it's holding but I suspect on a reef tank it will be less resilient in the long run.
5) Or you could get a picture based background but I think these are kinda hokey. :lol: Go with a solid colour. Blue to remind you of the ocean deep .. or black. Black brings out colour contrasts like crazy.
Delphinus
10-17-2010, 07:10 AM
What part of the city are you in? I can come get the cricket out for you if we're close and if it's really a concern (we probably aren't, I live wayyyy down south). :lol:
Rbacchiega
10-17-2010, 02:54 PM
best thing I can reccomend...read read read. Search through here for 75 gallon builds (I have one going right now) and check reef central for 75 gallon builds as well. You'll find everything from fairly "basic" low tech builds to builds that will blow your mind.

PS, with the bulb setup it looks like you have, you'll be able to keep pretty damn near anything
ElGuappo
10-17-2010, 07:49 PM
Reading through the threads as we speak. The other question I have, is have you guys painted the back of your tank? I hear it really smooths out the background, but I dont know if its something I should look into or not. If I were to go down that route, what kind of paint would be safe to use? best way to do it?

i paint some backs but not all.... i usually get to excited when i start a new tank and dont want to wait for the paint to dry... i used krylon fusion... i have a 72 i just started if you want a low tec thread to view...

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=63479
ScubaSteve
10-17-2010, 07:58 PM
Go for a painted back. IMO Krylon is the best bet and works well. PAINT THE OUTSIDE OF THE TANK NOT THE INSIDE!!! I've seen several people do this... not good.

The paint is fairly easy to remove with a razor blade in the future.

The only other alternative I'd recommend is adhesive vinyl sheets. You can get this from most sign shops and it's pretty cheap. Sticks on well (some tricks to putting it on though. PM me if you want to got this route) and it is more resistant to scratching than the paint. It's fairly easy to remove with a little elbow grease.
Bloodasp
10-17-2010, 08:01 PM
There's a thread in reefcentral about a diy background I really like but might be too much work for someone just starting.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1868825
Zoaelite
10-17-2010, 08:16 PM
Tanks looking sweet, I would take Tony up on that Cricket offer. Watching him try and wrestle a cricket out of a glass tank would be something I pay for :lol::lol::lol:. TONY VS THE CRICKET ROUND 1!!!
DisneyCoralReef
10-17-2010, 09:19 PM
If you are afraid of a cricket I can't wait till you see what comes out of your live rock... Just kill the cricket, it's not nice to starve to death.

edit: I'm sorry if I come off as rude, I just don't like to see things suffer. Good luck with your tank.
You're fine. I'm all about being blunt. If you cant take a reply, you don't belong on the forum.

As for the cricket? I got rid of him last night. Couldn't even release him outside as it's already to cold. PETA not required.
Keri
10-18-2010, 02:47 AM
You're fine. I'm all about being blunt. If you cant take a reply, you don't belong on the forum.

As for the cricket? I got rid of him last night. Couldn't even release him outside as it's already to cold. PETA not required.

Thanks ;)
fishytime
10-20-2010, 03:06 AM
well you certainly jumped head first into the site huh?....good to see you here and sounds like the the making of a saweet set-up:wink:



Go with a solid colour. Blue to remind you of the ocean deep .. or black. Black brings out colour contrasts like crazy.

or if you wanna experiment a little, you could try white....heard it REALLY makes the colours pop and is reflective to boot....I was thinking of trying it out on a "someday" project I have in the works
DisneyCoralReef
10-28-2010, 12:01 AM
So here we go! the RODI unit arrived and I had the pump replaced and bought an extra thermometer. Picking the last 3 bulbs this weekend. Thank you newreefer for allowing me to come invade your house to see your tank. Amazing piece of work! hope you post some pictures of it to share with the rest of the forumers.

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/34327/2037975640101961236S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2037975640101961236NIJhdi)

http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/1772/2356454980101961236S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2356454980101961236hVnMLJ)