I am definitely finding it very very quiet but very awkward trying to dial it in. especially when my water level is fluctuating do to trying to place stock and set up. with the gate valve it becomes a hell of a lot easier

It has been a long day but this is where I am at........
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/07/ebypyjyp.jpg

Rock is in. Water level adjusted. Gate valve set and return pump now at max

Any one know what I can clean the filter socks with and how often. I was thinking weekly.

Tested for ammonia just to see. 2ppm

I will do a water change (10%) on Sunday. I just new to get my skimmer working then all is good and I can let the tank cycle for a while.

Looking good! Well, minus the cloudy water but that'll sort itself out :-)

I have 4 socks that I sometimes use (like when I'm doing an aggressive cleaning of sand and rock). I rinse used socks and store them in a buket. After 3 spent socks socks I will throw them in the washing machine with a bit of bleach. No detergent tho. I don't really like sock maintenance so I generally will not use my filter socks if I'm not cleaning the tank.

I rinse them out in the laundry tub with a garden sprayer. Once my bucket is full of used socks I throw them in the washer with a bit of bleach. No laundry soap.

You'll find you might have to change them out more frequently than other other times. There is no set schedule. You'll know when you have to change them out. The water will stop flowing through them and it will spill over.

I clean my filter socks the same way. Turn them inside out and fire them into the washing machine with a bit of bleach, no soap.
I did find though that sometimes there's a bit of soap residue in the washing machine from a previous load, so I usually give my washer a rinse cycle before I wash my socks.

I used to use the felt socks and the only way I could get them clean was the washing-machine-with-a-little-bleach method. I have since switched to the mesh based socks (same micron size). I only use the felt socks now if I have a particular situation that requires extra mechanical filtration. With the mesh socks I only need to rinse them well at the sink, then I sit them in a small bucket of water with a tiny bit of vinegar for a day or so. Then they're good to go again.

As for how often to clean socks ... you can't really put a schedule to it. They'll tell you when they need to be cleaned. (ie., when they're overflowing). Can be anywhere from daily to weekly or anywhere in between depending on your tank.

Ok I have 2 sets if socks and will monitor accordingly.

I am here to announce that every thing is up an running and I am calling this day 1! Had a bump in the road with my skimmer but problem solved.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/08/ry8uhugy.jpg
I have just performed a power failure simulation and had to adjust my pump nozzles so they didn't siphon to deep, now it passes! All water holds.

So please jump in if I am wrong but the daily schedule moving forward is:

-Test ammonia an salinity
-check for anything unwanted growing in tank
-make sure water level is maintained
-if ammonia starts to drop then start testing for nitrite

Weekly water changes 10 %???

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/08/ymynybe9.jpg


Am I missing any thing

Step #1 is actually: Set up a separate saltwater bank account and start funnelling money into that account.

Account already started. Future vacation plans put on hold.

Next step! Lol

Already told the wife that her plans of going some where warm have been changed to "crank up the fire place and use a scuba mask in the tank to get your snoring fix"