Hello everyone!
I hope you guys don't mind but I'm going paste my journal on this forum as well. I am finally losing my saltwater virginity.
After my reintroduction into freshwater aquariums 5 to 6 years ago, I was bit with the salt water bug about a year ago. So, it's been about a year planning and studying to get to this point.
Without further ado, here is my dream....again, please forgive my direct copy and paste from my home forum GTAAQUARIA.
December 23, 2010
Well, the day has come and I can finally start a journal. Thanks for joining in!
It has been a long time coming with many many hours I have spent reading in the past year.
I think I am finally ready to cross over to the dark and salty side
.
Please note that I am still learning as a salt water noobie so please be gentle!
I am very open to ideas and suggestions so feel free to offer your opinions.
Well that's the end of my prologue, grab yourself a drink and sit tight!
My original sketches:
Display Tank- 48" x 28" x 20"
- 120 Gallons ALMOST Rimless (there's a brace in the back drilled for returns)
- 1/2" Starphire Glass
- Centre External Overflow
Stand- [Originally, this stand was bolted together and partially welded using 1-1/2" steel tubing.
I had it re-welded and powder coated white.
I plan to wrap the stand with plywood using rare-earth magnets to hold it up.
Sump- Dimensions: 36" x 16" x 15"
- Custom sump that is divided up into three seperate compartments.
- 50% is the Skimmer area, 25% is a fuge (I don't think I'm going to use a fuge) and the last 25% is for the return.
Controller aka 'The Brain'
- GHL ProfiLux Plus II EX w/ wlan (bought from a fellow canreefer
)
- Will help me monitor temperature, salinity, ORP and PH.
- Control lighting, ATO, dosing, etc.
Water Movement
- Laguna Max-Flo 2000 will be the primary water source that feeds a manifold.
- (2) 1" Returns will be split into (2) 3/4" loc-line Y's for (4) separate 3/4" directional flow patterns.
- (2) VorTech MP40wES positioned on opposite ends for intank flow.
Lighting
- Undecided...Sfligoi XR6 or DIY LED?
Protein Skimmer
- Again, undecided...eagerly anticipating a Skimz SM161 or Bubbble Magus Hero.
Both still unavailable at this point. May need something to tie me over until then.
Carbon Source
- I am going to experiment with Vertex Biopellets using a Deltec FR-509 Fluidized Reactor.
- I've got Vodka in mind if that doesn't work out...assuming I don't drink it all by then!
Dosing
- I just purchased a Bubble Magus BM-TO1 but now I'm thinking of buying a GHL Slave Doser instead.
Anyone interested in a brand new in the box BM-TO1?!
Additives/Supplements
- BRS Two Part Kit
- Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter7
- Brightwell Aquatics Lugol's Solution
- Tropic Marin Pro Reef Salt
- I may still use Carbon passively in the sump
RO/DI & ATO - Vertex Puratech 3-Stage RO + separate DI Stage
- Tunze Osmolator 3155
Rock & Substrate - Using a mix of Indo Live Rock & BRS 'Reef Saver' dead rock
- CaribSea Seaflor Special Grade reef sand and possibly mixing some sugarsized Aragonite.
This list will be updated as I go. Moving on now....