KrazyKuch's & Michika's 180Gal Tank Build

[michika]

Thank you everyone for the positive comments! I should have one more post to make later tonight.

[Lance]

It's coming together nicely, Catherine. Gonna be a real nice set-up.

[sharuq1]

Lookin' great! Love the new fish you're getting too, especially the purple and sailfin tangs.

[michika]

Thank you everyone!

Tonight's final update for a few days;
- water; done, temp 79
- salt; done, SG 1.024
- sand; done
- rock; done
- temporary sump; done
- skimmer (temp. placement); done

Some more photos for you all;
Return plumbing


Our Foreman, constantly putting her nose where it doesn't belong!


Temporary sump & skimmer set up.


Starting to clear up!

[michika]

We have a cycle!

Ammonia ~0.5
Nitrite ~0.15
SG 1.025

The tank is about 90% cleared up at this point, I think we may try to aquascape tonight with the rock that is in the display right now. No more skimmate, although there is foam!

[justinl]

are you running the skimmer right now to just break it in? I usually dont cycle and skim simultaneously. I figure the skimmer would remove a bunch of the proteins that would break down and contribute to the cycle.

[michika]

The rock was already mostly cycled elsewhere in a bin, I think we are seeing the tail end of the cycle, I need another day or two of data to determine it though. We were trying to run it normally, I've always run it while doing a cycle, but since its not really skimming, I guess we're just breaking it in.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I have a quick question. Did you see many air bubbles in the silicone when you built the tank? The reason I ask, is that I guess I did not do a great job siliconing my cross brace in and there are small air bubbles. I have noticed that since filling the tank, they seem to have gotten a little bigger, which worries me a little. Im sure it will be fine but I guess the water is putting pressure on the brace (as it should) and when the silicone is being pulled, the air bubbles are getting a bit bigger. Just wondering if you saw any of this with your tank? I ask my step father about it because he used to build tanks and he said it should be fine for a cross brace but it would be really bad if it were the actual corners because each bubble makes the silicone significantly weaker. I think Im just worrying too much though

EDIT: Sorry that turned out not to be very quick!