Jon's 60g

[GrimReefer]

Wow Jon....you've really gotten your money's worth out of that tank!!

[jon.smolders]

Originally Posted by GrimReefer

Wow Jon....you've really gotten your money's worth out of that tank!!

Lol, yeah hey. What did I pay you for it, $150? I just need to stop moving so much so I can keep it set up for more than a year at a time. Maybe next time we move I'll get a new one.

[jon.smolders]

Got out of town to pick up a 20g long for my new sump, a bucket of salt, and two 20g Brute containers. Also picked up some Chaeto (thanks Hal!) which I'm going to keep in a bucket until I start my tank up. Figured I'd throw it in the sump once I've started the cycle and it might help introduce bacteria into the system and/or prevent keep some of the unwanted algae off my rock.

Started on my stand for my mixing station too. Got the basics done, and first coat of primer.








I might add a shelf or something to it as well. Not sure yet. I'm playing with some designs and might even set up a remote refugium on there as well. I would like to find some marine enamel or something similar to paint it with. That's what I painted the inside of my tank stand with and I love the durable, glossy, waterproof finish it gave. Have to track some down though...

[FishyFishy!]

Do you get any side to side movement when there is weight on that stand?

[jon.smolders]

Originally Posted by FishyFishy!

Do you get any side to side movement when there is weight on that stand?

Not anymore!



Actually it was pretty sturdy before, but's definitely solid now. I would have doubled up the back legs too, but I ran out of 2x4's.

[Myka]

I really like the dimensions of this tank! Looks great!

[jon.smolders]

Updates:

- Ordered and received 45lbs of dry rock (pukani and tonga shelf). I didn't use it all.
- Aquascaped using fiberglass driveway markers, and almost completed the PVC pipe/eggcrate stands for the rock.
- Bought a dual inline TDS meter... after over a year in storage my RO membrane is still good and producing 0ppm water!
- Picked up a bunch of plumbing for my ATO / water mixing station and the return for the fuge (did I mention I've decided to do a remote fuge?). I haven't done any plumbing yet though.
- Bought glass baffles for sump, still need to silicone them in (hopefully today).


Cycle and Sand Issues:

I want to start cycling as soon as possible. I have been waiting until I get the aquascaping done with all the pvc supports and everything so that I don't have to start moving the rock around once it gets wet. HOWEVER, I also would like to get the sand in before I fill up the tank too. The problem is that I can't find anywhere that sells aragonite sand. I found a bag of crushed shells/coral, but I was hoping to go finer then that. I even asked the local store if they could order some in but apparently they can't. They told me to check online, which would cost about $50 for a 30lb bag to ship.

So, I have decided to try my old sand, and hope that it isn't full of phosphates. Right now its dry and it smells clean, and really its not that "old" considering the amount of time I had my last system set up. I am going to try to give it a short vinegar bath (providing it doesn't completely dissolve), rinse in RO, and then throw it in the tank with my fingers crossed. Figured I could always remove it if I'm having algae issues.

I'm thinking I will fill the tank (with rock and sand) with RO and let that soak for a week or so (changing water if necessary), then refill it with salt water next week and begin cycling with Microbacter7. Not sure if I need a shrimp in there or not... I heard that pukani is full of enough organics anyway.

I'll post some pictures soon...