Idlefingers' Salty Journal

[idlefingers]

Well, I made the leap today and started buying the many bits and bobs needed to setup my first marine tank (so go easy on me!).

I've been unable to find anywhere nearby where I can get my tank drilled and so decided that I'd have to use an overflow box instead, which makes getting the sump setup before filling not as critical, so I decided to save a little cash on the initial outlay and wait to make a sump.

Also, after speaking with the guys at the lfs about which corals I would like to keep in the future, I decided that I needn't get halides and will start off with the 2x30w T8 bulbs which came with the tank - soon to be replaced with an Arcadia over tank luminare with 4x39w T5 bulbs.

I've only just got it all switched on about 30 mins ago so it's a bit cloudy but here's what it looks like so far (that's just 25kg of base rock.. will be getting live rock in the next couple of days):

I ended up getting a TMC V2 Skim 600 skimmer, which seems a little noisy (but I had no idea what to expect).. It sounds like a boiling kettle and "hums" a bit.. is that normal?

Also, I haven't added salt yet (lfs guy told me it would be easiest to fill the tank and then add the salt with the first fill).. Do I need to wait until it gets to the right temp before adding it?

 

[idlefingers]

well that ended pretty quickly

 

[idlefingers]

Back to square one.

I bought a jewel rio 240 today to replace the eheim tank which cracked. I got the tank and should be picking up the cabinet on tuesday which gives me a few days to fiddle and find good positions for the equipment.

Here's how it looks so far:

I've taken the middle divider from the internal filter and have put the pump for the skimmer in instead (it was a bit of an eyesore in the old tank - more so than the jewel internal filter). Obviously the heater will be going into the filter box, but I've siliconed a small piece of plastic onto the hole for the pump outlet pipe which is drying.

I was thinking I might hang a couple of filter bags of rowaphos and carbon inside the filter box in the spare space.

I'm hoping my lfs can get the marine white and blue Jewel High-Lite T5 bulbs in as I can't find anywhere else which has them (online or locally). Does anyone know where I can get them from? I thought I'd be able to get arcadia T5 tubes for it but can't find any the right size.. seems like Jewel's playing games and making it so you have to get their [ruddy expensive] tubes by making them a slightly different size.

 

[shibby]

shame you dotn live close to weston we have the dual t5's in i belive if i remeber correctly, getting 2 for my tank soon


looks forward to seeing this progress afetr tahat gutting experiance, i wish you luck!! my juwel hasnt cracked yet wahey! juwel stock lighting is t8's so gotta gotta get a dual t5 starter for that then 2 dual blue and white bulbs. + reflecters looking at 200watts i belive you may need bigger ro more though since i think your tank is at least a foot longer then mine.

 

[idlefingers]

Yeah, I'm contemplating adding another T5 or PC light on the back lid piece. It came with the high-lite unit with freshwater bulbs (2 x 54w) so just need to get some marine tubes and reflectors and hopefully it shouldn't be too bad.

Do you guys think a combo of rowaphos and carbon in there would be good?

 

[shibby]

yeh rowaphos and carbon are goood, i ran polyfilter for a while i think its similar

 

[N1z]

Yer tbh dont get it, get the arcadia I bar which fits the juwel tanks but means you can use arcadia light bulbs, plus the hood still fits on them.

 

[idlefingers]

Getting the two jewel marine tubes to fit the high-lite bar which came with the tank would cost £60 in total compared to £100 for the I-Bar and then £30 for the tubes. Plus I'd lose out on some wattage because the 120cm I-Bar houses 2 x 39w bulbs whereas the jewel houses 2 x 54w bulbs. By the time I need to replace the jewel lights, I'm hoping arcadia will have made tubes which fit the new jewel high-lite bars which will make it cheaper.

 

[demonmagus]

apparently carbon is useless - rowaphos is good though

 

[Danno]

apparently carbon is useless - rowaphos is good though

under debate.

 

[demonmagus]

apparently carbon is useless - rowaphos is good though

under debate.

ok but last I heard it didn't look too good, ah well

 

[n3ont3tra]

I would use both.

 

[sophos9]

Hi idle, only just noticed this sub-forum

The Juwel HighLite bar is equal build and more wattage that the Arcadia as you know, the only con is that you are locked into Juwels lighting (although the highlite seems very good!) so no problems there! You getting the Highlite reflectors?

Good to see your new tank is taking shape, how far away from getting it all together?

 

[idlefingers]

Yeah, I will be getting the highlite reflectors (when the lfs has them in). The bloke at my lfs was saying arcadia will be bringing out tubes to fit into the highlite bars soon so by the time the bulbs need replacing, it should be easier and cheaper to get them (fingers crossed).

I should be picking up the cabinet and lights this evening so if everything goes smoothly I'm hoping on getting it filled tonight and getting live rock this weekend if the insurance cheque comes in time.

Fingers crossed this tank doesn't crack within a day of filling it!.. God I look forward to getting past this paranoia I have now!

 

[sophos9]

Yeah, I will be getting the highlite reflectors (when the lfs has them in). The bloke at my lfs was saying arcadia will be bringing out tubes to fit into the highlite bars soon so by the time the bulbs need replacing, it should be easier and cheaper to get them (fingers crossed).

Cheers for that, good to know!!

I should be picking up the cabinet and lights this evening so if everything goes smoothly I'm hoping on getting it filled tonight and getting live rock this weekend if the insurance cheque comes in time.

Fingers crossed this tank doesn't crack within a day of filling it!.. God I look forward to getting past this paranoia I have now!

Fingers crossed for you, surly lightning never strikes twice - at least you have been there and done it, all us others just fear the not knowing!!

Looking forward to seeing it!