My Tank Setup, Dipped My Toe,

[Matthew5664]

As I only started with the hobby 5 Months ago I'm bit of a noob at this game, however I've done a considerable amount of learning in that time and once I'd dipped my toe in I knew I had to dive right in!

Started with a small tank them came the power head (sump pump) and slowly but surly I build up the collection of items needed for a Marine tank, then all I had to do was persuade the girlfriend! Harder that it sounded!

Well here I and the proud owner of a 'salty tank'

As some may have seen I've build my own stand and put the Doc-u-build on the DIY page however it's time for all things salty for a while so I'm starting this thred to help you help me!

The sand was washed and put in (bags were sunk and tiped out, is this right?)

Its just about clear now had to take the sump out and re-silicon it because there was a small leak between
two of the conpartments!

Got the skimmer on the way (Seaclone 100) will go on the back and getting the lights this weekend

To start I'm getting 2x55w PC with a doble ballest. This should be ok at the mo for the LR and clean up crew
to get them started??? ( one MH 150w or 200w to come when the corals start ariving )

Hope I'm doing ok any comment would be helpful

PS: keep an eye on the DIY page for the stand updates.

 

[fishyguy43]

Sounds good and good luck. Just 1 question though why not put the skimmer in the sump? I have the same skimmer and i build a sump for it because i thought i took up too much room in the main tank.

 

[Matthew5664]

I'm a bit restricted for hight in the sump how tall is the unit?

 

[Chac]

IMO the Sealclone's aint worth the box they come in, I personally would look at the Aquamedic & Deltec Range



PS. setup looking good mate

 

[Matthew5664]

as of thismorning all is well the tank and sump have been running for a week with nothing in it ajusted the SG got that spot on and the ph is good so on we go.
And got a 20w light above the sump as you can see


Chac: The seaclone was £30 of ebay and the $$ is a bit tight at the moment so it'll hav to do for now?

I meen it still skims right? just not the best, and I don't think the tank will have much in it fishy till mid to the end of feb so can save up for a better one.

Also getting the PC tomorrow 2x55w one daylight one daylightblue and a doble ballest

Watch this space!!

 

[maestro]

as of thismorning all is well the tank and sump have been running for a week with nothing in it ajusted the SG got that spot on and the ph is good so on we go.
And got a 20w light above the sump as you can see


Chac: The seaclone was £30 of ebay and the $$ is a bit tight at the moment so it'll hav to do for now?

I meen it still skims right? just not the best, and I don't think the tank will have much in it fishy till mid to the end of feb so can save up for a better one.

Also getting the PC tomorrow 2x55w one daylight one daylightblue and a doble ballest

Watch this space!!

Good luck with the tank, I really would try and up for a better skimmer in the future, you can pick up a 2nd hand deltec mc500 for about £70 if you look around.

Anther small suggesting is obviously the background for the tank? most people paint theres but now its full its not going to be possible?

 

[Matthew5664]

Maestro : Glad you pointed that out! had thought about it for a while and I might just leave it as is......

Could paint the wall behind??

 

[maestro]

Maestro : Glad you pointed that out! had thought about it for a while and I might just leave it as is......

Could paint the wall behind??

I dont think that would giev the right effect, you could just buy a plastic blue background from a lfs ask stick that to teh outside of the glass, if if you want to paint the glass which does give a better effect then now is teh time to do it, just get a couple of big containers and drain the water, then paint with non drip gloss (mask over the silicone) then pump the water back in, shouldnt take you too long.

I think you may regret it if you dont do something now and it will be a right pain later on.

 

[Matthew5664]

I can see you point.......I was thinking black? got the skimmer this morning so that can go in tonight. could do blue got some left from the re-decorating......so........don't know???

Black Blue Black blue

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

It's up to you
I prefer black as it helps make the colours of your tank stand out more, even in FW tanks

 

[maestro]

It's up to you
I prefer black as it helps make the colours of your tank stand out more, even in FW tanks

I prefer blue, it looks more natural, best thing to do is check out some pictures and make your own mind up, in the end its your tank so have what you want

 

[CutieWitBooty]

I think black looks alot better, plus it hides all the equiptment. I pained mine with spraypaint and i love it. here is a pic of my tank. BTW if you didn't notice i have a gigantic overflow on the 10 gal and the black background really hides it.

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

Great example there! CutieWitBooty's tank looks really colourful already and i can see no corals
i can see where maestro is coming from...As said it's all down to you

 

[Matthew5664]

Well all being equal I'm gona go for Black!

The matter in hane at the mo is the skimmer got it home and opened the box to fine the 'J' tube has had some DIY and has been cut in two places and replased with rubber hosing after istalling the kimmer I found a leek on all the joints!!!!!! So armed with some Zip tyes i went about fixing the leeks

One problem!! when using a pair of pliers to tighten the Zip tyes i pulled the 'J' tube off the main housing snapping not one not two now even three but all yes all four union tabs!!!!

I now want to die.......

Trying to fix now




It'll be fine

 

[Chac]

It'll be fine

A bit of optimism thats the key
















And if that doesn't work then a dirty great big hammer will do the job



ps

I did start with a black backing, but it is now a fetching shade of purple thanks to corraline algae