Finally...... my own tank build thread (lots o pics)

[AzaZeL]

WOOHOO. Ok, so after months of reading and posting novice questions, I finally started my tank. I bought my AQ12 HQI from petstore.com for $180ish shipped. It is awesome. I put a MJ1200 in as the return pump so that I could increase the flow to broaden my horizon as far as what I could keep. Here are some pics. I am very open to suggestions. I don't know if I like the rock. I think I need more. and I feel like the piece propped up against the side of the tank is going to be temporary.
One other question, when can I add a cleanup crew. The neat little diatom bloom is a little unsightly, even though I was excited because it is the first thing to grow in my tank. After 3 days, I'm over it. I put the water in it last Thurs so this is technically the 7th day. Week 2 starts tomorrow. My ammonia has dropped to .25 ppm and my nitrites are 5ppm. That is all I have been able to test for. I have a ph kit but haven't bothered with that. Too early to add a few snails and crabs? If its not, how many of each? Thanks for the suggestions. I will keep the thread updated with pics and progress.

The tank in its new home:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc197/Azazelap12/Setup1a.jpg

A box of bubble wrap????? Oh no wait, that's my marcorocks
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc197/Azazelap12/Setup1d.jpg

MJ1200 mod:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc197/Azazelap12/Setup1e.jpg

It's alive..... It's ALIVE:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc197/Azazelap12/Setup1j.jpg

Night two:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc197/Azazelap12/night2b.jpg

Night three:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc197/Azazelap12/night3a.jpg

And night seven..... diatom bloom anyone????
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc197/Azazelap12/night7c.jpg

[sprinj76]

Looks pretty good so far.

I would add some live rock to get the marco rock seeded. This would also give you a little more rock like you wanted.

I would wait until you are also completely done with the cycle to add the clean up crew. If you are concerned about the diatom bloom I would leave the lights off for the rest of the cycle.

Overall I think you're off to a great start. I think your next step should be to get some live rock (5-10 lbs) to get the base rock in your tank seeded and also to get your cycle going (all live rock has a small amount of die). Remember patience and keep us up-to-date with pictures!

[AzaZeL]

Thanks for the advice sprinj. I forgot to mention previously that the large piece of rock in the center and the small one on the right side were live when I put them in there. They came from a buddy's tank. Also, the sand was live sand. I'm thinking that should be enough to seed the other rock that's in there. The rock I got from marco was tonga shelf so most of it is very flat. I have another piece of fiji that is too big but I might break it in half and put it in the tank. We'll see what happens :D

-Az

[RumLad]

I would definetly move that piece off of the glass. It will become a sore spot once you start cleaning the glass and that area remains dirty (trust me ;) )
Other than that, you've made a good start, keep it up.

[vanceny]

Looking good.

Try and fit the heater into one of the back compartments out of the viewing area. Maybe in the return section.

[AzaZeL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11095163#post11095163 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RumLad
I would definetly move that piece off of the glass. It will become a sore spot once you start cleaning the glass and that area remains dirty (trust me ;) )
Other than that, you've made a good start, keep it up.

I think I may try and rearrange the rock this weekend. I think I just want some more. Not really enough area to put corals on. In my rearranging, I will def move that piece off of the glass because I cleaned it last night before I did the water change and I experience the same thing that you did.



<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11095237#post11095237 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vanceny
Looking good.

Try and fit the heater into one of the back compartments out of the viewing area. Maybe in the return section.

I didn't even think about putting the heater in one of the comparetments. I will definitely do that tonight when I get home. Thanks for the advice!!

[zack85]

thats a quick diatom bloom! I usually dont get them for a month or so in a new tank...

[AzaZeL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11098899#post11098899 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zack85
thats a quick diatom bloom! I usually dont get them for a month or so in a new tank...


So is that a good thing, bad thing, or indifferent thing?

[sprinj76]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11100730#post11100730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AzaZeL
So is that a good thing, bad thing, or indifferent thing?

Indifferent, happens to just about everyone . . . just at different times.

I wouldn't be concerned.