Jaygalindo's 80 Gallon Reef Build...

Born 6-20-2009

So after a couple of weeks of planning and shopping I finally have my tank up and running. Right now I have about 75 lbs of rock and 75 lbs of fine carribean sand mixed with live sand. I have been skimming 34hrs a day and I don't know if i should be. I have a 5 little saltwater minnows in there to help get things going. Also I took the first water tests this morning. Let me know if m results are normal being only 2 days running so far. Also how often should I be testing? Still no lights because I am torn between what i want.


Temp.= 79 degrees
Specific Gravity= 1.020
ammonia= .25
pH= 8.4
Nitrite= 0
Nitrate= 0

 

Salt seems a little low. I like mine around 1.024 for everything...corals will thank you. What salt are you using?

 

I'm using IO salt. How do you raise the SG?

 

you will have to make up some new salt water but with a higher sg. this might be better done after youre fully cycled i think. . was just thinkin that if you went and raised your sg now beffore the cycle is done it could prolong it. i could be wrong in that aspect

 

21 days old and everything is looking good...

Finally have my new Giesemann bulbs in my new 8 bulb Tek Light fixture and I think it looks great. Just been doing a lot of testing, tinkering, and waiting. Still need to get my SG up but other than that I am very happy with the build so far. Sorry its been awhile but here are some pics.

 

better late than never jay. lol. thats gonna look even better when the inhabitants get in there. looks good none the less thnx for the updates.