New 55Gal build

02-03-2011 08:27
Dustin's 55gal Build

Ok, I am off to a rough start. Previously I had a 29gal with a 10 gallon sump, it was up for about a year before I got extremely sick and it crashed due to my lack of attention.

I was ready to give it another shot so I got a great deal on a 55gal setup. I picked the tank up on Saturday and spent all weekend re working the plumbing and getting to know the tank so I could establish where the max/min water levels should be before moving it into my office. I also had to make some modifications to the hood so my existing T5 lighting would work. Luckily everything went smoothly with no leaks or overflows!

Setup
55gallon with Overflow
15 Gallon Wet/Dry (eventually i will build a 30 gallon sump)
WON Pro Heat II 300w Titanium Heater (going to swap out for 2x 150watt hopefully soon.
2x Aqua clear 70 Powerheads (2x maxijet 1200's as backup)
Coralife Protein Skimmer (up to 65 gallon) I also got an Excalibur skimmer with the tank but it seemed small.
Sundial 30" T5 Lighting
Mag 7 Return Pump.

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02-03-2011 08:44 PM

So, Sunday I had an opportunity to pick up 80lbs of Live Rock at $2.00 per pound because the owner was taking down his tank and moving. It was a 2 hour drive but I did it anyway. When I got there I was disappointed to find it COVERED in Aiptasia. Turns out there was about 150lbs of rock and I got it along with 25 hermit, 15 snails, a serpent star, small button polyp colony, about a dozen small sponges, and half a 5gallon bucket of Chaeto all for $150.00.

I quickly went home and set up a 29 gallon to put the best of the rock in and the rest I put in Rubbermaid containers with a heater and powerhead. I then began rinsing my sand and filling up the 55 gal tank.

I neglected to rinse it very good so needless to say it was milk!
Over the next couple days let it sit to settle. In the meantime I have been constantly finding additional hitchhikers, Fire Bristle Worms, Brown Bristle Worms. I also began my assault on the Aiptasia.

By Wed my tank was still Milk and I had resolved to Kill most of the Aiptasia by dipping the rock in boiling water. The best few pc's with the Button Polyps I will leave in my 29gal and fight until I win.
I also decided to drain my 55gallon and do a better job rinsing the sand like I should have the first time. I set up the Python and went to watch some TV. It was flowing a bit slow so I decided to unhook it from the faucet and just let the hose lay in the sink (a REALLY BAD idea) I then went back to watching TV. About 25 minutes later I got up to check the tank to find about 25 mins worth of water on the floor. Luckily it was the unfinished part of my basement so I was able to use a shopvac to clean it up. That was it for my day

 

02-03-2011 08:50 PM

Today I was getting ready to fill it back up and remembered to put the brakes on!

I am going to do it right this time so I went ahead and Ordered my RO/DI unit. I was in such a hurry when I first got the LR that I filled with tap water. Now that I have decided to kill most of the rock with 130degree tap water before placing in the 55 gallon I am in less of a rush. The LR and livestock in the 29 seem to be doing great anyway (not sure about the star because I dont think there is much for him to eat but he seems active! I have had 3 Damsels in there since Saturday night and they are doing great as well.


So. Now to wait for the RO/DI so I can begin!

Here is a pic of the temporary 29 holding the livestock

 

02-04-2011 11:37 PM

No new updates really. Still waiting on the RO/DI to get here so I can fill up.

I did make an improved version of the Aiptasia killer through electrolysis tonight. ​

 

02-05-2011 04:53 PM --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just picked up 2 peppermint shrimp for the 29. Hopefully they will help with the little aiptasia.

 

02-06-2011 10:31 PM

Shrimp seem to be doing ok so far. They have not touched the aiptasia in the 29gal tank yet.

RO/DI should be here tomorrow so I am getting closer to actually filling the 55


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02-08-2011 09:45 PM

I am having a hard time with the rockwork. I have 4 large pieces in the 29gallon but I cannot take them out to make sure everything fits as they have buttons and feather dusters on them and i do not want to disturb that tank just yet.

I have started massing in the center. Any suggestions/feedback? I have a TON of rock i am not using as well.

 

So I finally got the rockwork done and left a bit of room for the other rocks that will be moving over....

The tank has been up a couple days, tomorrow I will be adding the shrimp to start the cycle.

 

We took all the unused rock to the LFS and got a couple new additions for the other tank. Once the cycle is done on this tank we will move them over.

 

The sailfin tang will get way to big for your tank, I would take it back to the LFS