New Tank Set Up Questions

Many of you may be sick of seeing questions from me but I as I sit here and plan out the set up of my 120 I keep running in to more questions then answers. Was hoping maybe you all could help.

1- I have a RedSea tank now that has some corals that have fraged on to some of that larger rocks. Once my 120 cycles is it safe to move that rock in. The reason I ask is that I've had an Ick out break in this tank. Will I risk spreading it to the new tank if I do this?

2- In building my stand I was planning on using 2x4's (doubled up on the legs.) Do you think this will be enough to support the weight.

3- Was talking with someone who said it would be a good idea to run a piece of PVC will holes in it that is capped on one end and has a powerhead hooked up to the other end behind my live rock. Thought being that it would create a stronger current behind the live rock and keep the tank cleaner with less sediment settling behind the rock. Thoughts??

4 - When setting up live rock, is the best bet to stack in the middle with nothing against the glass in the back/sides? Right now in my RedSea I do have it stacked against the back but can clean around it.

Sorry for all the questions. I just want to try to do this right the first time!!

Thanks!!

 

1. I would wait another 1-2 months before adding any livestock. The tank should mature a little before adding anything. As for the Ick, ick is always present in our tanks, the fish get it b/c their stressed for some reason.

2. I used only one 2x4's on my stand and I have a 90g. Make sure that you incorparate some cross members to stablize the stand when the tank is on it. That way your not able to "rock it" back and forth. I would double up on the 2x4's. I'd rather have too much than not enough.

3. That is a good idea, but most ppl just place a PH pointed into that direction. It does help.

4. I think thats a personal pref, I have my rock against the back glass. Then again, I never clean the back glass, I just let it get covered with coraline.

Luna

 

My 120 has a home made stand made with 2x4s, the legs are doubled together and so are the longer boards. I built shelves under it to house my metal halide, vho and pc ballasts. I also store test kits on shelves just below the tank.

If your tank is up against a wall I would put the rock against the back wall.
Here are a few tips:
1. When placing the rocks create openings like caves between them as much as possible. That allows for better flow from your power heads and allows fish places to hide.
2. Make sure your rock does not go to close to the front or the sides so it will allow you to clean your glass or acrylic without interferance from the rock or corals that will be placed on them.
3. If you are adding new rock just buy base rock for the inner rock areas and use better rock on the outside where it is going to show.

I am not overly excited about the PVC idea. I did that once and was sorry that I did it. If you use enough power heads, placed properly you should not need the pcv. Make sure you power heads are large enough to really turn your water over in a tank that size. If money is an issue take your time and buy them as you can. Tunze makes very good products that you can buy used sometimes.

I have my tanks down my basement and my 125 is set where you can get to the back and the front, so I run some of my rock down the middle so I can get views from both sides.