s76rick's 75 gal Rimless Build

Thanks Matt. I love the rimless look to. For my first tank, I'm really pleased so far with the set up, of course I'm already wishing I had done a few things differently as far as equipment choices go i.e. a custom tank but budget played a big part in that of course.

I did stop the pump and the sump holds all the water that drains in. I was concerned with it but when I filled the sump to the sticker that marks the suggested water line the Mag 9 sucked air... so I added more water to keep it adequately submerged and functioning with out sucking air. I agree though that it could be lower and will probably pull some water out tomorrow. I also need to drill a small hole in the Locline nozzle as it does siphon water when the pump is turned off. I saved a post on how to do that, I just need to find it and take care of that soon as I'm aware of the potential mess that that could make. I hope I'm not overlooking something very obvious so far but that's why I'm posting the build and I appreciate comments from experienced aquarists like yourself. Thanks.

 

I set the skimmer up today. It's a monster- big, sturdy, well built and quiet. Nothing to skim yet though.

The 3 raw shrimp have been in there four days and still no ammonia. I did see a hint of color in the test sample but nothing to get excited about yet.

I have some more base rock I rinsed out in the garage which I'm going to add soon and some sugar-fine I might add to the fuge to. I'm still on the fence about what to use that sump space for- fuge or media reactors. I posted a separate thread to get some input on that but got no replies.

The cables are still a mess but I'm not going to worry about that until I get everything situated. The RKL was supposed to come with a 6' cable but it didn't. So once I get one and hook up the second PC4 I'll clean that up a bit. I plan on just using Velcro cable wraps and running the cables along the ceiling of the cabinet with those sticky back 3M hooks.

 

Looking good so far.

 

Thanks xmetalfan99. I can't wait to get through the cycle period but I'm definately not gonna rush it. I do want to get some coral in there already though. ;D

 

Day 13 Update

I've pretty much just been letting things marinade this past week. Nine days ago I added 3 raw shrimp to the tank. I had already been dosing 3 capfuls of Microbacter 7 daily for 4 days prior to adding the shrimp and continued that same amount daily except for a day or two of the last 9.

I tested ammonia daily for 3 days after adding the shrimp and then every other day after. The first couple of tests showed zero ammonia- a clear just slightly milky white test sample using a Salifert kit. Over the next few tests the sample showed up a bit milkier but never really turned any appreciable shade of yellow which per the color strip indicates <0.25 mg/L ammonia.

Yesterday I tested for nitrites for the first time and got a reading of .4 mg/L with the Salifert kit.

Today I got home from work and found my BRS group buy box of goodies waiting for me. I got a few more test kits so I'll be testing for everything tonight and logging that. I also ordered some cleaning supplies and a carbon reactor and pump. More on those later.

The water is a little cloudy from cleaning the glass and stirring everything up a bit but here are a few updated pics anyway. Still taking pics with the phone so they're not as good as I'd like.

I added some barnacles a friend had given me as well as a DSB to the fuge earlier this week.

 

I notices a mustard green colored, slimy coating on the corner silicone seams today- I guess it's algae just not sure what kind.

 

mag sucking air

You might try adding a 90 degree elbow to the intake of the mag to put the intake lower in the sump.

 

Definitely. Great idea. I really have to stay on top of topping off or else the Mag starts sucking air. Thanks for the input.

 

Elos Marine pH Aqua Test

I love this test kit. It's simple, quick and has graphic instructions which my brain loves.

It shows a clear 8.1 and my RKL pH has been low to mid 7's. I'm going to re-calibrate it again tonight. I don't think it's read accurately one time since I got it but I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt since I'm new to this and I only just now verified the true pH with an actual test kit.

Off to test nitrates and saving the best for last- playing with my new Hanna Phosphate Checker!

 

Elos Nitrate test Kit

This kit was pretty straightforward to- a small scoop of powdered reagent,shake for 15 seconds, 6 drops of liquid reagent, shake for 15 seconds and then let sit for 5 minutes. It looks like a result of 25.

I broke the glass vial by simply removing the cap for the first time- not impressed with that.