125g saltwater startup

[Lotus]

After cleaning the tank and refinishing the stand, it was set up.

Here's the empty tank:

After looking at the sump that came with the tank, we decided it would be easier to buy a sump/refugium than modify what we had. Here's the sump and skimmer:

We discovered the new sump was too big to go through the door of the tank, so we had to take the back brace of the stand off to fit it in, but it did fit. Here's the tank filled with freshwater to check the plumbing.

There was a small leak from the overflow, so we drained the tank, fixed the leak, and refilled with freshwater.

Then, the live rock came in (ordered from the LFS). We got three boxes of Fiji Premium rock, 45lbs each (approx.). Here's part of the tank with the live rock and saltwater:

Testing so far for ammonia (still at zero) and pH, around 8.1.

I will try to post a pic of the whole tank later. My photo skills generally suck, and the pics I took yesterday were too blurry.

 

[Mahamotorworks]

It looks to be a good start. I hope that your trip to the Dark side goes well.

MAHA

 

[ecotank]

Wow...those photos do suck...better let me take the pictures

 

[saltwater4life]

Nice i cant wait for it to be all set up

 

[Panther28]

Looking good! One day I will also have 100G and above SW tank. We can dream!

 

[ecotank]

 

[Mahamotorworks]

(Read with Scarcastic Tone) Now that we have seen the Power head and that you Skimmer is working, by the crud that is in the cup. (End Scarcastic tone)

Can we get a full tank pic?

Just a question

MAHA

 

[TheFighterFish]

Wow, lotus and Ecotank. Can't wait till this project is completed.

What centerpiece fish are you planning to keep?

 

[Mahamotorworks]

Thanks Eco,

MAHA

 

[SALTY WATERS]

I hope you put that back brace back on...

Are you staying bare bottom? and what are you going to be doing in the refugium?

 

[Lotus]

Yes, the back brace went back on

We'll put sand or aragonite or something in when the rock is cured. The refugium will probably have some mud and plants/macroalgaes.

We still have quite a few details to decide on. We plan to make it a reef eventually.

I'm not really sure on what fish we'll have. The only things for sure so far are some gobies and banggai cardinals -- we really want those, so the tank will be stocked based on compatibility with them. Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[SALTY WATERS]

You should read up on mangroves and think about putting them in the fug. I added one to mine a few weeks ago.

What type of Gobies?

 

[Lorna]

Well the gobies and bangaiis are pretty docile (though my cardinals get pretty rambuncious at feeding time) What about some anthis? or some flasher/fairy wrasses? and a couple of large show fish like foxface or butterfly and and angel?

 

[Lorna]

What did you use to secure your rockwork? and a full shot would be nice as I am interested in your aquascaping....

 

[ecotank]

The rock is simply fit together and built up. Not sure if this is final layout or not, will probably re-arrange a bit after the rock is cured.

 

[Guysy1110]

Looks really good. I would be worried that the rock would fall off, but im sure its not going anywhere

guysy

 

[aresgod]

I think a nice shoal of anthias would look great in there, I the lyretail to be far easier than people claim, but that is just my opinion, take it with a grain of salt. A large angel would look great too, lots of options. everything is looking good so far.

 

[Lorna]

It looks great. I would be worried about the rock tumbling but I am sure that once you get it where you want it you will secure it. I like the two island set up. Bram agrees about the anthias.......just what I was saying.....very nice.....either that or some flasher wrasses together with the anthias as they will school together...... I prefer the angel over tangs...

 

[Lotus]

I am considering lyretail anthias, MushroomMan recommended them, too. I haven't really told ecotank yet, though Still in the early stages of coming up with a stocking plan. I'm guessing at least 4 weeks before a cleanup crew, maybe longer, then a while longer before fish. That leaves us somewhere in February for fish

I'm thinking about making the pile on the right shorter and longer, to give some interest to the tank. I think they're both pretty secure in terms of stacking, but we have some time to play with rock placement while it's cycling. I personally like to look at an aquascape for a few days and think about how to make it better, then try it out.

Ammonia was at zero yesterday, and I haven't tested yet today. Our test kit is really old, and I'm not sure it's working. We'll probably pick up a new kit this weekend.

 

[Limi310]

It's looking good so far Lotus! Those anthias are really beautiful fish and would look great in there if you decide to go with them. Can't wait to follow your progress