rebekwl
Active Member
I never got around to starting a chronicle on my 55 gallon, so I figure I should go ahead and start one now for my new 90 gallon.
Bluespotjawfish let us borrow a ton of containers and even tested our water for us. (Thanks Lorraine) Our perameters were WAY off so Lorraine helped us get them all in check. We found out that our Hydrometer was WAAAAAY off and our SG ended up being 1.029!!!! It's time to buy a refractometer ASAP! Our pH was very low too at 7.65 and is normally at 8.2. She also gave us some goodies to keep the Alk, Calc and Mag in check, YAY!! Now I must go and buy the much needed test kits. I should have them already, shame on me.
We started Saturday by filling up the 45 gal Brute with RO/DI water. We also filled up a 30 gal overnight to make sure we had enough. After the 45 was full we added our salt and let it mix overnight. I also rinsed the new sand on Saturday and (against my better judgement) put it in the bottom of the tank, to get a head start.
We started the official switchover at 8am Sunday morning. We first filled up a 30 gal container with fresh SW and transferred all of our LR to that container. Then we put some water in 3 smaller containers for our fish and corals. While catching the fish I realized that my Scooter Blenny was hiding under the sand somewhere, finding him was quite a task. After they were all transferred I realized that my Bi-Color Blenny was missing
he's my favorite fish. I looked for him in the rock container for a while, but gave up quickly because we still had ALOT of work to do.
After transferring all of the fish to their temporary headquarters, we pumped all of the water from the 55 to the 90. After that we transferred all of the sand from the 55 to the 90 (again, against my better judgement). Once that was done we filled the tank just full enough to cover the LR and then transferred all of the rock fro them 30 gal container into the new tank. I attempted to wiggle the rock down to the glass, what a pain that was, I still have alot to do as far as the rock goes. Why didn't I put the rock in before the sand like everyone told me to? I have no clue!
After the rock was in the tank, some dug down to the glass, most not, we filled it the rest of the way with water, or we tried to anyways. We were out of SW besides what the corals and fish were being housed in. I had a tiny bit of salt, but I knew it wouldn't be enough so I was off to the store. Lorraine told me I should have more salt on hand. Did I listen? NO! So as I'm getting ready to walk out the door the phone rings. It's Lorraine asking how things are going. I told her I was heading out to get more salt and she offered to bring over some SW and salt to help us out. This woman is a God send, let me tell you!! So hubby goes to HD to pick up some misc gadgets while I wait for Lorraine. It was 10am when she called and I figured we were almost done. HA, who was I kidding!?!
Once Lorraine got there we were on a roll again. She helped with everything and gave us some great ideas that made everything come together. She helped with the lighting, the plumbing, pouring water, testing water, setting timers, and so much more!! We finally finished everything around 4:30 or so and put all of our babies in their new home. I was looking into the tank, hoping to see the Bi-color Blenny pop up and there he was!! He must have hidden in the rock the whole time, I'm so happy he's still with us.
So after a hard days work and one small flood, plus a few sprays in the face (LOL), we have our beautiful 90 gal all set up and ready to go!
Now I have a few things to buy and I will be set (Maybe ):
Refractometer
Calcium test kit
Magnesium test kit
Alkalinity test kit (that I can read, the one I have is horrible)
New Skimmer (Any suggestions??)
I can also get alot more fish, YAY! I can't wait to fill this thing up. I don't have any pics yet (I know, I know) but will get some up here as soon as I get home from work!
Thanks again Lorraine for all of your help! It would have been a disaster if we hadn't have had your wisdom to guide us!
Bluespotjawfish let us borrow a ton of containers and even tested our water for us. (Thanks Lorraine) Our perameters were WAY off so Lorraine helped us get them all in check. We found out that our Hydrometer was WAAAAAY off and our SG ended up being 1.029!!!! It's time to buy a refractometer ASAP! Our pH was very low too at 7.65 and is normally at 8.2. She also gave us some goodies to keep the Alk, Calc and Mag in check, YAY!! Now I must go and buy the much needed test kits. I should have them already, shame on me.
We started Saturday by filling up the 45 gal Brute with RO/DI water. We also filled up a 30 gal overnight to make sure we had enough. After the 45 was full we added our salt and let it mix overnight. I also rinsed the new sand on Saturday and (against my better judgement) put it in the bottom of the tank, to get a head start.
We started the official switchover at 8am Sunday morning. We first filled up a 30 gal container with fresh SW and transferred all of our LR to that container. Then we put some water in 3 smaller containers for our fish and corals. While catching the fish I realized that my Scooter Blenny was hiding under the sand somewhere, finding him was quite a task. After they were all transferred I realized that my Bi-Color Blenny was missing
he's my favorite fish. I looked for him in the rock container for a while, but gave up quickly because we still had ALOT of work to do. After transferring all of the fish to their temporary headquarters, we pumped all of the water from the 55 to the 90. After that we transferred all of the sand from the 55 to the 90 (again, against my better judgement). Once that was done we filled the tank just full enough to cover the LR and then transferred all of the rock fro them 30 gal container into the new tank. I attempted to wiggle the rock down to the glass, what a pain that was, I still have alot to do as far as the rock goes. Why didn't I put the rock in before the sand like everyone told me to? I have no clue!
After the rock was in the tank, some dug down to the glass, most not, we filled it the rest of the way with water, or we tried to anyways. We were out of SW besides what the corals and fish were being housed in. I had a tiny bit of salt, but I knew it wouldn't be enough so I was off to the store. Lorraine told me I should have more salt on hand. Did I listen? NO! So as I'm getting ready to walk out the door the phone rings. It's Lorraine asking how things are going. I told her I was heading out to get more salt and she offered to bring over some SW and salt to help us out. This woman is a God send, let me tell you!! So hubby goes to HD to pick up some misc gadgets while I wait for Lorraine. It was 10am when she called and I figured we were almost done. HA, who was I kidding!?!
Once Lorraine got there we were on a roll again. She helped with everything and gave us some great ideas that made everything come together. She helped with the lighting, the plumbing, pouring water, testing water, setting timers, and so much more!! We finally finished everything around 4:30 or so and put all of our babies in their new home. I was looking into the tank, hoping to see the Bi-color Blenny pop up and there he was!! He must have hidden in the rock the whole time, I'm so happy he's still with us.
So after a hard days work and one small flood, plus a few sprays in the face (LOL), we have our beautiful 90 gal all set up and ready to go!
Now I have a few things to buy and I will be set (Maybe
):Refractometer
Calcium test kit
Magnesium test kit
Alkalinity test kit (that I can read, the one I have is horrible)
New Skimmer (Any suggestions??)
I can also get alot more fish, YAY! I can't wait to fill this thing up. I don't have any pics yet (I know, I know) but will get some up here as soon as I get home from work!
Thanks again Lorraine for all of your help! It would have been a disaster if we hadn't have had your wisdom to guide us!
I don't miss the Washington Area Marine Aquarist Society meetings (WAMAS), I learn sooooooo much! Rebekah, take your hubby!