yorkieUK's 4ft Glass Box (170 ltr UK / 45 gal US)

yorkieUK · Dec 21, 2013

Thanks to DianaKay for her help to a new member of RS, as well as goma and Mayja for their welcome.

My tank is 48"(L) x 12"(W) x 15"(H) / 122cm x 30cm x 37.5cm and is my first attempt at a reef tank.
The dimensions of the tank were more to suit the space that I had spare in my flat more than anything else.

I have now purchased a light hood, lights (LED), a light control unit (day/night/dimmer) and a couple of pumps.

I've just fitted the lights today using plastic pipe clips to hold them in place although I still have to drill the hood for the leads to go through. The white lights are using 3 watts and the blue light is only using 1 watt and seem to be bright enough for the size of the tank.

My next bits of kit will be a protein skimmer and a couple of heaters.
I will be progressing to a sump tank in the future but can't afford it right now.
I'll also invest in a better camera to record the progress of the tank.

Regards,
yorkieUK.

nanoreefing4fun · Dec 21, 2013

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...ay-post-pics-photobucket-nanoreefing4fun.html

yorkieUK · Dec 23, 2013

yorkieUK's 4ft Glass Box (170 ltr UK / 45 gal US)
Thanks to DianaKay for her help to a new member of RS, as well as goma and Mayja for their welcome.

My tank is 48"(L) x 12"(W) x 15"(H) / 122cm x 30cm x 37.5cm and is my first attempt at a reef tank.
The dimensions of the tank were more to suit the space that I had spare in my flat more than anything else.

KINDLE_CAMERA_1386344778000_zps83cc5b6e.jpg.html

I have now purchased a light hood, lights (LED), a light control unit (day/night/dimmer) and a couple of pumps.
http://s777.photobucket.com/user/yo...1386345256000_zps862ef4df.jpg.html?sort=3&o=5
http://s777.photobucket.com/user/yo...1386345400000_zpsea116765.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4
http://s777.photobucket.com/user/yo...1386346464000_zps9c532d5c.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3
http://s777.photobucket.com/user/yo...1386346479000_zps7c35c376.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

I've just fitted the lights today using plastic pipe clips to hold them in place although I still have to drill the hood for the leads to go through. The white lights are using 3 watts and the blue light is only using 1 watt and seem to be bright enough for the size of the tank.

My next bits of kit will be a protein skimmer and a couple of heaters.
I will be progressing to a sump tank in the future but can't afford it right now.
I'll also invest in a better camera to record the progress of the tank.

Regards,
yorkieUK.

nanoreefing4fun · Dec 23, 2013

once you get a pic load to PB, right click on it, copy the url & add it to this syntax

and it will appear :dance:

KINDLE_CAMERA_1386344778000_zps83cc5b6e.jpg~320x480

Great start !

we love BIG pics... here a direct link to how to get them to be bigger
http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...s-photobucket-nanoreefing4fun.html#post724850

yorkieUK · Dec 27, 2013

http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums...ieuks-4ft-glass-box-170-ltr-uk-45-gal-us.html
Hiya,
Just a quick update to let you know that I have now purchased my protein skimmer and heater.
My next purchase will be the sand and RO water. Can't wait to get going.

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Wayne

yorkieUK · Jan 2, 2014

Well, the sand is now ordered and on its way. I've gone for Caribsea Seaflor Special Sand and Caribsea Aragamax Sand.
I'm nearly ready to go and get my RO water from my LFS.
Can't wait!

BJ:
YorkieUK.

yorkieUK · Jan 4, 2014

I've got my light control system working. It controls:

Daytime lights: time-on; time-off; power %; fade-in time; fade-out time,
Night lights: time-on; time-off; power %; fade-in time; fade-out time,
Manual over-ride.

It's a great little unit that I bought on eBay. The seller has another one on eBay @ £45.00
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=131080860213

If anyone who's checked out my chronicle thinks I've missed any vital kit, please let me know. :ofr:

YorkieUK.

DianaKay · Jan 4, 2014

Good picture UPDates....keep 'em coming.
Ready to see your rock scape creation & water in your tank

mikecc · Jan 4, 2014

And so it begins.......

yorkieUK · Jan 7, 2014

I'm going to my LFS tomorrow to get my RO water and salt. Does anyone have any recommendations on which brand of salt to go for, or even which brands to avoid??? :stars:

My tank is only 170ltr (45gal US).

YorkieUK.

goma · Jan 7, 2014

yorkieUK said:
Does anyone have any recommendations on which brand of salt to go for, or even which brands to avoid???
YorkieUK.

You are going to get a million different answers on this one!

yorkieUK · Jan 7, 2014

I'd value yours and Diana's opinions. You've both kept me on the straight and narrow so far.

whippetguy · Jan 7, 2014

Good start, this tank is going to look great. I can feel it. Will be watching as you progress along.

yorkieUK · Jan 7, 2014

Cheers!:apint:

roearth · Jan 7, 2014

Congrats on starting up your tank. Loving the pics. My salt recommendation is .. . Reef crystals . Thats what I use now as the first salt I bought I didn't get along with and wasn't the best quality. Worth visiting a few local stores taking note of what brands they are stocking so then you could have a look on the web to see how they're rated -that's what I would do. Good luck with your adventure!!

yorkieUK · Jan 7, 2014

Cheers for that, I'll give it a look.:apint:

goma · Jan 7, 2014

IO Reef Crystals is a quality salt and you can't go wrong with it. I use Red Sea Coral Pro because I like the higher Alk, Ca and other higher values.

yorkieUK · Jan 10, 2014

Just an update of my Reef Chronicle. I'm like a kid on Christmas Eve

BJ:.

Yesterday 01/10/14

Today 01/11/2014

Can't wait until I can get my live rock in a couple of weeks time.:tumble:
I've put 40lb of Caribsea Seaflor Special Argonite in first and topped it off with 30lb of Caribsea Aragamax Sand (Oolite).
Thanks Diana and Greg for your advice :bow:, (invaluable as always).
I've spent the last couple of days rinsing it through with tap-water, finishing with a four hour rinse in RO water.
It's all new to me and I don't want to blow it all at the start, so small steps while I'm learning.

The Seio powerhead is a noisy little b#gger :cursin: so that will be replaced and saved as a spare. The Hydor Koralia powerhead is very quiet so I'll be investing in another couple of them.
My Fluval skimmer is running okay but I need to get used to it before I start adjusting it.
The Fluval heater is running fine and should have the water up to temp' by tomorrow morning.
There's a few more photos for anyone who is following my progress. Quality isn't the best, but a new camera will be on the way.

DianaKay · Jan 10, 2014

GREAT UPDATE, getting very EXCITING :geekin:

Now comes being patient & letting the fun begin

Keep the updates coming, we like 'em

DianaKay · Jan 10, 2014

Now ya need to Try to find some really good pieces of live rock....be selective & look it over good if you are buying in person from a local fish store (LFS). Things to try to avoid when buying LR is Aiptasia and GBA (green bubble algae). You can order nice dry rock & seed it with a few pieces of already matured LR. Lots of holes and lighter weight pieces will allow much more good bacteria surface per pound.
It's very exciting and fun to get your rock-scape put in the tank, and get the tank cycle started.

yorkieUK's 4ft Glass Box (170 ltr UK / 45 gal US)

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