Set Up Today!

cbjt3905 · 09-18-2007, 11:05 AM

Okay… the second post as promised. I really have read quite a lot here, but I want to make sure I have my ducks in a row for setting up my BioCube 8G this afternoon as a reef tank (no fish). Please accept my apologies for a long post… so sorry, but I want to get it right. This is the stuff arriving today from Premium Aquatics:

Mini-Jet 606 pump to replace stock pump.
Hydor FLO Rotating deflector.
Carib-Sea Arag-Alive Fifi pink sand.
Kaelini Tonga Ultra Show LR, fully cured – 10 lbs.
Kaelini Tonga Ultra Show LR, uncured – 4 lbs.
100 ml bag of Purigen

My plan thus far:

Filtration: Chamber 1: Filter cartridge pulled, overflow area into chamber 2 enlarged, Purigen bag and heater inserted.
Chamber 2: Bioballs out, LR rubble in, upper drip tray in with floss, lower drip tray left in for now to reserve space. Poss skimmer location in the future, maybe (if an 8 gal needs one)?
Chamber 3: Stock pump replaced (maybe use it for additional flow inside the tank?). Bag of Chemipure dropped in. Hydor –flo attached.

Water prep: Using distilled water initially; will get RO/DI filter as paycheck allows. Instant Ocean w/ salinity at proper specs.

Live Sand/LR prep: This is where I am in question more, because years ago I bought LR at my LFS. Rinse sand in clean SW and put about an inch (or more?) in tank? How does one rinse sand? Dump it in the bucket, swish it around, and pour the top water out? (told ya I was a noob). LR made into optimal sizes if necessary (hammer & chisel; I must love to make big messes, because I sure clean a lot of them up). Is it okay just to rinse and lightly brush the cured and uncured LR in clean SW? Just swish it around? I obviously got some uncured for the variety of critters & such.

Scaping: Sand in, LR arranged w/ min amt surface area in the sand; plenty of caves / crevices. Add SW & turn on. Once again I am sorry for the lengthy post! All future ones will be much briefer! Thank you very much.
Jim

Dentoid · 09-18-2007, 11:09 AM

Jim it looks like you have a plan. My best advice is follow your plan, it looks good. Best of luck to you!

vdituri · 09-18-2007, 11:21 AM

May the reef gods be with you!

AQTCJAK · 09-18-2007, 11:23 AM

Agreed stick to your plan it sounds really good

cbjt3905 · 09-18-2007, 01:07 PM

Thank you! See, I can make short posts.
Jim

lcstorc · 09-18-2007, 01:17 PM

Sounds like you have things well planned out.
Be sure to give the uncured rock several weeks to cure before adding corals. The uncured rock should also cause the tank to cycle so you get that out of the way at the same time.
If you are adding uncured rock I wouldn't bother rinsing the sand. You will need to do a good vacuum and water change in a couple of weeks and you can syphon the detrius out then.

09-18-2007, 11:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
cbjt3905 Tubeworm Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 32 View Gallery Karma Komment	Set Up Today! Okay… the second post as promised. I really have read quite a lot here, but I want to make sure I have my ducks in a row for setting up my BioCube 8G this afternoon as a reef tank (no fish). Please accept my apologies for a long post… so sorry, but I want to get it right. This is the stuff arriving today from Premium Aquatics: Mini-Jet 606 pump to replace stock pump. Hydor FLO Rotating deflector. Carib-Sea Arag-Alive Fifi pink sand. Kaelini Tonga Ultra Show LR, fully cured – 10 lbs. Kaelini Tonga Ultra Show LR, uncured – 4 lbs. 100 ml bag of Purigen My plan thus far: Filtration: Chamber 1: Filter cartridge pulled, overflow area into chamber 2 enlarged, Purigen bag and heater inserted. Chamber 2: Bioballs out, LR rubble in, upper drip tray in with floss, lower drip tray left in for now to reserve space. Poss skimmer location in the future, maybe (if an 8 gal needs one)? Chamber 3: Stock pump replaced (maybe use it for additional flow inside the tank?). Bag of Chemipure dropped in. Hydor –flo attached. Water prep: Using distilled water initially; will get RO/DI filter as paycheck allows. Instant Ocean w/ salinity at proper specs. Live Sand/LR prep: This is where I am in question more, because years ago I bought LR at my LFS. Rinse sand in clean SW and put about an inch (or more?) in tank? How does one rinse sand? Dump it in the bucket, swish it around, and pour the top water out? (told ya I was a noob). LR made into optimal sizes if necessary (hammer & chisel; I must love to make big messes, because I sure clean a lot of them up). Is it okay just to rinse and lightly brush the cured and uncured LR in clean SW? Just swish it around? I obviously got some uncured for the variety of critters & such. Scaping: Sand in, LR arranged w/ min amt surface area in the sand; plenty of caves / crevices. Add SW & turn on. Once again I am sorry for the lengthy post! All future ones will be much briefer! Thank you very much. Jim

09-18-2007, 11:09 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dentoid Over Achiever Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 10,255 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Set Up Today! Jim it looks like you have a plan. My best advice is follow your plan, it looks good. Best of luck to you! __________________ Scott Dentoid's Reeforama

09-18-2007, 11:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,753 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Set Up Today! May the reef gods be with you! __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

09-18-2007, 11:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
AQTCJAK Tiger Shark Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 7,213 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Set Up Today! Agreed stick to your plan it sounds really good __________________ A Wiseman once said build a stage add a pole & they will dance - Jack 2007 www.aquaticaggression.com Projects & Chronicels http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...car-buffs.html http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nts-tanks.html

09-18-2007, 01:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
cbjt3905 Tubeworm Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 32 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Set Up Today! Thank you! See, I can make short posts. Jim

09-18-2007, 01:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,744 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Set Up Today! Sounds like you have things well planned out. Be sure to give the uncured rock several weeks to cure before adding corals. The uncured rock should also cause the tank to cycle so you get that out of the way at the same time. If you are adding uncured rock I wouldn't bother rinsing the sand. You will need to do a good vacuum and water change in a couple of weeks and you can syphon the detrius out then. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

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