Moving to next phase- Basement Sump setup
 

Had been away few weeks from the forum. was trying to complete the Basement plumbing and Sump setup along with leak test. Had a few disasters along the way with my DIY skills..
Story told in pictures below..

Stand for the Sump. Re-using the Carton in which the Tank was delivered to make for the Sump Stand.

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1a85e236.jpg

My 55 Gallon Acrylic Sump
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps03d61181.jpg

Tonga Rocks- These will be the life in the Reef
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1f31610b.jpg

Levelling- Ensured the level was perfect before the leak test
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps01c3a14f.jpg

Sump Setup-Basement
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7d0fc2f1.jpg


With the UV and Return Pump
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps295a6832.jpg

Had a small goof up while drilling the sump. My drill bit gave up on me while half way in the drilling process. Since the acrylic was too hot..it developed these cracks. Luckily they were from inside and had tested for leaks for a few days. Also got the sump checked from ORG from where i had bought it. They confirmed its good to go. Phew...

Disaster averted....

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8e0d99c9.jpg


PS- Please do post your feedback -ve or +ve if you like this build thread..

My only suggestion would be check the stats on how close you can have a 90 degree bend on the intake side. I might have use a couple 45's on the output side as well. I've always wondered if the resistance of 2 45 degree elbows equals that of 1 90 degree elbow.

Cheers,
Scott

Leak Test and Aquascape
 

Completed the Leak test followed by aquascaping..
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psf65313a4.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psfcae603c.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps469f0f7b.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1649d096.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psc7383a07.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...pse3833ed6.jpg

and in goes Salt water..

Leak Test and Aquascape
 

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2b41e582.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psfcae603c.jpg

Tonga Rocks
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps46625897.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1b0fa194.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps469f0f7b.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1649d096.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psc7383a07.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8114d924.jpg

Tank Cycling started
 

Had been away few days hence could not do any posts.. My tank is finally ready for the cycling.. Over 135 gallons of RO water including Sump was being prepared few days back..

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps00635cec.jpg

Great looking tank! That rock is very nice and your placement is awesome. I am looking forward to watching this evolve.

Thanks Trevor. Not sure how the orientation got messed in the picture...

Tank cycling..
 

Tank Cycling -Second week
 

its been the end of 2 weeks since the cycle started.. Have seen no significant changes except a few coraline algae growing on the rock..

-My light intensity is quite low. Any suggestions what is the ideal intensity and how many hours in a day during the cycling stage..

- Also noticed the PH reading from the American Pinpoint shows 7.9 and fluctuates 7.91-7.95... Have been opening the fish room window during the day for air circulation.. Is this ok for now till the cycling is complete.. How do I get to raise it to 8 and above??

Btw have been adjusting positions of my 2 Siccee Voyager 4 powerheads in the tank.. as they are stirring up lot of sand from the front glass..

Looking good
I wouldn't worry about your ph level at all. It's fine where it is.

Thanks..I'm pretty much not doing anything at this point till the cyling is done. However did notice the evaporation is pretty quick.. Have a 5 gallon glass jar next to the sump in the basement and I do notice it gets empty upto 70percent daily.

Cycling complete
 

Have finally had the cycling complete. Water parameters were consistent past 15 days with Ammonia varying between 2-5ppm
Nitrates 0ppm
Nitrites 0ppm
Ph is ranging between 7.8 - 7.9. I have seen a drop from 8.1 . I suspect this is due to the CO2 levels in the basement. Difficult to keep the windows open now with Winter set in. Will monitor a bit more.2

Also i'm not sure if I was supposed to get any algae spike.. I have not got anything so far.. My rocks were being cycled for over 2 months in the bath tub before the Tank setup was done.

Had my first Clown fish move to their new home last weekend.. pics below..

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8891ba98.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...pse0ff469f.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps20a7ba9f.jpg

i like your rock scape nicely done.

You tank has not cycled properly yet. Ammonia of 2-5ppm is toxic to marine fish. Wait until you have ammonia down to 0 before adding any live stock.

^ i should learn to read better. what he said!

Thanks Brett

Thanks George for the feedback. Actually im assuming 2-5ppm even though I'm sure it's almost 0ppm as the Adonis are thru the API test kits. I have to get some better test kits in future as API's can get tricky to pin point exact color match. There is no in between below 25ppm to 0ppm for Ammonia tests in an API kit.

Sorry Brett. Didn't quite understand your reply to this quote. Thanks

Kalkwasser or 2 part Dosing or both..
 

I have been reading different opinions on this subject. Wud much appreciate any help on which one would be better to begin with.. Find 2 part dosing pretty easy to use but guess would be costly in long run.. For now, I'm planning to get the ALk and PH stable before I start planning on Corals.. Will be going mostly for softies to begin with..

So was trying to zero down whether to buy Kalkwasser and make the solution or buy the 2 part dosing and dose manually till I collect funds for the auto dosing pump.

Was just agreeing about the ammonia readings potentially being a problem. Never noticed that when I read your post. If the kit is lousy who knows your levels just might be zero. With Elos a zero reading was pretty obvious.

I agree with the API kits the readings are not the greatest.. Will keep a close watch on the parameters till im able to purchase better quality Test kits

Some further Updates
 

Added some more fishes ( Chromis, Yello Tang, Bangai Cardinals and a pink Anthia along with my first Torch coral and a Leather)

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1e31f849.jpg

Leather Coral (Not sure what its name)
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psac9c5a39.jpg

Torch
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8231e67f.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7465b5b4.jpg

Tragic Week
 

Have been having some bad times this week. firstly lost my New Torch coral frag 2 days back due to "Brown jelly". wonder what went wrong. He was a happy coral for few days since i bought him until last weekend :cry:

Further this morning found one of my "Blue-Green Chromis" on the floor dead. Not sure what made him pop out from the tank last nite.

As if above was not enough, my pink Anthia(one of my favourites)..i found him on the floor dead too this evening after i came back home...im bleeding now for this loss. he was my favourite one and a unique type i managed to get hold off.

have covered my tank now with the window screens. will have to make something that fits my tank well..

don't know what more to say.. just leaving my frustrations in words here on this forum...

DIY Skills-Screen Protector
 

Ok.. so after loosing my first Blue-green Chromis and and beautiful Anthia, landed up building my DIY Screen protector.. All tools bought from CT(Canadian Tire) including the Screen which is 1/2" in holes.

Pictures..
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psa5341fe0.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps47e0581a.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps85be4430.jpg

Green Mushroom Coral
 

With my first leather coral doing great so far, mustered up some courage to pick up my next Coral in the tank. This time, went for the green mushroom. Love them under the LEDs.

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psa594ccb2.jpg

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps32a67620.jpg

My first Leather Coral so far..
http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6093fbf5.jpg

1.5 months after first fish..Tank so far...
 

Here's the pic of my tank so far after 1.5 months of adding my first fish (Clowns)

http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/...psc7317030.jpg