In fop updates, very curious how the red pvc holds up as its not rated for plumbing. But if it does im totally copying you!!!

ooooh we are getting closer nice!. That branching rock would look cool covered in corals , maybe a bunch of chalices on them . Are you going LPS ?

So far so good. It is PVC so there is no issue with the glue. As far as I am aware, the only reason it's not approved for potable plumbing is because inspectors cannot see the primer and glue. Maybe also because there are no certification stamps either. The only reason PVC primer is purple is so the inspector can see that it has been used.

Thanks Pike, mostly SPS for this tank. My next tank, which is in the planning stage, will be a LPS dominated tank!

Very busy weekend. After receiving critiques that the rocks were too high, I cut them down and am very happy with the results.
Brought temp up to 77, and salinity up to 34ppt (IO). pH 8.1 - 8.23. Started Zeovit 14 day dosing cycle.
Got all the Apex gear hooked up and programmed, mostly. Still need to figure out how to hook up the WiFi (it didn't work the first time I tried), and alerts.
MP40 set for a nice gentle wave at 30% with a 3/4 inch crest. Wife hasn't mentioned the noise, so I think that'll be ok.
Skimmer spitting out many micro bubbles. Can't seem to get it dialed in, and cup overflows. Tried all different settings but I guess it's part of the break in period. I'll mess around with it in a week.
Ended up going with special grade substrate. Going to start recording major params tomorrow.
Thinking I may go several weeks before introducing any livestock, once again I am in no rush.

Tinker with this, tinker with that, damn it's a lot of work getting a tank running!!

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/...8e9a99fb_o.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/...34a027d6_c.jpg https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7500/...27d0549c_c.jpg

Tanks first inhabitant.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7497/...eae55b9d_o.jpg

I gotta say that rock work is way better than what it was not from an artistic view but rather a more practical real estate for Sps to grow mature. Thumbs up buddy👍👍!

Thanks Rich! I am already planning a second tank for LPS... which means this one can be reserved for SPS ONLY (and zoas)!! Pretty excited! Now where to get my hands on some Pink Floyd, Wolverine and Strawberry Shortcake?.... buuuuuuddy, lol!

Day 21 of the cycle and I can't really report... anything.

No diatoms, no cyano... sooooo boring! All of a sudden I have no patience.

Nitrite .5 ppm Salifert
Nitrate 50 ppm Salifert
Ammonia undetectable API test and Alert Badge
Phosphate .03 ppm Salifert
Temp 78 Apex
Salinity 35.6 ppt Apex, 1.026 refractometer
pH 8.1 Apex
Tried testing Alk with Salifert and came up with 9.3. Don't think I did it right and now I want a Hanna, lol.
Using Instant Ocean

Dosing:
ZeoBak 3 drops Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays
Sponge Power 3 drops per day
ZeoStart .3ml X2 daily
Rich's skimate 1 cap full per day lol.

My 12 gallon ATO reservoir lasts 10 days, not bad.

Skimmer seems broken in but not fully tuned yet, I think it needs to be raised up an inch or two.

Working on a fish and invertebrate stocking list.

In the meantime Rich is growing out some frags for me (jk), lol.:lol:

No no no....Peter Apexfd is growing frags out for you. Lol

I should start bottling up that skimmate and sell it as a cycle accerlator. Bank roll on it. :mrgreen:

I can only think of the Buckleys commercial, it tastes awful but it works! Lol

Lmao!