Mark's 60g shallow reef

[Mark_C]

BAckdated as I've just got my pic posting clearance...

So, here’s the 40b I’ve got running atm.

Tank is nice but it does not suit the room and the stand is OK at best.

With renovations to the house being done, I decided to hit up the tank as well.

Here’s some stuff. The new Deep Blue 60 shallow reef (48x24x12), the 20g long sump/fuge I built for it, and a 55g on a modified 75g stand, which was never, and won’t be, used.

Supplies piling up in the back and I’m making water…

Tank is moved for painting to be done. Had to empty most of the water and it still took 4 of us to shift it 8 feet…

Picked up info on a simple and secure stand design from reef central at http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=14306359#post14306359

…and the adventure begins again.

___

The stuff: 40b, 2x Jebao WMs, 1 Hydor PH, Eshopps 300 HOB, 50# live rock, 3” fiji sand bed, 10g sump/fuge, Green Killing Machine, GFO reactor, 2x 150w heaters, Current Orbit Marine LED
The decor: Zoanths, 1 small star polyp colony
The crew: 2 Clowns, 1 Chromie, 1 Lawnmower, 1 Cleaner shrimp, 2 Bubble anems, 1 Mini-maxi, mixed cuc

 

[Mark_C]

New skimmer, a Reef Octo 110 classic in sump…

Had the lumber cut for the stand today…

The frame completed about 2-3 hours later, lying on its side, the 10 inch panel is for a dedicated electronics compartment…

Tank on top and sump under to ensure all will fit OK, the bucket is there to hold space for an ATO reservoir…

And going to do a bit of staining before putting down a clearcoat. I’m using a method of staining that imitates old weathered barn-wood. Found it on the net ages ago and unable to find the original reference. To create the stain, you simply tear up a bunch of 4x’0’ (‘0000’) steel wool and drop a good amount into a bottle of vinegar, then you let it sit for a few days. The more it sits and the concentration of wool determine the darkness of the stain…

Then just brush it on the wood. The softer the wood, the deeper the effect. It goes on clear like so, the slightly darker wood is ‘wet’ with the stain…

And this is an hour later (this stain is NOT waterproof, so put something over it)…

 

[kschweer]

Looking good, glad I see things coming together. Can't wait to see how the finish comes out, I have seen that before and always wanted to try it. Best of luck moving forward.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mnat]

Looks like a great start.

 

[Zippy69]

Nice solid stand and I like your brewing company beer choice. ( Great Lakes).

 

[Mark_C]

Slowed down a bit this week. Made a light purchase from a fellow member (thanks!) and am awaiting delivery of a new mount, and have QT'd two new arrivals to get ready for the new tank, a fairy wrasse and a chalk bass.

20L with 30g rated HOB filter (sponge with no carbon), media from established tank, heater, thermometer, bubbler, powerhead, and UV (I had it around and I am not medicating the QT atm).

The residents - a chalk bass and a fairy wrasse, both looking despondent...

I'm adding more PVC soon to encourage activity.

If that doesn't work I'll introduce a lionfish.

 

[iTzJu]

love those tanks!!! what light did you end up going with?

also, future plans in terms of corals?

 

[Mark_C]

love those tanks!!! what light did you end up going with?

2x Maxspect Mazarras. I ordered an over the tank mounting kit for them, I'll post a pic when I have it set up for a test run.

also, future plans in terms of corals?

No idea on corals yet. I have a few zoanths right now. Once the tank is set up and all residents are in I'll start doing my research (I'm a bit uninformed on the coral front). With the depth I have I was thinking along the line of softies and I'm sure I'l be humbly asking for advice from the NJreefers. I'd like to keep the tank colorful and interesting yet simple. Its why my stocklist is so basic (clown, chromie, bass, wrasse).

 

[Dave6265]

Love the tank dimensions, and chaulk basslets are among my favorites... looking forward to this build!

 

[Mark_C]

Been a couple of weeks but a lots gone on, including news of a future reefer - there goes the boat savings.
BUT, I'm back to the tank, and, more substantially, the stand build. As my garage is filled with every tool known to man, I have no space to build anything. This required completing the frame in the kitchen, where it sat for 2 weeks. My wife now wants a kitchen island.

Anyways, here it is on the kitchen floor...

And here it is next to the tank its replacing...

And here is a lower view showing electronics compartment, sump, ato tank...

We've got a big 4th birthday/baby announcement party next weekend and my wife is under the impression the guests wont enjoy a sprawling layout of aquarium tanks and lighting. That said. I had to move the frame with a basic skin into position and get ready for transfer this Friday night and Saturday AM. Will add the doors and trim later.

 

[mrehfeld]

It's coming along nicely, good luck with the transfer.

 

[Mark_C]

Well, transferred last Wednesday over an 18 hour period. Tanks were next to each other so all went smoothly.

If into detail... I filled the new 60g with 50# rinsed aragonite on Sunday and began making water. On Wednesday I added the 25g matching salinity (new) water to the new tank then heated to match old tank temp. Transferred about 20 gallons from old tank to new tank. Transferred live rock direct and aquascaped. Moved zoanths that I could to sand bed (due to new lighting), peroxide rinsing on way over. Transferred approx 1c old sand to new tank. Topped off new tank with remaining 20g from old. Netted livestock and direct transfer. Dug through old tank to round up remaining snails. All went amazingly well, only needed about 1,300 towels. As of today (Sat) livestock grossly intact, visually sound, very active, and staking out territory.

I let the tank settle for a few days post transfer. Parameters as of today are:
SG-1.025, Ca-350, Mg-1260, Alk-7.2, pH-8.1, nitrite-0, nitrate-0, ammonia-0, phosphates-0.1 (made mild adjustments tonight for Ca, Mg, Alk)

Have yet to mount monitors in electronic compartment and skin the cabinet.

So, photos...

 

[Mark_C]

TAX RETURN!!!

...and got one of these on a frag. I will love him, and hug him, and call him george...

 

[Mark_C]

With spring approaching the tank is taking a back burner at the moment so I can foucus on the garden. I'll keep the stand skinning for a rainy day (along with changing the sockets, painting the bathroom, wallpapering the hall, etc...)

Saying that, finished the aquascaping and have a number of corals glued down, so very happy with where its at.

[video]http://vid1328.photobucket.com/albums/w540/Ozone001/IMG_1449_zpsvwglcvgt.mp4[/video]

 

[Raffle King]

Looks very good nice job

 

[Mark...]

Nice video Mark...looks great. Love the shallow reef.

 

[mrehfeld]

I too like the look of the shallow reef, well done Mark