Kylie`s 40g Reef Build

Turns out it took two big guys, one on each piece, to get them apart. I took it to work with me and two of the fish guys got it apart for me. It was actually rather amusing.

As for the tank, I've got it moved into position! YAY!! I had to move the 20g across the room in order to put the 40 into place to start setting it up. I have all the plumbing done (the internal overflow is currently curing), the tank and stand set up, sump in place, and sand in the bottom and refugium section of my sump. Now I'm in the process of filling it up. I have about 1/4th of it full (just the tank) and am just waiting for my RO unit to make enough water to keep filling it more. I'll post pics soon.

 

Also, is it normal if the new sand and water make thick foamish stuff? I know I'm not being gentle when I'm dumping the water in since there isn't any lr or anything in it yet. It is live sand if that helps answer my question.

Thanks!

Kylie

 

Another question. How can i rig the very end of my drain to make it quiet? Right now it is a long tube coming in at a 45 degree angle ended by a 45 degree elbow pointed down at the water surface. Unfortunately this is very loud making bubbling, gurgling, n overall draining noises. What design works the quietest for the end of my drain?

 

Picture time!!! These are all from last night as I was filling the tank. Right now the drain pipe isn't connected because I added an extension that'll go down under the sump surface to see if that will be quieter. Right now thats drying, but in another half an hour it'll be fully cured and I can hook it back up and hopefully turn on my return pump and get things circulating!! WOOT!!

 

No. I didn't realize how much space my sump would take up. I'm working on setting it up in the space behind the stand/tank.

And what is the best way to get my water to clear up? It seems like everytime I let it cycle (w/ drain to sump then return pump back) it just stirs it up more and gets cloudy again. And it gets much worse if I turn on my powerheads.

 

Is my skimmer what will eventually clear up my water? I had just assumed at first that it was unsettled sand but when I think about it, a skimmer would be able to get most of that gunk out of the water... Any ideas? I'm going to hopefully get the skimmer hooked up tonight.

 

I havent tried a sock yet. Do I have to make/buy a filter sock inlet or is there some way I could hook it to my drain pipe?

Also, what kind of sponge did you use aj? Is there such thing as a harmful sponge for a tank/sump?

 

I got my live rock yesterday and got home from school today to be greeted by this little guy




He must have taken a ride on one of the rocks from Petland. I called to work quick and they said for now, he'd be fine in my tank. That he won't bother any of my fish or corals. Eventually he won't fit in this tank though right? I had thought that most starfish got too big for a 40g. Any tips on keeping this little guy happy would be much appreciated. I've never had a starfish before (however temporary it may be).

 

Ok. I don't want anything that will ravash my sandbed. I really want a scooter blennie someday. Anybody know anybody who wants a brittle star?

 

Will mine get that huge?!? There's no way I could have a 14" star in a 40g. That would just be mean I think