getting ready to start NEO90 build

[ducducguzzi]

bought a DSA NEO90 a few years back from Ned's for my chiclids tank
ran it with a sump and Bio balls with no problems until I got the saltwater itch to do a saltwater tank
tank is 36" x25" x25" and reef ready

what I have been slowly buying since the spring
tank pumps and sump - had them to start
2) vortec 40 pumps
2) radon LED
hydor skimmer
APEX Controller
50# fuji rock from BRS (the box set)
40# of eco rock from BRS

started to get rid of some of the freshwater fish while I wait on the whole house water softener to be installed and then hook up my RO/DI system
building my rock scape I found a leaf bag that was 34" x 16" and this was first try
comments are welcome and that is 90# of dry rock on the porch table

 

[P-Nut]

I like the rock scape. Only one concern: It might be the picture, but it doesnt seem to have much space up on the top for corals that require intense light. Thats just my opinion.

I am doing a polyp and mushroom only tank, and that rock scape would be perfect.

 

[ducducguzzi]

pretty flat on top but thanks for the eye

 

[charged45]

Have you tried 2 Mountain type aquascape?

 

[ducducguzzi]

25 min with the 150gpd ro (no di hooked up) yeilded 4 1/2 - 5 gal
played more with rocks
I will be hot glue gunning them in place
glue sticks are non toxic
thoughts???

 

[Turbosnail]

I think the rock scape looks great! I would not use a glue gun to hold it together. I would use aquamend from home depot or jb water weld from lowes both are drinking water safe and will hold the rock together very well. The last thing you want to have happen is the rock work falling over and breaking the glass.

 

[ducducguzzi]

Back home after being gone for a week with a dry tank

well 'Scape" is done, made RODI water for a day, mixing salt
My Tunze 9410 is LOUD is this due to no salt in the water??

final set up
NEO 90 and stand
(old) coral life 2 bulb t5
(2) Radions
(2) Eco tec 40 pumps
(old) hydro pump / not sure the model
90 LBS of fiji and eco rock from BRS
Seachem Pearl Beach Sand
Modual 3 Sump with a off brand pump from NED's
Tunze 9410 Skimmer
Apex controller with 2 EB8
JCJ chiller
petco brand under powered heater

Hana Phosphate checker (from freshwater days)
Milwaukee Auto Hydrometer
will check in in 2 weeks after cycling the tank

 

[anthonymit]

Your skimmer shouldn't be loud even if there is no salt in the water. I would check all fittings, make sure there's space between it and the panels of the sump because it can rattle.

 

[ducducguzzi]

it is the skimmer head motor - double checked running in a rubber maid tub
looks like I will see how great tunze's customer service is on tuesday

 

[jamesdong009]

The folks at Tunze are pretty good.

Any pics of the rocks in the tank

 

[ducducguzzi]

Added the Instant Ocean Bio Spira tank starter
fixed the tunze issue over the phone the pinwheel needed to be reset
pulling brown slime (skin mate?) with the tunze with no fish
the issue - the tank is turned a foggy brown in the water
I have had the light on watching the tank cycle - bacterial bloom??
what do I do now?
I wanted to get a fish in there but concerned the Bacterial Bloom could be bad for the clown fish I had planed to get

 

[cilyjr]

I know nothing about "tank starter" I assume it's a bottle of something that is squirted in the water. If that's the case and you had no live rock to "seed" the dry rock then I would be very cautious about adding animals. Dry rock takes months to go live. I am not saying one couldn't add an animal I would just urge caution

 

[ducducguzzi]

cycled! few corals! 2 clown fish
hiding behind rock in back of tank
how do I get them to come out to feed them