New Tank....

[pnbuk]

hi guys,

I have just got a boyu 550 tank....

I have filled it and added salt to the required SG,

I have got it to advised temp, and have the pumps ect running.

my next step is on saturday I am going to pick up some live rock as much as I need this is coming from a mature tank that has been running 4 years.

the people I am getting the rock from have said I can have several corals also, I can collect at the same time as the rock or leave it a couple of weeks they are in no rush. I will be bringing the rock back in water as the guy is goin to do a water change when I go round to enable this.

I would like any advice on the best way to do this collect at the same time or wait, and is there anything I need to do in the meen time and any other advice welcomed,

Thanx....

 

[Harry1996]

OK welcome to the salty side

If i was you i would leave the corals until the tank has cycled you will get some die off so better be safe than sorry But i got rock from my lfs from a tank full of corals and i dint get a cycle.

 

[ben1987]

if theres no rush to collect the coral i just get the rocks first. make sure the tank is stable and running ok then get the corals id also practise a water change before you get them too

 

[seffieuk]

to TFF and the salty side of the hobby

You are starting with exactly the same tank as I did, its a great tank Would you do me a favour and start a journel, I miss the old orca and would love to watch your journey

I also agree, get the rock, wait and see if you get a cycle

Seffie x

 

[pnbuk]

thanx guys for the advise and seffie ill give it a go....

 

[woody88]

I too have the tl550 and it's great tank. Just a shame the pump (720 lph) and the skimmer (120lph) aren't up to the task IMO which us why I have the skimmer running at it's max (have to empty cup daily) and a couple of powerheads in there to aid the flow.
Only thing I don't like is the sliding mechanism for the lid as it puts too much pressure on the hinges and allows for water to run down the back of the tank ( right where my twin sockets are).

If you use a magnetic glass cleaner make sure there isn't anyi bits of substrate caught between the magnets as it can easily scratch the glass ( I found out the hard way, which is why I now use a brush)

 

[pnbuk]

Im defo goin to put in at least one power head, I was thinking of drilling the back and fitting it in one of the chambers but I will stick on in the tank and see how it goes, the lid was one of the things I liked about the tank but have found the same prob with water running down the back I dont have plugs there but dont want the mess I have a towel there until I think of something better, as for the skimmer I only have water in the tank at the mo so Iv not got it running as there is nothing to skim.

 

[woody88]

Im defo goin to put in at least one power head, I was thinking of drilling the back and fitting it in one of the chambers but I will stick on in the tank and see how it goes, the lid was one of the things I liked about the tank but have found the same prob with water running down the back I dont have plugs there but dont want the mess I have a towel there until I think of something better, as for the skimmer I only have water in the tank at the mo so Iv not got it running as there is nothing to skim.

Most powerheads have a magnet to go either side so fitting takes seconds. I have a 3000lph on the glass and a kor nano 900 lph on the front of the weirs.

Have you decided on what filter media your having in the weirs. ( I removed the bio balls and ceramic media as they're rubbish and replaced it with LR rubble, rowaphos, Actv carbon and nitrate remover. You could always convert one weir into a mini refugium.

 

[pnbuk]

I have done the same, removed the bio balls and ceramic media and will replace with LR rubble ect.

I am picking some Live rock up at the weekend from a tank that has been running 4 years so well mature..... I off for a week in the sun on the 17th so I am leaving every thing else till I come back from what I have read, usein mature rock I may be lucky and only get a mini cycle if any. I am goin to bring the rock home in tank water then put it in my tank then I will start the skimmer.

 

[woody88]

How much live rock you going for? You'll need at least 12kg - 15kg in there ( I think the ratio is 1kg of LR for every 9L of water).
Best to put it all in at once than bits at a time to prevent possible multiple mini cycles but you should be ok with cured LR.

I recently added an extra 6kg of Fiji cured LR and got no spikes at all.
Will be adding another 5kg soon to finish my 'reef wall' which will bring it up to a total of 20kg' ish' which is a bit too much but I got plenty of flow to cover it

 

[pnbuk]

the people Im getting the Live Rock from have 40 ish kgs I have first choice so I can have as much as I want I was thinking of 15 kgs I am gettin it for a song.... and an RO unit for free.....

 

[woody88]

the people Im getting the Live Rock from have 40 ish kgs I have first choice so I can have as much as I want I was thinking of 15 kgs I am gettin it for a song.... and an RO unit for free.....

Sounds good to me! What they doing with the rest of it. Are they selling it. Where are they?

 

[HappyGeorge]

Welcome to the salty side pnbuk

Hey Woody maybe we should change your name to Rocky.........you are such a Live Rock hound.

 

[woody88]

Welcome to the salty side pnbuk

Hey Woody maybe we should change your name to Rocky.........you are such a Live Rock hound.

What can I say!........I like me rock!

I would happily setup a tank with just LR and inverts!....................................hmmmmm actually!......,

How are you anyway..................HARRY! Lol

 

[HappyGeorge]

Welcome to the salty side pnbuk

Hey Woody maybe we should change your name to Rocky.........you are such a Live Rock hound.

What can I say!........I like me rock!

I would happily setup a tank with just LR and inverts!....................................hmmmmm actually!......,

How are you anyway..................HARRY! Lol

I'm good have a ton of watch to rocks, happy as Larry (or George). Photos of tank on my journal, your opinion would be appreciated mate.