tank up and running

So it took a little longer to set up my new tank than I would have. Sadly I had a wipe out in my previous tank so I was unable to move anything across except for live rock. There were some problems with setting the tank up. When the tank was full the first time it had a leak, well more of a drip. So we drained all the water and re did the silicone on the inside. Waited for it to dry and then filled it up again. It leaked again in another spot. So we had to repeat the process again. This time using more silicone than was needed, thank goodness it was successful and the tank has been running for a month or two.

 

tank just filled

sump and refugium

 

rocks in and lights on

whole system with rocks in and lights on

more rocks and white light

refugium working well

stock - convict surgeon and brownburnie butterfly as well as lionfish

actinic light added

overflow box with rocks

reef octopus skimmer working well

first compartment with heater, live rock and carbon

refugium compartment with live rock, live sand and crab for clean up, still waiting for cheato

return compartment with pump

return system

My Journey So Far

My Marine tank Journey started about 2 years ago when I decided I wanted to start up a marine tank set up. I had wanted to start a tank for a long time as a close friend of mine had kept marine tanks for a long time. I was so fascinated and wanted to give it a try for myself. I did a bit of research and went to buy equipment; I started out with a standard 3 foot tank and a bio filter. This filter was predominantly meant for fresh water tanks but I was unaware as my knowledge was very little. I kept 2 clown fish in there for about a month and due to over feeding and the lack of proper filtration they died.

 

I was very discouraged as I thought it was an easy hobby but I was sorely mistaken. So I shut that tank down and was set to redo it when I heard about a bigger tank for sale. It was a bigger standard 4 foot. After a lot more research we gave it another go, this time using a much larger canister filter. A lot of different people have different opinions about using a canister for marine tanks. Some say it works well others will tell you to stay away. I decided to give it a go anyway, with the canister, decent lights and we were on our way.

 

Quickly I discovered that my new found knowledge still was not sufficient. Learning that the only thing that happens fast in a marine tank are bad things. I lost many fish due to different reasons and some with no understanding why. It was very discouraging as you have no idea what is going wrong or what you can do about it.

 

So I decided to do even more research and take my time with setting up my new tank which will be going in soon. I realised that canister filters may work but are by no means the best filtration at all. So during my extensive research I discovered that for my purposes a refugium sump was the best bet. After a lot of research and talking to experts I believe that it is the best way to eliminate Nitrates from the water as well as other harmful toxins.

 

So over the course of the next few weeks ill be bringing you updates of my tank and some pictures as well along the way.