ReeferMadness January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 Hey everyone, JUST FINISHED CYCLING! and thought Id join after getting soo much advice from the forum and join the community! New to the forum and fish tanks in general, this being my first actually!. Found this 240 gallon 3/4 inch glass freshwater tank used on craigslist sitting in a car patio in rough shape for $800 Came with sump, Extra 40 gallon breeder (not used), return pump, skimmer, mag 9, two overflowswhite stand and white tank canopy. Tank was also white trim. With amazing amounts of hard work and help from my local LFS (Quantum Reefs, springfield) my tank is now finally finished cycling. Currently "Reefer Madness 240" has the following specs, Resealed and buffed glass , Rebuilt Stand, Painted everything black 250ibs Fiji LR, 200 ibs Fiji pink LS Apex Controller, Wireless router with ip through dyndns Jabeo 40 powerheads (2) / Kessil 350w LED lights (3) 2 Overflow Boxes with Aqua lifter on full-time syphon 1150 gph Return Pump / mag 9.5 for skimmer Nextreef MR1 Biopellet and Phosphat Media Reactors / 765 gph pump Custom ghetto Refugium till i update my sump. With Miracle Mud 5 stage BRF RO/Di Water System: 2 55 Gallon Drums in Garage with Auto top stop and Shutdown Waste line attached directly to house sump drain outside. 300w heater used powerhead 350 gph pump for ATO Custom ATO line run from garage 60 ft through vent in house to living room. Powered by Apex Remotely.(my proudest tank build moment, not carrying buckets anymore!!!) Ready for clean up crew and fish soon! Your feedback and suggestion are welcome. Thanks for checking it out Facebook galleryhttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152088311859166.1073741825.770989165&type=1&l=d7581b9caa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoelace January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 That's your FIRST tank?!?!? Awesome. Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeferMadness January 4, 2014 Author Share January 4, 2014 yeah.. its a used tank i found in craigslist that i refurbished. But had a 20 gallon turtle tank when i was a kid.. does that count? Had a lot of good info to read on the forums through search and I LOVED the build process. Thanks everyone for asking the same questions already! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyCallMeMr.703 January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 Welcome to WAMAS, although I feel as though' I've seen that name before.lol. Looks Amazing, wonderful build, looks like you'll be set in long term, won't have to upgrade much.lol. I'd be more then glad to give yah' a coral or 2 to help you start to fill it. . Thanks for sharing. And Welcome again. How much/ how long did you cycle for?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeferMadness January 4, 2014 Author Share January 4, 2014 Took a min but a good laugh grandmaster.. appreciate the kind feedback and umm ok wow sure, definetly return the favor once I get something decent for ya! Sweet thanks! Wanted to do my best with what I had gotten and enjoy the hobby since can't ride or kitesurf in winter. First baby coming soon plus new job - can't be playing games with it. Let's see how it holds up. Forum was great for Lots of in depth details n guidance, it's been cycling about nov 30th with 250 ibs of Fiji live rock from existing tank, 200 ibs live new sand. One bottle of maxspect 10 (like dr.tims) to jump start cycle . Water change of 100 gallons last week. Just got 5 snails. Tons of copepods now.. Little flea things. Doing a coal n fish list now.. Pretty lost on a lot of options.. But most of the things I like , like to eat each other.. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 The fish list is probably one of the hardest things to sus out in this hobby...good luck! I know sSteve and Vince give good advice so you picked an LFS that is really helpful and honest...with that being said...buy lots of books! There is also so much info available online...but iI really like the pocket guide books about fish and corals, think they are by Michael W. Smith....will really help you lay out a stocking plan... and have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBL January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 Your tank looks great. You are on the right track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctenophore January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 running the ato line through the hvac duct is clever. I hadn't thought of that; I need to run a similar long line to my son's nano for the same reason. Where do you kitesurf? I just learned while in Aruba and I love it. I used to windsurf a lot before kids, but kites are even better. I'll trade you coral frags and reef advice for kite advice Justin sent from phone. please excuse brevity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 Wow, first tank in the hobby looks like all the bases covered right from the start. The three kessils look great too. I havent seen too many home tanks with them like that, but they are really cool. Very minimal stuff above the tank with the three pendants just clipped to the back like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoozilla January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 Welcome aboard. Great looking tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sachabballi reef January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 wow...thats some jump into the hobby! welcome aboard and keep us posted on how it is going....great job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JR-Tanked150 January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 Welcome. Nice looking tank, I like your rock structure. What are you planning to put in it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrankieGee January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 I ENVY U! I've gone through so many little tanks, currently at a 90, and will most likely max out with a 120 due to space limitations. Welcome to WAMAS and I wish you the best. We all have our own bits of advice to offer so soak it up Keep the pics coming too Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incredible Corals January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 Sweet first tank! Looks like you bought all the right stuff the first time! Congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 Welcome to the boards. Nice setup you have. Is the skimmer new or was it part of the setup when you got it? I have never been impressed by them. You might want to replace that later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YHSublime January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 That's your FIRST tank?!?!? Awesome. Welcome! This! Welcome! There are lots of great members out that way, and all great members on this board! Looking forward to watching this grow, and congrats on the first child! When you are ready, let me know, I also have some frags to get you started. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surf&turf January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 Welcome!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeferMadness January 4, 2014 Author Share January 4, 2014 Thanks!!! for the welcome, looking forwards to getting to know all of the members around my area. Usually kite around Dewey beach or Avon obx. got into it about 5 years ago with land kites but then dedicated last 2 years in Costa Rica and cabarete Dominican rep torturing my body to go upwind. But web consulting and living on the beach was pretty sweet in itself. That's where I really started to appreciated the corals. Got a couple boards u can try and a full line of flexifoils 8-12m. Eastkb is a good local forum for liters. So the tank came with the skimmer which works ok with very consistant water level in the sump. But have to honest, my only two minor leaks have been from it overflowing the container. It will be my next upgrade. I don't wish it upon amyone.. as it's causes nervous thoughts while I'm at work. So I attached my old droid as ip cam to it so I can check it's insanity level. It's pretty crazy. In the tank would like to do a very colorful variety of non sps pieces right now. Set up the rockspace to be levels for a more contemporary look then pile of rocks so I can showcase more as artwork in the living room. Missing a couple rocks at the right but was trying to spell out NOAH Z with the rockscape Which is gonna be my sons name coming in couple weeks. Corny I know. But I'm Pretty excited. Lol the tanks was originally aka "noahs ark" but after my two leaks(under 3 gallons) thought of rather not jinx myself. Lol Thanks everyone again and please feel free to advise or correct me anytime. I'm totally new to this. And Really I have no idea of even what day it is let alone what my mag/calc levels are.. so automation is my best friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctenophore January 4, 2014 Share January 4, 2014 Thanks!!! for the welcome, looking forwards to getting to know all of the members around my area. Usually kite around Dewey beach or Avon obx. got into it about 5 years ago with land kites but then dedicated last 2 years in Costa Rica and cabarete Dominican rep torturing my body to go upwind. But web consulting and living on the beach was pretty sweet in itself. That's where I really started to appreciated the corals. Got a couple boards u can try and a full line of flexifoils 8-12m. Eastkb is a good local forum for liters. So the tank came with the skimmer which works ok with very consistant water level in the sump. But have to honest, my only two minor leaks have been from it overflowing the container. It will be my next upgrade. I don't wish it upon amyone.. as it's causes nervous thoughts while I'm at work. So I attached my old droid as ip cam to it so I can check it's insanity level. It's pretty crazy. Ok, we need to talk I can certainly help you out with the skimmate collection automation problem. I can't wait for it to warm up enough to get my own kite setup and go again. But I probably need a bit more hand holding especially with upwind riding, so I need to go with someone who knows the ropes better than me (literally). I'll send you a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkey18 January 5, 2014 Share January 5, 2014 Wow. Nice setup. Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Rhoads January 5, 2014 Share January 5, 2014 Very nice first tank! Welcome to the club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deavo January 5, 2014 Share January 5, 2014 Welcome to WAMAS and congrats on the new tank setup. A lot of good people here with loads of experience, so if you have a question feel free to ask. Wayne PS: if you haven't joined the club as a member yet, it will be some of the best money you will spend on this hobby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeferMadness January 5, 2014 Author Share January 5, 2014 Thanks for the advise Wayne. I'll make sure I join up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM January 5, 2014 Share January 5, 2014 So is the tank not drilled? Is that what the overflow box comment meant? That and the skimmer are probably the things that folks here will advise you to change out if you can, but you've probably already heard that from Steve and Vince. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReeferMadness January 5, 2014 Author Share January 5, 2014 Nope tank is NOT drilled. Have two large overflows that i keep an eye on and have an aqualifter on each for suction, which just goes to the Refugio directly. Would like to drill the tank in the future but the last owner advised against it. So it'll have to do for now. Skimmer and minor builds like a manifold and additive mixture is my next moves. Vince and Steve are good peoples Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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