newbie tank start up !!! saltyguy style!!

[saltyguy]

hey all saltwater enthusiasts im a new guy to the hobby and passion, just recently got into the saltwater. Ive been a freshy for about five years had just about all the freshwater fish you can have lol so i wanna start a thread on my build up of my VERY FIRST SALTWATER TANK lol

So please dont be afraid to tell me im doing something wrong or i should do that instead i really appreciate all the info ! thanks!


STAGE 1 40 gal 750professional canister instant ocean marine starter kit master test kit !!!

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Edit: ALso fish tank stand is being built the one in the pic is not the stand lol my father and i are building a stand that will be see threw on all four side with plexi glass the tank will sit on top a table top looking stand supported by 6x6 posts wrapped around with the plexi glass should be kick ***!!


oh and my current freshy tank if anyone was wondering :tongue:

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[rdnelson]

Looks good. My first suggestion would be to nix the canister filter, drill the tank and add a sump. In the long run you will be glad you did. I started with a canister and hated it. I then added a sump but didn't drill the tank so I built a hang on the back overflow. Worked well but again, I hated it. LOL Now I upgraded to a 125 and this time I drilled the tank and went with a bean animal style overflow. If you are interested I can send you a couple of links that help explain how they work.

 

[saltyguy]

i wanna nix the canister but it was free and i wanna use it i am thinking of a arylic small tank on the bck side of the tank not a hang on but just positioned behind it so there is not much water travel from tank sump and back

 

[saltyguy]

ok sorry its been a while since post no internet :/

anywho i sold the 40 gal and got a 55 gal and nix the canister and going a different approach and just finished my tank stand today
hope you guys like

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Edit: there is a shelf im making for the bottom for the chemicals and soon down the road refugie

also the entire stand is gonna be wrapped in plexi glass and led lit up !!!:yes:

 

[rdnelson]

I like it. Looking forward to seeing this develope. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. You will be amazed how much time and money you can save if you ask first before you make purchases and/or final plans. Good luck.

 

[frantz]

Bigger already and you haven't even got the fish yet! You're off to a bad start to not get an addiction (-= Just a question for the folks who know more about construction than me, but will that one piece top for the stand cause a problem as it warps over time? I thought the point of only supporting the edges was the better ensure and adjust levelness but I could be wrong with my concerns.

 

[rdnelson]

Frantz;776798 wrote: Bigger already and you haven't even got the fish yet! You're off to a bad start to not get an addiction (-= Just a question for the folks who know more about construction than me, but will that one piece top for the stand cause a problem as it warps over time? I thought the point of only supporting the edges was the better ensure and adjust levelness but I could be wrong with my concerns.

Depends on what it is made of. If it is plywood, it will be pretty stable and not warp. If it is solid wood that is a possibility.

 

[frantz]

I looks like a 2x14 to me, but I could be wrong

 

[saltyguy]

thanks guys im so addicted to saltwater i had a fellow member and pal help me and its actually not that expensive as long as you know what you are doing and what you will need!

and as far as your question on the stand its actually a solid peice of board laid directly on top of the 4x4 legs and beam and then there is a 1x2 inch edging my dad and i did to make it look clean and safe!

some pics of the build

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Edit: 4x4 legs and beam and 2x4 bottom peices with a 15x50 inch top board its heavy and solid :yes:

 

[saltyguy]

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almost there!!!! got sand circulation pumps and hob filter just need water!!!!

 

[saltyguy]

well just started my tank run down i now have water and the sand took minutes to settle literally and now im making a fish shopping list !!! ill have fish after my 4 -5 week testing stage to make sure water is safe clean and perfect for the fish

just a pic of it filled

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my fish list
longnose hawk fish
pajama cardinal
lawnmower blenny
firefish golby
dwarf zebra lionfish
green mandarin goby
black angler

edit im still checking and making sure these guys will be ok together and not fight any info on them would be awesome !!!:up:

 

[KrisDeitz]

Those fish will not work.
Mandarian will get ate. so will all the other smaller fish.

Do more research please

 

[saltyguy]

kinda figured thats why im looking to get small fish dont want anything growing over 5 or 6 inches lol but thanks i am

 

[saltyguy]

its been a while had to move the saltwater to my dads will get pics s soon as i get there but got my freshwater transferred and does anyone know a good freshwater forum???