235gal tank with 180gal sump - 2/6 update

[JGT]

I am up to salinity so I dropped the live sand into the refugium chamber of the sump. The water is murky at the moment, but it should clear up within a few hours. Put a call to a local LFS looking for live rock. He has about 150lbs. We got to talking and as it turns out I used to sell to him when I was a wholesaler I am going to visit his shop tomorrow.

What’s the shop?

 

[danreef55]

What’s the shop?

Aquarium Solutions Wappingers Falls

 

[JGT]

Aquarium Solutions Wappingers Falls

OK, heard of them but never visited them

 

[danreef55]

OK, heard of them but never visited them

I will let you know what I think. I have already helped him by giving him my best supplier. JGT where are you located?

 

[JGT]

I will let you know what I think. I have already helped him by giving him my best supplier. JGT where are you located?

Northern Fairfield County.

 

[danreef55]

Northern Fairfield County.

You have to know the House of Fins and Greenwich aquarium.

 

[JGT]

You have to know the House of Fins and Greenwich aquarium.

I do. But my god, talk about overpriced-esp HoF. Not like double the price elsewhere, more like 4-5 times more. I was shocked. The only reason they have survived for as long as they have is because they are in Greenwich. People there don’t care about the price of things.

 

[danreef55]

I do. But my god, talk about overpriced-esp HoF. Not like double the price elsewhere, more like 4-5 times more. I was shocked. The only reason they have survived for as long as they have is because they are in Greenwich. People there don’t care about the price of things.

Their main income comes from custom installs and maintenance. You are right their cliental is well healed

 

[JGT]

NY Aquatic in Yonkers is my go-to for fish. Great selection, prices and I pickup from the shop so no shipping. The owner Michael is a great guy and they have a 14 day live guarantee. They typically have weekly live sales and then those fish are posted on their website for purchase. Check it out when you’re ready for fish.

 

[danreef55]

NY Aquatic in Yonkers is my go-to for fish. Great selection, prices and I pickup from the shop so no shipping. The owner Michael is a great guy and they have a 14 day live guarantee. They typically have weekly live sales and then those fish are posted on their website for purchase. Check it out when you’re ready for fish.

Already in contact with him but thanks. Any other recommendations?

 

[JGT]

Already in contact with him but thanks. Any other recommendations?

Not a lotta places around. Salgado Aquatics was good in Thornwood but he closed and moved to Texas.
Maxx Aquatics in Bridgeport is pretty good.
If you don’t mind shipping, Violet Aquarium in San Diego is good. Checkout their Sale section which is quite extensive and shipping is free over $149.

 

[lesismore]

I am really liking the Milwaukee Digital seawater refractometer. Very easy to perform consistent tests albeit not yet verified against another source. It does read the calibrating solution accurately. I did a series of slurries with Nyos salt yesterday. Nyos is impressive in its ability to mix very rapidly with no residue at 77 degrees. Today I will bring the system up from 1.018 to 1.026 Waiting to hear from KP Aquatics regarding live rock to seed the sump. The sump rock will be in the refugium chamber which is 31x24x18. I will be adding live sand to this chamber to bolster biological media plus I will isolate some oddities there as well.

Hi Dan. Do you put the sand within a container or just distribute it in that section of the sump?

 

[danreef55]

Hi Dan. Do you put the sand within a container or just distribute it in that section of the sump?

How are you supposed to do it or how did I do it
You are supposed to put the live sand in the sump and gently add the sand water then fill up the remaining water.

What did I do.....
Poured it into the sump with reckless abandon and deal with the murky water for a few hours or overnight.

 

[lesismore]

How are you supposed to do it or how did I do it
You are supposed to put the live sand in the sump and gently add the sand water then fill up the remaining water.

What did I do.....
Poured it into the sump with reckless abandon and deal with the murky water for a few hours or overnight.

Well that sure painted a picture in my head!!! It sounds way more fun your way! How much sand are we talking here?

 

[danreef55]

Well that sure painted a picture in my head!!! It sounds way more fun your way! How much sand are we talking here?

60lbs