First set back

[kkudialis]

Well like all others, I've experienced the first set back of my new set up. Luckly, I have not added any of the live rock to the system as of yet. I was still fooling around with the layout. It appears that as I was moving my wet/dry system around I loosened up one of the hoses. Needless to say about 2 hours later when I checked the tank, several gallons of water had been nicely placed on the floor. What a mess! This morning,I shorted out the power strip for the system and again needed to make repairs. I have the duct putty from Home Depot but did not get to plugging up everything. I was going slow with the tank as advised but in my case slow to putty was not a good thing! I think I've recovered from the trauma and should have the tank back to decent shape by later tonight. Now I have a good reason to spend time more time working on the tank and the rock layout which is always a good thing! How long should I let the tank run with the new additional water before adding any live rock?

[GuitarMan89]

that sounds like a mess, that's a real bummer. don't get discouraged! good luck

[kkudialis]

Thanks. So far ,so good. I just came in from teaching my Enviroment and Technology class and the tank appears to running like normal. Now to add the live rock and other inhabitants! What are the essential cleaners that I need?

[R34dawn]

I wouldn't worry too much about cleaners if you meant, hermits, snails and so on, I would just get turbo snails of some kind, like mexican turbos they do an excellent job eating algae, and shrimp, cleaner or peppermint, they are also a great addition as far is crabs and hermit, they tend to go after some of your more decent stuff in the tank, hermits will hijack the snails shells for homes and the crabs might get an appetite for destruction, that's just my opinion.

[Bogie]

No leaks is first priority. What is in the tank besides saltwater and your wet/dry system?
Describe your set up briefly and what your plans are for cycling your tank.

[jptrson]

This might make you fill better. We had a thunder storm last night, got a call this morning from Radio Shack that water was coming through the wall. The power was shutting off and on and blew a hose loose. Spent the morning shop vacing my store and radio Shack.
But some karma to you!

[cannedmulder]

Jptrson - That had to be a mess also.....The power only knocked ours out for 30 secs. Sorry for both of your messes and good luck KK. I am still learning myself so I can't answer your questions.

[omard]

We have all been there!

Had more then one major carpet dampening events when first starting out...

Water and electricity don't mix well. Get busy with that duct seal!!!

[pharmrjohn]

What are your tank specs dude?

[kkudialis]

I have a 55 gallon set up with a joubert filter for the substrate.There is a plastic egg crate style support on the bottom of the tank with fiberglass mesh on it. 1.5 inches of crushed coral another layer of mesh and 1 inch of sand make up the substrate filter. I have a wet/dry system and two other power heads for circulation. I keep the tank at 79F and a spg of 1.020. I have had salts before but never any reefs. Honestly, I have been running the tank without anything but base rock in it because it is in the basement and I wanted to make sure to avoid any disasters before adding fish and live rock. Luckly, my event occured the other day and nothing was damaged except the power strip and my pride! I have had to battle the de humidifier to keep the water at a constant level and I've been able to figure those settings out. My basement is finished and the tank is inside a wall. Any info about cycling the system would be greatly appreciated.