It's been a couple of weeks since my last blog, as I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my tank. I am happy to report that I received an email today from nanotuners.com saying that JBJ finally has released their new tank, and that as soon as they have them, mine will be on its way. I should report that I have not been idle in the down time, and have ordered basic supplies, tests, books and salt in preparation. In addition, I decided that I would try my hand at making my own Live Rock (LR) out of cement. After much research I found that regular portland cement can be used, but must be properly cured for the reef tank by having it leach out the alkaline materials while sitting in water. This will take up to 6 weeks or longer. When the cement LR becomes fully cured for saltwater, I will add a few pieces of true LR, and live sand to the mix when putting it in the tank. If all goes well, my cement LR will eventually become truly alive with all of the algae and other organisms that are present on the true LR.
Making Cement Live Rock
Some Cement Live Rock results
Rocks in Bath to leach out alkalinity
Some supplies: Gloves, GFI, Tests, Refractometer, Chiller & Assortments
Got a little crazy on the books! These are the classics from what I hear online.
Books are:The Conscientious Marine Aquarist - Robert Fenner
The New Marine Aquarium - Michael S. Paletta
The Reef Aquarium (volumes I, II, and III) - J. Charles Delbeek and Julian Sprung
Reef Secrets - Alf Jacob Nilsen and Svein A. Fossa
Reef Invertebrates, An Essential Guide to Selection, Care and Compatibility - Calfo & Fenner
Giant Clams in the Sea and the Aquarium - James Featherree
Two books not shown that I have:
Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential to know Aquarium Species - Scott W. Michael
Marine Invertebrates: 500+ Essential to know Aquarium Species - Ronald L. Shimek, Ph. D.
1 comment:
Hi, keep everyone updated on your progress. It is really good to see that you have been researching how to setup and care for these beautiful creatures.
Well done on the home made rock by the way - they look great and I am sure that over time they will become colonised by all sorts of life and will never look hand made again.
The good thing about makinh your own rock is that you can make any design that you can imagine - this makes for some excellent aquascaping.
Again well done.
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