Adding display fuge to existing system

[NanoJosh]

Well as the title says I'd like to add the 29 gallon tank as a display refugium/mangrove biotope to my 55 system. So do I just connect the tank with brand new clean sand, live rock and new water or should I cycle the 29 gal before connecting it to the system. Or could I set it up with clean sand and water and add the live rock slowly. Anybody have any experience with something similar to this. Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice. Oh and the sump is a 20H with a deep sand bed refuge with mangroves and chaeto that I would like to remove to make room for another return and other equipment etc...

 

[drej424]

If you plan on moving live rock over from the existing system, if it were me, I'd connect it without cycling it. If you do a couple extra water changes and keep an eye on the water parameters, I don't think you'd get much of a cycle. If you're adding new, uncured live rock to the system, then I'd cycle it first.

I really like display fuges. Good luck with your new setup!

Denise

 

[NanoJosh]

No ill be using fully cured live rock but not from my system. I was worried about the shock if almost 30 gallons of new water to the system if that would be a problem.


55 gal mixed reef 10 gal SPS Dom.
10 gal nem tank 2 maxi minis 2 rock flower and one sunburst RBTA

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[tektite]

Just check the parameters of the new water, if they match the current tank water there won't be an issue. I would check temp, pH (pretty much the only time you need to worry about pH in saltwater is when doing large waterchanges), and alk levels if you have a lot of SPS/LPS.

 

[drej424]

You can also save some of the water from your DT when you do water changes. Use a power head so the water doesn't get stagnant. Keep it at the same temp and add an air stone.

 

[NanoJosh]

Cool thanks dre and tek I think I'll use 5-10 gallons of WC water and turn the flow down low so as to mix the new water from the Fuge with the DT. Here's a pic of the new display fuge

I can still have alternating light schedule with it on the other side of the wall ill post pics when I've got it wet. Thanks for the advice.


55 gal mixed reef 10 gal SPS Dom.
10 gal nem tank 2 maxi minis 2 rock flower and one sunburst RBTA

Sent from some device using some app