Adding refugium

[kc9dre]

I have a question that I have to ask... I am building a 20L refugium for my 29 gal tank, when I add it will it cause another cycle to kick in?

I am thingking that it won't, but I want to be certain. All I have right now is some inverts in there, and just need to know if I should take them out, or attempt to get as many as I can out? I don't thingk it will I am adding some sand to the refugium and a bit of live rock from the display and moving some inverts in as well.

That way I can just run the fuge with old tank water seperatly if need be too? Instaed of getting the critters out...

 

[Rick55555]

I don't think your tank is going to re-cycle. You should be able to plumb in the new refugium without delay.

Be sure to add good/clean water to the mix (i.e., no ammonia, nitrate or nitrite). Be sure the water is heated to the same temperature as the display with the same PH etc.

 

[kc9dre]

I currently have a 10 gal open sump in place. I have the water mixed and ready for the swapout. All that I need is to decide what I am gonna put in the fuge. Some sand. A piece of LR or two out of the main display to free up some space, and going to decide if I should drop some macroalgea in there to outcompete the hair algea I seem to be farming....

Dave

 

[Avi]

The only thing that might trigger a cycle would be any live rock that isn't completely cured and already adapted for a reef. Most likely, you're adding what would be at worst, only partially cured and so little, at that, that it won't make any difference to your water's chemistry.

 

[kc9dre]

The good news is I have the fuge done, that bad news is I have two days to let it cure...

My hands look like I am molting from the silicone...

Now for the next project. How do you paint the back of a filled tank?

 

[jbaty]

you could use marine paint to paint the back of the tank with a roller since it is already up and running. I would not recommend below since the tank already has things in it.

When I got my 150 tank, I parked it in the garage for 2 weeks first. I covered the top and edges of the tank with plastic and used Krylon Black enamel spray paint and put several coats on. My exp with it is good. Doesn't scratch easily either. But between coats you should wait 48 to 72 hours, plus have a fairly steady hand.