danimal1211
New member
hey rod, how is the cooling fan working? how much does your temp fluctuate. I'd also like to see details on your ATO and how you set it up.
CADLIGHTS 34G with pics
- Thread starter Rod013
- Start date
danimal1211
I was really concerned about heat issues and how well the cooling fan would work, but I must admit it works very well. It is a bit loud but the tank is in my office so noise is not really a big issue. My office stays about 74F-76F 24/7 and I am able to keep the tank between 79F and 80F with no problem. I could probably do better than that with the Reefkeeper 2 running everything, but I am still learning and adjusting daily. I have found an issue with my Finnex digital heater though. When my Reefkeeper 2 shuts off power to the heater the control on the heater automatically resets it to the factory settings when it comes back on. I have contacted Finnex and there is no solution. I will have to get a heater without an electronic control of run the Finnex without the use of my Reefkeeper 2 which I do not want to do.
As for the JBJ ATO, I have not hooked it up yet. I hope to get it done within the next week or so and when I do I try and take some pics and post them.
I as still concerned over my NH4 levels. I know zero is good but I am 6 days into my cycle and I thought I would see a spike in NH4 by now. Also, I see very little grow on my LR other than a little algae, but maybe this is all a good thing?
I was really concerned about heat issues and how well the cooling fan would work, but I must admit it works very well. It is a bit loud but the tank is in my office so noise is not really a big issue. My office stays about 74F-76F 24/7 and I am able to keep the tank between 79F and 80F with no problem. I could probably do better than that with the Reefkeeper 2 running everything, but I am still learning and adjusting daily. I have found an issue with my Finnex digital heater though. When my Reefkeeper 2 shuts off power to the heater the control on the heater automatically resets it to the factory settings when it comes back on. I have contacted Finnex and there is no solution. I will have to get a heater without an electronic control of run the Finnex without the use of my Reefkeeper 2 which I do not want to do.
As for the JBJ ATO, I have not hooked it up yet. I hope to get it done within the next week or so and when I do I try and take some pics and post them.
I as still concerned over my NH4 levels. I know zero is good but I am 6 days into my cycle and I thought I would see a spike in NH4 by now. Also, I see very little grow on my LR other than a little algae, but maybe this is all a good thing?
cherubfish pair
New member
Rod013,
Who makes the Wavemaking return nozzle? Where can I find it on the internet?
Who makes the Wavemaking return nozzle? Where can I find it on the internet?
Cherubfish
I purchased with my tank from www.cadlights.com.
seastar12
Thanks, I will post some more pics soon.
I purchased with my tank from www.cadlights.com.
seastar12
Thanks, I will post some more pics soon.
Checked water this morning and still all zeros across the board. Starting to see a few things pop up but VERY tiny at the moment. As soon as they get big enough to see in a pic I will get some posted.
I have very little algae growing at the moment as you can see in the pic. Not sure what type this is and what type of critter should I add to take care of it? Is it still too early to be adding any CUC?
I have very little algae growing at the moment as you can see in the pic. Not sure what type this is and what type of critter should I add to take care of it? Is it still too early to be adding any CUC?
Last edited:
Day 12
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
pH 8.2
Ca 420
Temp 78.5F â€"œ 79.5
Salinity 1.021
I think everything is looking pretty good except for my salinity. I am having troubles keeping up with my evaporation. The pump I ordered would not work with my ATO so I am topping off manually. I let it go too long and had to add about 2 gallons of RO/DI to get it back where it belonged and I am assuming this is why my salinity took a dive. I know I have to do a much better job keeping on top of this so I don't have such big swings. Should I do my first 25% water change to try and get it back up or simply top off with a cup or two of SW each day? Also, did some more aquascaping, I like it better but still looks too boxy and too much like a pile of rocks? What do you think?
Skimmer is working much better and actually starting to remove a little foam. Everyone was right about the break in period. It really gave me fits the first couple of days, but now is working well.
Took out my Tunze 6025 today and put in a new Koralia 1. Not sure which one will be my final choice until I start adding some corals. I do like the function of the Koralia better, but only time will tell.
My Reefkeeper 2 is the best single piece of equipment I purchased. I honestly to not think I could do this without it.
If I can get control of my salinity I was thinking about adding a clown and a couple of blue leg hermits this weekend. Too soon? Too much? Too fast?
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
pH 8.2
Ca 420
Temp 78.5F â€"œ 79.5
Salinity 1.021
I think everything is looking pretty good except for my salinity. I am having troubles keeping up with my evaporation. The pump I ordered would not work with my ATO so I am topping off manually. I let it go too long and had to add about 2 gallons of RO/DI to get it back where it belonged and I am assuming this is why my salinity took a dive. I know I have to do a much better job keeping on top of this so I don't have such big swings. Should I do my first 25% water change to try and get it back up or simply top off with a cup or two of SW each day? Also, did some more aquascaping, I like it better but still looks too boxy and too much like a pile of rocks? What do you think?
Skimmer is working much better and actually starting to remove a little foam. Everyone was right about the break in period. It really gave me fits the first couple of days, but now is working well.
Took out my Tunze 6025 today and put in a new Koralia 1. Not sure which one will be my final choice until I start adding some corals. I do like the function of the Koralia better, but only time will tell.
My Reefkeeper 2 is the best single piece of equipment I purchased. I honestly to not think I could do this without it.
If I can get control of my salinity I was thinking about adding a clown and a couple of blue leg hermits this weekend. Too soon? Too much? Too fast?
victor_c3
Premium Member
I answered a similar question this morning on another thread, but I'd wait a little longer and let things cycle at least a month from the time you added your live rock. Your tank may not have been up long enough to build up appreciable levels of Nitrite and Nitrate. A week definately isn't enough time in my experience to get a full cycle.
Trust me, I was right where you were when I started my tank. I couldn't wait to start adding fish and crabs but I think you really need to wait a little longer.
As far as bringing your salinity up, either of the techniques you listed sounds fine. Just don't go too fast with trying to bring it all up in one shot.
A clown would be a great first fish.
Trust me, I was right where you were when I started my tank. I couldn't wait to start adding fish and crabs but I think you really need to wait a little longer.
As far as bringing your salinity up, either of the techniques you listed sounds fine. Just don't go too fast with trying to bring it all up in one shot.
A clown would be a great first fish.
Day 14
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
pH 8.0
Ca 480
Temp 78.5F â€"œ 79.5
Salinity 1.024
dKH 10.4
Water was cloudy for some reason yesterday and today I think I know why. I seem to have an outbreak of copepods. Tiny white specs all over the place. From what I have read this is not a bad thing, right? Still thinking about adding a small clown and maybe two blue legs hermits this weekend.
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
pH 8.0
Ca 480
Temp 78.5F â€"œ 79.5
Salinity 1.024
dKH 10.4
Water was cloudy for some reason yesterday and today I think I know why. I seem to have an outbreak of copepods. Tiny white specs all over the place. From what I have read this is not a bad thing, right? Still thinking about adding a small clown and maybe two blue legs hermits this weekend.
victor_c3
Premium Member
As far as I know that is all part of the normal cycle. As one nutrient is converted to another, you'll get a bloom of whatever organism eats the new nutrient. As time passes and things stabalize these blooms will become nonexistant.
As far as adding a fish to your tank goes, I'd still be nervous about that. However, if you bought fully cured rock locally (meaning that you had no substantial die-off caused by shipping), then you might be alright.
Best of luck with your tank.
As far as adding a fish to your tank goes, I'd still be nervous about that. However, if you bought fully cured rock locally (meaning that you had no substantial die-off caused by shipping), then you might be alright.
Best of luck with your tank.
Day 31
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
pH 8.1
Ca 480
Temp 78.5F â€"œ 79.5
Salinity 1.023
dKH 12.8
Did a 3 gallon water change this weekend and added the following. Let me know what you think!
My current live stock list includes 4 Astrea Snails, 6 Blue Leg Hermits, 1 Cleaner shrimp and 1 Clown Fish, what would be a good addition for stirring up my substrate some?
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
pH 8.1
Ca 480
Temp 78.5F â€"œ 79.5
Salinity 1.023
dKH 12.8
Did a 3 gallon water change this weekend and added the following. Let me know what you think!
My current live stock list includes 4 Astrea Snails, 6 Blue Leg Hermits, 1 Cleaner shrimp and 1 Clown Fish, what would be a good addition for stirring up my substrate some?
FibberMcGee
Premium Member
Now thats what I'm talking about, great start to a great little tank. I'll keep watching.
FibberMcGee
Premium Member
Rod what camera are you shooting with? With the look of this tank I just may hold off my purchase of my Red Sea Max. I really like how this looks.
