Getting started up!

[ReefinND]

Hello everyone! After much lurking, I've finally decided to get back into having a reef tank and have a few things I would like to get clarified. Also, going to list everything I've done and plan to do so far; to make sure I'm on the right path. I've had an aquarium/s for pretty much my whole life, mostly freshwater though I did have a 14g biocube for awhile, which wasn't much of a success..mostly because I had no clue what I was doing and followed LFS advice. :hmm4:

So my original plan was to go ahead and convert my 60 gal over, I started the process of ordering everything. While looking up DIY stands and canopies, which I wanted to make since my stand didn't have room for a sump nor did it have a canopy, I came across a 90gal (yay more room!!) with a stand and canopy on an area classified! So change of plans, am in the process of returning my previous items and getting upgraded stuff.

Decided to go with the 90 gal because of the extra 30 gal, plus it's wider...my 60gal is only 15.5" while the 90 is 24".



Here's my current list of items I have ordered or am in the process of getting:

Reef Octopus Classic 150 Space Saver Protein Skimmer

CPR CS90 Overflow Box + Tom Aquatics Aqua-Lifter Dosing Pump

Danner Supreme Aqua-Mag 7 Water Pump

Trigger Systems Crystal Sump - 30 inch

(2) AquaMaxx NemoLight AquaMarine 48-56 Inch LED Fixture With Controller - 72 Watts

Aqua Medic EcoDrift Controllable Pump/Powerhead - 15.1

APC Battery Backup & Surge Protector (BE550G) - 550VA 8-outlet Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

RO/DI system



For rock, I have the BRS Pukani Dry Rock. Decided to go that route just to play it safe. I figured I would go with throwing a shrimp in the tank? I also got the Red Sea Reef Mature Pro Kit. Will this be sufficient to get it to cycle?

For sand I got the CaribSea Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand from MD.



For my livestock list, which has changed...a lot. :

For the "Pretty-sure-it's-not-going-to-change-list"
(1) Flame Angel
(2) Ocellaris clown
(1) Royal Gamma Basslet
(1) Diamond Goby


For the constantly revised list, these are what I've been toying with (these are just ones I'm interested in, not saying all of these)
Carberryi Anthias
Yellowhead Jawfish
Yellow Tang
Kole Tang



As far as corals go, I've been kind of planning around doing LPS, mushroom, and toadstool for now.

Also, haven't bought one yet, but planning on having a 20gal semi-permanent quarantine tank. Which leads me to this question, do I need to quarantine my clean up crew? I haven't really seen much mention of the CuC when it comes to quarantine. Am I going to have to keep another little quarantine tank for them, as I plan on treating all the fish in the QT?

Also, when to add the CuC and how many of each thing? Two weeks after it cycles or so?

I know I have more things I've thought of as questions, but cant thing of them now.... Will update as things progress. I don't even have the tank yet, but just want to have a long term plan somewhat established.

 

[Hal]

I'd wait longer than 2 weeks after cycling to add the CUC. For the first 6 months your tank is going to go through cycles of evolution. Algae will spring up, then die back. Then something else will spring up, die back. Repeat. Don't buy a CUC to address a temporary situation.

 

[farfromsea]

You're not concerned about the flame angel nipping coral?

 

[ReefinND]

I'd wait longer than 2 weeks after cycling to add the CUC. For the first 6 months your tank is going to go through cycles of evolution. Algae will spring up, then die back. Then something else will spring up, die back. Repeat. Don't buy a CUC to address a temporary situation.

So don't add any at all until 6 months? Or just go slow and add a few every couple months?

The "packages" on a lot of sites seem like way overkill but I thought maybe a few at a time or based on what's needed to keep up...?

You're not concerned about the flame angel nipping coral?

It's a risk I'm willing to take for such a beautiful specimen. From all the topics I've read on them...seems to be a lot..it's about 50/50.

 

[ReefinND]

been playing around with the rock, what does everyone think of this?

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[ReefinND]

Or this, sawed the bottom off the big piece on the right

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[creep]

So don't add any at all until 6 months? Or just go slow and add a few every couple months?

I would go slow and add them as they are needed. If you add too many too fast, they will starve.

 

[ReefinND]

Played around with the rock last night. Thought I had put some photos up but they vanished....any who, let me know what ya think !

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[homer1475]

That rockscape looks good.

Just remember to either acid wash or soak those rocks in lanthanum chloride to rid the rock of phosphates or you'll be battleing GHA forver until the rock gives up its PO4.

 

[ReefinND]

So with this acid washing....once I do that, I should be able to add it to the tank and be able to start the cycle?

This would be the general procedure correct?

Acid washing:
1.Fill up tote with rocks to wash
2.Add water to the tote just about 1in. above the rock line in the tote(Depending how much water you have)
3.Add Muriatic acid SLOWLY(Depending how much water to acid ratio 10:1)
4.Wait 20-35 minutes, or until bubbling has died down
5.Add baking soda
6.Test pH of the water solution
7.Ensure that it is around a 7
8.Proceed to dump neutralized water to the drain or ditch or gutter etc etc.
9.Take rock out of tote and rinse with garden hose, a strong pressurized nozzle is needed for this step as it ensures no rubble or granuals are left behind.
10.Wash down the tote very well
11.Let the rocks dry for 1-2 days(Sooner or later if you wish)
12.Mission completed

 

[homer1475]

Sounds about right.

 

[schnebbles]

On that light - I'm still looking for a light - do you think it's strong enough to grow anything? I may order one. I want one that will be able to grow anything I decide to put in later on. I see it's 8000 and I thought 10k was necessary? i'm new!

 

[ReefinND]

On that light - I'm still looking for a light - do you think it's strong enough to grow anything? I may order one. I want one that will be able to grow anything I decide to put in later on. I see it's 8000 and I thought 10k was necessary? i'm new!

I don't really know much on the lights myself. It was the one recommended to me for keeping LPS, mushroom, and leather corals. If anyone that knows could chime in on that....:lolspin: I guess I would like to know too for sure, before I open it.

 

[schnebbles]

It did get good reviews. I am between that one and a current marine pro - I posted a thread regarding those 2 so maybe we'll get some help.

 

[ReefinND]

That was the other one that was suggested to me too.

 

[ReefinND]

Thinking I'm going to stick with the one I have, but grab another one. From everything I've read and what MD said, it should be sufficient for what I'm currently doing.

 

[ReefinND]

So its been a little while since I updated this. I'm on day 4 of having water in the tank and the equipment running. Attached is the aquascape I ended up going with, wasn't able to quite fit that left side column in there but I'm satisfied with it. One concern is that I don't have enough rock in there....I did fill my middle chamber of the sump with some large pieces too, so maybe it will be enough?

Last night my readings (for the tests i have, two are still in route) were:
ph- 8.2 or 8.6 (I just couldn't tell, may have to get another test)
KH- 7
Amonia- 2
Nitrite- .5
Nitrate- 20

I have been doing the Red Sea Mature Reef Kit. Do these readings seem on track for a 4 day old tank? I'm thinking so but just want to make sure.