Hi - new denver reefer with a new 90 gal
- Thread starter Linina
- Start date
The set-up looks awesome!
So here's what I know.
The phosban reactor has some instructions on how to assemble. Simply put about 2 cups of Rowaphos (about 1/2 full) in the container. and adjust the flow so it is barely making the media bubble. When you start it, it is a good idea to collect the initial effluent (sp?) in a pitcher or bucket until it runs clear (about a gal.). Be careful as the connections to those reactors are pretty loose.
I do know the skimmer should be cranking as you cycle the rock and it takes a little while for the skimmer to get broken in. As for the Phosban reactor dunno but makes some sense to take out any phospates that would come off the rock.
As for the lights, there are many opinions. People who run Caulerpa talk about 24/7 so it does not go sexual (too much for right now) and others that use Chaetomorphia (sp?) go 24/7 or allow a respiration period of at least 6 hours. I run the light over my Chaeto 18 hours (simple Home Depot Timer) counter to my Display Tank lights which helps balance the PH somewhat and I find I have faster growth.
As for the rock.. They will provide the container.
GOOD LUCK! Don't by shy! Questions help avoid mistakes! (Of which most of us..OK at least me) have made many.
So here's what I know.
The phosban reactor has some instructions on how to assemble. Simply put about 2 cups of Rowaphos (about 1/2 full) in the container. and adjust the flow so it is barely making the media bubble. When you start it, it is a good idea to collect the initial effluent (sp?) in a pitcher or bucket until it runs clear (about a gal.). Be careful as the connections to those reactors are pretty loose.
I do know the skimmer should be cranking as you cycle the rock and it takes a little while for the skimmer to get broken in. As for the Phosban reactor dunno but makes some sense to take out any phospates that would come off the rock.
As for the lights, there are many opinions. People who run Caulerpa talk about 24/7 so it does not go sexual (too much for right now) and others that use Chaetomorphia (sp?) go 24/7 or allow a respiration period of at least 6 hours. I run the light over my Chaeto 18 hours (simple Home Depot Timer) counter to my Display Tank lights which helps balance the PH somewhat and I find I have faster growth.
As for the rock.. They will provide the container.
GOOD LUCK! Don't by shy! Questions help avoid mistakes! (Of which most of us..OK at least me) have made many.
freddie40
New member
I think I would wait on the Phosban reactor. If a fuge is successful it will remove the phophates. Phospahtes are easy to control if you make sure your TDS is 0. If so you may never need a Phosban reactor.
Run your skimmer but don't really worry about the skimmate for the first 2 or 3 weeks. There isn't much in the tank to cause problems. A skimmer really works well when there is something to skim. It won't skim much from clean water. Michael explains this very well also.
As for the live rock they should provide you with a box, but it wouldn't hurt to bring a few buckets.
Run your lights in the Fuge 24/7. A good fuge will really do most of the nitrate/phosphate removal. Michael explains this very well.
Run your skimmer but don't really worry about the skimmate for the first 2 or 3 weeks. There isn't much in the tank to cause problems. A skimmer really works well when there is something to skim. It won't skim much from clean water. Michael explains this very well also.
As for the live rock they should provide you with a box, but it wouldn't hurt to bring a few buckets.
Run your lights in the Fuge 24/7. A good fuge will really do most of the nitrate/phosphate removal. Michael explains this very well.
Lights on the fuge is one of those issues that everyone does something different (and Dave has a KILLER tank!). (just wait until you get into the T5/MH lighting and skimmer disagreements that fall just short of fisticuffs!)
Also, the only reason I can tell not to use that Phosban reactor is the cost of the media (you already own the reactor) and the heat that the little pump will add). I come from the school of feed heavy and export the nitrates and phosphates with everything available. Until you have something to feed however.......
As for the Macro Algae (Chaeto), ask Aquamart to GIVE you some when you pickup that rock. After buying all that stuff from them, that is the LEAST they can do!
Also, the only reason I can tell not to use that Phosban reactor is the cost of the media (you already own the reactor) and the heat that the little pump will add). I come from the school of feed heavy and export the nitrates and phosphates with everything available. Until you have something to feed however.......
As for the Macro Algae (Chaeto), ask Aquamart to GIVE you some when you pickup that rock. After buying all that stuff from them, that is the LEAST they can do!
holdorf333
New member
Free softball-size chaeto ball if you want it.
Linina
Premium Member
Well I anxiously drove to aquamart but they were out of rock... So I'm heading back on Wednesday. Thanks for the offer of rock, I think I need to see what 100 pounds looks like (which I already paid for) before I get any more. I have no clue whether that's going to look empty or chock full in there yet.
Also - is there a way to tell (by looking) whether rock is cured or uncured? I want to be sure I'm getting cured.
Well had my first oops today - I got home from work and it looked like sand or salt or something swirling all over the display tank, I put my purse down and asked my mom (she watches our kids at our house during the day - total score) what happened, she's like 'I don't know, but this tank is NOISY'. I open the bottom with no idea what I'm going to see (it honestly looked at first glance like the sand from the sump was flowing all over) and the pump was pulling air with the water. I didn't plan for that much evaporation...anyway I showed her how to turn down the flow out of the pump and told her to please call me immediately if it ever looks like that again (scary!).
I don't know what I'm going to tinker with the next two nights while I wait for rock! Guess I'll put together my order for the maximods or something.
Also - is there a way to tell (by looking) whether rock is cured or uncured? I want to be sure I'm getting cured.
Well had my first oops today - I got home from work and it looked like sand or salt or something swirling all over the display tank, I put my purse down and asked my mom (she watches our kids at our house during the day - total score) what happened, she's like 'I don't know, but this tank is NOISY'. I open the bottom with no idea what I'm going to see (it honestly looked at first glance like the sand from the sump was flowing all over) and the pump was pulling air with the water. I didn't plan for that much evaporation...anyway I showed her how to turn down the flow out of the pump and told her to please call me immediately if it ever looks like that again (scary!).
I don't know what I'm going to tinker with the next two nights while I wait for rock! Guess I'll put together my order for the maximods or something.
Linina
Premium Member
Oh and after I added some RO/DI to fix the issue, she did comment that 'Well it's STILL pretty noisy'. Maybe I'll spend the next couple nights trying to figure out how to tone it down a notch - I didnt even have the lights and fans on yet....not a good sign!
I am trying to keep the water level low until I get the rock since I know I'll just be siphoning back out a pretty good amount to make room for the rock, didn't want to waste too much (but obviously need to keep enough to not be running the pump dry due to evap!)
I am trying to keep the water level low until I get the rock since I know I'll just be siphoning back out a pretty good amount to make room for the rock, didn't want to waste too much (but obviously need to keep enough to not be running the pump dry due to evap!)
freddie40
New member
There is probably no way to tell between cured and uncured. Dave at AquaMart is very honest though.
I lose 1.5 gallons a day in my tank.
Try not to run your lights very much every day for the first few weeks. Maybe 3 to 4.
With the MaxiMads you really need the Magnet Mounts. The suction cups probably won't cut it.
Dave
I lose 1.5 gallons a day in my tank.
Try not to run your lights very much every day for the first few weeks. Maybe 3 to 4.
With the MaxiMads you really need the Magnet Mounts. The suction cups probably won't cut it.
Dave
holdorf333
New member
Give it a smell. If it smells like fresh ocean, it is cured or mostly cured. If it smells of yuck, then it isn't cured.
Linina
Premium Member
Well, I'm not completely sure but it seems like it's mostly motor noise. Like the blue line external pump & the skimmer pump. I put a mouse pad under the external pump, but it didn't make much of a dent in the noise. It's possible this is normal tank noise, I've actually never seen one running in someone's house before so I don't have much to compare it to!
Noise, etc.
Noise, etc.
Hi Betsy,
The noise could be almost anything from, overflow, pump, skimmer pump, etc. At this point, everyone is giving their best guess without even seeing your tank. I think they are all giving you some good solutions for what they percieve the problem to be.
I suggest you take one of the offer's from the people that live in your part of the Denver area to come over to your house and actually diagnose the problem. It could be something that you have to invest a few bucks to fix or, whoever you have come over will just "Tweek" something and your good to go.
A couple of years ago, Freddie 40 (Dave) came over to my house to look at a problem I was having and, he fixed it up for me.
Believe me anyone that offers help on this site is sincere and will show you the solution.
Good luck,
:beachbum:
P.S. you said you haven't seen a tank running in someones house, I can't speak for Freddie40 (Dave) but he is pretty proud of his tank and, normally enjoys showing it to folks. He has a beautiful tank and you will be able to see many of the buttons and whistles that you can add to yor tank in the future.
Noise, etc.
Hi Betsy,
The noise could be almost anything from, overflow, pump, skimmer pump, etc. At this point, everyone is giving their best guess without even seeing your tank. I think they are all giving you some good solutions for what they percieve the problem to be.
I suggest you take one of the offer's from the people that live in your part of the Denver area to come over to your house and actually diagnose the problem. It could be something that you have to invest a few bucks to fix or, whoever you have come over will just "Tweek" something and your good to go.
A couple of years ago, Freddie 40 (Dave) came over to my house to look at a problem I was having and, he fixed it up for me.
Believe me anyone that offers help on this site is sincere and will show you the solution.
Good luck,
:beachbum:
P.S. you said you haven't seen a tank running in someones house, I can't speak for Freddie40 (Dave) but he is pretty proud of his tank and, normally enjoys showing it to folks. He has a beautiful tank and you will be able to see many of the buttons and whistles that you can add to yor tank in the future.
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Linina
Premium Member
I actually was just given an amazing tour of Dave's tank. It was awesome and I learned a lot. I think after I get my rock placed I'll ask him to come give me some pointers!
Thanks everyone for all the help so far - I'm feeling much more optimistic about my chances of success now that I'm aware of local folks so willing to give advice and help!
Thanks everyone for all the help so far - I'm feeling much more optimistic about my chances of success now that I'm aware of local folks so willing to give advice and help!
holdorf333
New member
Go to the frag-swap thing in April if you can. You will be amazed at what you can find for good prices, and the people you will meet.
