New 120g Setup Questions

[dragon174]

I am not new to the hobby, but been out a while. I'm setting up a new 120 gallon (48x24x24) tank with built in mega overflow. Sump with fuge, AI Prime Fuge light, two AI Hydra 26HD lights.

Starting with some dry rock and will be adding some live rock to start the cycle process. I know that the cycle can take 4 to 6 weeks and I have plenty of time and patience so I'm not worried about taking things fast.

My main two questions are:

1. Would you start with some cheato in the fuge during the cycle and what photo period would you use?

2. Should you run the lights on the display tank during the cycle? I want to avoid as much bloom as possible.

Any other suggestions on my set up please let me know.

Thanks

 

[mcgyvr]

1. No
2. Yes you can that will help speed up/encourage the bloom faster (you won't avoid it)

 

[hkgar]

The reason for Cheato is to absorb nutrients (NO3 and PO4) so they can be removed. You have no bio load so no need to export nutrients (fish waste).

 

[dragon174]

Fritz Turbo Start

Fritz Turbo Start

anyone ever used Fritz-Zyme Turbo Start 900 to help cycle the tank?

 

[mcgyvr]

There are numerous "bacteria in a bottle" products...All can help some..
The bacteria will occur naturally on its own but if you want you can buy a bottle and help speed along the process

 

[rocsec1]

Dr Tim’s is great stuff. I used it for my 120 and it did the trick.

 

[jmacias]

Dr Tim's is great stuff. I used it for my 120 and it did the trick.

Dr. Tim's products are great!


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[Michael Hoaster]

I agree with mcgyvr, you can not avoid an algae phase. The sooner you get one the sooner you get past it. Diatoms, algae and bacteria are the foundation of life in your tank. The downside of using bottled bacteria is that you get less diversity. Live rock is a better choice to encourage bacteria diversity.

 

[dragon174]

Plan on adding some live rock tonight to finish my set up. Probably won't be more than 50 pounds as I already have a bunch of base rock in the tank.

I will try and post some picks of the tank build soon.

 

[hkgar]

Base Rock may not work as part of your bio filtration. In order to function as live rock it needs to be porous. Some base rock is just that rock, and not porous.

The amount of live rock you have will to a certain extent determine-limit your bio load (fish and coral)

 

[dragon174]

Tank shot

Tank shot

Tank shot. Still need to mount the lights (2 Hydra 26 HD)

 

[dbdisok]

Photo didn't upload.


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[dragon174]

Tank Shots - Aqua Scape

Tank Shots - Aqua Scape

 

[Dr. Reef]

I did a full study on 9 different bacteria in bottle manufacturers. It's not on this site. PM me I can send you a link if someone wants to read it.
Anyways
Fritz Turbostart 900 is the ONLY bottle that works in a sterile and non sterile tank the fastest.
Followed by Dr. Tim and Bio Spria.
Rest all bottles I tested only worked when a carbon source was introduced making them Heterotrophic bacteria.

 

[dragon174]

Full tank shot

Full tank shot

Here is a better full tank shot with the Hydra 26 HD's mounted. Let me know what you think of the aquascape.

 

[Michael Hoaster]

Nice scape. My only criticism is it's a bit symmetrical. Make the proportions more 1/3 - 2/3 for a little more natural look.

 

[dragon174]

Parameters

Parameters

Here are my parameters from the last two weeks.

Tank is showing some signs of a small diatom bloom but nothing crazy. I feed once a day and have 8 chromis in the tank (4 bicolor and 3 blue/green). Lights are running at low on 10% from 12 to 8 with 2 hour ramp time starting at 10am and ramping down at 8pm.

I know that my ammonia has risen a little probably from feeding. Tank is about 4 weeks old.

Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Uncle99]

I like the first weeks number in terms of nitrate, I don't see phosohate but should run 0.03-0.07ppm....all others fine.

If you add any Stoney Corals, also maintain ALK, CA, and MG in the appropriate ranges.

Continue to keep those numbers on-point with as little variance as possible, this can reduce the length of the "ugly stages" and speed maturity.