New 90G Setup
- Thread starter JeffMW
- Start date
Since my last post I have reorganized the rock several times, added rubble to the reefugium along with some macroalgae and started getting the dosing of calcium and alkalinity down while the nitrogen process cycles. According to my tests and the LFS tests I am dead on and doing very well with the cycling process. Ammonia level is normal...0...nitrites are a bit on the higher end, but closer to medium and the nitrates are high. Seems it is now nearing the end of the phase and according to the LFS it may be near complete around Friday or Saturday. I also went ahead and moved my one heater into the megaflow sump area of the tank so you can no longer see it.
My new lights and PHs are due in tomorrow so I will be prepping the hood tonight by removing the current setup and repainting the inside white.
The skimmer actually seems to be doing fairly well as of right now, but we will see what it does when it has more life inside the environment.
This time...I brought some pictures along with me. Myself and wife are still figuring out the ins and outs of the camera so bare with me there, but we will get it down eventually.
Input is welcome.
Sorry to post so many at one time, but I felt the need to catch up.
My new lights and PHs are due in tomorrow so I will be prepping the hood tonight by removing the current setup and repainting the inside white.
The skimmer actually seems to be doing fairly well as of right now, but we will see what it does when it has more life inside the environment.
This time...I brought some pictures along with me. Myself and wife are still figuring out the ins and outs of the camera so bare with me there, but we will get it down eventually.
Input is welcome.
Sorry to post so many at one time, but I felt the need to catch up.
A few more pics...
I am also ordering my new RO/DI system tonight. I am going with the SpectraPure MaxCap RO/DI System, 90gpd w/ Pressure Gauge & Purity Monitor. I plan on hooking it up to my washer.
I am also happy to say that I am VERY comfortable taking my time with this process. I have seen PatMayo post all over the forums and emphasizing the fact that taking your time early will pay off in the long run and I have no problems right now simply enjoying my tank of saltwater. lol
I am also ordering my new RO/DI system tonight. I am going with the SpectraPure MaxCap RO/DI System, 90gpd w/ Pressure Gauge & Purity Monitor. I plan on hooking it up to my washer.
I am also happy to say that I am VERY comfortable taking my time with this process. I have seen PatMayo post all over the forums and emphasizing the fact that taking your time early will pay off in the long run and I have no problems right now simply enjoying my tank of saltwater. lol
davidryder
Claris or Elliot?
Nice work dude... it's looking nice. Good call on the mag 5 since you are utilizing your sump as a refugium, and will probably plumb your skimmer through it also.
I wouldn't worry about dosing right now. I wouldn't even test for anything until you are ready to get some corals. Then don't dose anything until your readings are low.
This is a closed loop:
http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html
It doesn't have to be that complicated, but you'll get the idea. You are probably going to want more flow in the tank and powerheads IMO are clutter.
That rock looks really awesome! check out www.floridapets.com for refugium stocking options as well as macro (I have been very satisfied with their service). Also, check ebay.com as they frequently have good deals on inverts.
Keep us updated, it's looking great!
I wouldn't worry about dosing right now. I wouldn't even test for anything until you are ready to get some corals. Then don't dose anything until your readings are low.
This is a closed loop:
http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html
It doesn't have to be that complicated, but you'll get the idea. You are probably going to want more flow in the tank and powerheads IMO are clutter.
That rock looks really awesome! check out www.floridapets.com for refugium stocking options as well as macro (I have been very satisfied with their service). Also, check ebay.com as they frequently have good deals on inverts.
Keep us updated, it's looking great!
PatMayo
New member
Hi Jeff. Nice looking tank so far. Your heading in the right direction. I would get the 2nd light linked as well. If you get the 250 watt MH you will be set and be able to have whatever you want in the tank.
I have a couple of ideas for you. Buy a good heater controller. It's a more efficient way to control the tank heat. What you basically do is plug in the heaters into the controller and turn them all the way up. With the heaters set to high the controller actually controls them. I have 2 400 watt heaters in my sump controlled by a controller and it works like a champ. Keeps the tank right where it should be.
I also have a link to get a real good light to grow cheato. I'll link you to that also.
One other thing, you can use Randy's 2 part once you start dosing alkalinity and calcium. (It will be a bit before you actually need to.)
I'll leave you all these links.
But Jeff, now the tough part comes. Being patient. It gets exciting once things start coming together. Just keep reminding yourself to keep it slow.
I'll also try to find this neat link that talks about maturing a tank and how much more successful a properly matured tank is compared to one that is overloaded quickly.
Anyway, let me find those links.
Controllers
http://jehmco.com/PRODUCTS_/HARDWARE_/Temperature_Controller/temperature_controller.html
Randys 2 part alk and calk
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm
Tank Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
Sump light
http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html
The best light is at the end of the article.
The mature tank thread
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=249112
The above thead is a very interesting read. I would read it all.
Good thread on quarantine by a very knowlegable fellow.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/sp/feature/index.php
Anyway, good luck Jeff.
If I can help please feel free to ask, I'll give it my best.
Regards,
Pat
I have a couple of ideas for you. Buy a good heater controller. It's a more efficient way to control the tank heat. What you basically do is plug in the heaters into the controller and turn them all the way up. With the heaters set to high the controller actually controls them. I have 2 400 watt heaters in my sump controlled by a controller and it works like a champ. Keeps the tank right where it should be.
I also have a link to get a real good light to grow cheato. I'll link you to that also.
One other thing, you can use Randy's 2 part once you start dosing alkalinity and calcium. (It will be a bit before you actually need to.)
I'll leave you all these links.
But Jeff, now the tough part comes. Being patient. It gets exciting once things start coming together. Just keep reminding yourself to keep it slow.
I'll also try to find this neat link that talks about maturing a tank and how much more successful a properly matured tank is compared to one that is overloaded quickly.
Anyway, let me find those links.
Controllers
http://jehmco.com/PRODUCTS_/HARDWARE_/Temperature_Controller/temperature_controller.html
Randys 2 part alk and calk
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/april2004/chem.htm
Tank Parameters
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php
Sump light
http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html
The best light is at the end of the article.
The mature tank thread
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=249112
The above thead is a very interesting read. I would read it all.
Good thread on quarantine by a very knowlegable fellow.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/sp/feature/index.php
Anyway, good luck Jeff.
If I can help please feel free to ask, I'll give it my best.
Regards,
Pat
It looks as though the tank has completed its cycling process now. At this time though I am concerned with the large brown algae outbreak going on in the tank. Is this normal? I mean it is taking over the rocks and starting to get on the tank glass and sand as well. Is there something I should be doing to remove this algae or is it simply time to add a cleaning crew and let them do their thing? Some tips would be great for this issue as it is now becoming a concern. Thanks all.
This brown algae is still covering the rocks, but I am now starting to notice that the glass is constantly getting a coat of green algae all over. Is this normal as well? Should I dose something to make it stabilize? I am trying to keep it under control and once it slows down then I plan to give the tank a good cleaning and vacuuming before adding anything.
chrisqueenz
New member
I like it too
I was wanting to ensure the algae was nothing serious before adding the crew in at this point. Thanks for the info Pat...always a great help.
FYI - Hooking up that RO/DI system was interesting. It is working quite nicely now though. I managed to run the waste water line right into my washing machine drain. Worked out nicely.
Thanks for the compliments on the sand. I really like it as well.
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