New tank

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willy0508

New member
So I just started a 30gal tank and have had the live rock in for a week.
It's going to be a FOWLR.

Here's my test results after a week of cycle. Does it look like I'm heading in the right direction? I'm in no rush but new so want to make sure it's going OK. Does any of my results look out of place?

PH - 8.1
Alk - normal
Spec Grav - 1.0235
Ammonia - .20
Nitrite - 3.0
Nitrate - 15
Temp - 78.1

Let me know if you need any more info.

So far I have done just a 10% water change and just topped off when I've had a decent amount of evaporation.

Thanks!
willy0508
 
everything looks good i would say two more weeks maybe one. Then you can add a fish, most people wait about month.
 
Just started with Aragonite reef sand. (reccomended by LFS) and let it run a week. Then added my Live Rock and that has been in 1 week. Just topping off now and being patient.

Also any one hear of this light? It's called SolarMax HE. My wife just bought me them but I'm not sure of the brand, never heard of it. I'd feel bad taking them back but don't want her wasting money she is just trying to help.
It says: Dual T5's, one 10,000 K day lamp and one Actinic 03 lamp. Also has what they call as integrated LED Moon Lights

Thanks!
 
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IMO I say that again IMHO....The lights MAY be ok for FOWLR (Skimmer?) I wouldnt attempt any coral. Don't get too hung up on brands...get very hung up on science...Specs are important. Keep in mind this is a very dynamic little hobby and the captive reef or FOWLR ( a little less so) is a complicated undertaking. In so many things we do in life the level of commitment is not measured in $$$ and cents but in reefing I fear this is NOT the case. More so than almost any hobby you get what you pay for. Light is one of the BIG 3. Now the really cool thing is this hobby also unlike any other you will learn college level marine biology,husbandry, electronics, optics and photobiology and if you're handy I suggest following the DIY threads. Those boys are crazy smart and build almost everything better than you can buy in a store and sometimes less than half the cash!!! No lie you can do a captive reef for "less" money ...less being a relative term......lol

MY big 3. But I think it's one list we all agree on. After these three everyone has an opinion on the essentials.

1) Use the best water you can (salt/ro/di/)

2) get the best skimmer you can get

3) get the best light you can afford

After you stop tinkering and reading 1.2 million posts your FOWLR tank is going to bore you. You're gonna want corals and inverts and a bigger tank with more light. I can't think of one person who went FOWLR and didn't get the reef bug within a year. (DISCLAIMER: If they didn't they went huge preditor tanks. BIG fish that eat goats!) Then after blowing all their cash had to wait wait wait. I'm not saying thats you but your patience tells me you like doing things right and you are a detailed person. REEF is PERFECT for a guy like you!

This is the single MOST IMPORTANT words I have. If you can't communicate in a loving sensitive way with your wife about taking the light back at this stage; you my friend are in BIG trouble....This thing that we do....reefing....is an obsession and a deep passion that brings out the most insane range of emotions. One day I'm on a cloud the next I want to post a for sale sign everything must go. The point is get her involved as much as you can. I let Lynn pick out the stand and tank and she helped with the aquascaping. Then she was able to shop fish and corals w me...now when I go on the road for work she is feeding, dosing, changing socks and cleaning the skimmer. Of course I ALWAYS GIVE HER VERY SPECIFIC LISTS TO PICK FROM. LOL....Like with the tank I said...this one or that one...Oh you like this one ...great and we got it.....You will need her on your side I promise your life will be much easier and it will bring you closer in ways you can't imagine. Maybe I'm being way too dramatic...lets just say I'm 15K invested and the other day she called me from LFS and asked if WE needed anything and did I want a fish or piece or coral....Of course I said no thanks babe we'll go together...lol ...but hey that's magic.

lol....I'm just saying........
 
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jmchzn123, I doubt her feeling will be hurt and yes I do believe I'll get the coral bug in the future. Right Now the 30 is all we can fit until the new house is built.
AKA - Giant man cave! That's when I'll look at bigger and better.

Right now just wondered if the light would be OK for A FOWLR. Don't have a skimmer yet as I'm just cycling but will purchase if needed. Can you recommend any good brands for what I have now? Keep in mind that when I do go bigger I'd like to keep the 30 gal too.

I'm thankful for the advice and my wife also helped pick out the tank, heck she was the one to suggest a saltwater seeing as I've had 2 freshwater in the past!

Thanks and I'm always up for any suggestions, that's why I'm here, to learn. :rollface:
 
Well spoken jmchzn123! Your significant other is the single most important thing in the reefing hobby. I can attest to that. Even if your running a FOWLR tank a skimmer is very important and it will allow you to keep a higher bio load. Your fish will be happier and healthier. When the coral bug bites, it will bite hard and not let go. It starts with the pretty little zoa's and pally's and eventually works it's way up to a full blown mixed reef. When buying things for your tank always try to plan for the future. You don't want to buy things over and over again. Research all the products you plan to purchase before you get them. Last but not least, this forum is a powerful tool always use the search button and if you cant find what your looking for feel free to ask as I'm sure everybody here has a very strong opinion about many things. Oh and don't listen to your LFS until you build a strong relationship with them. As much as they seem like they are helping, they are still a business and will sell you any snake oil product on their shelf if it makes them some money. Good luck and welcome to the hobby.

As far as skimmers go. some great bang for the buck brands is Reef Octopus and Eshopps.

On a side note: look into a sump if you can fit it.
 
Thanks all and I'll start looking at skimmers. As for the LFS they are pretty reputable in our area. I have 2 within 20 miles that are known for being very good. Both seem to want you to have a healthy tank along with doing things the right way.

But I'm here for answers/opinions/research as I know they still need to make a buck!

I'm sure I'll be back with more questions as it goes.
 
Salinity's .001 low. Expect a 4 week cycle. When you start seeing algae growth you're near the end.
 
Sk8r, so I should keep it at 1.024? If so I could bring it back up with a top off of saltwater instead of regular correct?

Thanks, Don't mind waiting.

On a second note I noticed I have a few pieces of live rock too close to the glass. Would it hurt the cycle to move them a little if I try to be as delicate as possible and not stir up too much?

Thanks,
willy0508
 
OK figured moving a few pieces now wouldn't hurt so I could keep the sides clean in the future. Stirred up some sand in the move, that won't cause a problem will it? Also been keeping the temp at 78.0 during the cycle. I've read other places where people keep it higher. Would higher be better? Not quicker just better? Figured I'd ask as everyone here seem extremely experienced.

Thanks.
 
willy0508 said:
OK figured moving a few pieces now wouldn't hurt so I could keep the sides clean in the future. Stirred up some sand in the move, that won't cause a problem will it? Also been keeping the temp at 78.0 during the cycle. I've read other places where people keep it higher. Would higher be better? Not quicker just better? Figured I'd ask as everyone here seem extremely experienced.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Moving the rock won't be a problem, you can move it without any detrimental effect what so ever.

As far as the temp, I'll give you my scientific schpeel here, haha:

Every organism contains enzymes, or subunits that speed up reactions. Enzymes can speed up or slow down based on environmental conditions. Enzymes also control certain metabolic functions. So in theory, the higher the temperature, the faster your corals will grow (of course there are a variety of other factors that control coral growth like light, food, flow, parameters, etc.) BUT, enzymes denature at too high of temperature, at this point the organism will not grow and eventually die. So there is a fine line between maximum metabolic effficiency and enzyme protein denaturing. I'm not sure what threshold there is for corals, but it would vary for different species.

All in all, 78 is a good point to stay at. Not too hot, not too cold. I'd say over 82 degrees and you can start yo have problems.

I hope this answered your question, and good luck with your build!!! :)
 
Thanks. Seems like a good temp and things are moving along right now. Just had a quick question, someone told me that I should not use the Biowheel in my Marineland 200 HOB (all I have righ now) as it causes Nitrates. Could be bad for corals down the road. Just remove it and get a Skimmer. Is that a good Idea? I'm not going to do corals for a while as I'd like to get more equip that is correct before I even think of that.

I'm looking at a skimmer for my tank size but read you didn't really need it during a tank cycle with just rock.

Thanks
 
I've only heard bad things about the biowheels. I'd say take it out. A skimmer would be much more efficient.
 
We used a biowheel (400) and a skimmer on our 46g for over 2 yrs; with 5-6 fish at all times, our nitrates stayed below 20 ppm. We also used the biowheel-style filter on our fw tank before converting it to sw, and we didn't have to do water changes more than once every 2-3 months. I think it's all what works for you & your tank.
 
We just switched over from the biowheel HOB filter to a HOB refugium and we're still running the HOB skimmer. The biggest benefits to the refugium are that we can grow food for our tangs, have some natural filtration where the excess nutrients are used for something beneficial, and have a constant pH as the refugium lights are on opposite times from the tank lights.
 
rhactopia said:
We used a biowheel (400) and a skimmer on our 46g for over 2 yrs; with 5-6 fish at all times, our nitrates stayed below 20 ppm. We also used the biowheel-style filter on our fw tank before converting it to sw, and we didn't have to do water changes more than once every 2-3 months. I think it's all what works for you & your tank.
Click to expand...

So did you also use the filter pads (the blue ones) with the carbon. I've been told there is no need if I have a skimmer. the Rock and Skimmer should be enough in a 30 gal. The filter could be used just for surface circulation, like a powerhead. They said the filter cartridges just trap crap that causes bad water.

I'd love to remove the filter and just go with a HOB skimmer and powerhear. would make the inside looks less cluttered.
 
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