New tank
- Thread starter willy0508
- Start date
Felixc395
Registered Member
But here's the thing. You say your nitrates were below 20 ppm. That is still enough to cause algae blooms and detrimental effects with corals.
However, considering this is a FOWLR, things change. With FOWLR, I'd think it would be absolutely fine. But with say an SPS tank, I would advise against a biowheel.
Felixc395, good to know as this will be a FOWLR for a while. that way I can use the Biowheel. As i get closer to wanting corals (way down the road) I can start getting the equipment. Then again I may just wait until the house is built and do a larger tank for corals and keep this one a FOWLR. 
Glad you guys are here as it's a fun hobby but you need this kind of experience to do it right the first time.
Thanks All.
Glad you guys are here as it's a fun hobby but you need this kind of experience to do it right the first time.
Thanks All.
Moving right along
Moving right along
...removed the Bio wheel. Left the filter on for extra flow. Tested today and things seem to be moving in the right direction. Just the Live Rock and Sand still.
Nitrite - .2
Ammonia - .15
Nitrates - 20
Alk - 2.4
Ph - 8.0 (little low?)
Spec Grav - 1.024
temp - 78.5
Also looking at a Skimmer and Sump/Refug. Thing is I don't have much room for a sump.
So should I look at a HOB skimmer and use a 10 gal for a refuge underneath the tank. Ive tried so many ways to divide the 10 gal to incorporate the skimmer but it just seems too small.
Anyone think it's possible to make a 10 gal with 3 areas, 1 for skimmer, 1 for refugium, and the return. If not I'm OK with the HOB skimmer. Should I even do a Sump/refuge for a 30 gal?
Moving right along
...removed the Bio wheel. Left the filter on for extra flow. Tested today and things seem to be moving in the right direction. Just the Live Rock and Sand still.
Nitrite - .2
Ammonia - .15
Nitrates - 20
Alk - 2.4
Ph - 8.0 (little low?)
Spec Grav - 1.024
temp - 78.5
Also looking at a Skimmer and Sump/Refug. Thing is I don't have much room for a sump.
So should I look at a HOB skimmer and use a 10 gal for a refuge underneath the tank. Ive tried so many ways to divide the 10 gal to incorporate the skimmer but it just seems too small.
Anyone think it's possible to make a 10 gal with 3 areas, 1 for skimmer, 1 for refugium, and the return. If not I'm OK with the HOB skimmer. Should I even do a Sump/refuge for a 30 gal?
blackx-runner
New member
Looks like you're on track. I wouldn't worry about the PH too much yet. If its stable around 8 just let it ride. If it keeps falling then you'll want to figure out why and dose if necessary.
There are alot of good HOB skimmers, I run a reef octopus and and happy with the results.
jdyer88
New member
you probably won't be able to fit a skimmer that you will be able to use in the future (for reef tank) into a 10 gal tank. Other than HOB skimmers, they also make external stand alones. I BELIEVE the red sea c-skim can stand alone, but it is way oversized for your 30gal, not that that matters too much. It is pricey but not as much as the old euroreefs, bubble kings or reef octos...Whatever you get, make sure it is a good one. I know they look pretty simple, and they are in concept, but there are significant differences in preformance from bad quality to good quality ones. If you buy a "bad" one it won't clean as well and your display will be filled with millions of unsightly microbubbles. Oh and by the way, when you move in to the new house you WILL want to upgrade. It happens to all of us so welcome to the club and have fun with it...and take your wife's help while she is willing to give it, because in your very near future you will be hearing "you spent how much on what??????!!!!!!!" :beer:
Yea I'm thinking HOB for this setup and just use a 10gal for a fuge. I do plan on keeping this when I do get the chance to go bigger so all equipment I buy for it will stay and I'll need all new for the upgrade in the new house.
That's why she gets to pick all the upgrades on the house and I just agree. :lmao:
So it looks like a get the HOB skimmer so I can remove the Marineland HOB biowheel filter (no biowheel in it right now) and start plans for a 10 gal refugium.
That's why she gets to pick all the upgrades on the house and I just agree. :lmao:
So it looks like a get the HOB skimmer so I can remove the Marineland HOB biowheel filter (no biowheel in it right now) and start plans for a 10 gal refugium.
So I got the 10 gal I'm setting up as a refugium and I'm looking at the HOB skimmers. No way to break that 10 into 3 sections big enough to hold anything.
Question is Once I get the HOB skimmer how much flow do they add back to the tank? I have the Marineland 200 filter on now with a powerhead and it seems like good flow in the tank. I want to remove that filter when the skimmer comes but if they don't produce much flow back to the tank I may as well get another powerhead just in case.
Thanks,
willy0508
Question is Once I get the HOB skimmer how much flow do they add back to the tank? I have the Marineland 200 filter on now with a powerhead and it seems like good flow in the tank. I want to remove that filter when the skimmer comes but if they don't produce much flow back to the tank I may as well get another powerhead just in case.
Thanks,
willy0508
So I added my live rock on Jan. 22 and all seems good. Had a question though. Decided to do a test today and here's what i got:
Ammonia .15
Nitrite 0 (?)
Nitrate 25
PH 8.2
Alk Normal
Temp 77.8
So can you still have Ammonia without Nitrites? Nothing in the tank but the Live rock and a few powerheads for movement. Maybe it misread the Nitrite test. I'll test again tomorrow but I thought Ammonia would got to 0 before Nitrites.
Also, a friend is giving me a CPR Bak PAK 2R+ for $50, never used. Should be here this week. Are they good for my size tank.
Thanks, Willy0508
Ammonia .15
Nitrite 0 (?)
Nitrate 25
PH 8.2
Alk Normal
Temp 77.8
So can you still have Ammonia without Nitrites? Nothing in the tank but the Live rock and a few powerheads for movement. Maybe it misread the Nitrite test. I'll test again tomorrow but I thought Ammonia would got to 0 before Nitrites.
Also, a friend is giving me a CPR Bak PAK 2R+ for $50, never used. Should be here this week. Are they good for my size tank.
Thanks, Willy0508
duncantse
Fish Advisor
Your LR caused a mini cycle. The die off on your LR caused an ammonia spike.
Thanks. Seems to be moving at it's own pace but at least it's moving. Thinking about getting some more Live rock, hope the LFS has some smaller pieces to finish of the aquascape. I changed it 3 times the first week.
Will it hurt the cycle to add rock now if the LFS says it's cured. another week or two cycling wouldn't hurt me at all.
Will it hurt the cycle to add rock now if the LFS says it's cured. another week or two cycling wouldn't hurt me at all.
