Progressing! Slowly but surely

[j3rms]

Hello everyone!

I am happy to say I did not have one leak in my plumbing and everything seems to be flowing properly (to my knowledge).

I just wanted to post my progress and get input as to what is next. I obviously need to get light and skimmer, but when would you recommended to get that? Also, when would I know when it is time to add fish? Would I add fish than coral? Can I add both at the same time? I am planning on starting with a cheaper fish as a guinea pig. Any recommendations as a first fish? Perhaps a pair of clown? If I recall correctly,they're not too expensive.

Water changes are necessary during this stage?

I got tons of questions! Looking for direction, as I of course do my own research.

Thanks everyone in advance for your help. Please see my pic.... I made the stand and everything you see (except for the tanks).

 

[NVTE]

nice start. Perhap you can give little spec of your tank, size, equipment, water parameter and etc..

 

[j3rms]

Well the display is a 40g and the sump is a 20g, but in reality only a little over 40g is flowing, due to rocks, sand, loss of top space, and baffles in sump only go to the middle of the tank.

My water salinity is 1.026, and I have no equipment yet, only the return mag pump. What else would you like to know?

I took pics of my sump and salinity but don't know how to post it.

 

[NVTE]

Well the display is a 40g and the sump is a 20g, but in reality only a little over 40g is flowing, due to rocks, sand, loss of top space, and baffles in sump only go to the middle of the tank.

My water salinity is 1.026, and I have no equipment yet, only the return mag pump. What else would you like to know?

I took pics of my sump and salinity but don't know how to post it.

That is good. The more detail of the tank, it is easier for other reefers to chime in suggestion.

How is the water parameter in term of Ammonia, Nitrite, Alk, Ca, Mag ? Because it will let you know if you are ready to put fish in there or not.

What kind of coral you plan to keep,and what the dimension of the tank so you can choose right light for it?

For skimmer, I think NAC 6 is cheap and decent skimmer.

for Picture.
you can do like you did with the tank picture.
Other option: you can sign up in Photobucket dot com. It is free and convert your file to link (IMG) that you can cut and paste in here.

Good Luck

 

[discotu]

Make sure you have enough room in your sump for the siphon water in the event you have a power outage...or add a check valve to you return line. Is there a way to move the over flow box up a bit to push up the water line? Do you have a pic of your sump, and plumbing?
Good job...look forward to seeing the progress!

 

[j3rms]

That is good. The more detail of the tank, it is easier for other reefers to chime in suggestion.

How is the water parameter in term of Ammonia, Nitrite, Alk, Ca, Mag ? Because it will let you know if you are ready to put fish in there or not.

What kind of coral you plan to keep,and what the dimension of the tank so you can choose right light for it?

For skimmer, I think NAC 6 is cheap and decent skimmer.

for Picture.
you can do like you did with the tank picture.
Other option: you can sign up in Photobucket dot com. It is free and convert your file to link (IMG) that you can cut and paste in here.

Good Luck

Well the only testers I currently have are the following:

Ammonia: .5
Nitrite: 0
Ph: 8.0 -8.2
Nitrate: 10

I assume you suggest buying the other testers?

For coral, I will begin with softies because they are easier to maintain. Once, I am better at this hobby, I will progress (keeping to my topic theme).

The tank length is 30 inches, I really liked the Maxspect 27inch 16k LED fixture. I'm 80% certain that is what I want for the tank.

For the skimmer, I had my eyes on Reef Diablo Octupus 6, or Bubble Magus Curve 5. In the description I cannot tell the difference between the Curve 5 and Nac6. Do you know?

Make sure you have enough room in your sump for the siphon water in the event you have a power outage...or add a check valve to you return line. Is there a way to move the over flow box up a bit to push up the water line? Do you have a pic of your sump, and plumbing?
Good job...look forward to seeing the progress!

I do have enough room. I've tested it by pulling the plug out, and I definitely have more than enough.

I also have a check valve in place to my return line.

Unfortunately, I cannot move the overflow box up. It has been cemented on, but I'm ok with it aesthetically.

In my last post you can see pics of my plumbing, I cannot locate them on my comp to report at this time, sorry! I do have a pic of my sump. Please see below!

 

[j3rms]

Also, does someone want to house this coral I found in a sand I received? I took this pic a few days ago, and the coral has been in my tank. For obvious reasons, it will need to find a new home.

 

[DANNY G2004]

Sorry to tell you but that coral looks dead amonia is still high needs to be at 0 and nitrate 0 GL

 

[NVTE]

Well the only testers I currently have are the following:

Ammonia: .5
Nitrite: 0
Ph: 8.0 -8.2
Nitrate: 10

I assume you suggest buying the other testers?

For coral, I will begin with softies because they are easier to maintain. Once, I am better at this hobby, I will progress (keeping to my topic theme).

The tank length is 30 inches, I really liked the Maxspect 27inch 16k LED fixture. I'm 80% certain that is what I want for the tank.

For the skimmer, I had my eyes on Reef Diablo Octupus 6, or Bubble Magus Curve 5. In the description I cannot tell the difference between the Curve 5 and Nac6. Do you know?



I do have enough room. I've tested it by pulling the plug out, and I definitely have more than enough.

I also have a check valve in place to my return line.

Unfortunately, I cannot move the overflow box up. It has been cemented on, but I'm ok with it aesthetically.

In my last post you can see pics of my plumbing, I cannot locate them on my comp to report at this time, sorry! I do have a pic of my sump. Please see below!

Also, does someone want to house this coral I found in a sand I received? I took this pic a few days ago, and the coral has been in my tank. For obvious reasons, it will need to find a new home.

Ammonia is still there, so your tank is still cycling. I would wait on fish until it goes down to Zero.
Light, I have no comment cause I am more HO T5 with LED supplement kind of guy.
For skimmer, somehow Diablo Octopus 6 look like their Reef Octopus Extreme 160 (just different color) I used to have, and I didn't like how noisy that one was. Hope with new line, they fix that problem. Curve5 is cone shaped with different pump(Energy efficient than NAC 6's pump). NAC6 has traditional body shape. I see many reviews said that Curve 5 is super quiet. I have NAC6 which is quiet as well, but wish they come with better pump. My choice is Curve 5 if you asked me. But most important is the skimmer got to fit inside compartment of your sump without touching any wall.

 

[j3rms]

Sorry to tell you but that coral looks dead amonia is still high needs to be at 0 and nitrate 0 GL

I took that pic right when I first found it. I guess, it was dead from the start. I suppose I'll throw him away, because it definitely looks worst. Thanks for the heads up, I suppose I will sit and wait till it cycles

Ammonia is still there, so your tank is still cycling. I would wait on fish until it goes down to Zero.
Light, I have no comment cause I am more HO T5 with LED supplement kind of guy.
For skimmer, somehow Diablo Octopus 6 look like their Reef Octopus Extreme 160 (just different color) I used to have, and I didn't like how noisy that one was. Hope with new line, they fix that problem. Curve5 is cone shaped with different pump(Energy efficient than NAC 6's pump). NAC6 has traditional body shape. I see many reviews said that Curve 5 is super quiet. I have NAC6 which is quiet as well, but wish they come with better pump. My choice is Curve 5 if you asked me. But most important is the skimmer got to fit inside compartment of your sump without touching any wall.

That is a good point.... I will do research and check if the DO6 is quieter now, if not I may go with the Curve 5 and I believe it is cheaper too! Why must the skimmer fit without touching any walls? I don't think I have ever heard that before.

 

[NVTE]

I took that pic right when I first found it. I guess, it was dead from the start. I suppose I'll throw him away, because it definitely looks worst. Thanks for the heads up, I suppose I will sit and wait till it cycles



That is a good point.... I will do research and check if the DO6 is quieter now, if not I may go with the Curve 5 and I believe it is cheaper too! Why must the skimmer fit without touching any walls? I don't think I have ever heard that before.

just the vibration, and it will make noise. Yeah look into Curve 5, it sound nice and good price for it. The question now is how long can the pump last.

 

[j3rms]

Dear Interweb!

Just wanted to give an update and maybe someone can explain a little of what is going on.

So since, I've first began my water cycle I have had the following parameters:

Date: 11/3
Ammonia: .5
Nitrite: 0
PH: 8.0 -8.2
Nitrate: 10

Date: 11/9
Ammonia: 1-2
Nitrite: 0
Ph: 8.0 -8.2
Nitrate: 5-10

Date: 11/16
Ammonia: 1
Nitrite: 0
Ph: 7.8
Nitrate: 10-20


My understanding is that the Nitrogen cycle goes from Ammonia, to Nitrite, and then Nitrate. Why would Nitrate be present if the cycle has not reached that point yet? Any ideas? I thought I'd reach out first, before beginning my research.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Richs2k6]

It's hard to say because we don't know what you started with. Did you fill it with live rock or base/dead rock? You need something to start the nitrogen cyle. You can either start with live rock and as some of it dies off it will begin the cycle (because the tank isn't cycled) or some people throw a dead shrimp in there, like you can get a the grocery store. Looking back at my notes I cycled my tank within a week but the nitrates took a couple of months before they completely disappeared. I was wondering what was taking so long so I did some research and a lot of people remain with nitrates months into having their tank started. As seen in your results I never really showed nitrites but the fact that you have ammonia and nitrates make me think the tank is still cycling or never really started.

 

[Richs2k6]

Also, as for your salinity, I would recommend with going with a refractometer. The type that you have can be thrown off by something as tiny as a small bubble stuck on the floating marker. If it's a fish only setup it may not be that big of a deal but with coral you need to be more accurate. You can also calibrate a refractometer by reading it with RODI water and adjusting a calibration screw.

Also, if you are going to go with softies be careful what you choose. Some, such as xenia or clove polyps can take over your tank. I would suggest something easy such as a neon toadstool, green sinularia or a yellow fiji leather. There are some attractive leather corals that are easy to take care of but won't take over your tank. I made the mistake of buying "cheap" softies to begin with so I suggest you research them first.

 

[j3rms]

Also, as for your salinity, I would recommend with going with a refractometer. The type that you have can be thrown off by something as tiny as a small bubble stuck on the floating marker. If it's a fish only setup it may not be that big of a deal but with coral you need to be more accurate. You can also calibrate a refractometer by reading it with RODI water and adjusting a calibration screw.

Also, if you are going to go with softies be careful what you choose. Some, such as xenia or clove polyps can take over your tank. I would suggest something easy such as a neon toadstool, green sinularia or a yellow fiji leather. There are some attractive leather corals that are easy to take care of but won't take over your tank. I made the mistake of buying "cheap" softies to begin with so I suggest you research them first.

I bought sand and rocks from others. I did not clean the sand because the individual who I got the sand from said his tank was in good condition but took a new job and couldn't maintain the tank.

The rocks on the other hand, I did give them an acid bath for a few days, and sun dried them for a week, and periodically washed them with RO water.

I am assuming the cycle is starting, but taking long bc of the rocks still had a few strands of dried/ dead green algae.

I'll be doing another test tomorrow or Sat. Hopefully there has been progress!

I am planning to get a refracto once I buy my lights, skimmer and RODI... still haven't had a chance to buy.

 

[j3rms]

I'll definitely taking your advice on the softies, I have read a few nightmares about softies taking over tanks. I definitely do not want that!

 

[j3rms]

Also, I thought Nitrate were healthy for a tank? Is it suppose to be at 0?

 

[j3rms]

Another update:
A few days ago, my ammonia read 0 -.25 (hard to tell), and nitrite 0, and nitrate 10. So yesterday, I did a 30-40% water change, and took my reading today. Today my parameters are..... Ammonia 0 (looks to be), nitrite 0, and nitrate 10.

I think my tank has cycled, and is ready for some life to be put in!

I believe the first step should be adding my clean up crew. I have a 40g display and 10g sump. Any idea of what I should get to start and how many?

Also, please note - I do not have a skimmer and light yet. My skimmer should be coming in a week. I will most likely order my light today or tomorrow.....

Thanks!

 

[j3rms]

Also! If anyone in the Valley has some chaeto they need to trim, I'll gladly take it!

I want to get this tank up and going!!

 

[Richs2k6]

Unless you have something to clean up I would recommend waiting on the clean up crew. After my tank cycled I had an algae bloom and I bought a clean up crew and although it cleaned it up nice they all eventually died off. I am assuming it's because they didn't have enough to eat.

When you add a light I have some corals you can have for free to "test the waters". I have a couple of neon green toadstools and some frags of mind blowing palys you can have. I also have a bunch of chaeto you can have. If they survive you can probably get some decent fish. If you are going to start with inexpensive fish make sure you get some that are compatible with the fish you ultimately want. Or, get some that are easy to catch when you are ready to move on to something you actually want. Because your tank is relatively small you want to choose your livestock carefully. For example, if you want designer clowns don't buy cheap ones and try to mix the designer ones in later.

BTW, I am in Tustin/Anaheim so it might not be worth the drive for free corals/chaeto but if you are interested let me know. BTW, when you are ready for a clean up crew check out http://www.reefcleaners.org. They have great prices and they sent me WAY more than I ordered. Maybe I got lucky but either way the price was good.