Restarting the Passion, Coming back to the Hobby!

[Dartolution]

After some study of PHA biopellets I have decided against them for the build, and have since turned the reactor off and removed the pellets.

There is too much information mixed about the use of PHA pellets and Cyanobacteria.

I think I should also mention that I was unaware that this was a source of carbon dosing. I know... a lot may be asking the question of HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW. These were given to me by a friend and I was under the impression they were simply used to create more surface area for bacterial colonization.

That being said, I think I'll use this reactor for media like carbon or purigen , not fluidized.

Thoughts?

 

[Dartolution]

Cycle Update

Cycle Update

Well, it has now been a week that the tank has been setup, and despite a serious possible fail from adding 500ml of PHA pellets and having a bacterial orgy in my living room the tank is for the moment still cycling and over the past couple of days since the removal of all the PHA pellets from the system the water has cleared dramatically.

The shrimp however now don't look like shrimp at all, more like ... giant, oozy membranes of rot... (vomit).

I got a cheap API test kit today (master kit) so I could keep a watch on my cycle (I didn't want to invest in anything expensive for a cycle, because chances are I won't be using these tests other than maybe the nitrate as a backup in the future post cycle).

Looks like the ammonia is barely at .25ppm from this, maybe lower, these color charts are always difficult, no detectable nitrite yet, and of course no nitrate.

Also picked up a heater today , while the tank was staying at 75* I thought it would benefit from a few degrees, plus I need one for the winter anyway probably, got the tank temp up to 78 now, may bump it up a few more degrees... thoughts?

 

[Volcom698]

I'm at the same stage as you at this point, getting back into the hobby, and I'm just about 2 weeks with my cycle. Still need my ATO, my controller, and a way to control calcium and Alk. How are you going to do it calcium reactor or dosing pump? Did you decide on a light fixture yet.

 

[Dartolution]

I'm at the same stage as you at this point, getting back into the hobby, and I'm just about 2 weeks with my cycle. Still need my ATO, my controller, and a way to control calcium and Alk. How are you going to do it calcium reactor or dosing pump? Did you decide on a light fixture yet.

Hey Volcom, Im not doing any kind of controller with this build due to its size, instead Ill just do a 2-part from BRS for Ca/Alk demand.

I have pretty much settled on which two fixtures I am looking at. I have narrowed it down to the LedZeal S series, or the Reef Breeders fixture...
Both have essentially the same specifications except the Ledzeal fixture is slimmer and made of aluminum which I like a little more, each fixture uses slightly different bulb types, but they both customize it for you which I like. Plus they aren't going to cost an arm and a leg.

I have goodies coming later in the week! Settled on a Reef Octopus NWB110 skimmer, turned my BRS reactor into a down-flow carbon/whatever chamber, got a low range Hanna PO4 kit on its way, and a Vortech MP10 as well. So it will be christmas again later in the week.

 

[Volcom698]

On my last tank I just dosed 2 part, but on this tank I'm trying to make it as simple as possible. It's only a 70 gal tank, but I was always worried about going on vacations and stuff. So I would like to be able to go away for a couple days without that worry. Not sure yet though which way calcium reactor or dosing pump.

 

[Dartolution]

An Algal Reef

An Algal Reef

Well this morning coming home from work (I work nights), I noticed some brown algae starting to grow in small round flat spots on the rock work and a little on the sand bed, filamentous algae / dino's possibly, its a medium shade of brown and is growing in round little flat areas.

I also checked my Ammonia and Nitrite, and we have a spike.

While it is hard to tell what the Ammonia is with these cheap API test kits:

The Nitrite is clearly spiking, somewhere between .25ppm - .50ppm:

YAY for spikes...

Im debating on going to the hardware store and getting pure ammonia to push my ammonia level up further to create a stronger cycle. Thoughts?

Also, goodies are not on their way ! EXCITED!!!

Not sure yet though which way calcium reactor or dosing pump.

If I chose to go the same route you are going, I would definitely go with a dosing pump. Less "mess", no CO2 injection, and IMHO better control. However this is my opinion and I have not ever used a Ca Reactor or dosing pumps, I've always manually checked everything, though I like doing that myself.

 

[Volcom698]

Are you running lights now for your cycle? I have not so far in case the dry rock was not done curing, but I think I might start using them soon. So far I have had no spikes or algae issues. My po4 levels dropped from 0.09 to 0.08 in a week with just letting it sit. I am running my skimmer though.

 

[Dartolution]

Nitrogenous Wastes

Nitrogenous Wastes

I've been keeping a daily watch on the Ammonia/Nitrite levels and today I noticed a jump in Nitrite and possible smaller jump in Ammonia...
I MAY go ahead and get better testing kits to be more precise. At first I was thinking, heck, as long as I know that its cycling I don't care the exact level.. but Now when its actually happening it would be nice to know.

Ammonia:

Nitrite:

And just to see, I tested the nitrate as well:

Are you running lights now for your cycle? I have not so far in case the dry rock was not done curing, but I think I might start using them soon. So far I have had no spikes or algae issues. My po4 levels dropped from 0.09 to 0.08 in a week with just letting it sit. I am running my skimmer though.

I am running 1 39watt KZ fiji purple over the tank for about 8-10hrs, which I really shouldn't be running it that much, but I just leave it on when I leave for work. Im just now noticing algae appearing, which is fine, I'll let it grow a little so that when I purchase a clean up crew (astrea, hermits etc...) they will have something to feast on.
My skimmer arrives tomorrow! YAY! along with the Hanna PO4 meter and Vortech MP10.

Ill get back with you on the PO4 level's

 

[Dartolution]

The Cycle Continues...

The Cycle Continues...

So, I got my Skimmer, Vortech, and Hanna Phosphate test kit in the mail early last week but wasn't able to get on here due to a busy schedule.

The tank is still cycling , ammonia has dropped and I have about 1ppm Nitrite showing up via the API kit. No detectable Nitrate yet.

My Phosphate level according to the hanna checker is .14ppm.
I figured this was from the rock, and not letting it soak/rinse long enough, but for now I will deal.

Thoughts about this level?

Also, I love this skimmer!
This NWB110 has pulled more skim mate out of this empty tank than I have ever had another skimmer produce. Mind you, its wet skim mate, but it stinks horribly, like concentrated farts.
It is operating in 8.5" of water and according to the paperwork its recommended depth is 7-7.9" does .5"-1" make that much of a difference?

Also loving the Vortech, I went ahead and installed the rubber spacer on the tank just in case, the disclaimer kinda scared me. I have been playing with this every day this week, and my favorite modes are the reef crest mode and the short pulse wave function, which so far I am only able to achieve a .5" wave or so.

Here are some pictures just for fun:

 

[theaquareef]

Duuuude sweet update. Agreed that the Nwb110 is a sweeeet skimmer I love mine also. Our skimmate looks very similar hahahah. Mine stinks like hell too. Phosphate level is a little high but I don't think anything to worry about. What is wrong with having the spacer in the mp10? I've never had one and may be getting one soon, just curious. Tank is looking great!

Kyle

 

[Dartolution]

Thanks Kyle,
The spacer is used for glass thickness thinner than 1/4" I think, and this 40Breeder I believe is right at 1/4", so I used it just in case, to minimize vibration. It doesn't say anything bad about using it, so I did.

I think after the cycle, and doing a couple water changes before adding any livestock should reduce the phosphate level, plus I have GFO and a reactor on hand just in case I need to.

what do you all keep your PO4 level at?

 

[theaquareef]

Ohh understandable! I agree that The phos is nothing to worry especially after water changes and cycle. I wouldn't even worry about phos cycle anyway.

My phos SUPPOSEDLY is 0.00ppm according to hanna but honestly I don't trust it fully. I know I have phos but probably not enough for it to detect especially with the kit's error possibility. It's an excuse for more fish imo hahah

 

[Dartolution]

0.00ppm? thats a hell of a ULNS! lol

you sure your reagents haven't expired?
thats one thing i hate about this hanna kit (love it anyway), is the powder, some of it gets everywhere... its hard to get it all in the cuvette.

 

[theaquareef]

Yeah that's why I don't believe it hahah.
I got a fresh box of reagents just in case and got the same results as the one I currently have, both aren't expired. Who knows I only check every 2 weeks or so now

 

[animalkingdom]

Looking good!

 

[northernreefe]

nice choice on the skimmer! that would have been the on I recommended if I hadn't had been on vacation, lol

 

[Dartolution]

Thanks,

Yes the NWB110 is rockin so far, I need to raise it about an inch or so with egg crate or something though, the outlet is submerged.

 

[tofucube]

I really like purigen. Will polish that water crystal clear.

 

[Dartolution]

So ends the cycle

So ends the cycle

So this morning I came home and checked my Nitrite level to find it significantly dropped to 0 (or close to) again. and very low 1ppm-5ppm Nitrate.

My concern is should I add more raw shrimp and start it over again or be content with the cycle being completed now...

advice?

Ammonia: (which looks a lot greener than it actually is [stupid API test kit]):

Significant Drop in Nitrite Level:

Nitrates which are hard to tell via the picture:

 

[Dartolution]

I really like purigen. Will polish that water crystal clear.

Love the stuff as well, I've used it many time before. Its a fav!