Setting up my 50!

[richardhmc]

Finally got time to set up my tank... just waiting for the rest of the saltwater to be made. Now already experiencing what it feels like to set up a new tank years ago, all the green algae and gunk, I want to prevent that and have the quickest, most efficient cycle possible. Any pointers?

I also have this bottle of Special Blend, should I add it? would it help with the cycle? Thanks!

 

[Staaan]

Don't run protein skimmer...

Add special blend... helps out the cycle. Remember to dose 50% more due to the fact that you are dosing in saltwater.

Test about 2 weeks in...

 

[DrHarryLopez]

Congrats Richard!

 

[richardhmc]

I've heard of that... not to run a protein skimmer probably because I want the bacteria in the tank to help cycle?

Should I be doing water changes or just let it sit? Also, how long should I be waiting for the tank to cycle? If I get rock from a cycled tank that should help no?

Thanks Harry! I've had no time to do any reef related stuff lately but now I do =]

 

[Staaan]

I think minimum 1 month. But its all about testing.

Basically until you see..

-Ammonia spike then drop
-Nitrite spike then drop
-Nitrate spike


You won't be done with your cycle... until those water parameter fluctuations occur. Thats basically the nitrogen cycle in a nutshell.

Doing your first water change will reduce the amount of nitrates at the end of your cycle.

And thats pretty much it. Pretty straight forward.

What kind of test kits do you have?

 

[Staaan]

Plus running biopellets/beads or whatever you wanna call them will help as well. Can potentially cut down on your cycle time as well.

 

[richardhmc]

I got the drop API tests kits hehe the cheap ones.
I should have my lighting cycle on right? How do I prevent algae blooms?

 

[Staaan]

No lightning. Don't need lights for cycling.. no point. Will most likely only cause a faster algae bloom.

API is fine for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.

Cal/Alk/Mag should be Salifert or equivalent with either a titration or photometer method of testing.

Referencing a color card/chart to figure out how much of a given compound/element you have in your tank is extremely difficult because all the color are so damn close to eachother..

 

[richardhmc]

yup its definitely difficult but its what I got so I'll just use em.

thanks for your help staaan!

 

[richardhmc]

After three days of leaving my sink on, finally made enough RO water to fill up my tank. Here's what I just got it to now.

 

[OzoneParkGuy]

Richard!!! NICE JOB!!!!

 

[Staaan]

Nice rockscaping buddy!

Ugh... I need to redo my tank....

 

[richardhmc]

Thanks! Took me many hours to get something I liked. Even though it was only about 50 lbs of rock

 

[THEDLO]

WOW! I'm really loving that rock work. make sure you plan your livestock well so you dont have to catch any fish....i wouldn't want to see that thing torn down.

 

[richardhmc]

here's a bigger pic of it and thanks!

I have a deep sand bed this time so I'm looking for fish that will burrow or use the sand as much as possible

 

[DrHarryLopez]

Nice, but the funny thing about rock work is that when your corals all grow out you don't see any of the rock!

 

[richardhmc]

Yup that's true

 

[Reefs Creation]

Great job Richard, I like the rock work.

 

[ryunbaik]

Nice!

 

[richardhmc]

Thanks! So the way I know the tank is cycled is when the ammonia and nitrites are 0, and I'm left with just nitrates?