Yoccm's 300G DD In Wall Build

[yoccm]

update: Well the tank as been cycling for 10 days now ... i have been consistently testing for ammonia and getting little to no measurable amount. I was beginning to wonder if there was enough dead material in the dry rock to start the cycle (certainly smelled bad enough for the first few days!!).

I measured for nitrite tonight and it was 1.5 ppm. Not sure what happened to the ammonia levels but looks like the Nitrites are rising as expected.

Should I add a shrimp to ensure the cycle continues or do you think the rock will do the trick on its own?

 

[d3hree]

I have had a tank cycle like that in the past. Went ages waiting for ammonia spike and never detected one. Just when I was contemplating adding a liquid form of ammonia i started to detect Nitrite and from then on the tank cycled as expected.
I wondered if the test kits for ammonia are not that sensitive?
I wouldnt bother adding a shrimp, the only reason to do so would be to induce an ammonia reading. The fact you have nitrite means you are on your way.

 

[yoccm]

I have had a tank cycle like that in the past. Went ages waiting for ammonia spike and never detected one. Just when I was contemplating adding a liquid form of ammonia i started to detect Nitrite and from then on the tank cycled as expected.
I wondered if the test kits for ammonia are not that sensitive?
I wouldnt bother adding a shrimp, the only reason to do so would be to induce an ammonia reading. The fact you have nitrite means you are on your way.

That's what I thought - seems like I couldn't have notrite without ammonia first. I will let things ride and see where the notrites go over the next few days

 

[crvz]

I wouldnt worry about getting a measurable ammonia level either. Sounds like things are on the way.

 

[yoccm]

Update:

I realized I hadn't posted a sketch of my sump

I am still a month out or so on it being delivered but in the meantime the rock continues to cook.

Ammonia is still undetectable but nitrite is as 1.5 - 2.0. Phosphates are at 1.16.

Also, been running my 2 MP 60s for over a week and LOVE them!!! They are definitely giving good flow but not overkill on this size tank at all. I have them both cranked up to full power but haven't done any programming to them yet.

Meanwhile, the skimmer is breaking in nicely and is giving good skimmate. It is very wet but definitely pulling some nasty stuff out of the water. I am also dosing with Microbacter 7 and running carbon as well.

 

[Esardog]

Chris,

newbie here and following along appreciate all the work to post this build. I will start one in a few weeks -- first saltwater -- I'm learning alot from you.

 

[yoccm]

Chris,

newbie here and following along appreciate all the work to post this build. I will start one in a few weeks -- first saltwater -- I'm learning alot from you.

Thanks for tagging along!! I have been out of saltwater so long I feel like a newb too! So many more gizmos and gadgets than when I was in it 12 years ago. I think what I learned the most from my first experience was patience ... something I am not the greatest at :headwalls:

What are you planning for your build?

 

[yoccm]

O.K. I am back to the topic that seems to haunt my dreams.... LIGHTS:blown:

I have gone a full 360 on this topic. I have seriously considered AI LEDs then considered two ATI PM units of all T5 ... now I am looking seriously at MH with T5 supplements.

I just can't get over how consistently people have great success with them. Ultimately cost really isn't the issue - there is less up front on MH but more electricity and bulb replacement over time than LED. From everything I have read and seen LED seems to be dimmer to the human eye ... I really like the punch of MH and just seems like it has a little more development before I am ready to jump in.

I have definitely decided that I want the shimmer of either MH or LED so T5 only aren't an option at this point.

So... questions for all of you.

Biggest open question is the reflector option. I only have about 20" from top of tank to the ceiling so I need something that has broad coverage at a relatively low height level.

I am looking at either the Lumenmax Elite or the Lumenbrite Mini Wide fixture. I am thinking that I will run 250W but will get the selectable ballast to leave my options open.

For ballasts i am leaning towards the Galaxy 250/250 HQI/400 selectable e ballast.

Also looking at 2 of the Sun supply T5 retro units each have 2 60" T5 bulbs.

Lastly will need some type of LED moonlight option but will focus on that later.

Thoughts / reactions / opinions????

 

[crvz]

I've got the mini-wides with lumatek 250W ballasts (similar to galaxy... I think they're just packaged with a different name). I'm very pleased. If you recall, I built a light rack and integrated LEDs onto it, which gives me both supplementation and "moon light" control through the meanwell driver dimmers.

 

[yoccm]

I've got the mini-wides with lumatek 250W ballasts (similar to galaxy... I think they're just packaged with a different name). I'm very pleased. If you recall, I built a light rack and integrated LEDs onto it, which gives me both supplementation and "moon light" control through the meanwell driver dimmers.

Thanks Chris, I have been following your thread and it is one of the reasons I really started changing my mind to go MH. I do plan on building a similar rack using EZTube connectors but I am definitely not handy enough to do the LEDs like you did ....VERY impressive BTW.

How high off the top of the tank are your reflectors hanging?

 

[crvz]

I just moved them down about 3"... so they're closer to 12-13" now than a few days ago.

 

[yoccm]

I just moved them down about 3"... so they're closer to 12-13" now than a few days ago.

That would give me plenty of room - have you noticed any spotlighting or dark spots with them that close to the water?

 

[crvz]

If you are looking for them, you can find them (particularly with the PAR meter), but visually I don't think they take away from the display. I think it may be a bit better with them a little lower, as it opens the angle of light that would have otherwise hit one of the two top braces.

 

[yoccm]

If you are looking for them, you can find them (particularly with the PAR meter), but visually I don't think they take away from the display. I think it may be a bit better with them a little lower, as it opens the angle of light that would have otherwise hit one of the two top braces.

Awesome!! Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.

 

[yoccm]

UPDATE:

Rock is still cooking ... Nitrites are up to 4.0 or higher. Basically maxing out the scale. I haven't picked up a tester for Nitrate yet but will do that soon to see if I am starting to register Nitrates.

I have been adding Microbacter 7 and the Nitrites have shot up quickly after doing so. The bottle says that about 30 minutes after adding the water will clear up significantly but I have noticed the water being cloudy after adding and the water never completely clears up. It is always slightly cloudy? Not sure why.

Skimmer is working great. Went out of town for 5 days over the holiday weekend. When I got back tonight the skimmer cup was 3/4 full of NASTY black skim mate. Literally made me gag when I was cleaning it out!! AWESOME!!!!!

Love this skimmer!

 

[crvz]

Youre tempting me with that skimmer. Keep us posted on how it does.

 

[yoccm]

Update:

Got a call from LFS...the custom sump is in!!!!

Excited to get it and start getting the system fully set up. I will post pics this weekend.

Tank continues to cyle. I am still not registering ammonia but nitirites and nitrates are both still thru the roof....off the color chart for both. I assume the ammonia is zero because the nitrite is consuming it as quickly as it is produced. I am suprised the nitrites haven't started dropping. Six weeks into cycle and everytime I test Nitrites they keep going up?

I will just have to wait it out but thought the cycle would be farther along by now.

 

[launchnukes]

my cycle took forever too! be patient, it'll happen

 

[yoccm]

my cycle took forever too! be patient, it'll happen

Patience is not one of my strong suits but I am trying :headwalls:

I know you used all dry rock for your start up as well. I did not do the vinegar bath process you did and I am assuming there is a whole lota junk that still needs to cook out of this rock.

I'm curious, have you introduced any "seed" rock to start corraline growth?

 

[launchnukes]

Patience is not one of my strong suits but I am trying :headwalls:

I know you used all dry rock for your start up as well. I did not do the vinegar bath process you did and I am assuming there is a whole lota junk that still needs to cook out of this rock.

I'm curious, have you introduced any "seed" rock to start corraline growth?

I feel you on the patience thing.

I recently picked up a large war coral from indo. The rock it grew on is not huge but covered in coraline. I qted the coral and rock, dipped and inspected for pests, then added to the display. No coraline spreading yet but it is in the tank so we'll see what happens.