ZeeSparrow's 75G LPS tank build

[mmittlesteadt]

Yes having an ATO system in place not only makes it so much easier, but it will make all the water parameters so much more stable. Trying to manually top off and perhaps getting a little lazy or forgetful over the long haul and before you know it you have wild swings in salinity or a burnt out pump.

Do you test in the morning and then later in the day and comparing? I've been reading where tests first thing in the morning don't always accurately reflect the overall readings because lights off all night have some effect with morning tests. I'm assuming that's if you have algae or macroalgae which takes up nitrates, and also with lights off they produce more CO2 with turns ammonium into ammonia. Lights come back on, algae produces more oxygen and take in CO2 so the ammonia levels drop. Don't hold me to that, but I know I read something about testing first thing in the morning.

I'd be curious to see if there is a difference in readings from morning to afternoon/evening.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

I typically test in the evening but was curious this morning as I had no measurable nitrites last night. I don't have lights yet so only ambient room light affecting things, if it makes any difference. No clue about that.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

I typically test in the evening but was curious this morning as I had no measurable nitrites last night. I don't have lights yet so only ambient room light affecting things, if it makes any difference. No clue about that.

Nope...probably shouldn't affect anything. Plus your tank is so new I doubt there is any algae of any kind to produce that effect anyway.

Keep testing...hope you get it cycled soon enough. Before you go crazy waiting anyway. LOL.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Yep, no visible algae. But without lights, I doubt that's going to change too quickly... so no CUC for a while, yet. Nothing for them to eat! That will push off the purchase of corals as well.

Lights are slated to arrive next Wednesday.

5/6/2015
NH3: 0
N02: 0
NO3: 20+ (looks a lot closer to 40 in the pic than it does IRL)
Phosphate: 0.25 ... figures. Started up the TLF GFO reactor.
SG: 1.023 ... increased to 1.026.
Temp: 77.6F ... realized I had one Jager, one smaller Eheim set up. Switched the Eheim for the other Jager.

Added more ammonia to get to... 2.0+ ppm.

One of our LFS was recently sold and the new owners are moving back to Spokane! Their grand opening is May 15-17 so I may just wait and get my first fish from them. There is one other LFS that's a few minutes closer but their focus is more towards freshwater than saltwater, I think. Still a good number of tanks and I know the owner is very knowledgeable. It's great to have options! I know some don't have any LFS (or any worth their weight in salt) so I am really blessed.

 

[mmittlesteadt]

Looks like you're going through the normal cycling. Just stay patient (I know..physician, heal thyself!).

I plan on using my refugium (27 gallon in my sump) with lots of live rock, mangroves and chaeto to help deal with the uptake of phosphates and nitrates. I'll also have a canister filter that will only be used for activated carbon and/or GFO. But I'll have to see how it actually works in practice.

I know what you mean about LFS's. I read almost nothing but negative comments about them here, and honestly (especially big chain stores) most of it is probably true. But my LFS is run by a very experienced and knowledgeable and caring person. I used to manage two privately owned LFS's and I can tell you I was not one of those people that only cared about the money. My LFS has two super ultra saltwater geeks who know more than anyone I've ever met. One guy not only knows all the common names of all the corals but he knows their latin names, requirements to keep them, etc. and could recite you word for word from scientific journals. So I feel real lucky myself and know what you mean.

By the way, I noticed you are from Washington. I spent many years backpacking all over the wilderness of the Cascades and Olympic mountains and around Glacier National Park and many areas in Idaho around Coeur d'Alene. I twice did the Wonderland Trail on Mt. Rainier though I never climbed to the peak. I miss that part of the country. It's so beautiful out there.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Normal cycling? I think I'm cycled to be honest. Went from 1ppm ammonia last night to zero tonight. No nitrite either. Nitrate increased.

But it doesn't matter too much. It will be another week before I add anything; lights Wednesday then I'm sure I will start growing some food for a CUC. So maybe two weeks or so before I add any inhabitants. I have been preparing my husband, son and others interested to wait until July for me to have anything of interest for them.

I'll just keep dumping a little ammonia in the tank and testing every couple of days for now.

Yep I'm in Washington. Originally from Wisconsin though. Moved west when I was 8. Still have lots of family in Minnesota and Wisconsin. I need to get back there for a visit. I'll never move back though. I like Spokane, and being a few hours drive from the ocean is great.

 

[Swope2bc]

Small world! I live 3hrs north of Spokane, what LFS' do you go to? I've been looking for a decent one.. Aquarium Solutions in the valley is about all I've found that isn't a big chain.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Hi Neighbor! Aquarium Solutions is one; the other is Aquatic Dreams. They're moving (back) to Spokane from Post Falls, Idaho with new ownership. Grand opening next weekend!

 

[Swope2bc]

That's awesome! I'll have to look them up when I get home. In Wyoming at the moment

 

[kgtipton87]

What lights did you get? From ebay?

 

[ZeeSparrow]

What lights did you get? From ebay?

I ordered Reef Breeders Photon 48.

 

[Hefner413]

I'm curious why one adds ammonia? For my cycles, I've just added a raw shrimp or two and give it a few weeks. I check levels once every few days and simply go when levels are zero. Add stock list slowly and levels will stay stable with all your live rock. Does your way hasten the cycle?

 

[ZeeSparrow]

I'm curious why one adds ammonia? For my cycles, I've just added a raw shrimp or two and give it a few weeks. I check levels once every few days and simply go when levels are zero. Add stock list slowly and levels will stay stable with all your live rock. Does your way hasten the cycle?

The raw shrimp starts to decay and creates ammonia. Adding ammonia directly may technically be a little bit faster, but we're talking a couple days as most. I'm doing that because that's what I have always done with freshwater so I have it on hand. Either way works just as well.

5/7/2015
NH3: 0
N02: 0
NO3: 20+ (still not quite 40)
Phosphate: 0 ... GFO is working!
SG: 1.026
Mg: 1410
Ca: 500+ (used all the reagent and still didn't change color)
dKH: 8.3
Temp: 78.0F

By the way, last night I set up some old PC lights I had sitting around to generate a bit of food for a CUC. Tonight just before they turned off, my son's girlfriend and I found some movement. Worms perhaps? Hard to say for sure, but it looks like it to me. All I have for pictures is my iPhone and that just doesn't magnify too well.

 

[maxxII]

Test your Ca again, using either a different test kit or have the LFS test it for you.

One potential problem with a Ca level above 500 is that if your pH rises above 8.5, you will most likely have your Ca precipitate out of your water column.

 

[whosurcaddie]

I'm curious why one adds ammonia? For my cycles, I've just added a raw shrimp or two and give it a few weeks. I check levels once every few days and simply go when levels are zero. Add stock list slowly and levels will stay stable with all your live rock. Does your way hasten the cycle?

Because you can be exact with the amount of ammonia you put in. With the shrimp method you have to make sure your ammonia level doesn't get too high or you will just end up with higher nitrates at the end of your cycle.

 

[maxxII]

How much ammonia are you adding to the tank?
Just regular ammonia used for cleaning or some special brand?
How often is it added?

I always used fish, (damsels usually) to cycle my tanks in the past.

 

[ZeeSparrow]

Test your Ca again, using either a different test kit or have the LFS test it for you.

One potential problem with a Ca level above 500 is that if your pH rises above 8.5, you will most likely have your Ca precipitate out of your water column.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to read up on that. I might see if the LFS will test it for me next week as I don't have another test kit right now.

How much ammonia are you adding to the tank?
Just regular ammonia used for cleaning or some special brand?
How often is it added?

I always used fish, (damsels usually) to cycle my tanks in the past.

While the rocks were in the Brute trashcan curing, I added a little ammonia occasionally. I didn't measure or test regularly enough to report.

In the tank, whenever ammonia levels test at zero, I add enough ammonia to bring them back up to at least 1.0. It is pure ammonia with no surfactants added.

IMO, cycling with fish is never a good idea. I have always used pure ammonia as it doesn't unnecessarily expose fish to ammonia poisoning, etc. There is a ton of info out there on fishless cycling. I'd recommend researching it.

 

[Swope2bc]

I second that opinion! The levels of stress added to the fish as they endure high ammonia levels is unnecessary.

 

[Grizz717]

Bump +2. I will be putting my Build thread out there in the next few days also. 75G similar to yours ZeeSparrow. Had a hiccup last night while hydro-testing the whole setup. Not enough teflon tape at the return bulkhead.

 

[Swope2bc]

Give us a link and I'll follow your build