Suzanne May 180 Gallon Reef Build

[squeeg]

Love the skimmer I have same!

 

[suzannemay]

The skimmer is good. Liking it so far.. so cycle is coming along..still no ammonia spike..seems to like .25...just hanging there.. but I am starting to see some nitrate's again so maybe things will move along in the next couple of weeks. I am on week 4 of the cycle.

 

[myindoorocean]

Maybe it already cycled. Mine cycled super fast, I didn't even see the ammonia and nitrite, but I used Dr. Tim's One and Only. Using dry rock as we both did makes the cycle different. You might give Mike a call and see what he says.

 

[HUNTER01975]

we need a updated pic..

 

[suzannemay]

Pics are difficult I am trying to figure out how to photograph the tank with the tools I have... Sorry.. Mostly all you see is a little algea.

 

[myindoorocean]

I agree about the pics. Not much to look at in my tank right now, and I don't like the way my iPhone takes pictures. Want to get a decent camera, but I don't want to spend a fortune.

 

[suzannemay]

So nothing is happening.. no spikes..but I see algea WP_000513 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Should I have something other than my mini spike by now? It has been over 6 weeks.. ?
No ammonia spike ever. I did have a nitrate spike early on..but nothing since. Everything has been at zero.
hmm should I be doing something different?

 

[trido]

IMO no. If your rock isn't having a bunch of die off there will be no noticable cycle. If it were my tank I would now add a cleaner crew and SLOWLY start adding a bioload (fish) to the tank. I personally dont count corals as part of my bioload.

 

[NC2WA]

I agree with Duane...should be OK to start with the CUC..the brown algae on the rock is normal, EVERY new tank goes thru a brown diatom bloom.

 

[myindoorocean]

I wonder if you put a little bit of ammonia in the tank. Enough to register with the test kit. Then see if it goes to zero and turns to nitrite and nitrate. I agree with the two above comments. I used the same rock as you and dry sand and I never saw ammonia or nitrite. However I used Dr Tim's one and only.

 

[suzannemay]

Well looks like I will go see OBD tomorrow for a CUC. :dance:

 

[myindoorocean]

Well looks like I will go see OBD tomorrow for a CUC. :dance:

Yay! Cool! Have fun!

 

[myindoorocean]

Did you get your cuc? Are you going to get a detrivore kit? I got one from Indo Pacific Sea Farms. I'm thinking of getting another one from Inland Aquatics. Plus I bought a bunch of pods from Reef2go.com. Buy 1000, get 1000 free.

 

[suzannemay]

I went to OBD this weekend and picked up half of the CUC. Let see if I can remember all the names.. I got 10 blue leg hermits, 5 red legs hermits, Lots of snails, Mexican turbos, Margarita's, Astraeas(I think) then there are these black ones..can't recall the names of all the snails..as there are so many. SO we will just say 30 ish snails. All are moving and cleaning.

Then I also got 2 pajama fish..they are doing well and are eating so I am happy. Testing frequently to make sure nothing crazy happens..

Yea!

 

[myindoorocean]

Cool! I'm going to go with some Bangaii Cardinals I think (a couple). I like them and the pajama ones.

About the detrivore kit - with the dry rock like we used, you're going to want some micro-fauna like pods, worms, etc. That's the stuff that would normally come on the live rock, minus the bad guys. Here is where I got mine:

: : : : Indo-Pacific Sea Farms : : : :

I got that mix and match special for $99, then I got 3 extras including coralline algae booster, to try to get that started in the tank.

I also got pods from here:

Live Saltwater Amphipods & Copepods-1000 - Buy 1 Get 1 FREE | Reefs2go.com

I got 2000 of them! Buy 1000, get 1000 free.

I'm pretty well set I think, though I may try this place:

Inland Aquatics - Detritivores

I'm going to get the Detrivore Starter Kit and the MicroVert Starter Culture.

Then, I think I'll have all the sand life I need for a while!

 

[suzannemay]

What is your method to manage PH? Mine seems to be getting a little high?

 

[NC2WA]

open a window to let air into the tank...excess CO2 is causing pH fluctations...

 

[myindoorocean]

Hey Suzanne how's things coming on the tank? Any pictures for us yet?

 

[suzannemay]

I have some pics but I can't get them off the camera because I can't find the adapter to the computer..typical....
So far things are ok. I have figured out how to handle heat and PH fluxes so far this summer..we will see if it works.. I may have to buy a chiller at some point.
I have started to notice that the clarity of the water is not so good lately.. my ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are stable and zero but the water is hazy.. no color to it that I can tell just I don't know blury... so I think I may try a water change to see if it helps.. or add the carbon filter to the tank. I am guessing it is an algea bloom or something..or maybe it will clear shortly..new tank syndrome..

I have so far... a bunch of snails and hermits, 2 pajama cardinals, and a bi-colored blenny..who is now called benny. That's it.. taking it slow. Next addition will be after vacation I will start adding coral..but I want to get the tank crystal clear first. :O

 

[NC2WA]

Water changes will help but if u have snails then they could be spawning which can cause the water to be milky/cloudy