Suzanne May 180 Gallon Reef Build

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lost power yesterday at 5am so I already had my emergency training
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just curious, what did you learn from this? were you prepared? (for the next time it happens and you do have a fully stock system)
 
@suzannemay,

Congrats on your beautiful tank. +1 on you being in good hands with OBD. Also welcome to the Renton/Kent reefers club. There are a lot of reefers in our area so if you are in an reef emergency, a lot of people close by can help you.

Where are you in Renton. Im in Benson Area, 98031

Have fun!!!

Cesar
 
NC2WA said:
just curious, what did you learn from this? were you prepared? (for the next time it happens and you do have a fully stock system)
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@NC2WA.. well I learned a few things.. I need to be able to manage Oxygen, heat, and ammonia build up. Essentially..I need to get some battery back up. None acquired at this time I am looking into it. I also learned that the sump was filled to the correct level :) No water damage :)

I have 2 trash cans full of water for the ability to do quick water changes if needed. So I think I have the ammonia issue covered.

@pandora...giant spoon..hehe..funny.
 
Katchupoy said:
@suzannemay,

Congrats on your beautiful tank. +1 on you being in good hands with OBD. Also welcome to the Renton/Kent reefers club. There are a lot of reefers in our area so if you are in an reef emergency, a lot of people close by can help you.

Where are you in Renton. Im in Benson Area, 98031

Have fun!!!

Cesar
Click to expand...

Nice to meet ya Cesar! I am on the other side above Boeing field so 98057 area.
See ya around.
 
So cycling tips..

Here are my test numbers so far..am I supposed to be doing water changes regularly during the cycle? If so when?
Ammonia <0.25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 1mg
Salinity 35ppt or 1.0265
PH range between 7.98-8.1
temp 78.8

Lights are on between 7am-8pm
under cabinet light 9pm-6am(fuge).
 
Wow! I just finished reading this entire thread and I must say.....WOOT WOOT for you!! What a wonderful journey and I personally am enjoying the ride :) Very well articulated! So much so my arms are tired from all that sanding-hehe :) Definitely going to enjoy watching this tank mature. Keep up the wonderful work Suzanne, you should be proud!
 
NanaReefer said:
Wow! I just finished reading this entire thread and I must say.....WOOT WOOT for you!! What a wonderful journey and I personally am enjoying the ride :) Very well articulated! So much so my arms are tired from all that sanding-hehe :) Definitely going to enjoy watching this tank mature. Keep up the wonderful work Suzanne, you should be proud!
Click to expand...

Thanks! So far it has been worth all the work! I put a couple of live rock in today..waiting for that spike...for the cycle to kick off....
 
suzanne,

you should not do water changes during the cycle until ammonia AND nitrites read 0. period. sounds like u have some more cycling to do...when ammonia and nitrites read 0 do a 10-15% water change and then monitor...i would not put anything delicate or too much in the tank as u can still have a minor ammonia spike....go slow with fish or corals...
 
That is what I thought but I figured I should ask just in case. Better to be safe than sorry. :)
Now on to figure out how to setup the heater with the controller.. for some reason it is not working right. Tank is too hot. I have it set to to turn on at 75 and off at 75.9 but it doesn't turn off..maybe the controller and my heater do not play together. Time to research..the tank currently is staying at around 75-79..
 
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what does Apex support say? does ViaAqua heaters work with this controller?

I use DA, not Apex, so I am no help here...sorry...
 
Congats on getting your tank to the cycling stage. Now it is a waiting game.
You have done a great job on your build. My hat is off to you in how you have approached the whole Saltwater mania. You research, You ask, And you use the advice that was given.

IMO your really dont need to have your lights on during your cycle. I know its nice to set back a see what all your hard work has led to.

Think generator, X-mas is coming. Let hubby know you would go halves on one if he really wants one.
 
+ 1 to what Dave said esp.the generator. Imo for any large aquarium a generator is a must and should be added to the budget. U r protecting an investment is how I see it..if u can afford autostandby unit, get it..makes life alot easier
 
Alrighty, I figured out the controller issue. My heater readout is a degree higher well really .6 degree than the APEX readout. I have got the heater to now work with the controller and will work on tightening up the heat flux to try to keep it at a stable temperature. I am also playing with lighting to control the heat by switching to blue when it gets to hot. I have cranked up the fans inside the cabinet and hood as well. I am using this cycle time as a way to practice reef keeping and maintaining equipment and keeping stable environment.

I agree about the generator.. I will need to look into options for that any suggestions on brands and such?
Next on the list is getting an electrician to wire my outlets for GFCI.. Plus I have switches attached to the lower outlets that I want removed so there will be no accidental flipping off the tank by light switch.
 
Thanks for the info.. I have been watching CL for possible generator options along with maybe power inverters. generators seem like a better option though because you can add gas to keep them going. I have seen several for around $300-500 that would serve the purpose of just the tank and maybe a fridge. Both I would have to be present to hook up..so better get that email notice setup for when the power goes out on the apex..
 
ok. GFI outlets and dedicated circuits installed.

The tank cycle has been interesting but slow as expected. I have had zero ammonia and nitrites but Nitrate went and spiked and went back to zero. Now they could have been more than zero at that time but we had a family medical emergency so I couldn't test what the actual spike was.. but now that everyone is healthy and better I have tested again..
Now ammonia is slowwwwwly rising. So we are on our way. Algea is blooming, rocks are starting to be covered.
 
sounds like a mini spike is happening..which is expected on a newly cycled tank...i would hold off adding anything until water param stabilize.
 
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