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jpitkin 
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Joined: January 09 2010
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 Topic: My Tank Re-build
Posted: March 04 2010 at 10:08pm |
Ok, so I thought I would post an introduction and some photos of my tank that I just got back up this last weekend. The last time I had this tank running ~2yrs ago in a different home it was a pretty big mess, so I am hoping I learned a few things since. I still feel like somewhat of a newbie, but have learned a lot from some of the theads on this forum, so Thank you all for sharing your knowledge & experience.  So here is my 2nd try with this 50g tank. It has 4 24" PCs, a skimmer, and I think it is 350gph powerhead in the sump. This time around I rebuilt the sump with some baffles, and a friend completely rebuilt the stand and hood. Last Saturday I started the RO drip and filled it up and got ~5lbs of LR and LS. The rest is LBTR and Oolitic sand. I measured PH and Ammonia yesterday (Wed) and was fairly surprised, 7.8ph or less and ammonia was 0.2 mg/l. So now I am looking for some advice on whats I should do next, am out of budget until next week, but ready to start planning..  Here are the photos as of tonight:    Here is my wish list: -Bag of Activated carbon -MacroAlgae -1 Koralia -Better test kit -Starter Cleanup crew.. Any advice would be appreciated, what is most important next? Thanks -Josh
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tcfab
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Posted: March 04 2010 at 10:10pm |
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Thats a nice looking setup
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ksmart
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Posted: March 04 2010 at 11:49pm |
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Looks great! Just need to get that thing cycled which I think the LR and LS will help out. You need something in there that will get the ammonia up so that the bacteria that converts it into nitrites and nitrates start to grow. You could put a piece of shrimp or something in the tank for a few days and monitor your parameters once your parameters go down you can slowly add fish. Some people add a damsel(a "hardy" fish) or something during the cycle to help the process but then they try and get the fish out after and it can be a pita. Others will tune in im sure and give their 2 cents which is always great. Good luck keep us updated!
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MadReefer
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Posted: March 05 2010 at 12:22am |
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I don't like to add a test fish. I like to add just a touch of food as if there was a fish in there, just a tiny bit every day or two. Then when color start to show, about a week old, add some snails slowly. If they do well, add some more. Just a few at a time until the tank is done cycling. If anything dies remove it if you can and make sure it doesn't spike your ammonia/nitrite too high. After there is little to no ammonia or nitrite, you can add fish. It can help to wait a few months before any fish go in and this helps the little life grow. At any point you can add macro algae and very hardy corals and it may help speed up your cycle if you do. You might lose some corals if they are added too soon and some algae can be tough to grow early on. I have some coral that you might like. I could give you one frag of zoas and some xenia for free. Also I have more for $5.
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Mad Dawg
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Posted: March 05 2010 at 12:38am |
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http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244
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Todd
14g nano mixed reef project
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jpitkin
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Posted: March 05 2010 at 10:33pm |
Appreciate all the feedback. I think the cycle is progressing, noticed a lot of Brown on the LR today and some on the sandbed too. I like the idea of a tiny bit of food. I will probably wait until next week to add anything. MadReefer - I might hit you up on the frags next week, thanks for the offer. I'll keep you all updated on the progress.
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Mad Dawg
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Posted: March 05 2010 at 11:09pm |
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I added a clean up crew after the diatom bloom (brown algea). They did a great job cleaning up the tank.
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Todd
14g nano mixed reef project
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jpitkin
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Posted: March 10 2010 at 9:58pm |
Update: Here are pictures from tonight. Pretty sure the algae bloom hit it's max yesterday, no new growth today, so I tested most water params today.   Still lots of micro-bubbles on the brown algae and seeing some hair algae start on seed LR (on top). I am planning to start stocking a couple things this weekend:
-snails (should I go for 30+ now?) & a couple crabs
-soft coral frags if I can find some affordable
-macro algae for sump -new test kit
(all depends on how far my $50 budget will go)
Was going to bring water sample to LFS first too, but this is what I can measure now: Ammonia: 0.0mg/l Nitrate: <20mg/l Nitrite: <0.2mg/l Salinity: 1.0225
PH - I'm out of tests, but it was low (~7.5) about 1.5 weeks ago.
Temp: Ranges from 74 - almost 80 because of my lights, debating if I need to add fans to reduce the range. I don't want to be to aggressive in stocking, but also want to start cleaning up the bloom, will wait on fish. Thoughts/Suggestions? Also if anyone has any of my "wants" they are willing to share this weekend I'd really appreciate that too. Thanks -Josh
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Dion Richins
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Posted: March 10 2010 at 11:25pm |
I would gladely donate some macro for the sump and some starter corals like GSP, kenya ect.
I would definetly get some snails in there to start cleaning it up. Couple of crabs wouldnt hurt either.
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Luckedout
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Posted: March 11 2010 at 12:22am |
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I really like your rock work!
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-Ben
90g Mixed reef
www.body-balancechiropractic.com
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CapnMorgan
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Posted: March 11 2010 at 1:37am |
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I have some xenia I could frag for you, unfortunately that is really my only easily fragged soft coral anymore.
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Steve My Old 180G Mixed ReefCurrently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8
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Ahanix
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Posted: March 11 2010 at 1:29pm |
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Yeah, just go to aquatica and get one of their reef cleaner packages, pretty cheap and its worked great on my cube so far. you get 10 snails, 10 hermit crabs, an emerald crab and a starfish for $29 They have larger packages for $40 or $50 that would fit your tank better, but they have kept my tank super clean.
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