120g startup!

Michael E. · Jan 9, 2017

Hey R2R!

Here is a 120g reef with 30g sump setup. The tank was setup 2 weeks ago and is currently cycling.

Tank, Rock and Sand:
-120g DT. I installed a black piece of 1/4" acrylic on the back of the inside of the tank for aesthetics.
-100lbs fiji pink live sand
-Approx 110lbs of dry rock
-Approx 10lbs of live rock from my other established reef tank.

My Parameters so far: Test Kit: API
Ammonia-.25ppm (from 2ppm)
Nitrite- 2-3ppm
Nitrate- 20ppm

Definitely right in the beginning to middle of the cycle. As soon at the nitrates start getting a little higher i might start doing some smaller water changed to bring them down.

For Mag, I use a red sea test kit. I used to use red sea for all testing. I ended up testing less because I couldn't stand how annoying the red sea test kits were. Even if in reality, the API test kits are less accurate, I test more. If I find a problem, i ALWAYS double check with either the LFS or another kit.

Note: I did use 3 32oz bottles of Fritzzyme 9. I added the bottle on day one, let the tank settle for a couple days, and then started dosing pure ammonia to the system. I was able to maintain 2ppm (only needed to dose a couple times) for the week. I stopped dosing when i started seeing nitrites. I also added a pinch of flake food to add some phosphates (per the support staff Fritzzyme).

Water Flow:
-Two PP20 wave makers that are linked together
-One is set to 30%, the other is at 20%. Both placed on opposite sides of the tank.
-eFlux 1900GPH DC pump. It is currently set to operate at roughyl 60% of its capacity.

Filtration:
-Overflow box in the DT is running into a filter sock. I was concerned about the noise at first. So after about 10 attempts I made a drain/vent that similiar to a Durso drain. However, mine is virtually silent.
-Simplicity 240DC skimmer (not currently being ran during the cycle)
-Bio Pellet reactor
-Carbon Reactor
-BRS reactor (not currently being used)

Lighting:
-3 kessil A360W tuna blue lights controlled with a kessil controller.
-Lights are currently not being ran during the cycle process.

Heater:
-400W aquatop heater with digital display

ATO and Water:
-Tunze ATO 3155
-10G Rubbermaid recycling bin used as reservoir
-I use the RO Buddy filter with a DI addition. Its slow, but the water is consistently showing 0 on my TDS meter. Ive been using it for a couple years, and just as long as i maintain the filter, it seems to be fine.

Misc:
-I am running a 10g hospital tank under the DT (been up and running for over a month). Obviously not connected to anything on the DT, I plan on using it for every fish purchase.
-UPS Battery backup for the Main Pump and hospital tank pump only
-Nest camera for the main tank,
-Nest camera for the filter chamber
-Nest camera for the hospital tank

prsnlty · Jan 9, 2017

Looks great! Following

Michael E. · Jan 9, 2017

prsnlty said:
Looks great! Following

Thank you!

usernam invalid · Jan 9, 2017

Nice start

I would highly suggest removing all the metal hose clamps and replacing them with the plastic clips. They will rust, one on the return pump looks like it has already started to.

Michael E. · Jan 9, 2017

usernam invalid said:
Nice start

I would highly suggest removing all the metal hose clamps and replacing them with the plastic clips. They will rust, one on the return pump looks like it has already started to.

Your absolutely right. It's been bugging me since startup. Can you post of pic of the plastic ones you're talking about?

usernam invalid · Jan 9, 2017

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ratchet-clamp-for-tubing-1-6684828461f4e5bda1e2a33b5e0db6d3.html

Michael E. · Jan 9, 2017

usernam invalid said:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/ratchet-clamp-for-tubing-1-6684828461f4e5bda1e2a33b5e0db6d3.html

Awesome! Thanks

4FordFamily · Jan 11, 2017

Making headway!

Michael E. · Jan 11, 2017

Update! I went neurotic and switched up my aquascape! Instead of having all the rocks leaned up on the back, I moved them to the middle of the tank. Even though i prefer the other look a little better, I figured the having the rock in the middle served a greater purpose.

I was able to move one wave maker to the front left side of the tank, and the other to the back right side of the tank. The water seems less chaotic, but still have awesome flow throughout the whole tank. Both front and back of the rocks are getting good flow now. There is also a lot more room for the future fish to swim around

What do you guys think??

The picture isnt the best, but you should be able to get the idea.

I also had a Ro buddie explosion last night in my mechanical room. A spectrapure max cap is on the way!

sneub · Jan 11, 2017

Looks awesome, a 120 is a great size. As for the kessils, I have three myself and LOVE them, the shimmer can't be beat! These light are powerful. Now I also supplement mine with t5's This will allow more light coverage and bump the PAR level, but it will reduce the shimmer a bit, which is okay for me. I have also thought about adding one more Kessil and removing the t5s. Man the choices...
Looking forward to see what becomes of your tank!

Michael E. · Jan 12, 2017

sneub said:
Looks awesome, a 120 is a great size. As for the kessils, I have three myself and LOVE them, the shimmer can't be beat! These light are powerful. Now I also supplement mine with t5's This will allow more light coverage and bump the PAR level, but it will reduce the shimmer a bit, which is okay for me. I have also thought about adding one more Kessil and removing the t5s. Man the choices...
Looking forward to see what becomes of your tank!

So far I like them! The shimmer is definitely unlike any other light ive had. Its hard to tell in the picture, but the kessil on the far right is having a problem matching the other colors. The two left are more of a purplish blue while the right is a bluish green. I guess it happens every now and then. They're sending me a replacement soon. I like the idea of four though.

sneub · Jan 16, 2017

I have three Kessils total (not using all) and one does not match the color of the others, it bothered me at first but now not worried about it.
With mine, one does not get as blue at the other two but only slightly. So Kessil is replacing the one with the bluish green look to it? That is amazing that Kessil would do that.

Michael E. · Jan 17, 2017

sneub said:
I have three Kessils total (not using all) and one does not match the color of the others, it bothered me at first but now not worried about it.
With mine, one does not get as blue at the other two but only slightly. So Kessil is replacing the one with the bluish green look to it? That is amazing that Kessil would do that.

Yep! I guess its a problem that pops up with them every now n then. The color change doesn't bother me as much as much as the "dim" look it gives off. You have me thinking about adding a 4th as the tank becomes more stocked!

Michael E. · Jan 17, 2017

The tank is cycled!

Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrites: Had a HUGE spike, but literally went to zero in a couple days.
Nitrates: Ive been able to keep them at 20 (last test prior to today was about 5 days ago). However, when I checked today, they were at 10. So either algae is coming, my bio-pellets are helping grow the anaerobic bacteria, or both!

I added a pair of clowns from my old tank and a few Anthias. Ive been keeping on eye on all params, and nothing has moved. Ammonia and Nitrites still at zero. Nitrates staying under 10.