29 gallon reef tank build.

[Reefer805]

Your Params are looking good. Rule of thumb, atleast for me, as a beginner I would wait a month until I add things to the tank including CUC. Also, most people would tell you theres no need for the light during the cycle since that would only create a larger bloom. How are the koralias working for you? I had them on my super old 20 gallon and seemed to be super loud.

Lights are off all day except for pictures.
The koralias are super quiet.

 

[Mr.Rocc]

Lights are off all day except for pictures.
The koralias are super quiet.

Thats awesome! mine worked wonders they were just super loud but that was maybe 8-10 years ago

 

[Reefer805]

Looking good! I like how you hung your light... I had to hang my 48" T5 lights from the ceiling and ended up having to add a support to the ceiling. I wonder if I could have implemented your method somehow. Keep it up!

Thank you. I pondered for a long time on how to hang it without using a canopy or going all the way to the ceiling. Came out better than I expected, plus I gained a storage shelf.

 

[Reefer805]

Update
Day 18 of cycle.
Parameters
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 10ppm
Phosphate 0.25ppm
Ph 8.3
dKh 13
Calcium 420ppm

Also finally got my inTank media basket for my Aquaclear 110 and my Tunze 9001 skimmer installed. Running Biomax, Purigen, carbon, and phosgard at the moment to get phosphates and silicates down. Any other advice would be appreciated.

 

[zachxlutz]

That's a neat basket for that AquaClear. I have an old AquaClear 110 lying around... If I ever decide to use it for something I know what I'll be getting for it!

 

[Reefer805]

So I figured out how to stop the micro bubbles from getting in the tank! Filter floss! So far so good!

 

[Reefer805]

Day 26 of reef tank cycle.

Clean up crew "installed"


26 dwarf ceriths snails

11 Nassarius snails

10 Florida Ceriths snails

8 Nerite snails

6 hermit crabs


Hopefully this crew eats my algae problem away.

 

[zachxlutz]

I'm sure that crew will help keep things tidy. Time will help the most though. That's what I keep telling myself!

 

[Reefer805]

I'm sure that crew will help keep things tidy. Time will help the most though. That's what I keep telling myself!

I'm using Red Sea algae control because I have GHA. Ugh... should of bought a bottle of vodka instead lol. Got buzzed and fixed the algae. Lights are down to 5 hours a day. I have a candy cane coral and a zoanthus so no light is not an option. Ugh x2. Patience is a virtue I'm told. LOL

 

[Reefer805]

Ok fellow reefers!

I just added GFO to my media.

I'm now running in this order the water flows,

Double floss

Phosgard

Purigen

Carbon

GFO

Biomax

Overflows into second compartment and into the skimmer.

This ought to lower my phosphates and silicates.

Crossing fingers ‍

 

[Reefer805]

Well I came home to this three days ago!
All parameters are ideal.
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Kinda stumped?
Hammer coral won't open. Fish are fine.
Bacterial bloom?
New tank uglies?

 

[zachxlutz]

It's more than likely a little bacterial bloom. I'd do a water change and just let it run it's course. Maybe swap out your carbon for some fresh to pull any toxins out of the water.

 

[phytofish]

Sweet 29gal! I had a 29gal for my first tank and loved it. Also love what you did with the aquaclear110!

 

[Reefer805]

Getting back from Cabo after I feared the worst. Left my tank in a bacterial bloom.
Came back to this.
Keep in mind I didn't touch anything before I left I uncomplicated my filtration.
All I used was filter floss carbon and live rock rubble.
My skimmer was set to normal skim and was producing dark skimmate when I came back.
all tank mates and corals are extremely healthy and happy.
Thanks to Peter F. Grasso for guiding me through the new tank uglies and really educating me on husbandry and the general upkeep of my reef tank. Thanks to my fiancé for topping off the water and keeping my fish company while I was away.

 

[zachxlutz]

Glad you came back to a good looking tank... Sometimes, hand off really is the best approach.

 

[Reefer805]

Week 6 and cycle is complete. Tank has a ways to go as far as maturity.
But I added another coral!
Euphyllia glabrescens... the torch coral, also known as a Pom Pom coral or trumpet coral. One of my favorites and so beautiful! #reeftank #coral #torchcoral #euphyllia #frag #saltwateraquarium #polyplab #aquariumconnection #hammercoral

 

[Reefer805]

I decided to save my local aquarium stores frogspawn after thier coral tank had a mechanical failure. Added it to my "Euphyllia Garden"
Looks very happy after a day to acclimate.

 

[Reefraft]

Lights are off all day except for pictures.
The koralias are super quiet.

Are the koralias on the controller?

 

[Reefraft]

I thought about going with an all euphyllia tank once. That's a nice looking garden you have there

 

[Reefer805]

Are the koralias on the controller?

Yes the koralias are on the controller. Alternating every 5 mins.
And thank you. My reef is my artistic outlet. I suffer from severe anxiety and depression and this is how I cope.