80g Shallow Reef Build

[Manose]

Lookin' good!!! Let's get some rock, sand and water in there!!

Thank you!! Yea I am excited to get this baby going, should be at the first of the week so I am making salt now in preparation.

 

[member 99594]

Thank you!! Yea I am excited to get this baby going, should be at the first of the week so I am making salt now in preparation.

The home stretch is the hardest... can't wait to see this progress.

 

[Manose]

TANK IS FINISHED!! Time for some rock and water!!!
Still have to tuck the carpet and put the trim on the bottom.

 

[Manose]

Ready for water tomorrow!!!

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Looks great! I know it isn't full yet, but how do you like the look of the Reefflakes Grand Select? I just ordered a bag since what I am using now is blowing around too much.

 

[Manose]

Looks great! I know it isn't full yet, but how do you like the look of the Reefflakes Grand Select? I just ordered a bag since what I am using now is blowing around too much.

I ended up as shown in the pic above using just one bag of regular Reefflakes. It shows 3.5mm size on the bag and they seem perfect as that is just one bag to make less than 1/2 sand bed which I was wanting.
I am filling the tank now and have some cloudiness but not bad at all cause I HATE washing sand.

 

[Manose]

Okay big day today as I added ammonia to 1.5ppm and tomorrow will dose Fritz turbo and see what happens next.
I have both pumps set at random flow up to 100% and seems really nice. The sand is holding perfectly.

 

[Manose]

Feels so good to see some water finally Added Fritz 900 turbo in the morning so will check ammonia tonight.

 

[Manose]

So I had a problem with flow as I checked the sump after about 6 hours of running and it was down about 3 in. I lowered the gate in the overflow box and marked the water level waited a few hours and it was almost 1/4 lower than original so now I have totally lowered the gate and remarked it. I hope that it works otherwise I have to either get a pump that has a lower gph from its starting point, or put a gate valve in;Rage.

The ammonia was 1.2 this morning after 8 hours it has gone down to .4 so the bacteria is doing its job.

 

[Manose]

So it seems that the pump is too much for the overflow to handle:mad: The water was 1/2 in below the waterline I made last night so it is close but not right. I will have to get a gate valve and see if that will help dial it in.

 

[Manose]

Fixed the pump problem by removing the 90deg elbow from inside the durso pipe and now she is running good!!;Woot
After the initial dose of ammonium chloride to 1.5ppm and then adding Fritz turbo start 900 I am now showing zero ammonia and sky high nitrite after 24 hours. This is a great sign that we are cycling like a madman;Wacky
Cant wait to see what the next 24hours will bring.

 

[member 99594]

Oh Nice, I just noticed the Gyres on the back. How is that working out? Looks like you will have amazing flow for the top of the rock and comes back along the bottom from the front glass.

 

[Manose]

Oh Nice, I just noticed the Gyres on the back. How is that working out? Looks like you will have amazing flow for the top of the rock and comes back along the bottom from the front glass.

Yes they seem to do the trick as I have them on random pulsing going up to 100% in manual mode.
The cycle is really doing its thing
Started with
adding ammonia to 1.5ppm
then added 1/2 cup Fritz then things started happening
day1 (24 hours after Fritz)
ammonia = .2
Nitrite = .5
Nitrate did not measure

day 2 (48 hours after Fritz)
Ammonia = zero
Nitrite = Off the chart above 1
Nitrate = did not test

day 3
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = .2
Nitrate = 10

Getting close to the full early cycle then I'll either dose ammonia again or just let it run.
Might be able to add the ATO today but it will be a busy day with the light study so we will see

 

[member 99594]

Quick question for you. Did you install the plastic piece that allows you to keep a higher water level in the tank or take it right out?

 

[Manose]

Quick question for you. Did you install the plastic piece that allows you to keep a higher water level in the tank or take it right out?

I took mine out as I felt it was slowing flow down too much. Those Gyres really make the water go crazy so I did not want it high anyway in case of a splash.

 

[member 99594]

I took mine out as I felt it was slowing flow down too much. Those Gyres really make the water go crazy so I did not want it high anyway in case of a splash.

I am buying two gyres for mine too. I also took it out and I have the return at 100% now. More flow, muahahhahah

 

[Manose]

I am buying two gyres for mine too. I also took it out and I have the return at 100% now. More flow, muahahhahah

Yea I like it so much better and I feel you will to. I am going to test my Nitrites and see if they dropped to zero and if they have it is game on.
I hooked up my ATO today in a small rubbermaid tub that sits beside the sump.

 

[Manose]

New arrivals

 

[member 99594]

Looking great!!! Love those guys.

How do you like those powerheads? I can’t seem to get mine over %30 -%50 and I am running them on the ends. The sand just flys all over!!

 

[Silver14SS]

Looking great! Our builds are turning out fairly similar - captive bred, dry rock, gyres, Apex board, etc.

Are those clowns from Coral Reef Tn?