Equipment advice

[NikkiNoo]

I have been cycling my Aqua One Reefsy 255.

I have a pump that flows through the stock nozzles
Caribbean live sand
Dry rock
A skimmer
Heater

What else do I need before adding live stock?

Do I need a powerhead or a wave maker?

Pics of seneye reading and tank attached. Any advice is much appreciated. I’m aware that I need to get my temp up a wee bit

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

You will definitely want to add a wave maker of some sort to get more flow going. How long has the tank been cycling? Also, what was used to cycle it?

 

[Gman83]

I would put a power head/ wave maker in it. The stock pump probably won't give you enough surface agitation for appropriate gas exchange.

If you think you are going to want to do corals at some point, you will need more flow than just your return pump. You don't need to buy a crazy expensive name brand either. Something like jebao would be great.. Get a small (in terms of gph/lph) wave maker to run across the top. Then a small wavemaker to hit any dead zones.

Then if you are doing coral, you'd need a light.

 

[NikkiNoo]

You will definitely want to add a wave maker of some sort to get more flow going. How long has the tank been cycling? Also, what was used to cycle it?

 

[NikkiNoo]

Dosed with Dr Tims beneficial bacteria and ammonium about 3 weeks ago. Tank been running for about 5 weeks.


I’ll be adding corals in about 6 months once I have a light. Do I need more flow for the fish? Or would the wave maker be for when I have corals?

This is an upgrade from my Fluval evo. I had a great experience with that but I didn’t need all of the additional equipment with that so I’m just trying to figure out what else I need before adding my fish to this tank.

Two clowns
Tuxedo urchin
False grammar
Crabs
Snails etc..

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

The extra flow will help keep the water oxygenated provided there is plenty of surface agitation. Both your fish and invertebrates will benefit from that. Also, I'd say add a clown pair later. If they're already a bonded pair or they bond after being added they may not like having roommates. lol

I had a 20 gallon with a mated pair of clowns and the female didn't want anything else in that tank. Including my hands when cleaning.

 

[NikkiNoo]

The extra flow will help keep the water oxygenated provided there is plenty of surface agitation. Both your fish and invertebrates will benefit from that. Also, I'd say add a clown pair later. If they're already a bonded pair or they bond after being added they may not like having roommates. lol

I had a 20 gallon with a mated pair of clowns and the female didn't want anything else in that tank. Including my hands when cleaning.

Ha ha yes, this has crossed my mind. All of my fish were juveniles when I added them to my Fluval evo.

I’ll add the paired clowns last then. I might buy a couple of new fish before adding them. Not sure what yet. I think my false grammar will be fine if I add her first with some new fish.

 

[I never finish anythi]

Looking good so far . Is there a reason you run the temp at 23.7 ? I keep mine at 25 to 25.3 degrees. Maybe I'm missing something!

No hate just asking?

 

[I never finish anythi]

Looking good so far . Is there a reason you run the temp at 23.7 ? I keep mine at 25 to 25.3 degrees. Maybe I'm missing something!

No hate just asking?

Sorry I now read tho op post properly. My bad

 

[NikkiNoo]

Sorry I now read tho op post properly. My bad

Yeah, I went away mid cycle and it was a bit low when I returned. I’ve turned the heater up so it should go up to the right temp soon.

I keep my Fluval evo at 25.8 so I’m aiming for that

 

[PharmrJohn]

A question for ya.....The dry rock, was that from a previous tank? I don't see a PO4 value in your test results. Just want to make sure your rock isn't leeching PO4.

 

[NikkiNoo]

No, I bought it from someone. He had it previously in his marine tank.


I’m gonna take my water down to my local reef shop to get the phosphate tested tomorrow

 

[PharmrJohn]

No, I bought it from someone. He had it previously in his marine tank.


I’m gonna take my water down to my local reef shop to get the phosphate tested tomorrow

Very well. Yeah, if you didn't cure it prior to putting it into the tank, you may measure a PO4 level of 1.4 to 2.0 depending on how bad it is. To give you an idea, I've got about 150# from my last tank. To clean it, I'm gonna pressure wash it, let dry, do a bleach treatment, let dry, pressure wash again, rinse with RODI then cure it in a Brute for about 6 months (with MB7, a heater and a powerhead).

 

[NikkiNoo]

Oh god, I hope mine is ok then..

 

[NikkiNoo]

I was told that because they’ll be in there for 6 weeks before adding anything they’d be ok. Oh dear

 

[I never finish anythi]

I was told that because they’ll be in there for 6 weeks before adding anything they’d be ok. Oh dear

You be good . Just let the tank settle for a few weeks and keep up on the water change schedule and see where the nutrients settle down . Don't chase numbers. I've had a po4 of 1.0 and nitrate at 50ppm and had no problems.

 

[alanr3]

Buy quality maintenance supplies (clamps, buckets, extra salt, possible a RODI system) some sort of test kits for Alk, Ca, Mg (nothing crazy expensive if you’re not doing corals). Once you get into corals maybe invest in some quality lights, dosing system