Evo 13.5 cycle feedback

[Xero_ID]

I started the cycle on 2/15 and it looks pretty good. I guess I'd just like some feedback and tips to make sure I'm on the right path ( I'm always really nervous about ******* life up) and hopefully at end of cycle phase. Unfortunately I'm using API test kit for right now but am looking at getting money together for something better.

Huge boom on nitrates 3 days ago and now back down and diatoms are almost gone, is that good? I can give previous tests of need as I've been testing every 3 days.

Also I'm using intake basket 1 with poly fill, carbon and last chamber is fruval biomax.

 

[rmorris_14]

Did you start the cycle with any bottled bacteria? I like your rock scape

 

[Xero_ID]

Thank you, nope I used a raw shrimp to cycle

Did you start the cycle with any bottled bacteria? I like your rock scape

Thank you, the most painful part is the aquascape I feel. I used a raw shrimp for cycle.

This is the side facing my desk

 

[rmorris_14]

Thank you, nope I used a raw shrimp to cycle

Thank you, the most painful part is the aquascape I feel. I used a raw shrimp for cycle.

This is the side facing my desk

I'd say you are definitely headed in the right direction. Give it another couple weeks to make sure your nitrifying bacteria builds to a level that can handle a fish. Do you have any thoughts on what your first fish will be?

 

[olonmv]

I used API for my cycle. Felt the ammonia test and the nitrite test do enough for the cycle period. My experience was that ammonia always had a very slight hue of green but majority yellow when my cycle finished. Once my nitrite showed zero I threw in a clown and it did good. I too have an evo. Research test kits and see which you like. I ended up with Hanna checkers after spending on red sea kits. A digital readout is what I prefer.

 

[olonmv]

Thank you, nope I used a raw shrimp to cycle

Thank you, the most painful part is the aquascape I feel. I used a raw shrimp for cycle.

This is the side facing my desk

I also used the prawn method. At about the month mark is when my cycle was ready.

 

[Xero_ID]

awesome thanks all, I'm feeling better about the direction its going and how I'm doing.

Fish list over time:
Exquisite Firefish or Orchid Dottyback
Blackline Blenny or Panamic Barnacle Blenny
Court Jester Goby

 

[Xero_ID]

I used API for my cycle. Felt the ammonia test and the nitrite test do enough for the cycle period. My experience was that ammonia always had a very slight hue of green but majority yellow when my cycle finished. Once my nitrite showed zero I threw in a clown and it did good. I too have an evo. Research test kits and see which you like. I ended up with Hanna checkers after spending on red sea kits. A digital readout is what I prefer.

Hanna checker is what I'm looking at, just so pricey and I'm trying to buy a new light. Which checkers should I focus on after cycle?

 

[olonmv]

I don’t know a bunch about fish behavior and I’m sure you’ve read, make sure you add the most territorial fish last.

 

[olonmv]

Hanna checker is what I'm looking at, just so pricey and I'm trying to buy a new light. Which checkers should I focus on after cycle?

I thought the same but soooooooo worth it in the end. Testing with Hanna doesn’t feel like a chore.
If you plan on doing coral id go ahead and start investing in alk, phosphate and calcium are the bigs.

I have all three along with salinity tester and nitrate checker.

 

[rmorris_14]

Hanna checker is what I'm looking at, just so pricey and I'm trying to buy a new light. Which checkers should I focus on after cycle?

I think it depends on what kind of tank you want to have. Corals? softies or SPS? If you arent planning on having anything difficult, most none hanna checkers would ok for awhile to give you a close enough range. If you start dosing, or adding corals or live stock with specific high needs, I would get the hannas that you need accurate readings to support those needs. Just my opinon

 

[Xero_ID]

I think it depends on what kind of tank you want to have. Corals? softies or SPS? If you arent planning on having anything difficult, most none hanna checkers would ok for awhile to give you a close enough range. If you start dosing, or adding corals or live stock with specific high needs, I would get the hannas that you need accurate readings to support those needs. Just my opinon

Looking at corals but not ill end of year start of new year. I dont want anything tough as I'm looking at just Xenia, Star polyps and maybe something like Fox coral or Toadstool. I want a nice sublime tank to daze off to and relax

 

[rmorris_14]

Looking at corals but not ill end of year start of new year. I dont want anything tough as I'm looking at just Xenia, Star polyps and maybe something like Fox coral or Toadstool. I want a nice sublime tank to daze off to and relax

having read that, I would think your first hanna checker would be a phosphate one. I really think you can run your tank off salifert tests until you get into something with higher requirements. you might need to reconsider if you run into issues and you need to dial in specific numbers, in order to troubleshoot. Do you plan on doing water changes?

 

[DavidinGA]

If it makes ya feel any better I cycled an evo 13.5 a few months back and never tested for anything. I also setup a 90g about the same time and I've never bothered to test for anything on it either. Water, LR, frozen shrimp, when the diatoms show up and go away I'm done.

 

[Xero_ID]

having read that, I would think your first hanna checker would be a phosphate one. I really think you can run your tank off salifert tests until you get into something with higher requirements. you might need to reconsider if you run into issues and you need to dial in specific numbers, in order to troubleshoot. Do you plan on doing water changes?

Looking at weekly changes with the cuc and fish stock. I'm going to assume I may need to dose for some corals but not thinking that far right now. I was looking at red sea as I read a lot of mixed reviews on Salifert. Should I mix brands?

 

[rmorris_14]

Looking at weekly changes with the cuc and fish stock. I'm going to assume I may need to dose for some corals but not thinking that far right now. I was looking at red sea as I read a lot of mixed reviews on Salifert. Should I mix brands?

As long as you keep up with regular water changes, you shouldn't run into any issues. I read a lot of people mixing brands. NYOS seems to be the preferred choice for nitrates. I kind of like my salifert nitrate though. I think its relative and everyone has an opinion about what they like better.

 

[Xero_ID]

Thank you rmorris I will try Salifert and slowly add Hanna kit. Hopefully I can get a HD Prime in a few months. I was also wondering on my filtration should I wash off the Biomax or replace it (monthly?)

 

[olonmv]

Once your rock and sand has beneficial bacteria you can toss that bio media. I’d say 6 months to be safe. I never cahanged mine. Just tossed it after a while.

 

[rmorris_14]

Thank you rmorris I will try Salifert and slowly add Hanna kit. Hopefully I can get a HD Prime in a few months. I was also wondering on my filtration should I wash off the Biomax or replace it (monthly?)

Don't replace it. That is what is holding onto your bacteria and biodiversity. If you are running the stock sponge filter, the only thing you should be replacing is the carbon. You will want to rinse off the sponge and biomax, during a water change ever so often. Also, with the stocking list you mentioned, I would consider purchasing the intank media basket and run your filtration through that. I run the stock setup but mine is only for inverts and corals.
Also, If you have the stock return pump, and you notice a decrease in flow, remove it, take the cap off and clean out the sponge that sits around the propeller. I have to do this every couple of weeks, but I feed my turbo snails a lot of nori.

 

[Xero_ID]

Don't replace it. That is what is holding onto your bacteria and biodiversity. If you are running the stock sponge filter, the only thing you should be replacing is the carbon. You will want to rinse off the sponge and biomax, during a water change ever so often. Also, with the stocking list you mentioned, I would consider purchasing the intank media basket and run your filtration through that. I run the stock setup but mine is only for inverts and corals.
Also, If you have the stock return pump, and you notice a decrease in flow, remove it, take the cap off and clean out the sponge that sits around the propeller. I have to do this every couple of weeks, but I feed my turbo snails a lot of nori.

Yep running intank basket 1 and a sicce.5 pump. I saw that sponge and new right away that would be trouble and work.