Fluval spec iii build

[DustanT]

So soon i'll be setting up my new tank and posting my progress. Currently I'm preparing the tank and gathering equipment. I built a media basket for the back and ordering a better return pump.
Live stock idea's so far
zoa's
pulsing xenia
Mushrooms
Ricordea
hermit crabs
snails
sexy shimp

I'll be staining the stand in the spring and making the door and somehow making it light tight.

 

[DustanT]

Worked on the filter today, added a finger grip and a water flap to the overflow to direct the water into the filter tray. I made the flap hingable (is that a word?) out of silicone so I can just fold it up and pull out the basket. Return pump will be in Thursday (Hydor 160) and should be ready to start up this tank.


Ok so new pump is in and tank is now wet and dosed with ammonia to start the cycle off. Now the wait



Added a pex 4 port 1/2 tube and I smashed the end to flare out the Jets. It looks pretty good and works well.

 

[DustanT]

reserved

 

[DustanT]

So it's been almost 3 weeks with 4-5ppm ammonia and no nitrites are forming. I grabbed a few rock ruble from my lfs in hope it would jump start the cycle but so far nothing, very odd.

 

[DustanT]

Overnight we got color and some brown!

 

[DustanT]

Anyone use a Hydor Pico Evo-Mag 180 as a return pump? I have tried a 160 and now this 180 and both are very loud and sounds like the impeller is rubbing on the side. Should I just use a MJ 606?

 

[LadyMac]

No help in the pumps but I love the rockwork. What’s the stocking plans?

 

[DustanT]

Thanks! Was going to just add a CUC and go from there. Thinking zoa garden with a torch or frogspawn, maybe a rock anemone. I think the lighting I get will give me a better idea of what will thrive. At this point fish are not in the plans but could change if there is some tiny fish that will work.

 

[DustanT]

After closer inspection the problem with the hydor pumps is the cheap unbalanced impellers and slop in the shaft.....

 

[DustanT]

So last night my heater I guess stopped working and tank dropped to 74° did this kill my diatoms? The rocks where good and brown and now almost clean and the filter is dark brown.

 

[DustanT]

Ammonia dropped to 0 last night so dosed 2ppm. Have +5 nitrite and+20 nitrate. Getting close! Keeping the temperature in the mid 80's really speeds things up.

 

[DustanT]

So last night my heater I guess stopped working and tank dropped to 74° did this kill my diatoms? The rocks where good and brown and now almost clean and the filter is dark brown.

So I replicated the odd die off at night. Seems when the lights go out most of the brown on the rocks fall off and get sucked up in the filter. While that is going on some is growing on the battom glass. Seems they die when the lights are off.

Another note is 2ppm ammonia takes 24 hours to convert. Supper dark purple on the test tube for nitrite.
0 ammonia
+++5 nitrite
20 nitrate

My last tank took 2 months to cycle, so I think the pure ammonia and higher temps really speeds things up.

 

[DustanT]

With a higher temp 88° I started to use a power head with the aerator to get some oxygen in the water.

 

[DVR]

Nice job on this tank so far. Are you planning to keep it bare bottom?

 

[DustanT]

Nice job on this tank so far. Are you planning to keep it bare bottom?

That is my plan right now, I like the clean look

 

[DustanT]

Kinda surprised how long this is taking, still over 5 nitrites ;Bored

 

[dilligaf29]

coming along nicely. one thing id stay away from the pulsing xenia its will overun that tank in no time lol dont ask me how i know

 

[DustanT]

Trying to control temp, small tanks must be hard to control?

 

[NS Mike D]

I found that during the winter my heater didn't have enough juice to hold temperature at night. So now, I use 2 heaters connected to a temperature controller , set them both for 78° and the use the controller to shut them off at 80° if one (or both) fail to turn off. The extra wattage keeps the tank from dropping winter nights when the house temp goes down to 65°. The controller is the best $30 I spent on the tank.

https://www.amazon.com/WILLHI-Tempe...sr=1-1&keywords=willhi+temperature+controller

 

[DustanT]

I'll look into that for sure, My problem is its to warm. At night the house drops to 68 and the tank is at 80 still. I think my cheap heater temp sensor is not right.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DGHG8...t=&hvlocphy=9017622&hvtargid=pla-354598209525