New project

[eric.battani]

So I started a new project this weekend. I filled this 75g tank full of unseeded rock yesterday. I placed a 1600gph pump on one end for water movement, and with this shallow of a tank its a really good amount of flow. Also placed a skimmer on the other end.
I'm trying to really super charge this rock with bacteria, so I took 2 litters of skimmate from my main system and poured it all in the 75. (Yes it did smell till it mixed in the water good) Now I will continue to add the skimmate from my main tank for the next 2 weeks. Then test my levels to see how the bacteria is doing. I predict it will be to high for fish but once things level out, I might add a few chromis to the tank. And in the coming week I want to add a stock tank underneath this tank to hold more rock and macro algae along with an algae scrubber. That way i will free up some swim room for fish when I do add them.

Any thoughts or ideas on what I'm doing, should be doing, not doing?
Thanks

 

[eric.battani]

Sorry tried to post picture from phone with reef2reef app but for some reason did not show up

 

[eric.battani]

here is a picture

 

[gcrawford]

Just the rock should start a cycle... Never heard of adding skimmate, but an interesting idea. I cycled 50 lbs of dry rock recently in a brute trash can with heater and a couple of hydors for water movement. It took about two months, but could have been quicker I guess if I added something that decomposes. Pics of the testing during cycling.....

 

[gcrawford]

That's an awesome tank, what are the dimensions?

 

[eric.battani]

Well the reason for adding skimmate is because I have read so much about adding table shrimp to your tank to help cycle it. Even had a friend who did, but you have to wait for it to break down. Skimmate should equal instant start on cycle. Hopefully. Tank is 6 ft long, 18in wide and I forget how deep.

 

[H@rry]

If you've already added 2 liters of skimmate I doubt that you'll need to add any more.

 

[ChrisKey]

I agree with Harry. That stuff is already all up in the rock and seeding that bad boy quick.

I have never really read up on this method though but it seems if you run it with that skimmate you already added and not turn on your skimmer it would keep all that nasty goodness in the tank and seed it. Then when the ammonia drops, do a couple big water changes and kick that skimmer on and let it clear up the water.

 

[gcrawford]

Well the reason for adding skimmate is because I have read so much about adding table shrimp to your tank to help cycle it. Even had a friend who did, but you have to wait for it to break down. Skimmate should equal instant start on cycle. Hopefully. Tank is 6 ft long, 18in wide and I forget how deep.

That would be an amazing size for a frag tank with plenty of reachability. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

-g

 

[ChrisKey]

Yes, those are great dimensions. Where did you get an awesome tank like that?

 

[eric.battani]

Your right, it is an awesome tank for frags. But right now I'm going to use it for my saving the reef rock till I get ready to grow frags. So I won't add any more skimmate to the water then. And I'm running the skimmer on the dryer side so it doesn't all get pulled out by the skimmer. Hopefully I will get around to adding a algae scrubber this week. Then after 4weeks the rock should be ready to be sold

 

[dorky]

Wow I want to try adding skimmate on my next builds

 

[eric.battani]

So I know I have a while yet before I can add any fish, but does anyone have thoughts on what should be my first fish added? Remember it will eventually be a frag tank when i move most of the rock to a tank below this one or when i sell most of the rock. And I only want a few, no more than 5 or 6 fish total, just enough so I can see some movement other than corals. And no jumpers. Also what are some thoughts on substrate, yes or no? If yes I have plenty of crushed coral, about three hundred lbs. Also if yes, deep or shallow?

Thanks for all the advice so far.

 

[H@rry]

I'd stay away from crushed coral as it is such a detritus trap. In time it will become so nasty that it will be hard to keep your phosphates in check. I don't have any substrate in my frag tank and it is working fine. There is live rock rubble in the sump for biological filtration.

 

[ChrisKey]

No substrate is my vote.

 

[eric.battani]

So what are some thoughts on ideal fish candidates for a frag tank?

 

[dorky]

Tangs, six line wrasse, mandrine

 

[eric.battani]

So I could not believe it when I checked ammonia (just did it for fun) but it was yellow! After dumping 2 liters of skimmate on Saturday. And the skimmer has only pulled out about half a liter of skimmate. Could it half cycled ammonia that quickly? Will have check nitrates tomorrow night when I get back.

 

[ChrisKey]

Did you check ammonia right after you first set it up? And have you checked Nitrite and Nitrate to see if it is converting it? I don't think anyone that has piped in is an expert on cycling with skimmate so I don't know if we can really give good advise as to its efficiency and quickness to cycle.

 

[ChrisKey]

As for fish it depends on if you are going to cover it with anything or just leave it open. Here is what I would get (fish and inverts):

Blue Eyed Kole Tang (Green Hair Algae)
Scribbled Rabbitfish (Bubble Algae)
Six Line Wrasse (Bristle Worms)
10-15 peppermint shrimp (Aiptasia)
10 Turbo Snails [if you are going bare bottom]

...and then maybe another tang to help keep the algae down. If you are going to raise zoas and LPS you can add more, but I would keep is low stocked if you are going to put SPS in it.