New tank setup

[Mike Arnold]

I'm not sure where to start; I'm starting a new reef tank and need some advice on everything from cycling tank to programming my apex controller to maintaining water parameters etc....

I should have joined this community before I started this project.

I've completed the following steps already

1. purchased a used 75 gallon reef ready aquarium
2. sanded, buffed, and polished the acrylic
3. built the stand
4. plumbed to ruby 36s sump
5. installed apex controller
6. installed Eheim 1262 return pump
7. purchased two Jebao RW-8 flow pumps
8. purchased 140 lbs of natures ocean 0.5 - 1.7mm live sand for dsb
9. purchased 50lbs pukani dry rock
10. built saltwater mixing station out of two 32 gallon brute garbage cans

I plan on starting the nitrogen cycle this weekend, but need a little a little advice on how to get started.

Since my saltwater mixing station is only 32 gallons, it will take for ever to fill the tank and sump. I'm wondering

1. since this is a new setup, if it would be ok to fill it with tap water?
2. should I fill the tank with water and test pluming before adding rock and sand?
3. or, could I just add a few gallons of water, add sand and rock, then fill tank and sump.

NOTE: I haven't purchased lights or skimmer yet. I'm assuming that I can cycle the tank without lights. I do have some compact fluorescence that came with the tank, but I don't want to use them. I plan on purchasing LED's or T5's. I was pretty stuck on purchasing LED, but seems like T5's are still very relevant and deserve some consideration.

Lighting is for another discussion. Right now, I just need some advice on starting the cycle.
Tank and Sump

Thanks

 

[NanaReefer]

Filling tank with tap water to leak test is fine. Any other time no. I've always added sand, rock then water. Others will do it differently.
You can cycle tank without lights. It's actually preferred to discourage nuisance algae growth.
Many have started their cycle using the "raw shrimp" method. Other use bacteria in a bottle.
Personal preference.

 

[Mike Arnold]

I've already leak tested the tank and sump, so I think you are saying that I should mix the saltwater with rodi to cycle the tank; I kind of figured that is what I needed to do, but was hoping someone would say it is ok to cycle with tap water.

Ok, I'll take the time to mix the saltwater 30 gallons at a time

Thanks for the help

 

[Black Pearl]

you might want to read a few articles about curing the pukani dry rock to rid it of the phosphates, if you haven't already
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/curing-dry-rock-help.183227/ here is a good place to start

 

[NanaReefer]

Those of us with bigger tanks know your pain-lol. Just remember, you only gotta do it once [emoji2] You'll be avoiding a nasty algae outbreak.

 

[Black Pearl]

Patients and attention to detail is the key to success in this hobby

 

[Black Pearl]

double post

 

[Gabriel Garcia]

I feel your pain lol I have the same 32 gallon brutes and a 210g tank 40g sump to fill. But defiantly go with RO water.

 

[Mike Arnold]

you might want to read a few articles about curing the pukani dry rock to rid it of the phosphates, if you haven't already
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/curing-dry-rock-help.183227/ here is a good place to start

Thanks Black Pearl. I was going to try to "kill two birds with one stone" and cycle/cure at the same time. I'm going to go ahead and cure the rock first.

 

[Mike Arnold]

I feel your pain lol I have the same 32 gallon brutes and a 210g tank 40g sump to fill. But defiantly go with RO water.

It's taken me 8 months to get to this point. I was looking for shortcuts. I'll go ahead and take the time to mix the rodi. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Black Pearl]

good idea much less messy and can be done in one of you brutes

 

[Mike Arnold]

Those of us with bigger tanks know your pain-lol. Just remember, you only gotta do it once [emoji2] You'll be avoiding a nasty algae outbreak.

yes, I thought that I could cycle, cure, and avoid a "nasty algae outbreak", but it looks like that is not the case. I defiantly want to avoid that outbreak.. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[Mike Arnold]

good idea much less messy and can be done in one of you brutes

Yep, I'll start the curing process in my mixing station as soon as I get home from work.. Thanks

 

[Mike Arnold]

I'm not sure where to start; I'm starting a new reef tank and need some advice on everything from cycling tank to programming my apex controller to maintaining water parameters etc....

I should have joined this community before I started this project.

I've completed the following steps already

1. purchased a used 75 gallon reef ready aquarium
2. sanded, buffed, and polished the acrylic
3. built the stand
4. plumbed to ruby 36s sump
5. installed apex controller
6. installed Eheim 1262 return pump
7. purchased two Jebao RW-8 flow pumps
8. purchased 140 lbs of natures ocean 0.5 - 1.7mm live sand for dsb
9. purchased 50lbs pukani dry rock
10. built saltwater mixing station out of two 32 gallon brute garbage cans

I plan on starting the nitrogen cycle this weekend, but need a little a little advice on how to get started.

Since my saltwater mixing station is only 32 gallons, it will take for ever to fill the tank and sump. I'm wondering

1. since this is a new setup, if it would be ok to fill it with tap water?
2. should I fill the tank with water and test pluming before adding rock and sand?
3. or, could I just add a few gallons of water, add sand and rock, then fill tank and sump.

NOTE: I haven't purchased lights or skimmer yet. I'm assuming that I can cycle the tank without lights. I do have some compact fluorescence that came with the tank, but I don't want to use them. I plan on purchasing LED's or T5's. I was pretty stuck on purchasing LED, but seems like T5's are still very relevant and deserve some consideration.

Lighting is for another discussion. Right now, I just need some advice on starting the cycle.
Tank and Sump

Thanks

I'm looking at two Kessil A360W-E Wide Angle Tuna Blue LED's for my tank: 48″ x 15″ x 24″. I'd be interested in hearing anyone's thoughts on this and/or recommendations for other lighting solutions. I plan on building a mixed reef aquarium.

 

[chaoha]

I have a similar setup 75 gal tank and 20 gal sump with 2 kessil 360 we's and the spectral controler. I'm very happy with the Kessils but if The AP 700 was out When I bought the 360s I would have gone with the 700.
BRS just did a review of LED lighting and gave the 700 the highest marks.

 

[Mike Arnold]

Yes, I saw that review and I was salivating for the 700 until I realized that I would probably need two of them at $900/per panel. According to the specs, for a 48" tank one panel would need to be installed 18" above the tank.

Thoughts?

I'm curious to see what lighting system they use for the BRS160.

 

[Mike Arnold]

Purchased and Installed Kessil A360w's

Does anyone know of any good Apex profiles for dusk to dawn setup?

 

[Mike Arnold]

Here's my Apex settings for my Kessil lights. I found a great YouTube Tutorial by SUPER Fish

Profiles for Intensity

Profile Name: kDawn-I
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 45
Start intensity: 15
End intensity: 70

Profile Name: kNoon-I
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 30
Start intensity: 70
End intensity: 80

Profile Name: kNight-I
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 120
Start intensity: 80
End intensity: 20

Profile Name: kDusk-I
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 30
Start intensity: 20
End intensity: 14

Profiles for color spectrum:

Profile Name: kDawn-C
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 45
Start intensity: 35
End intensity: 50

Profile Name: kNoon-C
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 10
Start intensity: 50
End intensity: 75

Profile Name: kNight-C
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 120
Start intensity: 75
End intensity: 20

Profile Name: kDusk-C
Control Type: Ramp
Ramp time (minutes): 60
Start intensity: 20
End intensity: 0

Outlets:

kIntensity (base_Var3)
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 08:00 to 12:00 Then kDawn-I
If Time 12:01 to 17:00 Then kNoon-I
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then kNight-I
If Time 20:01 to 22:00 Then kDusk-I

kColor (base_Var4)
Fallback OFF
Set OFF
If Time 08:00 to 12:00 Then kDawn-C
If Time 12:01 to 17:00 Then kNoon-C
If Time 17:01 to 20:00 Then kNight-C
If Time 20:01 to 22:00 Then kDusk-C

 

[Mike Arnold]

My tank is cycled and now I'm working on my water parameters.

Ca: 478 (HANNA Checker)
dKH: 12.26 (HANNA Checker)
pH: 7.9 - 8.1
Temp: 77-78 (Apex Probe)
Salinity: 1.026 (

I'm trying to get the pH up to 8.3.

I've read that pH can be raised by using an air stone; c02; opening windows in the room where the tank is; or dosing kalkwasser.

I was thinking about dosing kalkwasser, but was afraid that it would affect the already high Ca and dKH.

I'm wondering if I'm stressing over nothing and should give the tank more time to stabilize, or should I start mitigation

Inhabitants:

Clean up crew
Bubble Tip Anemone: (transferred from my 37 gallon tank)
Tomato Clown: (transferred from my 37 gallon tank)

Note: The tank has only been cycled for about a week.

 

[Bryce Peterson]

Fingers crossed on the nem. Pretty delicate for such a fresh tank. Hope you have better luck than I did.