Smotz's 120g Build Thread

[john.m.cole3]

All looks perfectly normal. I am almost out of my first 4 months on my new tank and hair algae still pops up here and there. I manually remove it immediately and siphon my sandbed every water change to keep things running smoothly. Onc eyour nitrate spikes I would def recommend siphoning the sand frequently.

 

[Smotz]

All looks perfectly normal. I am almost out of my first 4 months on my new tank and hair algae still pops up here and there. I manually remove it immediately and siphon my sandbed every water change to keep things running smoothly. Onc eyour nitrate spikes I would def recommend siphoning the sand frequently.

gotcha. I think i'll do my first water change next weekend.

 

[Smotz]

Ok..still cycling. Not rushing this..
I did put the skimmer in today. Have no experience with a venturi. Can anyone advise?
A) Where should the water line be? I have it mid-neck.
B) using a Jebao DC return pump - how does the power level affect the skimmer? Do I do it full blast?
C) When can I expect foam?

 

[john.m.cole3]

I like to run my water through my system at 6x DT volume so the skimmer has a better chance to work. right now leave your skimmer wide open for 3 days to a week. It has to break in and wash off all the oil that came on it from the manufacturer. I personally like to leave the collection cup off during this time so it doesn't overflow and splash on my carpet. To dial it in, have the foam coming right to the top of the neck where the collection cup sits, then make small adjustments from there. clean your venturi every month or 2 to maintain stable performance. What kind of skimmer is it?

 

[Smotz]

I like to run my water through my system at 6x DT volume so the skimmer has a better chance to work. right now leave your skimmer wide open for 3 days to a week. It has to break in and wash off all the oil that came on it from the manufacturer. I personally like to leave the collection cup off during this time so it doesn't overflow and splash on my carpet. To dial it in, have the foam coming right to the top of the neck where the collection cup sits, then make small adjustments from there. clean your venturi every month or 2 to maintain stable performance. What kind of skimmer is it?

It's not new but I did clean it out and it has been out of the water for a few months. It's a lifereef venturi skimmer.
http://www.lifereef.com/venturi.html

 

[Smotz]

I'm thinking not yet.. sorry for the background..

 

[john.m.cole3]

It should break in in 24 to 48 hours then. Are there adjustment knobs on it?

 

[Smotz]

Just one for the water level. Apparently one of its claim to fame is set it and forget it

 

[john.m.cole3]

Yeah i read that in your link. I'm interested to see his it works. Start adding a pinch of food every day to give it something to skin out

 

[Smotz]

Yeah i read that in your link. I'm interested to see his it works. Start adding a pinch of food every day to give it something to skin out

yup. will do.

 

[Smotz]

tank is looking clear after yesterday's water change

 

[Smotz]

skimmer is starting to produce!

 

[Smotz]

Putting the controller board together..

 

[Smotz]

Okidokee! Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite @ 0 - I call that cycled!
I still have algae & Cyano. Gonna turn the lights off and add a cleanup crew.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Smotz]

CUC on order..

 

[john.m.cole3]

what's in your CUC?

 

[Smotz]

what's in your CUC?

I will probably take 1/3 of the below and put it in my frag tank but..

Blue Leg Hermit Crab - 40
Red Leg Hermit Crab - 20
Astraea Turbo Snail - 20
Mexican Turbo Snail - 15
Ceriths Snail - 30
Nassarius Snail - 20

 

[Smotz]

Update!
Did lots of work yesterday.

• Migrated the UV system
• Migrated the BRS ALC & CALC dosers
• Installed 3 Temp probes.
• Programmed the Canopy Fans to turn on @ 85 degrees and off at 8
• Programmed the ATO to pump in water from 85% to 95%
• Installed the SUMP lighting
• Added 4 x Green Chromis

Items left:

• Swap the 2 x HYDRA 52s from the cube to the 120
• Put in the CUC (expected next week)
• Swap the auto feeder from the cube to the 120
• Begin migrating existing livestock
  • 2 x RBTA
  • 2 x Clowns
  • Blue Hippo
  • Powdered Brown Tang
  • Melanarus Wrass
  • Goby /w Pistol Shrimp
  • Lots of Coral

 

[Smotz]

Added the CUC - got it from Billy's Reef. My god, the turbo's are bigger than golf balls!
started adding coral slowly.
Looking forward to transferring the Hippo Tang.

 

[Smotz]

Added fish slowly. Doing good so far. Still get some Cyano that goes away at night. I am assuming that will go away after the tank matures a bit.