TikiBird's first SW tank (BioCube 29)
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TikiBird
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You have LED slots though, you can add them, I did
I will do that!
That's along time to wait! Lol. Biocubes are great little tanks. Especially with the wet dry in the back. Are you running the bio balls? I run live rock in mine, that way there's not a nitrate explosion waiting to happen (not saying that it will happen) it even got to a point where I didn't run anything in the back except for chaeto.
EDIT: that was my 14 gallon biocube. My 29 I'm running now has nothing in the back whatsoever.
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TikiBird
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That's really good to know. I was feeling a little insecure about my compartments. Lol I took out all the bio balls (man there were a LOT in there!). Right now I have a heater in the back and some carbon (in an attempt to make the stinky dead rocks not stink so much, although I'm not sure it's doing anything!). I'm planning on getting a media rack for compartment 2 and using filter floss, Purigen, and chemipure...I think. [emoji848]
Sweet! Glad you took them out. I have the media racks for it, I don't use them. Sounds like you have a good plan. But don't add that stuff until your tank is cycled (i know you know that) I also wouldn't put the filter in either while it's cycling. Helps for the beneficial bacteria to spread (I'm also sure you know that) lol, I enjoy helping! Haha
The filter cartridge that it comes with. I would leave it open so that the bacteria gets around everywhere and then I'd throw the filter in (that's just how I do it anyway).
OP
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TikiBird
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Oh yes! I forgot it came with a cartridge! Yes, I took it out right away. Thank you!!
Not a problem! https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/260811/ check out my last few photos from tonight
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TikiBird
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Awesome!!
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TikiBird
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I am so excited right now. I just tested the tank and I have 4.0 ammonia and 1.0 nitrite!! And really probably 0 nitrate but I swear there is a slight orangey tinge....
I'm so thrilled *something* is happening in there, and extra thrilled because in my years of testing my freshwater tanks, I have NEVER seen nitrite show up on my tests! I must always miss the spike somehow. So when I came back in the room when my timer went off and I saw the purple in the tube, I literally gasped. [emoji851][emoji851][emoji851]
I added BioSpira tonight because I figured it couldn't hurt and it was worth a shot. \_(ツ)_/¯
I'm so thrilled *something* is happening in there, and extra thrilled because in my years of testing my freshwater tanks, I have NEVER seen nitrite show up on my tests! I must always miss the spike somehow. So when I came back in the room when my timer went off and I saw the purple in the tube, I literally gasped. [emoji851][emoji851][emoji851]
I added BioSpira tonight because I figured it couldn't hurt and it was worth a shot. \_(ツ)_/¯
Awesome! Exciting to see that it's already cycling.I am so excited right now. I just tested the tank and I have 4.0 ammonia and 1.0 nitrite!! And really probably 0 nitrate but I swear there is a slight orangey tinge....
I'm so thrilled *something* is happening in there, and extra thrilled because in my years of testing my freshwater tanks, I have NEVER seen nitrite show up on my tests! I must always miss the spike somehow. So when I came back in the room when my timer went off and I saw the purple in the tube, I literally gasped. [emoji851][emoji851][emoji851]
I added BioSpira tonight because I figured it couldn't hurt and it was worth a shot. \_(ツ)_/¯
By the way.....how in the world did you make that little figure at the bottom?? The best I can do is this
OP
OP
TikiBird
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Awesome! Exciting to see that it's already cycling.
By the way.....how in the world did you make that little figure at the bottom?? The best I can do is this
LOL! OK, I'll tell you my secret. I go to this site (http://www.copyshrug.com) and copy and paste it instead of trying to type it out myself! [emoji23]
OP
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TikiBird
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I'm not sure if I should ask questions within this thread or separately, but I'll try here...
So in order to keep the cycle going, I need to have an ammonia source, right? Right now it's coming from dead and decaying stuff that came in on my "live" rocks, I assume.
I also have ammonia (Dr. Tim's) that I can dose to keep it going.
Since the ammonia is so high right now, do I need to dose the ammonia myself, or should I wait to dose when it drops? I haven't added any ammonia myself since it seems pretty high already.
Not sure if I'm making sense, but hopefully someone knows what I mean. LOL
So in order to keep the cycle going, I need to have an ammonia source, right? Right now it's coming from dead and decaying stuff that came in on my "live" rocks, I assume.
I also have ammonia (Dr. Tim's) that I can dose to keep it going.
Since the ammonia is so high right now, do I need to dose the ammonia myself, or should I wait to dose when it drops? I haven't added any ammonia myself since it seems pretty high already.
Not sure if I'm making sense, but hopefully someone knows what I mean. LOL
Well if the ammonia is already high, no need to dose. When all the levels start to drop off and show 0, then your tank is cycled. No need to add more ammonia. #reefsquad,
Well hopefully you won't get cyano, as far as diatoms, you should start getting those soon if the tank is already cycling. Once your levels drop, add a clean up crew (commonly referred to as CUC) to start cleaning up the brown algae. Then slowly but surely, you can add your corals/fish.
@Humblefish has a great write up on quarantining fish which can be found in the fish diseases section of the forum or. Which is highly recommended to prevent any diseases being introduced to your tank.
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/189815/
OP
OP
TikiBird
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I will check it out! Thank you!
