beesnreefs
Well-Known Member
TL;DR version: New 225 g system, been running for four weeks. Lights have been off the entire time and will stay off for at least 2-3 more weeks. Three Anthias currently (Midas blenny coming in 3 weeks), tons of dosed pods, and some CUC. Nitrates at 3 now.
Longer version: This is my third tank and I’m trying to establish it in a very particular way. Primary goal is to establish a solid micro and miso biome before firing up the lights. Then running lights at low, LPS levels for a few weeks-months while I add some lower-light LPS. Overall, I’m trying to go slowwwww
Tank has dry rock, 120 lb of OceanDirect live sand. After cycle was seeded with:
In the past week I’ve also fired up my ReefMat and skimmer (both were not in use first three weeks)
System is free from pests right now. No algae, no diatoms, no Dino’s, no cyano.
I do not plan to add any corals for at least 2-3 more weeks, possibly longer. When I do, I’ll use my PAR meter to make sure maximum PAR does not exceed 100 and I’ll only be adding some LPS.
Long term I intend to do weekly water changes of roughly 10% but I don’t know that it’s time to start that habit.
At what point would YOU do a water change? Why then? How kuch
Longer version: This is my third tank and I’m trying to establish it in a very particular way. Primary goal is to establish a solid micro and miso biome before firing up the lights. Then running lights at low, LPS levels for a few weeks-months while I add some lower-light LPS. Overall, I’m trying to go slowwwww
Tank has dry rock, 120 lb of OceanDirect live sand. After cycle was seeded with:
- 1 lb tested live sand from AquaBiomics (added to sump)
- A full biome package from Indo-Pacific Sea Farms including live mud, live sand, berries, micro hermits, micro brittle stars, spaghetti worms, and bristle worms
- 40-50 amphipods
In the past week I’ve also fired up my ReefMat and skimmer (both were not in use first three weeks)
System is free from pests right now. No algae, no diatoms, no Dino’s, no cyano.
I do not plan to add any corals for at least 2-3 more weeks, possibly longer. When I do, I’ll use my PAR meter to make sure maximum PAR does not exceed 100 and I’ll only be adding some LPS.
Long term I intend to do weekly water changes of roughly 10% but I don’t know that it’s time to start that habit.
At what point would YOU do a water change? Why then? How kuch
