38G Reef Build

[xiaan]

Thanks I hope to get some life in there by the end of the month 

Also after doing some research It looks like I need to raise my Ca and KH levels in the tank. Looks Like I need to get a KH buffer and some Liquid Ca and start dousing.

[xiaan]

I have rock in the tank!!! 
I went and picked up ~27Lb of Live rock and ~18lb of DIY rock from Pat.

here is my first attempt at aquascaping the tank it is still a little cloudy.



I also found out why my parameters were out of whack. I got some cheato from pat to and out of curiosity I checked the water in the bag it came in with my refactometer and it looks like my refactometer was not calibrated correctly  . So after a re-read of the instructions and checking my calibration liquid I reset my refactometer and checked my water SG 1.015  hmm?? I quickly added more salt and It is now at 1.024 

I also retested some other parameters:
Ca 440ppm
KH 14.1 dkH
I was also going to test magnesium but It looks like the test kit I got (used) has no more regent  I guess I will have to get another test kit.

[Tyler.L]

looking good tanks gonna be very nice i think....

[xiaan]

Thanks,

I think I got the tank aquascaped the way I want it and I will probably epoxy the rock into place tonight.

I did a test last night to see where I am in the cycle
NH4 0ppm
NO2 0ppm

So far no Ammonia or NO2 so I don't know if I have finished the cycle (I doubt it) or I have not started it yet. I will do another test after I get home from work (I work in Quebec so no holiday for me  ).
I am busy this week preparing for a snowshoeing trip I am guiding down in the Adirondacks so even if the tank finishes the cycle I probably not get a clean up crew in there until next week.

This is what I am currently thinking of getting for my clean up crew to start off with:
10 Blue Legged Hermit Crab
5 Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab
15 Astrea
15 Cerith

[xiaan]

It looks like I have finished the cycle  (in 4 days)
NH4 0ppm
NO2 0ppm
NO3 10ppm

I did not see any Ammonia or NO2 at all but NO3 is now showing up. I will probably still wait until next week for a clean up crew as I do not think there is very much to clean up in my tank.

sorry no pics yet tank is cloudy I tryed to do some more aquascaping but just ended up with the same thing again 

[Adam]

Looks really good.

I agree with the waiting...sometimes parameters can fluctuate within a very short period of time. 

Seen anything interesting on the rock?

[kennyman]

big ammonia spikes come from stuff on/in the rock dieing from shipping or tansfer. If your rock was "cooked" there is not much left to die so you don't get a spike and really don't get much of a cycle at all.

Also keep in mind cycling a SW tank is not the same as cycling a fw tank. FW tanks do not employ denitrification. Your Sw tank will be fully cycled when it process nitrate for you.

[sniggir]

looking... very good, I love cerith snails... should be a good start to your clean up crew

[xiaan]

Looks really good.

I agree with the waiting...sometimes parameters can fluctuate within a very short period of time. 

Seen anything interesting on the rock?

I will be watching the parameters closely the next few days.

So far nothing to exiting a few filter feeder clams, some sponges, couple of dead pods and macro algae. no small crabs or worms yet.

[groupie02]

I will be watching the parameters closely the next few days.

You should also check during the night with a flash light. Some creatures only come out when it's nice and dark.

[Adam]

Many annelids, mollusca, etc...cannot see the red spectrum of light.  Put a piece of red cellophane tape over a flashlight so they won't scurry away when they see the light.  I saw quite a few neat things when I got my rock that way.

[xiaan]

I will try and scope out some stuff tonight  I have my moon lights on at night will that affect them? should I turn them off?

[xiaan]

I tried to sneak up on stuff in my tank last night but still did not find anything interesting 

Anyways finished up aquascaping my tank here is a shot of it with the water all nice and clear:


I am still trying to place my pumps correctly as I seem to have a lot of sand movement (lots of pits to the bottom and mounds of sand)

I am also getting some brown bacterial diatoms.

[groupie02]

the aquascaping is pretty cool!  Let your system run for a while to see if the sand moves around or remains the same. Make adjustments if you don't like what you end up with.

[Kemokid]

Just to let you know that you are experiencing exactly what I did. I also bought the Walt Smith Premium from Redbelly (90lbs) and I also went through my cycle in about 4 days. I also went through a diatom phase shortly after. It was then that I intorduced the Blue Leg Hermits to my system. Things cleared up quickly from there. I have all kinds of life from the rock in my tank, it takes time to see it all. I am still having new things pop up and it has been about 4 months now since the rock was put in. I got a phoseban reactor from Redbelly and it has worked great keeping my readings right down. I also use the RO/DI water. I do need a water top up system though.

Kev

[xiaan]

I do need a water top up system though.

I know what you mean! I have to top off my system at least every two days or else my return will go dry.

[xiaan]

Did another test of all my parameters .
SG 1.025
NH3 0ppm
NO2 0ppm
NO3 2ppm
KH 8.0dkH
Ca 420ppm
Mg (no test kit yet)
PO4 0ppm
PH 8.0

Everything seems to be stable!

[xiaan]

I just got my auto top off system yesterday from autotopoff.com. Nice price and really quick shipping to Canada. I just set it up for the weekend right next to the tank. It seems to work ok and tested out the sensors. I am going to be away for the weekend so I will see how it dose! (my GF will still be at home and will turn it off if something goes wrong )
Next week I will be installing the tubing & wiring so my reservoir will be in the basement instead of my living room floor.

I will post some pics when I get everything set up.

Also my rock is now almost all brown with a datiom! I hope to get the CUC in there next week before it gets out of control!

[C-Dog]

nice tank, my  new tank is a 36gal so its almost exactly like urs just shorter, i love your aquascaping its really nice. good work
are you using foot valves for your overflow?? cuz i can't see any boxes....
thats what i plan on doing too if so how big are urs?

thanks, Corey

[xiaan]

No overflow box just strainers and elbows. They are nicely hidden behind the live rock.