Tank is on her way.. Some questions befor I set up my first reef!

groovemcfly · 05/12/2006, 01:47 AM

Greetings everyone!!

Thanks to you all I just got finished ordering up the last bit of supplies for my new 24g 70W Aquapod. The tank and supplies should arrive around Tues-Wed. This gives me some time to ask some questions befor I start my cycle.

I know Saliferts makes the best testing kits, and that is what I will be using, but I'm not sure on the different test kits I will need to get for the cycle.. except for kH/Alk? I also need to know the correct levels parameters for each different test so I know when the cycle is complete.

What should my saltwater temp be at befor I add it to the tank? How much salt mix to I add to the RO water? What should my refractometer read?

Since I will be doing frequent water changes I was wondering what is the easiest/fastest way?

I plan on adding only saltwater and sand to the Pod for the first couple days to make sure there are no leaks. Does this sound alright or should I just add water for a couple days then LR/sand?

Will I need to do any modifications to the back chambers? Like remove unnessesary things? Do I need Chemipure/Chaeto? If yes, should I use them during the cycle? I will be using 2x MJ900's.. run one during cycle?

Well that's all I can think of for now. I will definitely keep you all updated.

Thanks you all very much for the help.

bertoni · 05/12/2006, 01:53 AM

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

That article is a good place to start for water parameters. I would have at least an ammonia and a nitrate test kit available for the live rock curing period.

You could do the leak test with RO water, and then add the salt. You'll want to have some 5g jugs to hold the extra water when you start adding the live rock and sand. The water will be handy for changes.

I don't think you'll need Chemi-Pure, and Chaetomorpha is optional as well. I'm not sure how well that alga will survive the cycle.

I would run both the powerheads.

Blown 346 · 05/12/2006, 03:33 AM

I would get PH, Nitrite,Nitrate,ammonia for the first tests for your cycle.
During the cycle the ammonia will rise and then the nitrite and nitrate. The Nitrate should go down on its own.

The ammonia will be the first to fall off then the nitrite, Once the ammonia and nitrite are zero, I like to wait a wek to make sure they will stay there,
Once they do get a cleanup crew.

Temp in an empty tank doesnt matter until you have liverock in there. Then it should be stabile and between 78 to 80 degrees F.

The salt mix wil tell you a guide to follow as far as how many cups per gallon of water to have the desired amount.
Your salt level should read about 1.025.

I have a vat that holds 50 gallons of fresh RO water. Then I just remove water from the tank into my slop sink.
I then add my salt to the buckets I have ready.I then take a piece of rubber tubing, place it over my pump in the vat and fill up my 5 gallon buckets with the salt. From the rushing water goingf into the bucket the salt dissolves. I always check the salinity to make sure.

Your plan sounds good, it would be best to have the temp and salinity in line before you add rock. The sand you can add right from the start.

If your new setup comes with bio balls I would remove them all when you get it. You wont need them as te Rock will be used for filtration.
Also rinse the heck out of the carbon.

Chemi pure you wont need, Chaeto should wait until the cycle is over.

I would definitly run all the pumps during the cycle to keep detritus( waste and die off) from settling in the sand.
Also by keeping the tank dark or on a limited small lighting schedule you will reduce algae growth.

groovemcfly · 05/12/2006, 11:15 AM

Thanks alot guys, some great information! Since I don't have vat or what would be another way to easily do water changes that won't make a huge mess? Thanks all

ambaratur · 05/12/2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by groovemcfly
Thanks alot guys, some great information! Since I don't have vat or what would be another way to easily do water changes that won't make a huge mess? Thanks all

Brute garbage cans are very useful and you can make a roller cart to go under them so that you can move them around easy. Then just store them when you are not using them.

groovemcfly · 05/12/2006, 05:14 PM

good info Thanks

groovemcfly · 05/15/2006, 05:44 PM

So remove the bio balls. anything else i need to remove?

05/12/2006, 01:47 AM	#1
groovemcfly Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 225	Tank is on her way.. Some questions befor I set up my first reef! Greetings everyone!! Thanks to you all I just got finished ordering up the last bit of supplies for my new 24g 70W Aquapod. The tank and supplies should arrive around Tues-Wed. This gives me some time to ask some questions befor I start my cycle. I know Saliferts makes the best testing kits, and that is what I will be using, but I'm not sure on the different test kits I will need to get for the cycle.. except for kH/Alk? I also need to know the correct levels parameters for each different test so I know when the cycle is complete. What should my saltwater temp be at befor I add it to the tank? How much salt mix to I add to the RO water? What should my refractometer read? Since I will be doing frequent water changes I was wondering what is the easiest/fastest way? I plan on adding only saltwater and sand to the Pod for the first couple days to make sure there are no leaks. Does this sound alright or should I just add water for a couple days then LR/sand? Will I need to do any modifications to the back chambers? Like remove unnessesary things? Do I need Chemipure/Chaeto? If yes, should I use them during the cycle? I will be using 2x MJ900's.. run one during cycle? Well that's all I can think of for now. I will definitely keep you all updated. Thanks you all very much for the help. Last edited by groovemcfly; 05/12/2006 at 01:59 AM.

05/12/2006, 01:53 AM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php That article is a good place to start for water parameters. I would have at least an ammonia and a nitrate test kit available for the live rock curing period. You could do the leak test with RO water, and then add the salt. You'll want to have some 5g jugs to hold the extra water when you start adding the live rock and sand. The water will be handy for changes. I don't think you'll need Chemi-Pure, and Chaetomorpha is optional as well. I'm not sure how well that alga will survive the cycle. I would run both the powerheads. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

05/12/2006, 03:33 AM	#3
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I would get PH, Nitrite,Nitrate,ammonia for the first tests for your cycle. During the cycle the ammonia will rise and then the nitrite and nitrate. The Nitrate should go down on its own. The ammonia will be the first to fall off then the nitrite, Once the ammonia and nitrite are zero, I like to wait a wek to make sure they will stay there, Once they do get a cleanup crew. Temp in an empty tank doesnt matter until you have liverock in there. Then it should be stabile and between 78 to 80 degrees F. The salt mix wil tell you a guide to follow as far as how many cups per gallon of water to have the desired amount. Your salt level should read about 1.025. I have a vat that holds 50 gallons of fresh RO water. Then I just remove water from the tank into my slop sink. I then add my salt to the buckets I have ready.I then take a piece of rubber tubing, place it over my pump in the vat and fill up my 5 gallon buckets with the salt. From the rushing water goingf into the bucket the salt dissolves. I always check the salinity to make sure. Your plan sounds good, it would be best to have the temp and salinity in line before you add rock. The sand you can add right from the start. If your new setup comes with bio balls I would remove them all when you get it. You wont need them as te Rock will be used for filtration. Also rinse the heck out of the carbon. Chemi pure you wont need, Chaeto should wait until the cycle is over. I would definitly run all the pumps during the cycle to keep detritus( waste and die off) from settling in the sand. Also by keeping the tank dark or on a limited small lighting schedule you will reduce algae growth.

05/12/2006, 11:15 AM	#4
groovemcfly Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 225	Thanks alot guys, some great information! Since I don't have vat or what would be another way to easily do water changes that won't make a huge mess? Thanks all

05/12/2006, 05:14 PM	#6
groovemcfly Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 225	good info Thanks

05/15/2006, 05:44 PM	#7
groovemcfly Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 225	So remove the bio balls. anything else i need to remove?