ShootMe's 40 breeder log. - Page 2

ShootMe · 11/21/2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZooZ
thats awesome. What type of corals are you planning to keep? I am going to run 150w MH with 2 x 24w T5HO supplementation but not sure which bulbs I should run on the T5's. Any recommendations? Thanks

You would have to talk to Grim, he is the man to ask about T5's. I'm still in the air about coral selection, a softy/lps tank would be easier to maintain especially since I am away from the tank basically every other or third week but I feel I would be cheating myself if I did not go with at least some sps corals.

I am two weeks into the cycle and these are the current readings. Last time I preformed a cycle was three years ago, someone want to chime in if I am on the right track? I think I have another four weeks to go atleast.
Ammonia: 1.0
Nitrate: 0
PH: 8.4
Nitrite: 0

ShootMe · 12/21/2008, 02:12 PM

I though a little update is in order. I am now 45 days into the cycle, my ammonia peaked at 8+ on the scale for about two weeks then over the course of 3 days dropped to 0. Since then my nitrates has been about up to 80 and is now down to 20 and my nitrites are between 1 and 2 as far as I can tell. Just seems to be taking awhile to finish. I have gone through a diatom bloom and now I have a cryo outbreak growing on every rock and on the glass. I did not experience this when I cycled my aquapod 3 years ago probably because I used cured rock then and this time I am using mostly base rock. Hopefully the cycle is approaching the end and I can add the cleanup crew soon.

The next step is choosing a skimmer to get, Iâ€™m thinking about a octopus 110 or 150 or a octopus extreme 160.

GPhiAce · 12/21/2008, 03:04 PM

I am no expert, but it sounds as though it is nearing the end. I would skim for a week and retest. Do you have any LR in there??? I also have a 40br, but I have a mixed reef setup (a little of everything,, sps, lps, palys, clams). I am not familiar with the octopus skimmers, I like EuroReefs myself. Make sure to research the skimmer a little and make sure that it will The cyano outbreak will pass. you could try a conch to help. I think you can add your cuc now. You can also add a damsel if you like to help the cycle. There are several threads on here with tons of info. Good luck

ShootMe · 12/21/2008, 10:32 PM

I agree the cycle should be coming to an end soon. I really like the octopus line of skimmers as they are very effective and well within my price range. I had planned ordering my clean up crew from reefcleaners.org, the same place I got my rock but with it being the holiday season nobody can guarantee shipping times so I will wait till after the holidays to place the order.

I will probably go with the octopus extreme 160 and easy to keep sps corals to begin with and see how that goes. I have several week long business trips coming up in January and February so it will be interesting to see how much if any dosing will need to be done with just a few frags in the tank.

I will also be replacing my return pump with a mag-drive 2. I feel that I have too much flow through the sump as it is right now and that the mag2 will reduce the micro bubble problem I have in the sump.

ShootMe · 01/19/2009, 07:59 PM

Update time.

Ammonia and nitrites are down to 0, nitrates are down to 10, dkh 6, calcium 440. I've replaced the return pump with a mag-drive 2 and am very happy with it. Finally picked up a skimmer, ETSS 800 with iwaki 55 pump and waste collection chamber all for $350, steal of a deal if you ask me laugh.gif. Overkill maybe, but go big or go home.

I'm probably going to get another 20 high tank get it drilled for the iwaki pump and make a new set of baffles. The skimmer area is going to have to be at least 18" long which will not leave much room in the return section for the return pump but I think it will fit. The other option is to use a 20 long as the sump but that would man sacrificing most of the room in the stand to the sump but would allow more room for the skimmer and return section.

Still looking for a controller either a reefkeeper 2 or an aquacontroller.

12/21/2008, 02:12 PM	#27
ShootMe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 215	I though a little update is in order. I am now 45 days into the cycle, my ammonia peaked at 8+ on the scale for about two weeks then over the course of 3 days dropped to 0. Since then my nitrates has been about up to 80 and is now down to 20 and my nitrites are between 1 and 2 as far as I can tell. Just seems to be taking awhile to finish. I have gone through a diatom bloom and now I have a cryo outbreak growing on every rock and on the glass. I did not experience this when I cycled my aquapod 3 years ago probably because I used cured rock then and this time I am using mostly base rock. Hopefully the cycle is approaching the end and I can add the cleanup crew soon. The next step is choosing a skimmer to get, Iâ€™m thinking about a octopus 110 or 150 or a octopus extreme 160. __________________ "I plan to live Forever, so far, so good"

12/21/2008, 03:04 PM	#28
GPhiAce Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CoMo Posts: 1,615	I am no expert, but it sounds as though it is nearing the end. I would skim for a week and retest. Do you have any LR in there??? I also have a 40br, but I have a mixed reef setup (a little of everything,, sps, lps, palys, clams). I am not familiar with the octopus skimmers, I like EuroReefs myself. Make sure to research the skimmer a little and make sure that it will The cyano outbreak will pass. you could try a conch to help. I think you can add your cuc now. You can also add a damsel if you like to help the cycle. There are several threads on here with tons of info. Good luck __________________ Paul Professional Bum Current Tank Info: empty 120 gallon glass box. wanna help fill it? sps and palys please

12/21/2008, 10:32 PM	#29
ShootMe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 215	I agree the cycle should be coming to an end soon. I really like the octopus line of skimmers as they are very effective and well within my price range. I had planned ordering my clean up crew from reefcleaners.org, the same place I got my rock but with it being the holiday season nobody can guarantee shipping times so I will wait till after the holidays to place the order. I will probably go with the octopus extreme 160 and easy to keep sps corals to begin with and see how that goes. I have several week long business trips coming up in January and February so it will be interesting to see how much if any dosing will need to be done with just a few frags in the tank. I will also be replacing my return pump with a mag-drive 2. I feel that I have too much flow through the sump as it is right now and that the mag2 will reduce the micro bubble problem I have in the sump. __________________ "I plan to live Forever, so far, so good" Last edited by ShootMe; 12/21/2008 at 11:03 PM.

01/19/2009, 07:59 PM	#30
ShootMe Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 215	Update time. Ammonia and nitrites are down to 0, nitrates are down to 10, dkh 6, calcium 440. I've replaced the return pump with a mag-drive 2 and am very happy with it. Finally picked up a skimmer, ETSS 800 with iwaki 55 pump and waste collection chamber all for $350, steal of a deal if you ask me laugh.gif. Overkill maybe, but go big or go home. I'm probably going to get another 20 high tank get it drilled for the iwaki pump and make a new set of baffles. The skimmer area is going to have to be at least 18" long which will not leave much room in the return section for the return pump but I think it will fit. The other option is to use a 20 long as the sump but that would man sacrificing most of the room in the stand to the sump but would allow more room for the skimmer and return section. Still looking for a controller either a reefkeeper 2 or an aquacontroller. __________________ "I plan to live Forever, so far, so good"