50b Sumpless Mixed Reef Build!

[Miguelh1302]

Mine says hi lol

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by Miguelh1302

Mine says hi lol

Haha hey buddd

[Happyschneider]

Have not started my build thread yet. Still working out some issues with my plan. Once I am back from my business trip I will start full power can let you know.

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by Happyschneider

Have not started my build thread yet. Still working out some issues with my plan. Once I am back from my business trip I will start full power can let you know.

Yea def let me know. Starting my cycle on friday, more pics to come

[BigJohnny]

Starting the fill!!!




Took so long to make all that water, it's 430am.


We have lift-off

[BigJohnny]

Got the MP40WQD on about 10% in constant mode right now, this thing is a beast! Can run it up to 50-60% without any issues but I'm just using it for gentle circulation at the moment. The sand well in front of it is not from the pump but from the first bucket of water I pumped in.




Jebao RW-4 set at 75% in constant (H) mode. Great little pump for the price, tried some waves last night and they were great

[Isaacs55]

Dope mag float!!

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by Isaacs55

Dope mag float!!

Haha thanks man! It's the "Piranha" model. I love the wood look. Forget the company but just looked nicer than the Mag Float brand IMO. I have a spending problem now

[BigJohnny]

Day 1 params!:



Little curious as to why my pH is that low at 7.89. Should be 8.2-8.4. I used Red Sea Salt. dkH/Ca/Mg are all in check. Maybe my water source has slightly low pH. I'm testing pH with a freshly calibrated in tank BRS Lab Grade pH probe. Only other pH test I have is API so not really a legit back up but I will test and see.

[BigJohnny]

Check out this bad boy:

[BigJohnny]

I realized my pH is low because one of my powerheads in my mixing tank was broken so the water likely has excess co2 due to lack of aeration. Reef water sufficiently saturated with air would normally have a pH of 8.1-8.3 when dkH is 8.12. I will re-test in the morning and in 24 hrs.

I now have my Jebao RW-4 turned up to 87.5% aimed 20 degrees(nerd estimate) upwards to increase surface agitation. Turned my MP40WQD up to 20% as well.

My skimmer and carbon/gfo reactor aren't running currently, but those should significantly oxygenate the water as well, especially the skimmer.

[Devaji108]

OHHHH looking good my friend!
you got your self some pretty nice new toys

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by Devaji108

OHHHH looking good my friend!
you got your self some pretty nice new toys

Thanks devaji! Yes I do, can't stop fiddling with everything. My wife/dogs are super jealous because I haven't been paying any attention to them haha. I'm just so pumped because I've been waiting to get this tank started for a loooong time!

[Potsy]

I have the same sized tank, a predominantly lps mixed reef. Your aquascape looks good with plenty of surface area for mounting coral.

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by Potsy

I have the same sized tank, a predominantly lps mixed reef. Your aquascape looks good with plenty of surface area for mounting coral.

Cool thanks, I agree!

[BigJohnny]

Unfortunately now my pH is down to 7.64. I am going to recalibrate my pH probe and test my tank again. Then if that doesn't work, mix up a new batch of SW and test that. I'm guessing I didn't calibrate the ph probe properly

[BigJohnny]

Recalibrated my pH probe and now my tank reads 7.60 haha so no help there. API test agrees. I tested saltwater in my mixing container with the API as well and all matched up. Any thoughts?

[Potsy]

Sometimes, opening a window to air out some CO2 can raise a tank's pH a bit. I'm not sure why everyone knocks API test kits. Their pH, KH, and calcium kits work fine provided a precise value isn't needed. They're always in range my Salifert kits. API Phosphate and nitrate? Now that's a different story.

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by Potsy

Sometimes, opening a window to air out some CO2 can raise a tank's pH a bit. I'm not sure why everyone knocks API test kits. Their pH, KH, and calcium kits work fine provided a precise value isn't needed. They're always in range my Salifert kits. API Phosphate and nitrate? Now that's a different story.

K yea the pH is very simple test and has been spot on in my experience. So here is an update. In addition to my pH being at 7.6 now, the alkalinity has dropped from 8.12dkh to 7.3dkh. This is a brand new tank! Nothing should consume that much alk in one day could it? There is only rock and sand. I was thinking my pH was simply an aeration issue however now that dkH has dropped as well I'm not so sure.

I am opening a window now.

[BigJohnny]

I dosed 2 part just to see the relation of alkalinity to pH to help determine the extent of aeration. Raised dkH by .5dkh and pH went up to 7.88. I assume this will settle once it disperses throughout the water column and stabilizes at which point I will check pH again.

I have not opened the window yet as I want to test each factor independently

[BigJohnny]

Before bed pH read 7.69, the rise in pH due to 2 part alkalinity was temporary. I will try to open some windows in the am and see what the effect on pH is.

BTW I have not started my cycle yet because I am about to go on a vacation, however I decided to test ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/phosphorous to see if there has been any die-off from the live sand/dry rock (extremely unlikely with dry rock obviously) or leaching of phosphorous from the dry rock.

Results:

Ammonia (Salifert): 0
Nitrite (Salifert): 0
Nitrate (Salifert): 0
Phosphorus (Hanna ULR): 7 ppb which converts to about .02 ppm phosphate

So far no significant die-off and/or leaching. Tank has only been filled for 2 days however Marco rock was "cured" in heated saltwater for 1 month prior. During that period I recorded 5-7 ppb phosphorus/.02 ppm phosphate consistently which is negligible obviously.

Now tomorrow I will decide if I will ghost feed my tank with an auto feeder while on vacation for a week or wait until I return to start my cycle. I also have Dr. Tims Ammonium Chloride and Seachem Stability however I like the idea of using my fishes' actual food source to build up the beneficial bacteria for my tank. I will probably add Seachem Stability at the end of the cycle to provide a boost before introducing my tanks first inhabitants!

My tank will be seeded with a blend of Copepods (primarily Tisbe/Tigger) and Amphipods (any recommendations on a species/source for these?).

Planned Fish List (to be added gradually):

- Pair of A. Ocellaris Clownfish
- Midas Blenny
- Chalk Bass
- Blue Gudgeon Dartfish Trio

Inverts/CUC (to be added gradually):

- 2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
- Blue Tuxedo Urchin
- Sand Sifting Starfish
- Assortment of Snails
- Maybe Emerald Crabs and/or Hermits

I will keep everyone posted!

[PhaneSoul]

ur cycle is started now whether you like it or not. bacteria are everywhere, there is plenty of nutrients in your tank to sustain bacterial life.

I wouldn't go chasing numbers now, you will doom that tank before it even starts. do the cycle, let it be, step back and have some patience. throw a lil food in there, go on vacation and check the status when you get back.

[BigJohnny]

Originally Posted by PhaneSoul

ur cycle is started now whether you like it or not. bacteria are everywhere, there is plenty of nutrients in your tank to sustain bacterial life.

I wouldn't go chasing numbers now, you will doom that tank before it even starts. do the cycle, let it be, step back and have some patience. throw a lil food in there, go on vacation and check the status when you get back.

ha well thanks for your opinion but there is a significant difference between starting your cycle by simply filling a tank vs providing a significant quantifiable ammonia source. I don't consider a cycle started until a significant ammonia source is added to the aquarium.

I am hardly chasing numbers, I'm simply trying to determine the cause of my low pH. 7.6 is unacceptable. My goal is not to raise pH by any means possible, that's easy to do.

I've only tried aeration, dosed a recommended safe small dose of 2 part, and opened a window. All things you should do anyway to have a successful reef tank. I'd say I'm far from dooming the tank haha! Not quite sure what would make you think I was headed in that direction, but I do appreciate your concern.

I will take your recommendation on throwing some food in and going on vacation in to consideration, thanks!

[BigJohnny]

Isaacs and Miguel, I know you'll like this one!:

"Reef Tank Time Machine" , you just have to set the heater to the desired date, then spill kalkwasser onto the reefkeeper while feeding and BOOM! Time travel

[Happyschneider]

What is the pH of your RODI water? Not that it should have too much influence but maybe your RODI is not working properly and you have an acid as contamination?

I just realised that I really do not like my aquascape and I am leaving for a week of Congress tomorrow. Ah well, my tank will do fine without me