Plumbing disaster = cycle questions

ontheairship · 10/25/2009, 10:41 AM

I recently bought a 55 gallon drilled tank complete with sump, protein skimmer, lights and wooden stand for an amazing 133 bucks! (love craigslist ) Silly me I didn't think to try out the tank before going head first and filling it to the top and sure it enough it started leaking...from everywhere.

After 5 days of silicone-ing, replacing bulkhead, replacing pvc, filling/draining, and wanting to kill someone it is finally in working order but I lost a gold striped maroon clown and 2 green chromis in the process.

Now I need some advice! I have live rock and sand that has been cycled together in another tank and I don't know how my cycle is going to happen. I had to replace all the water in the leak crisis so it's like starting fresh but not exactly. So I'm wondering what should I expect from my cycle in this situation?

I'm currently running my sump with live rock rather than bio balls and I'm wondering what you all think about that.

I also have a question about my lights...how good are they?
I'm running Tek Light 44 T5-HO 54 W fluorescent with 2 actinic + bulbs 1 pure actinic + bulb and 1 aquablue + bulb. Currently only the pure actinic + bulb and aquablue + bulb are coming on. Should I worry about replacing them right away?

Last question/concern is a possible refugium. I have a 10 gallon tank that I also received with the tank and I would like to setup a refugium maybe for some seahorses once my tank is fully established or to grow some copepods for a possible mandarin goby in the future. How exactly would I go about that? I will add pictures tomorrow of my tank and the plumbing to give you all a better idea of my situation.

Looking forward to hearing from all of you! Thanks guys!

Ruskin · 10/25/2009, 11:15 AM

I'll help with what I can.

First, sorry to hear about the frustration, that really sucks, but good job sticking with it. You'll want to take it easy with bio-load and such now that your water is brand new. Unfortunately that will take some time to get itself sorted out again(cycled), so you will have to wait that out.

Good idea getting rid of the bioballs. They generally are just nutrient traps and the live rock is a much better idea.

Lighting depends on the corals you wish to keep. With a few exceptions fish dont really care too much about the light quality, just that they have a true day/night cycle.

You could place your refugium between your main tank and sump and just let gravity do the work for you. Have water flow from main display to ref. to sump either by having it above the sump but below the display or use of bulkheads/overflow like a mini display.

ontheairship · 10/25/2009, 04:09 PM

So I'm basically cycling my tank? That's ok I guess considering everythig that went wrong that's not too bad. I'll add pictures so hopefully someone can help with refuge placement as I have limited space. If I even add one at all. Thanks

Ruskin · 10/25/2009, 08:16 PM

Sure, add a photo maybe we can figure something out for ya.

10/25/2009, 10:41 AM	#1
ontheairship Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 68	Plumbing disaster = cycle questions I recently bought a 55 gallon drilled tank complete with sump, protein skimmer, lights and wooden stand for an amazing 133 bucks! (love craigslist ) Silly me I didn't think to try out the tank before going head first and filling it to the top and sure it enough it started leaking...from everywhere. After 5 days of silicone-ing, replacing bulkhead, replacing pvc, filling/draining, and wanting to kill someone it is finally in working order but I lost a gold striped maroon clown and 2 green chromis in the process. Now I need some advice! I have live rock and sand that has been cycled together in another tank and I don't know how my cycle is going to happen. I had to replace all the water in the leak crisis so it's like starting fresh but not exactly. So I'm wondering what should I expect from my cycle in this situation? I'm currently running my sump with live rock rather than bio balls and I'm wondering what you all think about that. I also have a question about my lights...how good are they? I'm running Tek Light 44 T5-HO 54 W fluorescent with 2 actinic + bulbs 1 pure actinic + bulb and 1 aquablue + bulb. Currently only the pure actinic + bulb and aquablue + bulb are coming on. Should I worry about replacing them right away? Last question/concern is a possible refugium. I have a 10 gallon tank that I also received with the tank and I would like to setup a refugium maybe for some seahorses once my tank is fully established or to grow some copepods for a possible mandarin goby in the future. How exactly would I go about that? I will add pictures tomorrow of my tank and the plumbing to give you all a better idea of my situation. Looking forward to hearing from all of you! Thanks guys!

10/25/2009, 11:15 AM	#2
Ruskin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 373	I'll help with what I can. First, sorry to hear about the frustration, that really sucks, but good job sticking with it. You'll want to take it easy with bio-load and such now that your water is brand new. Unfortunately that will take some time to get itself sorted out again(cycled), so you will have to wait that out. Good idea getting rid of the bioballs. They generally are just nutrient traps and the live rock is a much better idea. Lighting depends on the corals you wish to keep. With a few exceptions fish dont really care too much about the light quality, just that they have a true day/night cycle. You could place your refugium between your main tank and sump and just let gravity do the work for you. Have water flow from main display to ref. to sump either by having it above the sump but below the display or use of bulkheads/overflow like a mini display.

10/25/2009, 04:09 PM	#3
ontheairship Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 68	So I'm basically cycling my tank? That's ok I guess considering everythig that went wrong that's not too bad. I'll add pictures so hopefully someone can help with refuge placement as I have limited space. If I even add one at all. Thanks

10/25/2009, 08:16 PM	#4
Ruskin Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 373	Sure, add a photo maybe we can figure something out for ya.