55 Gallon update

[Dkcav59]

Hi Y'all!
How's everyone doing in September? Here in Central Texas we just had our "False Fall", for 3 days! Now it's back to 90-100 degree weather!
My 55 turned 10 weeks old this past Saturday. It's doing well. I started with 4 Oscillarous clowns and last Friday added a Coral Beauty Angel, 2 turbo and 2 astraea snails and a teensie Emerald Crab, which could be a problem later on.
I do test every Sunday, and my Parameters are stable. I do a partial water change about once a month, but, I do top off the tank as needed.
I've been consistent in my maintenance, which, I feels helps your tank stay healthy. I also check for ammonia in the middle of the week.

 

[Fish Fan]

Congrats on your tank! Sounds like you're on the right track. At 10 weeks in, I think you can stop testing for ammonia, your biofilter should be good to go by now (you likely have been recording zero ammonia for the last several weeks, right?). After the initial cycle, I think most reefers here only test for ammonia if there's a problem, like a fish death or another reason to suspect elevated ammonia.

Best of luck with your 55!

 

[Dkcav59]

Congrats on your tank! Sounds like you're on the right track. At 10 weeks in, I think you can stop testing for ammonia, your biofilter should be good to go by now (you likely have been recording zero ammonia for the last several weeks, right?). After the initial cycle, I think most reefers here only test for ammonia if there's a problem, like a fish death or another reason to suspect elevated ammonia.

Best of luck with your 55!

Thank you! I've tested since the first week in. The last time I had a tank was in the early 1990's. I only had one ammonia spike and that was the 4th week. I don't do slot to my tank but clean glass when needed and top off with water. I was in the professional pet business as a young woman (I'm 65) and worked in a couple of fish rooms. There were 2 guys I learned so very much from and I'm running my tank " old school". I'm using a hang on the side Whisper Bio-wheel filter with carbon filters and for 75 gallons. I've been really pleased with it and my fish are fat and happy! In a couple of months I'm adding a couple of corals and zoa's. Thanks for the reply!

 

[Fish Fan]

Nothing wrong with old school or with Hang On Back (HOB) filters and other gear!

I used to have some of those Whisper Bio-Wheel filters (do they still make those lol??), and my only thing to note is that the bio-wheels themselves would often stop turning. I don't think that would even be a super big deal if it happens to you, since your bio filter will really be your rocks and sand, but something to watch out for

Sounds like you have a good handle on things and are off to a great start!

 

[Dkcav59]

Nothing wrong with old school or with Hang On Back (HOB) filters and other gear!

I used to have some of those Whisper Bio-Wheel filters (do they still make those lol??), and my only thing to note is that the bio-wheels themselves would often stop turning. I don't think that would even be a super big deal if it happens to you, since your bio filter will really be your rocks and sand, but something to watch out for

Sounds like you have a good handle on things and are off to a great start!

Yes! They still make the Whisper Bio Wheels which is what I'm running. I've only had one wheel stop, and upon inspection found the carbon filter insert clogged. So I took it out rinsed it off put it back in worked like a charm! I used the whisper bio wheels in the past and I really like them because they're kind of multi-purpose! I mean they filter your water, they help the biology and microbes of your tank grow and the filters have carbon to polish your water! I don't see how you could go wrong with that at all! And as a precaution I'm also using the Novaqua water treatment. I have a Puronics water filtration system as I live in the Austin area and the water here is horrible. So I'm just really thankful that I didn't have to run out and buy water like a lot of folks have to.