Build for my 75 Gallon Mixed Reef...first attempt since 1995.

[stoned-reefer83]

I agree with you on this. I'm planning on starting the cycle on my dry rock this weekend or next. I'm in no rush to fire up my tank without the equipment I feel I need, and WANT! lol
I think we have all probably thought our tanks was ready for the coral we want, I did anyway, and I ended loosing it all cause the bio filter wasn't as established as I thought, and honestly I was unfamiliar with the actual chemistry of my tank. I still have my 10 gallon running, just some zoas and snails. But boy has it taught me a lot
That dumb thing has probably costed me close to a grand lol.
I'm glad to hear that the skimmer is doing its job! I'm sure that will help with the unseen crud that could cause possible future devastation.
Your water clarity.....I'm not sure if you might have already considered it but, on my 10 gallon. The water has never been what I had hoped for in terms of clarity either. Yesterday afternoon I decided to add carbon to my hob filter, and what a difference it made! If you haven't already and decide to, make sure it the last thing your water passes over in the filter. You might find that helpful. I wish I taken before and after dosing photos.

 

[tbaum101]

I started using Chemi-Pure Elite media in my HOB filter and Phospho Guard. I know....not the most natural way but the stuff works amazingly well. I was using GFO but switched to the Sea Chem Phosphoguard. I used to run the standard Carbon inserts in the filter but I decided to step it up. I'm a jeweler and one day I noticed that my corals weren't happy. This went on for a few days and I started worrying about contamination from my hands from work getting in the water column. I began a surgical prep level hand washing procedure after I got home and put in the media. Everything perked right up. Definitely had some transfer in there.

 

[tbaum101]

I have the Emperor HOB filter and each bio wheel has two slots for cartridges behind them so the water flows directly through the media before it's recirculated back into the tank. The Phosphoguard I put in the return section of the Skimmer. Seems to be adequate for the moment. Would have preferred to put the Phosphoguard in a more active place but I'm out of spaces in the filter and of course, no sump

 

[tbaum101]

Do yourself a huge favor with the dry rock....Get some real live rock. Just a couple of pieces and if youncan find the live sand, use that as well. I'm telling you...Yes I had Armageddon happen at the end of 3 months but that didn't have anything to do with the cycle. All the diatoms, GHA, Cyano....I had zero. Maybe a little cyano once on the sand that I blew off with the turkey baster.

 

[stoned-reefer83]

Do yourself a huge favor with the dry rock....Get some real live rock. Just a couple of pieces and if youncan find the live sand, use that as well. I'm telling you...Yes I had Armageddon happen at the end of 3 months but that didn't have anything to do with the cycle. All the diatoms, GHA, Cyano....I had zero. Maybe a little cyano once on the sand that I blew off with the turkey baster.

I've thought about that. My idea is this...cycle my dry rock with Dr. Tims, after the cycle is complete getting a couple pieces of cured, live rock from my LFS and dropping a damsel or two in with my cycling rock so I don't have to keep feeding ammonia to it to feed the beneficial bacteria. Because I'm still a month or so from firing up my tank.

 

[Doctorgori]

I started using Chemi-Pure Elite media in my HOB filter and Phospho Guar

I’ve used that also, but it can be a expensive habit, actually I usually skip chemical media altogether and limit it to the occasional water clarity use…
….seems kinda early for phosphate removers, no?

I was using GFO but switched to the Sea Chem Phosphoguard

what/ how much you feeding? For new-ish tanks I do massive water changes for a few months till things settle…not the only way but simplest for me … I don’t really apply phosphate removers until I see a clear buildup and my “normal” means of export/reduction appears interrupted…

I have the Emperor HOB filter and each bio wheel has two slots for cartridges behind them so the water flows directly through the media before it's recirculated back into the tank

I’ve had that model, got one when the first came out, but I’m not sure how much money is to be had with that thing spinning in the air….its more bio surface but also a evaporative nuisance …
I’m sure someone will say it’s OK but I’d remove the wheel aparatus as I see issue more than I see a clear advantage on a reef tank

Added: I realize I’m advising an experience reefer, but I’m from that era also … times have change so break out the wallet LOL

 

[tbaum101]

I've thought about that. My idea is this...cycle my dry rock with Dr. Tims, after the cycle is complete getting a couple pieces of cured, live rock from my LFS and dropping a damsel or two in with my cycling rock so I don't have to keep feeding ammonia to it to feed the beneficial bacteria. Because I'm still a month or so from firing up my tank.

It's about more than just the nitrogen cycle. Thi k about thr overall biome of the tank. Nitrifying Bactrria are obviously important but the other types play a role in the overall health of the tank. Get as many kinds of bacteria as you can. I was lucky that my LFS has a huge bin of Live Rock at all times. I will say that the stuff we have now absolutely sux compared to the stuff from Figi back in the 90's. That's to one thing that isn't better. Cycling back then was an afterthought. The rock was awesome. GHA and other issues just didn't really occur because of it.

 

[tbaum101]

I’ve used that also, but it can be a expensive habit, actually I usually skip chemical media altogether and limit it to the occasional water clarity use…
….seems kinda early for phosphate removers, no?

what/ how much you feeding? For new-ish tanks I do massive water changes for a few months till things settle…not the only way but simplest for me … I don’t really apply phosphate removers until I see a clear buildup and my “normal” means of export/reduction appears interrupted…


I’ve had that model, got one when the first came out, but I’m not sure how much money is to be had with that thing spinning in the air….its more bio surface but also a evaporative nuisance …
I’m sure someone will say it’s OK but I’d remove the wheel aparatus as I see issue more than I see a clear advantage on a reef tank

Added: I realize I’m advising an experience reefer, but I’m from that era also … times have change so break out the wallet LOL

I would have thought it would be early for Phosphate issues as well...But here I am, Pezmo Beach and all the clams I can eat. As far as the Chemi Pure...I was concerned about heavy metals and other contamination from my hands. I'm a jeweler and my fingertips have buffing compound and carbon scorches all over them at all time. Takes a good scrubbing to rid myself of them. My issues stopped when I began to use it. I feed 5 cubes of various Mysis, Brine, Copopods, and other gut loaded crustaceans twice a day and one dry feeding in between.

Note: While I appreciate the compliment, I am in no way an experienced reefer. 4 years in the 90's doesn't translate to much beyond nostalgia in 2024. There was next to nothing passed along then. BBS sites were still new and the web was still in it's infancy. Netscape was the browser of choice and nobody had heard of Google...lol. My point being I decided to start this up again and devoted a couple hours a day for about 3 months to learning as much as I could before I put water in. I'm glad I did bit I wish I wouldn't have been so cavalier about nutrients and sure in my awesomeness. So what I'm saying is, I'm all about a different thought pattern on anything. There's so much to know.

 

[tbaum101]

After I got the tank under control again and cleaned up...Skimmer and lights all kicking, I got back to replacing the dead. This time I went after things a little differently. Copopods and Phyto scared the hell out of me at this point as I still wasn't 100% sure I didn't get a bad batch. I had added pods after my 99% change and it seemed to make my survivors retract. I had been told that it was possible they were eating damaged tissue from the survivors and that could be irritating them but the fear was real. The green taco that was my elegance eventually started to come out and my fears subsided. But what I did differently was usage of the Big 3, Calcium, Alkalinity and Magnesium. I opted to push it to see what I could make my coral do. Since this time I have kept my Calcium at around 480 and it's gone to 500 a few times, Alkalinity at a floor of 10 as high as 13dKH and Magnesium at 1400. I slowly built up the levels over a month and have been there since. I got back in the saddle with SPS as well. I found a great colony of Scroll Turbinaria and got a Toadstool Leather among some other pieces.

 

[tbaum101]

I've got a few new fish in the past month. I began to have a hair algae issue when I added more light and increased feeding. Snails, fiddler crabs, pencil and a pin cousin urchin and a lawnmower blenny did the trick...now I worry about there being enough. I had to get very large snails because my Valentini Puffer seems to really like escargot and was taking out normal sized ones within a day or two of them being in the tank. Those large snails apparently REALLY like Red Oigo and Dragons Breath because it disappeared in a few days. Really freaked me out! I started dosing trace elements and amino acids to add to my regimen and I have been EXTREMELY happy. My colors are brighter than ever and I've rehabed a few receesing corals I got for a deal at my LFS. They got colors I didn't know they would have and tissue growing back. So I feel like they are reacting positively to the dosing. I'm right at 7 1/2 months since I put water in and I've never enjoyed looking at it more...or become more stressed out when something isn't normal or pops up. Using all Red Sea products for dosing and it would be hard to pull me away from them. Here's a panoramic shot through a yellow lens with the heavy blues on the Fluval Lights.

 

[stoned-reefer83]

I love this! You sure didn't waste any time reviving your tank did ya? Lol
That looks fantastic! I know I've been discouraged a few times and thought "this is just to much". But I don't believe my pride and willpower will let me give up! keep It guy, it looks gorgeous

 

[tbaum101]

I love this! You sure didn't waste any time reviving your tank did ya? Lol
That looks fantastic! I know I've been discouraged a few times and thought "this is just to much". But I don't believe my pride and willpower will let me give up! keep It guy, it looks gorgeous

No I did not. I still wonder what it would look like if I never had the Coralpocalypse though. I really had some unique pieces and I can't find some again....But I'll keep at it. I don't even want to think about how much money I've spent (and the wife will NEVER EVER EVER KNOW) But I love looking at it at night with the blues on. I just went to Gainesville today (about 45 minutes away) and got a new 2 headed torch frag. Euphillia is something I've had a challenge with but I've had one now for a couple of months and it's starting to split so I decided to try a new one. It's definitely an addiction. I'm about to start a grow out tank as well. Why let the fun stop because I'm full? I've almost got the Mrs convinced to let me put a bigger tank in the living room which she was supper sore about since the tank and stand were my Christmas/ Channukah present from her. Until then...There's always a spot on a rock somewhere...lol. I think pride and determination are key factors in this hobby. It's definitely a labor of love.