Hello everyone! I just couldn't fight the itch any longer and am finally making my return to the hobby with a 32g Biocube reef in my apartment. The tank has been up and running since November 23, so just about one month now and have my first couple clownfish arriving in a few days.
I cycled the tank using Biospira and a bit of pure ammonia. It took about a week to process 2-3 PPM of ammonia in 24hrs, and at the end of this period, I decided to get started with a couple super easy softies that I will monitor for a few weeks to make sure everything is stable. I guess I kind of wanted to use these hardy corals as the 'canaries in the gold mine' as I go through process of trial and error. This way when I add fish and more temperamental corals, I'll have a good feel of what my 'stable' neutral state parameters are and it'll be easier to tell when something is off in the tank. Slow and steady wins the race here!! Anyways, lets get to some specifics.
Equipment:
32g Biocube and stand
AI Nero 3 (2000 gph) and Hyggar mini 2600 gph pump
Filtration:
I am currently running CPE, Purigen and filter floss in the InTank media rack, and some live rock rubble and a good ol' ball of chaeto in the InTank refugium basket.
Rock/sand:
40 lbs of special grade live sand
30 lbs of Carib Sea LifeRock
Fish:
Planning on just two designer clowns for now. I have a orange storm and davinci clown coming in from trusted breeder in a few days for my first fish additions.
Corals (current):
red and blue mushrooms
GSP
kenya tree
orange ricordia mushroom
zoa frag
So, let's get into a few more details:
The corals have been doing well for the past three weeks. Starting about two weeks ago I started seeing diatoms - no nuisance algae (yet). The diatoms appear to be to be regressing a tiny bit but it's hard to tell. I added chaeto about 3 weeks ago when my nitrates were still between 20-40PPM. The chaeto took the nitrates down to 0 officially yesterday, which I am a little concerned about since I have no bioload yet. I have slashed my fuge light period and hoping my new clown additions in a few days will bring this back up over the next week.
I do think my zoas are struggling a bit with the reduced nitrates. I also believe I am seeing a bacterial bloom as the past couple days the water has had a slight milky tinge to it, I am seeing white particles in the water (def not bubbles), settling on glass and the rock and there are clear stringy areas on the rocks and glass along with the diatoms. The water smell has also increased the past few days and the filter floss turns dark brown within hours. All of these signs are pointing to a bacterial bloom to me. This is *not* widespread yet and does not appear too severe in pictures, but this coupled with the bottoming nitrates I think has stressed the zoas, and the GSP does not appear as happy. I am not sure if it is a coincidence, but I did spray some air freshener in here (away from the tank down low) and have had a candle lit, so I am not sure if the bacteria is a result of this or just a new tank bloom. I've ordered a UV sterilizer which will be here Tuesday to hopefully take care of this. I am on the fence about doing too many water changes since my nitrates are already bottomed. Phosphates are around .25 on the API test (I know I need better kits, but I wasnt planning on anything other than hardy softies til I pass the uglies stage).
Any comments are gladly welcomed!! I am hoping this little bacterial bloom can stay under control so I can continue with my first additions on Dec 29, but I am a bit concerned by it. Attached are some pics of the full tank, and some of the diatoms and growth I have.
Otherwise, this is where I will document the tank status! Thanks for reading
I cycled the tank using Biospira and a bit of pure ammonia. It took about a week to process 2-3 PPM of ammonia in 24hrs, and at the end of this period, I decided to get started with a couple super easy softies that I will monitor for a few weeks to make sure everything is stable. I guess I kind of wanted to use these hardy corals as the 'canaries in the gold mine' as I go through process of trial and error. This way when I add fish and more temperamental corals, I'll have a good feel of what my 'stable' neutral state parameters are and it'll be easier to tell when something is off in the tank. Slow and steady wins the race here!! Anyways, lets get to some specifics.
Equipment:
32g Biocube and stand
AI Nero 3 (2000 gph) and Hyggar mini 2600 gph pump
Filtration:
I am currently running CPE, Purigen and filter floss in the InTank media rack, and some live rock rubble and a good ol' ball of chaeto in the InTank refugium basket.
Rock/sand:
40 lbs of special grade live sand
30 lbs of Carib Sea LifeRock
Fish:
Planning on just two designer clowns for now. I have a orange storm and davinci clown coming in from trusted breeder in a few days for my first fish additions.
Corals (current):
red and blue mushrooms
GSP
kenya tree
orange ricordia mushroom
zoa frag
So, let's get into a few more details:
The corals have been doing well for the past three weeks. Starting about two weeks ago I started seeing diatoms - no nuisance algae (yet). The diatoms appear to be to be regressing a tiny bit but it's hard to tell. I added chaeto about 3 weeks ago when my nitrates were still between 20-40PPM. The chaeto took the nitrates down to 0 officially yesterday, which I am a little concerned about since I have no bioload yet. I have slashed my fuge light period and hoping my new clown additions in a few days will bring this back up over the next week.
I do think my zoas are struggling a bit with the reduced nitrates. I also believe I am seeing a bacterial bloom as the past couple days the water has had a slight milky tinge to it, I am seeing white particles in the water (def not bubbles), settling on glass and the rock and there are clear stringy areas on the rocks and glass along with the diatoms. The water smell has also increased the past few days and the filter floss turns dark brown within hours. All of these signs are pointing to a bacterial bloom to me. This is *not* widespread yet and does not appear too severe in pictures, but this coupled with the bottoming nitrates I think has stressed the zoas, and the GSP does not appear as happy. I am not sure if it is a coincidence, but I did spray some air freshener in here (away from the tank down low) and have had a candle lit, so I am not sure if the bacteria is a result of this or just a new tank bloom. I've ordered a UV sterilizer which will be here Tuesday to hopefully take care of this. I am on the fence about doing too many water changes since my nitrates are already bottomed. Phosphates are around .25 on the API test (I know I need better kits, but I wasnt planning on anything other than hardy softies til I pass the uglies stage).
Any comments are gladly welcomed!! I am hoping this little bacterial bloom can stay under control so I can continue with my first additions on Dec 29, but I am a bit concerned by it. Attached are some pics of the full tank, and some of the diatoms and growth I have.
Otherwise, this is where I will document the tank status! Thanks for reading