Jumping back in after a failed attempt ...

[Cranky_Wonderer]

Like many in this hobby, learning the hard way is an unavoidable happening. Failure isn't something I've ever looked at as a negative thing and instead, is something that is natural and needed in order to excel and get better. I've always loved salt water tanks, the vibrant colors of the fish, corals, and wide range of animals capable of existing in these tanks.

About seven years ago, I jumped in with two feet with what I thought was enough research and planning. In less than a year span, I upgraded from a used RedSea 250 Max (that I converted to a sump system) to a brand new RedSea 425. After about a year getting the 425 and dealing with countless pest infestations (too many to list); I found myself frustrated and felt in over my head capable of dealing with everything. I made the decision reefing wasn't my thing and sold my livestock, tore down the tank selling everything, and decided that I'd just enjoy the tanks from a far while visiting pet stores and city aquariums.

A few months ago, I started to get that itch of wanting another tank. With my previous failure still in the back of my mind, I reminded myself of all the struggles but still found myself watching countless YouTube videos; especially drawn to the importance of the biome cycle. Thinking this was an important step I glossed over or better, in my haste, just didn't pay attention to brings me to this post...

My hope is with all the expertise here, I can validate my thought process and plan as well, adjust it from others input who I know have way more experience than I do. While I know (especially when discussing biome) there are many opinions on dry vs live rock, I'd prefer this not turn into a debate of which is better. In fact, if you're a strong believer of live rock, you may even choose to stop reading from here because I've already made the decision that if I do get back into the hobby, I'd start with dry Marco Rock.

That all being said, the following is where I'm at in jumping back in ...

The tank I'm seriously considering is an IM 40L. I love the lagoon style and not having to be wet up to my arm pits when working on things.

Substrate - 20LBs of Ocean Direct Sand
Rock - 40LBs of Perfect Mix Marco Coralline Rock
Microbactor Dry Rock Bacteria Starter

Post cycle

• Week 2 -3 (Lights Out)
  • Add Algae Barn's Ecopod mix to the tank and feed with phyto
  • Add two Clown Fish
• Week 4 - 6 (Lights On - Minimal time)
  • Introduce Trochus Snąłeś and Pincusion Sea Urchin
  • Add Algae Barn's 5280 Pods
  • Add Yellow Tang
  • Add Hermit Crabs
• Week 7 - 8 (Lights on - Medium time)
  • Add wrasse (six-line, yellow, or melanurus)
  • Skimmer turned on?
• Week 9 (Lights on - Full time)

It's at week 9 when I feel like the tank should be at this point fully operational. With an established biome layer, large establishment of pods, and the above livestock; dinos, cyno, hair algae, etc can all be maintained and naturally dealt with (i.e. pods consuming dinos, tang eating hair algae, etc) as the tank matures.

One thing I know I did in my last tank was chase numbers with nitrates, etc instead of letting the tank tell me what was working. I often found myself dosing all kinds of things trying to make things "perfect" so want to avoid that as I've learned that what works in one tank often doesn't work in another.

Appreciate any and all input on the above. I know some details were left out such as mechanical filtration in use, skimmer (which I'm still unsure if I'll even use), lighting, etc; but hoping I can get some input on biome cycle process before getting into the other components

Thank you all!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Welcome back. Personally I don't like to see a tang in 40 gallon, I don't feel its the right way to start off.

I'm not sure what you mean by the tank being operational with an established biomme at week 9, but I would say it takes about 1-2 years to really get the biomme going in a tank. A 9 week old tank is new and fragile, and your expectation of skipping any algae stage is very optimistic.

 

[Cranky_Wonderer]

Thank you, I appreciate the response! Operational was used in an extremely generalized way vs being fully mature. My use of that term was more related to lights being set to whatever level a normal day looks like, mechanical filtration all in place and running, establishment of regular tank maintenance, etc.

I realize the ugly phases are going to happen and I understand it's a necessity so I'm not looking to avoid it. More so, my hope is with the pods and correct live stock, these things can help the tank deal with these phases minus the use of a bunch of chemicals.

I may be wrong but from what I understand is that by having the correct livestock, this will help pull things through in a natural and proactive manner vs letting something run rapid. When chemicals are used to clean up something (i.e. dinos), they end up killing off the very bacteria that happens to be keeping something else at bay (i.e. cyno). In the early phases of the tank, these things are all off balance while the ecosystem gets established and so by having natural predators, we should be able to allow the ugly phases to happen but in a more controlled manner.

 

[SantaMonica]

You ask about the skimmer; try not using it for a year and see if you prefer the lower maintenance.