New to Saltwater, returning to fish keeping.

[needinchi]

Hello all,

I am new to the saltwater fish/reef world, but not to fish keeping I have kept freshwater tanks for years. Got out of the hobby when I had a massive tank fail. So now is the time to take the leap into saltwater. After much discussion with the wife and the family we made the leap. We are not the proud owners of a 180g tank, that is currently in the fishless cycle process.

Equipment List:
180g Planet Aquairum
Tideline 48 sump
2x AI Hydra 32
1x AI Hydra 64
2x AI Orbit 4
Sicce 9 return pump
Reef Octopus Skimmer 202-s
I will be running a Hydros Setup for the controller, just waiting on the shop to get it in. It will be a X10, Kraken, ATO, and the IV for testing.

I started the cycle last night after troubleshooting the leaking at the sump.

My question is what would be causing this in the sand bed? See Pictures.



Here is where I have the Orbit 4 located.

 

[FrozenReefer]

What kind of substrate is it? I’ve heard that the tiny sand most people call sugar sand can be blown all over the tank. Try running you pumps at a lower level and see if the sand movement stops.

 

[needinchi]

What kind of substrate is it? I’ve heard that the tiny sand most people call sugar sand can be blown all over the tank. Try running you pumps at a lower level and see if the sand movement stops.

It is Pink Fiji sand, and do you mean lower the speeds? they are running at random rates from 25% to 75%

 

[FrozenReefer]

It is Pink Fiji sand, and do you mean lower the speeds? they are running at random rates from 25% to 75%

Try taking them off random at 25% constant for a bit. I’m not 100% sure that’s the issue but it’s worth ruling out.

 

[needinchi]

Try taking them off random at 25% constant for a bit. I’m not 100% sure that’s the issue but it’s worth ruling out.

I turned them down to 25%, now to flatten the sand back out and see if that fixes the issue.

 

[mottomegl]

Fiji pink sand is very light and blows around easy I used it in my tank and to stop most of the blowing it meant changing speeds and the way the pumps aimed but didn’t stop all of the sand blowing cause it is like sugar
Any sand from the South Pacific region and large parts of the Caribbean are like sugar
I have spent a lot of time diving almost every island in the Caribbean and have worked my way through all of the Tahiti islands and now in a couple months heading to Fiji for a while

 

[needinchi]

Fiji pink sand is very light and blows around easy I used it in my tank and to stop most of the blowing it meant changing speeds and the way the pumps aimed but didn’t stop all of the sand blowing cause it is like sugar
Any sand from the South Pacific region and large parts of the Caribbean are like sugar
I have spent a lot of time diving almost every island in the Caribbean and have worked my way through all of the Tahiti islands and now in a couple months heading to Fiji for a while

Should I mix in some of the Argonite sand?

 

[Sod Buster]

You don't need wave pumps on to cycle the tank, just the return pump. The sand will get bacteria in it eventually and lock itself in better. You have fine sugar sand. You can put coarse sand in if you'd like, but not necessarily needed for a bit.

 

[needinchi]

Not so much on for the cycle, trying to get the basic flow started before I start stocking.

 

[mottomegl]

Should I mix in some of the Argonite sand?

Yes

 

[Glowurm]

If you just started it might be worth getting a larger grain size substrate, removing it later will be harder...

 

[needinchi]

If you just started it might be worth getting a larger grain size substrate, removing it later will be harder...

I am just starting, however, the wife likes the smaller sand, I am going to mix it with some larger substrate and see if we can calm it down some. Also, I worked with AI to work on flow issues, they gave me some excellent ideas so we are going to try a few of the ideas.

 

[Glowurm]

I am just starting, however, the wife likes the smaller sand, I am going to mix it with some larger substrate and see if we can calm it down some. Also, I worked with AI to work on flow issues, they gave me some excellent ideas so we are going to try a few of the ideas.

The substrate will become less finicky as it binds, but its worth considering especially if youre planning to have SPS!

 

[needinchi]

Should I add more rock to the current layout?