Octo High End SPS Skip Cycle Build....

[SoAg Reefer]

Hey Everyone!

Im going to start my build thread in hopes I get some pointers and help along the way. My last reef tank was in 2011. I had a 54 gallon corner tank and a 120 gallon reef tank. I loved it! However I was promoted and moved my family from NC to CA. Had to sell it all. We are now back in NC and my wife refuses to let me get another tank at home (I spilled a lot of water back then). So....I got one for my office lol. She can’t control me there! Here are the details of the tank:

Reef Octo 32 gallon. Dims are 24x18x18. Will be a small mixed reef. Bought it off A local forum at a great deal that included the tank, plumbing, sump, skimmer and return. The skimmer and return pump are 5 years old so I’m going to replace them and may also buy a new sump unless I win what’s in my cart at BRS . Everything else I’m buying new.

Filtration: BRS biopellet reactor combo kit w a sicce 1.5 (turned into carbon reactor)
Turbo Media Reactor side flow medium - Lifegard - for my gfo and carbon (offline)
Reef Octopus Essence 130
Custom Sump from Advanced Arylics that has a refugium section
BRS CO2 Scrubber
Refugium w miracle mud growing chaeto

Rock & Sand: 20lbs Hawaiian Black live sand
Life Rock Shapes 20lbs Caribsea
A few random pieces, around 20 lbs of live rock from my lfs that came from an established tank

Flow: 2x VorTech MP-10
2 tunze nanostreams 6015 (offline)
Reef Octo Varios 2 Return

Lighting: Radion XR30 G5 Blue w diffuser
AI Prime FUGE Light

ATO: Reef Breeders Prism ATO bundle

Test Kits/automation: ApexEL w salinity module add on
Plank auto feeder
Neptune Par Meter
Trident
DOS dosing EasySPS and TM All for Reef
Versa dosing Acropower
Versa dosing Red Sea Magnesium (offline)
Marine Depot Refractometer
Finnex 200 watt titanium heater w controller
Hanna ultra low range phosphate checker
Hanna Calcium Tester
Hanna Alk Tester
Salifert Magnesium Test Kit
Red Sea Nitrate Test kit




Then I have the electrical organization stuff I bought. Algae barn rapid cycle kit and the media itself, epoxy, etc. I’ll be using Red Sea Coral Pro Blue salt with lfs RODI water.

Should start putting it all together Monday thru Thursday as orders come in. Picking up the water, salt, return pump, sand and some rock on my way to work Monday. Will post pics and updates as I go along. For livestock I’d like a pair of clowns and maybe a Pygmy angel or small wrasse. We’ll see.

 

[Dr. Phil]

Looks like the start to something great! I look forward to seeing your progress!

 

[SoAg Reefer]

Looks like the start to something great! I look forward to seeing your progress!

Thanks! What do you think of the return pump dilemma I'm having? Only 45 gallons total volume and leaning towards the Vectra S2 but I think it's overkill and may settle on a Reef Octo Varios. Pump that came with it is 5 years old and since im not at my office 24/7 I need reliability and new. Cost isn't an issue and I can dial the Vectra down but that is the only purchase I haven't made yet

 

[Dr. Phil]

Thanks! What do you think of the return pump dilemma I'm having? Only 45 gallons total volume and leaning towards the Vectra S2 but I think it's overkill and may settle on a Reef Octo Varios. Pump that came with it is 5 years old and since im not at my office 24/7 I need reliability and new. Cost isn't an issue and I can dial the Vectra down but that is the only purchase I haven't made yet

I am actually looking at both pumps for my own setup. I am leaning toward the varios line due to their compatibility with the apex.

If I were not connecting to an apex I would strongly consider the vectra due to its greater flexibility with feed mode speeds and max speeds. My reason for that is I hate the noise and look of my tank when the pump shuts off completely.

 

[SoAg Reefer]

I am actually looking at both pumps for my own setup. I am leaning toward the varios line due to their compatibility with the apex.

If I were not connecting to an apex I would strongly consider the vectra due to its greater flexibility with feed mode speeds and max speeds. My reason for that is I hate the noise and look of my tank when the pump shuts off completely.

Makes sense. Thanks for the input

 

[SoAg Reefer]

So, I’m thinking of ordering a trigger systems cube emerald sump for this system. It’s 20x20x15, so ill be able to add 20 gallons of water to the system making it 52 gallons total. Really nice looking sump, does anyone have experience or opinions on this sump?

 

[SoAg Reefer]

So I just put water in it yesterday. 40 gallons total of RODI water using the Red Sea Coral Pro blue salt. Installed the light, which was super easy to program. So far just have the RP-M for Flow and the return. Installed the PH Monitor and heater. For rock, I have 20lbs of Caribsea shapes and a 15 lb piece of live rock from someone else’s tank. He couldn’t get all the zoas off and it came filled with life. Snails, little stars, etc. will help speed up cycle.
I have not yet installed the carbon/gfo reactor, biopellet reactor, skimmer and new return pump because they haven’t came in yet. Also don’t have my mp10 or tunze. ATO will be installed tonight though. Just wanted to get the cycle started

 

[SoAg Reefer]

Today I installed the biopellet reactor and the carbon/gfo reactor. Also added a Tunze nano stream to some more flow. Still waiting on my mp10. Changed the auqascape up and found some corals left on the rock from the guy I got them from. Some zoas and not sure what that red and green thing is, maybe a favia? Skimmer will go next week. 5 more days on the fritz turbostart anyway. Buying a reef octopus classic 110 for the skimmer.
Don’t pay attention to the cords, once I have everything installed I’ll clean it up. Still need my new return pump and the electrical outlet I ordered. Plus I’m going to redo the plumbing

 

[SoAg Reefer]

Deleting duplicate post

 

[SoAg Reefer]

Final aquascape

 

[SoAg Reefer]

Anyone know what that red and green coral is, looks like it was on a plug that was taken off but that part was left on the rock. Came with live rock I bought from my lfs, zoas were free too as they were part of the rock

 

[btmedic04]

Looks like it might be a favia or chalice. The only real way to find out is to let it grow and see what happens

 

[SoAg Reefer]

Looks like it might be a favia or chalice. The only real way to find out is to let it grow and see what happens

I was thinking favia as well. Hope the new tank cycle doesn't kill it. It has tentacles out and seems fine so far

 

[Gennaio]

Looking good so far. I'm in the process of setting up a similar build. Are you happy with the amount of sand? I have 20lbs on the way but I been wondering if I would need more.

 

[SoAg Reefer]

Looking good so far. I'm in the process of setting up a similar build. Are you happy with the amount of sand? I have 20lbs on the way but I been wondering if I would need more.

Thanks! Yea I am. 20lbs was perfect for the dims of this tank. I almost bought an 10lb bag but glad I didn't cuz I woulda used it and probably been a bit too much

 

[btmedic04]

I was thinking favia as well. Hope the new tank cycle doesn't kill it. It has tentacles out and seems fine so far

Since that rock came from an established tank, the corals and critters on it should be fine so long as you dont blast the tank with 2ppm worth of ammonium chloride. Personally, I'd feed the tank fish food to do this cycle in order to try to preserve the corals on the rock

 

[SoAg Reefer]

I have reef roids and LPS food, would that be better then fish food?

 

[btmedic04]

I have reef roids and LPS food, would that be better then fish food?

In theory it would feed the corals in the tank and break down to help with the cycle, but you might run into nutrient issues since theres not much else in the tank to consume and process it. Also for me cost would be a factor. A tiny pinch of flake food every couple of days is dirt cheap

 

[SoAg Reefer]

Copy that, thanks!

I didn't know about the favia and zoas on the rock when I bought it. Just pulled it out of a water filled bin at my LFS. I used nitrocycle and Fritz turbostart. At about 5pm yesterday I tested the water and Ammonia was 1.5. Just tested it again and its almost 0. Tank processed it very quickly. All life remains fine on the rock. Maybe I got away with it??

 

[btmedic04]

Copy that, thanks!

I didn't know about the favia and zoas on the rock when I bought it. Just pulled it out of a water filled bin at my LFS. I used nitrocycle and Fritz turbostart. At about 5pm yesterday I tested the water and Ammonia was 1.5. Just tested it again and its almost 0. Tank processed it very quickly. All life remains fine on the rock. Maybe I got away with it??

I'm thinking you did bud, that's awesome!