Our 62 Gallon AIO Lagoon Build

[OutColdCRNA]

Sitting at Day 5 of the cycle. We added an ATO. Went with the Tunze Osmolator 3. Also added loc line returns with the RFG nozzles. Next up will be lighting. Currently planning on 2 Noopsyche K7 V3’s in a floating canopy that we’ll build. We want to do a floating canopy as the tank is right in our main sitting area near a TV as well so we are trying to minimize light spill and want something with a modern aesthetic.

If you don’t do a floating canopy, an alternative would be light shades. I got some printed from projects with sam. He is a member here. Love them, as the light spill in my living room was crazy. He makes them for the noop lights

 

[blennyhana]

Still cycling along. Currently on day 22. We’ve been out of the country for the last week so no testing during those days. Ammonia had dropped the day before we left, but nitrites were still up. Salifert tests today showed Ammonia at 0, Nitrites still at 2-3, and Nitrates maxed out the Hanna checker at >75. Just waiting for Nitrites to zero out at this point before adding fish. Leaning towards a pair of storm clowns to start.

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Still cycling along. Currently on day 22. We’ve been out of the country for the last week so no testing during those days. Ammonia had dropped the day before we left, but nitrites were still up. Salifert tests today showed Ammonia at 0, Nitrites still at 2-3, and Nitrates maxed out the Hanna checker at >75. Just waiting for Nitrites to zero out at this point before adding fish. Leaning towards a pair of storm clowns to start.

That may be the best way to avoid the impatience with cycling a new tank, just leave the country haha!!

 

[Peair]

Picked up a skimmer while it was on sale at BRS. Went with the Aquamaxx WS-1. Was debating between this and a Tunze 9004, but I was a little concerned about fitment in the back chambers with the Tunze and have seen the Aquamaxx used before without issue.

Man you are all set with a nice tank and protein skimmer, I tried to get that skimmer but they were sold out.

Picked up a skimmer while it was on sale at BRS. Went with the Aquamaxx WS-1. Was debating between this and a Tunze 9004, but I was a little concerned about fitment in the back chambers with the Tunze and have seen the Aquamaxx used before without issue.

 

[mnsean]

Still cycling along. Currently on day 22. We’ve been out of the country for the last week so no testing during those days. Ammonia had dropped the day before we left, but nitrites were still up. Salifert tests today showed Ammonia at 0, Nitrites still at 2-3, and Nitrates maxed out the Hanna checker at >75. Just waiting for Nitrites to zero out at this point before adding fish. Leaning towards a pair of storm clowns to start.

Hey I just got that exact same tank in Feb as well! Mine didn’t level right because of the stand. How are you liking it? How’s corals doing?

 

[blennyhana]

Day 29 of the cycle. Our nitrites are still hovering around 2-4ppm. Ammonia has remained 0 for nearly two weeks at this point. We started with Dr. Tim’s One and Only. Used ammonium chloride as directed. Also been dosing a small amount of Microbacter 7 every few days. Not sure sure if it’s doing anything but can’t hurt I’d imagine. Not sure why our nitrites haven’t zeroed out yet but everything I’m reading says we’re good to add fish since our ammonia dropped and has stayed that way. So planning to add 2 storm clowns this Saturday! Super excited for our first fish!

 

[blennyhana]

Nitrites finally went down over night.
Readings are:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 13.5

Ready for fish!

 

[blennyhana]

First fish are in! Orange and Black Storms from Cultivated Reef!

 

[MrsBlennyHana]

Update: fish seem to be doing great! They’re showing interest in food but they’re not going after it too much, so I messaged the vendor to see what they were eating before.
It’s cool to see how their behavior has changed over the last few days as they get more comfortable; they’re finally exploring the rock work and attempting to see which is the more dominant. I am refraining from fixing the sand or cleaning the glass so as to not freak them out, at the request of @blennyhana . Soon though!

Edit: Also their names are Noodle (orange storm) and Strudel (black storm), and I am obsessed with them

 

[blennyhana]

Little update: Fish are still doing great. Starting to plan for our next additions. In other news, we got our lighting setup figured out. Went with 2 Noopsyche K7 Pro III’s and they are going to be placed into a floating canopy. Here are a few photos of the current canopy build.

 

[blennyhana]

Floating canopy complete with the lights installed. Tank is basically completely set up at this point. Super happy with how everything turned out considering the canopy and stand were totally built from scratch by my wife and I. I think we hit on the modern/minimalist aesthetic we were going for.

 

[OutColdCRNA]

Love it, the canopy was exactly what I envisioned for mine but never got around to building it.

 

[MrsBlennyHana]

Noodle and Strudel are doing great! Noodle (the orange storm) has done that little submissive dance and got a response from Strudel. We also added copepods about 2 weeks ago and have started seeing them crawling all over the glass!

We haven’t started seeing any algae yet.

 

[blennyhana]

First signs of diatoms have popped up. We also dipped our toes in with our first two corals. Just a zoa frag and gsp to start growing on our island rock so far.

 

[Daasmo]

First signs of diatoms have popped up. We also dipped our toes in with our first two corals. Just a zoa frag and gsp to start growing on our island rock so far.

We basically started with the same coral. Even though my zoa is a little more basic.

 

[MrsBlennyHana]

We basically started with the same coral. Even though my zoa is a little more basic.

Yours look great! Our LFS has really decent options, especially for being such a small store. I love your anemone! I’m not sure we’ll get one though

 

[Daasmo]

Yours look great! Our LFS has really decent options, especially for being such a small store. I love your anemone! I’m not sure we’ll get one though

Thanks. I found the nem on FB marketplace but the guy said he sells to the LFS so I got it cheaper from him. But the nem has definitely caused me some grief so I understand skipping one.

 

[blennyhana]

Aaaand got another one

 

[blennyhana]

put an order in with Dr. Reef in May for a purple fire fish and a Bangaii cardinal. They arrived this week +2 extra cardinals so those will likely be coming out eventually to make room for other fish. All seem to be eating and doing well so far.

 

[SaltySqueeble]

Looking good, love that new fire fish