Weston's - Innovative Marine Nuvo 14 Peninsula Build

[Hooz]

I would also add, don't be afraid to feed your fish!

LPS in general, euphyllia in particular like a little dirtier water. I keep my LPS/softie tanks at 10-15ppm Nitrates and anywhere under 0.10ppm Phosphates. I feed my fish pretty heavy every day and broadcast feed Reef Chili 3x a week. Between my CuC and the coral uptake, I have issues keeping my nitrates and phosphates up. I actually have to dose Phosphates occasionally.

 

[WestonNanos]

I would also add, don't be afraid to feed your fish!

LPS in general, euphyllia in particular like a little dirtier water. I keep my LPS/softie tanks at 10-15ppm Nitrates and anywhere under 0.10ppm Phosphates. I feed my fish pretty heavy every day and broadcast feed Reef Chili 3x a week. Between my CuC and the coral uptake, I have issues keeping my nitrates and phosphates up. I actually have to dose Phosphates occasionally.

Good to know! I think the main thing I need is patience, I'm just so excited to get corals in the tank... But seriously, you have been a major help in setting up my tank, thank you for the advice!

 

[WestonNanos]

Clowns found a nice little cove away from all the flow, a nice little spot for them to relax

 

[WestonNanos]

Today I am making some things on the 3d printer! I have an AI prime light shade, api test tube rack a couple of RFG's and some lock line fittings! If any of you guys are in So Cal and you need something printed, let me know and I will do it for free, I don't really want to ship anything but you can come grab it if you want!

 

[WestonNanos]

Waking up to a completed 3d print is always the best! The tolerances on these loc lines are super tight! This olive green will just have to do until I get some black filament

 

[WestonNanos]

Did another API test yesterday for ammonia and nitrate.... still not cycled completely, ammonia looks to be between .25 and .5 ppm, and nitrate seems to be between 0 and 5 ppm.

 

[WestonNanos]

Did another ammonia / nitrate test yesterday and saw no change... Ammonia is at .25ppm and nitrates at 0. I understand the API isnt the best test kit, and the tank is only two weeks old with dry rock.... But i just thought I would start to see the ammonia drop and nitrates increase by now especially after using dr tims, live sand, fish and regular feeding. Any thoughts on when I might see this change?

 

[WestonNanos]

Added a GSP tester coral, have had it in there for about 3 days now and it seems to be really comfortable... full extension of the polyps ( A bit hard to see under the blue lights)... also if anyone has any insight on the question above that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

 

[WestonNanos]

FINALLY, tested last night and the ammonia seems to have dropped very close to zero! I say close to zero because of the inaccuracy in the API test kit as well as the nitrates still being close to zero as well...

Starting to get a few patches of diatoms.... adding to the clean up crew soon

 

[WestonNanos]

Two nights ago I added some of this "coraline algae in a bottle" stuff and I am excited to see how it turns out... I have my tank set up for somewhat "optimal" coraline growth conditions... I was wondering if anyone else had some experience with this coraline additive

 

[bennerkla]

Hi Weston - tank looks great! I'm going through a similar experience but maybe your tank cycled faster than mine. Two things 1) you should upgrade your testing kits, I think I used those a long time ago but the Red Sea test kits are more accurate, and maybe I missed it but you should be testing for nitrite as you won't get the full story without ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, and 2) I would press the pause button and let the tank settle in a bit before adding anything else, you're moving pretty quickly. Patience in this hobby is a virtue, as you alluded to earlier! Looking forward to seeing the progress.

 

[Green_Lantern]

Really digging the simple stand and scape! Definitely off to a nice start. My tank took about 2 months to cycle with Dr. Tims. Each bottle is different so the best advice I can give you is be patient. Being that you were in the hobby before I know this isn't your first rodeo.

Looking forward to updates!

 

[WestonNanos]

Really digging the simple stand and scape! Definitely off to a nice start. My tank took about 2 months to cycle with Dr. Tims. Each bottle is different so the best advice I can give you is be patient. Being that you were in the hobby before I know this isn't your first rodeo.

Looking forward to updates!

Thankyou! Got some updates coming out today, I appreciate your comment on the scape !

 

[WestonNanos]

Hi Weston - tank looks great! I'm going through a similar experience but maybe your tank cycled faster than mine. Two things 1) you should upgrade your testing kits, I think I used those a long time ago but the Red Sea test kits are more accurate, and maybe I missed it but you should be testing for nitrite as you won't get the full story without ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, and 2) I would press the pause button and let the tank settle in a bit before adding anything else, you're moving pretty quickly. Patience in this hobby is a virtue, as you alluded to earlier! Looking forward to seeing the progress.

Thanks for the input! I know, I really need to get out of the API tests... It just kills me to spend that money on a better test kit and then once im cycled, I will rarely use the ammonia or nitrite kits...

 

[WestonNanos]

Couple of 3d prints to clean up the setup, did a test tube rack and a holder for my refractometer

 

[WestonNanos]

I designed and printed a filter cup to delete the filter sock and replace with floss/sponge etc...

With the Innovative marine filter socks being attached to the plastic at the top, it makes it really hard to clean it regularly. I have attached the link to the thingiverse file so that some others can get some use from it!

NUVO 14 FILTER by WESTONBECHTOLD​

Nuvo 14 peninsula filter cup to delete the filter sock and replace with floss/sponge etc... PRINT UPRIGHT WITH SUPPORTS ON 75% INFILL CUBIC USE RAFT TO MINIMIZE WARPING

www.thingiverse.com

 

[afrokobe]

Two nights ago I added some of this "coraline algae in a bottle" stuff and I am excited to see how it turns out... I have my tank set up for somewhat "optimal" coraline growth conditions... I was wondering if anyone else had some experience with this coraline additive
View attachment 2370535

I added some a couple of weeks ago on my new tank. I haven't seen any coralline growth yet...

 

[WestonNanos]

Thanks for the reply! I too have not seen any growth which is totally expected. I have followed the instructions and currently have my water set to 82 degrees, are you doing the same? Do you think thats a little warm for a reef aquarium? Id love to hear your thoughts

 

[WestonNanos]

I added some a couple of weeks ago on my new tank. I haven't seen any coralline growth yet...

Thanks for the reply! I too have not seen any growth which is totally expected. I have followed the instructions and currently have my water set to 82 degrees, are you doing the same? Do you think thats a little warm for a reef aquarium? Id love to hear your thoughts!

Wrote this twice... forgot to "reply" to you

 

[afrokobe]

Thanks for the reply! I too have not seen any growth which is totally expected. I have followed the instructions and currently have my water set to 82 degrees, are you doing the same? Do you think thats a little warm for a reef aquarium? Id love to hear your thoughts

I did not raise my temperature. I have my reef currently set at 79 and didn't want to bump it up. I did read all of the instructions and I did a little bit of a salinity swing when I first put it in my system, so I am not sure if that hindered my coralline growth.

Honestly if I had to do it over again, I probably wouldn't buy it. I got some coralline plates from IPSF and they are still in the tank. Hoping those will help the spread.