Another noob

[qwiksilver711]

Howdy, I know Laurel isnt int the northwest of montana, but this is as close as I could find to a local reef club, unless you guys know any better that is. Well I have a fourteen gallon biocube, and I'm just waiting on a light upgrade and a few mods to come in the mail and I'll be starting the cycle, then who knows what will happen from there.

[charlie]

Hey,

Laurel, that is a good days drive!!!!!! We have at least one person in Missoula that shares our club too!!!

Keep us updated on the progress, and feel free to share pics also. We are big on pics!!!!

Hope you enjoy this place, kinda mellow, but there are a bunch of good people, and good advice also.

[Ramer]

Might have to plan a weekend up here and come to a meeting. Good luck

[qwiksilver711]

Thats what I was thinking. Let it warm up, and I'll finish working on my motorcycle and I will have to ride up there. I really would like to meet and speak with fellow reefers in montana... I can't find to many in my area

[Sarmo]

anywhere in montana is close enough, welcome. it's good to hear from new people. it would be nice to meet another reefer. if you could make a meeting that would be a nice ride but remember to have room for a cooler so you can bring back so frags!!!!

[qwiksilver711]

I think I could strap a small cooler on my bike. I will make something that I could work with anyway. Tank should be up and running as soon as my powerhead and light upgrade get here in the mail.

[charlie]

I think I could strap a small cooler on my bike. I will make something that I could work with anyway. Tank should be up and running as soon as my powerhead and light upgrade get here in the mail.

You are gonna need a big cooler!!!!!

Bring your car.

[qwiksilver711]

Alright been setup for a week. heres whats going on.
Biocube 14 gallon.
removed bioballs and filter
heater in chamber 1, filterfloss in chamber 3
removed stock pump and replaced with a maxijet 900
put a hydor flo rotating deflector on the return.
Been running for a week today, but I'm still testing 0 ammonia
Full tank shot, with my little brittle star hitchhiker


I also have this tentacle that comes out of a hole in a piece of my rock the size of a pen tip. I dunno what it is, I think it may be a peanut worm. Any help is appreciated.

[charlie]

You are right, it is some kind of worm!!!!

Just sit back , and wait. I would give it at least 3 weeks before adding anything, regardless of what reading you are gonna get. Was your rock cured already?

[qwiksilver711]

about half my rock was cured and maybe 25% of my sand was live. when I said my ammonia was 0 I did not mean that I was even remotely thinking of adding anything. Just stating that I don't think my cycle has quite started yet. It will be awhile before anything is added. as someone I know says, Rome wasnt built in a day, neither is a reef. I'm quite patient to sit and watch my little starfish, and a tiny tiny snail that just goes around and around my glass. It came in on a rock too.

[charlie]

What are the nitrites at?

Hey, I have heard that saying before.............somewhere.
What kind of rock besides the branch, looks really nice!!!!

[qwiksilver711]

nitrites are at 0 also, so I'm just gonna wait awhile.
That branch actually is as wide as the aquarium 15.5 inches I think, and there is a couple of pieces of fiji branch, and the rest is just fiji live rock I got at Heights pet center in billings.

[qwiksilver711]

had a bloom of hair algae... ammonia and nitrite test 0
sg is 1.026, ph 8.0 temp 79.
is it safe to add a clean up crew next friday?

[charlie]

Just keep a close eye on things, and make that decision the first part of next week, that is what I think I would do. JMHO

[qwiksilver711]

ok. is there anything I should be watching for? when should I do a water change? would it be better to wait awhile longer?

[charlie]

Yeah, I think you could do a water change. What are the nitrates at.

[qwiksilver711]

20, i figured water changes were usless till the cycle was finished.

[charlie]

With your nitrates at 20, I believe you are just about done cycling. Get on with the water changes!!!! You might try a rather large one at first, then settle in to what you are going to use for a routine water change.

[qwiksilver711]

ok, I'll do a 50 percent water change this weekend. should I get a heater to make sure my water is same temp as the tank? if I were to put a clean up crew in there how long do I wait before I add a fish?

[charlie]

Yep, you want to make sure the temp and the salinity match!!!

I would wait at least a couple of weeks, just to see what the cleanup crew can accomplish before looking for a fishy critter.