New tank set-up

[Chasman]

I finally set up my tank. I’ve been reading the advice in this forum and a number of books recommended since early August. I kept a number of FO tanks in the 80’s and early 90’s with good success as my learning cure flattened out. But things sure have changed.

Current set up is a 30 gal. DT due to limited space and a good location (want it where I can view it easily). I decided on the Ecosystem Pro 40 HOB refugium. This is LengSy’s system and seems to fit my needs for space, and maintenance requirements. It holds about 3.5 gal of water and has a CPR adapted protein skimmer with the so-called “Miracle Mud” as the deep substrate. (about 1.5 inches of it). The pump is a Rio 600. A softball sized ball of cheato is in there as well. This method suggests a very shallow sand bed in the DT. (I used LS from Carib Sea). Only time will tell if this thing works.

For additional water flow I have two Koralia 1’s and a Fluval 205. (I know, old school) The Fluval is to only run carbon once cycled and it is also the flow source for a 200 Watt Hydor external heater. (this heater is rock solid, little to no temp flux, 78 deg.)

I have 35 lbs. of LR form Bali, which was nicely cured at the LFS. A bit pricy, but nice quality. (This is my first exposure to LR use, makes sense though)

It’s been up for two weeks (cheato was just added) and after using a raw shrimp and a few heavy feedings of Mysis shrimp over the last week, I show no signs of ammonia.
SG is 1.024 and nitrite and nitrate levels are un-detectable. PH is at 8.2.

I used distilled water as it is fairly cheap to by in five gallon containers from the Distilla Company here in Cleveland. (free delivery too) They also sell RO water. Would that be better?

Currently the lighting is a two tube T5 fluorescent from Coralife, but I just ordered a four tube model for use when the cycle is complete. That is if I ever see one???? Everything looks fine.

I do plan on some soft corals and a fish, maybe two. At the moment there is nothing in the tank but the cheato and the LR. I’m figuring it will be almost Christmas before any critters go in there. Any thoughts on a clean-up crew? And when?

[twisted]

nice setup! i think once you add some life to it, it will look pretty sweet!

[twisted]

oh, and yes ro water is the way to go.

[Chasman]

Thanks Twisted. I still have 20 gal of distilled yet to use, but I will start getting the RO water. Somewhere I read that the distilled water is even purer than RO. Maybe too pure?

[twisted]

Thanks Twisted. I still have 20 gal of distilled yet to use, but I will start getting the RO water. Somewhere I read that the distilled water is even purer than RO. Maybe too pure?

cant answer that one...i just see everyone that has nice healthy tanks say to use ro water. i use it and it has 1ppm on my tds meter and havent had water probs...i would check in one of the sticky's for that answer. its the one that says"read before you ask" on it...i read till i went blind and learned a hell of alot on it...once my vision returns, ill read some more...lol

[Chasman]

It’s been up for two weeks (cheato was just added) and after using a raw shrimp and a few heavy feedings of Mysis shrimp over the last week, I show no signs of ammonia.
SG is 1.024 and nitrite and nitrate levels are un-detectable. PH is at 8.2.

I probably didn't write that very well. My real question is, shouldn't I be getting some detectable ammonia reading at this point? Seems odd that everything is still at zero.

[twisted]

i would think so....what kind of test kit are you using?

[Chasman]

It's an Instant Ocean kit. The ammonia test is a two packet powder test. The others are single packet except for the alkalinity test which is a liquid. Expiration dates are 2011.

[charlie]

It is possible that you got lucky with the rock being cured so well. Nice looking rock by the way!!!!!!!!
Just to be on the safe side, take a water sample down to the LFS where you got the rock, and have them test using a different test kit, if possible. I would still wait it out tho, just to be on the safe side.
I would invest in a RO/DI unit for yourself, in the long run, you are gonna save yourself a ton of money. JMHO
I would also look into getting some better test kits down the road, they will pay you back with something you can trust!!!!
Welcome back to the hobby, and :

[Chasman]

Thanks Charlie, I was hoping you would chime in. (I'm Charlie too by the way, but you got here first) I was looking at some other kits this morning and it's a bit overwhelming the choices. Any sugestion would be quite welcome. The old IO kits were the best thing going 20 years ago, hence why a bought it.

I too think the live rock has a major impact on the cycle. I'm lucky to have two nice LFS's in Cleveland (or a least near) that only do salt water. Aquatic Technologies and the Salty Critter. There are some other nice stores here as well. Aquatic Tech cures its live rock in a glass atrium basically in the sun. The tank is the size of two small cars and is quite turbulent. The rock was quite full of pods, and other tiny critters and one rather large crab, which I traped and returned to the store. One thing I learned years ago was to just wait it out and go very slow.

For the moment though, is the distilled water OK to use?

Thanks

[charlie]

I kind of figured there was another Charlie around, my dad used to call me Chas when there was something that needed to be done yesterday

The distilled is OK to use for now, but I would definitely look into RO/DI in the future.

I use Salifert kits, a little more pricey, but I have not been disappointed.

[Chasman]

Thanks, I figured those were the ones to get. Will do. By the way, my directive was "Charles" when things weren't going well. "Chas" was a good sign. I guess it all depends who raised ya.

[charlie]

Charles was never good!!!!!

Good luck!!!!

[TimH07]

just want to chime in and say nice looking set up and good luck, there is plenty to read on here (including my link list) *cough* shameless bump *cough*

[charlie]

just want to chime in and say nice looking set up and good luck, there is plenty to read on here (including my link list) *cough* shameless bump *cough*

How does your head fit thru the door?????

[Chasman]

Tim, I'll check it out. I just looked at Charlie's set up and was interested to see a rather shallow or non existant sand bed in the display tank. Obviously the the sand bed is in the refugium / sump. Supposedly, my little set-up should work the same way. I've heard / read so much about DSB's I figured I was way off base. Maybe not!!

[charlie]

No sand in my display, but a 6" dsb in the 75 gallon refugium.

[TimH07]

How does your head fit thru the door?????

thats my hammer corals problem!!! ego!

[charlie]

Ego here, ego there, ego everywhere!!! Man he gets around!!!!

[Chasman]

Charlie, that's what i figured. And as soon as Tim is un-stuck I'll check out his site too. (Only kidding guys)