Start Cycle?

Jintz

I got the same sump and same skimmer but mine is the ASM G-2. Did you get your sump from Aquamart (cheaper) or Aquacon? I bought both from Aquamart. I also have the same 2 thermometers. I noticed you removed the block foam filter. Also I noticed you raised the level of your skimmer so your foam sleeve is out of the water. Did you do that to avoid nitrates? I have my foam block still there because of micro bubbles but Im working on a plan to prevent that as well. Im almost finished with my cycle.


Tank : I added 2 Koralia 2's for extra flow




Sump... I made a DIY baffle to cut down on bubbles from return line. I also cut acrylic to cover half the top of the sump and a cutout for the skimmer collection cup.


Good luck with your tank. Looks great so far.

Indymann99

Jintz,

I purchased the sump/fuge online from the Tenecor tank distributor. prob not the cheapest price but free shipping (both Fuge and 120g Tank).

My skimmer is ASM - G2
I raised the skimmer for 3 reasons
1. one of my heaters sits under the skimmer (this is the emergency heater with its set point at 78 - I tested it but now it never comes on)
2. From reading on this forum and others the skimmer perf is better when in about 8" of water.
3. Makes removing the collection cup and skimmer neck for cleaning easier and I could install a cup drain if capacity becomes and issue.

I have increased the water height in the sump and microbubles are no longer a problem, also reduced the waterfall sound in the sump.

Your setup looks good. I am going to have to do something to start my cycle next week (on work travel rest of this week), as all my readings are still 0.0....

I did notice about 5 "hitchhiker bugs" (pods?) last night crawling about the rocks, and one thing that looks like a flattened snail with antenna.

Please keep posting and we can share knowelege about our specific setups.

Thanks

Jintz

Free shipping on mine as well. Took a while to get here but you cant complain with FREE.
I will try your method of raising the skimmer. I never had this type of skimmer before so any tip to enhance its performance is appreciated.
I never heard of a cup drain. Is it a DIY?
The pods you are referring to...do they look like mini shrimp? If so, they probably are amphipods. The snails are probably stomatella snails.....I have them both as hitchhikers as well.
My tank is also a 120g 48x24x24??. This is scary.....our tanks have alot in common .

Indymann99

Jintz,

Skimmer cup drain is DIY for ASM, what I can tell you simply drill a hole in the collection cup install a hose barb fitting and run a hose to a larger container (1 gal jug?).

What is you stocking plan? Reef , FOWLR, other?

Looks like you have ~100lbs of LR, did you get fully cured? How about sand, did you use live?

Jintz

Whats a hose barb fitting?
My plan is to start with a FOWLR.... a peaceful community and eventually a reef. Im not that much into SPS and as far as LPS goes theres 3 that I like. Softies Im not into. Zoos and shrooms are a maybe. Who knows....one day you dont like something and the next day you do.
My Live rock I got from my LFS for 3.50 lb uncured. If he cured it he would have charged me 4.50. I took 120 lbs uncured. Why not...Im using it to cycle my tank. Thats still a good price for a LFS. Theres one not far from it thats going for 8.50 lb.
It doesnt look like 120 lbs I know that. Theres some nice big pieces in the back that cant hardly be seen. I did pretty good for my first time aquascaping.
Live sand was bagged bahamian oolite from carob sea. Beautiful sand....looks like sugar sand.

Indymann99

Proceeding along, havent done fishless cycle (or fish cycle yet as I was travelling last week and this week has been crazy at work).

I had a pretty extensive outbreak of brown diatoms (sp?) on the sand, so I added 12 small hermits and they did a terrific job cleaning the sand. As I dont have any fish right now do I need to add some extra food for the crabs?

I have discovered some more hitchhikers

Baby star (brittle star?) - hard to see but white and in center of picture



Also I have something that I cant id attached to the rock in the next 2 picts. If anyone knows what it is and if its good or bad I would appreciate the input.







This weekend is planned setup of QT
purchasing sponge filter for QT and will place in sump prior to use in QT
I have several pieces of PVC fittings that are in my sump now that will provide cover in the QT.

Should I mix new water for the QT, or use 20g from the DT to start the QT? DT is still testing at all 0.0 (but I need to test my water change plumbing and pumps).

Thanks in advance.

Indymann99

ok, looks like the small anemone is Aptasia . Not a huge prob now as tank will be FOWLR for a while, BUT I am still going to remove it asap.

QT tank is up and running.

lost 1 hermit (looks like he got his shell suck in a LR crack and had to abandon the shell). Funny thing is last night I saw a hermit "rescue" another from a similar fate.

My water change mix tank / plumbing / pump system worked perfectly. 20% DT change (actually went into the QT), refill from mix tank with 1 wk aged water, all with NO Buckets!!!!

Mix tank (32g) is refilled and mixing salt now in prep for QT water changes.

So far so good. The wife actually likes watching the hermits and "bugs" in the DT

Jintz

I went through the cycle myself not too long ago. From what I have gathered....I dont think hermits eat diatoms. From what your saying.....them maybe they do. I chose not to get hermits because I have astrea turbo snails and the hermits will kill them for their shells....and a good meal. It doesnt matter if you throw empty shells for them to take when they grow. They are opportunistic. A quick meal and a new shell is appealing. I also went through a cyanobacteria phase. Diatoms changed from brown to reddish slime with bubbles coming from it. Then I went through a hair algae stage. Diatoms will dissapear when it uses up silicates in your tank. You didnt have to buy any hermits for the mess but if you wanted them anyway...why not.
So far I have 2 clowns in my DT and a Pink Square Anthia in my QT. The clowns were in their own tank at the LFS for many months (Ive always seen them there) and talked the owner into letting me buy them. I also have a few cerith snails. 3 turbo astrea snails and about 4 or 5 stomatella hitchhiker snails. A few bristleworls as well.
I plan on buying a half dozen nassarius snails to help with any detritus and to keep the sand turned and aerated and if I can find one....a fighting conch. Its been a fun month!

Indymann99

I wish I had a picture of the sand before the crabs were added... lot of brown diatoms... 8-10 crabs would comb the sand during the day and now it is all clean.

2 clowns went in the QT last night (one is hiding in the black PVC).








I am building my QT tank "reservation list"

Current guests = 2 clowns
Reservation = 1 yellow tang

Indymann99

Cabinet doors are on.

Air temps in both lower and upper went up (expected) however water temp is holding at 79.2 - 79.6.