The start of my new 75G Reef

Nereaga

Well today is Week 2 of cycling. Here are my parameters

pH-8.0
Ammonia- 0.05 Mg/L
NitrItes- < 0.1 Mg/L
Salinity- 1.024
Alkalinity- 130
Calcium- 420
Phosphate- 0.5 Mg/L
Temp - 78 F

I seemed to be almost complete with the cycle. Maybe another week and then some more clean up crew(cuc) members.

On a positive note, I was getting readings of 1.0 Mg/L prior to me adding my kent P04 reactor. It is now cut in half at 0.5 Mg/L. I hope it drops a bit more to. I will be monitoring it for the next week or so. I used the whole 150g of media. It should be able to absorb 1.0 Mg/L. It might get exhausted rather quickly in the begining until you can catch up with it.

So far.... Thumbs up on the Kent P04 Reactor!

Tbx

just curious how much was the reactor, I am consedering geting one my self, would it be usefull on a 30 gallon?

Nereaga

I paid $41 for it. $18 for the pump. $19 for the media. $6 1/2'' ID tubing.

Have you ever tested your tank for phosphate?

Tbx

I haven't yet I thought it take awhile to build phosphat do you recomend that i do check for it? That is a fair price I think I will get one.

Nereaga

Any readings of 1.0 Mg/L can cause problems in a reef tank. The corals will start to suck up phosphates instead of getting the correct amount of calcium and trace elements. It also can cause unsightly algae growth. If you don't have any signs then you should be ok. Live rock is also known to leach phosphates from time to time. I started my P04 reactor as soon as I could. I tested for it and got a reading of 1.0Mg/L. I dont want it any higher than that. It is now at 0.5 Mg/L. Testing again shortly....

Nereaga

Week 3:

pH- 8.1
Ammonia- 0.05 Mg/L
NitrIte- 0 Mg/L
NitrAte- 5 Mg/L
Salinity- 1.025
Calcium- 430
Phosphates- 0.25 Mg/L (still dropping due to PO4 reactor)
Temp- 77.6 F

I still do not have lights on this tank. I am waiting for my Income Tax return to purchase my new lights. I should get my return in the beginning of Feb. I am going to get a HQI setup with PC's. It will have 2-250w DE bulbs, 4-54w actinic PC's, and 6 moonlights.

Since I do have lights in my refugium, I am starting to see brown diatom blooms on the glass and PVC.

Patiently waiting....................

Nereaga

Wow its been awhile since I posted in this thread....

Today marks week 5. Tank is completely cycled, actually finished at week 4.

I just ordered 2 150W pendants from current:

https://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...H~vendor~.html

Hopefully I can get them this week! I need to put up a board on the ceiling so I can suspend them from that. I can't wait to get lights on this tank!

I might still get a slim T5 fixture for added lighting.... I'm not sure yet...

Picture as soon as I get the fixtures....

Nereaga

I'm super stoked about received my lights tomorrow! I just checked UPS and the lights are sitting in a warehouse about 1 hr from me! I wish I could just drive there and get it tonight! lol

I have so dissapointing news about my foxface.... No he is doing great! lol

He seems to have an appetite for my organ pipe coral(lps). He is eats greedily now and is still super fat. He loves the high protein frozzen cubes. He gets fed regularly. I dont think he will make the transition to this new tank. After a bit I will trade him in... I will let him settle in before stressing him out yet again with another move....

I have talked to my lfs and they said they would trade for anything in the same price range.

Its unfortunate, but he is a nipper!

Ill post up some pictures of the lights when I get them.

Rychek

Maybe you can trade him for a different foxface. They are definitely cool fish and worth the effort.

Nereaga

They do have 2 more foxfaces.... We will see. I want to try another pygmy angel aswell....