24 Gallon Reef
- Thread starter ajer
- Start date
rotarymagic
Active Member
Tunze osmolator is top tier for ATO units.
Once you move... keep only an inch of water above the sand so it settles quickly... then put a dinner plate on it and slowly fill the tank half way... pull the plate... add the rock... fill the rest of the water. That minimizes stuff in the sand bed getting stirred up and restarting a major cycle. You'll still probably get a diatom bloom again, but it'll be "recycled" within a week. Make sure all liverock stays under saltwater during the move though or the die off will definitely cause a cycle.
2 dosing pumps putting in 2part will make sure everything is stable longterm, google "randy's 2 part new formula" for the cheapest way and get an ATO too. I don't run bioballs, they tend to trap detritus really bad... you may want to upgrade that light to a 150w if you plan on keeping any sps.
Once you move... keep only an inch of water above the sand so it settles quickly... then put a dinner plate on it and slowly fill the tank half way... pull the plate... add the rock... fill the rest of the water. That minimizes stuff in the sand bed getting stirred up and restarting a major cycle. You'll still probably get a diatom bloom again, but it'll be "recycled" within a week. Make sure all liverock stays under saltwater during the move though or the die off will definitely cause a cycle.
2 dosing pumps putting in 2part will make sure everything is stable longterm, google "randy's 2 part new formula" for the cheapest way and get an ATO too. I don't run bioballs, they tend to trap detritus really bad... you may want to upgrade that light to a 150w if you plan on keeping any sps.
fatcat
Member
Originally Posted by Ajer
http:///forum/post/2880137
Is a nitrate of 15 okay? For a reef?
No shoot for 0ppm but 5 is more realistic.
http:///forum/post/2880137
Is a nitrate of 15 okay? For a reef?
No shoot for 0ppm but 5 is more realistic.
freeborder_01
Member
are you using any kind of macro algae? That will really help cut those nitrates down. I overfed and had lights on a terrible schedule and was running nothing but an Aqua Clear 20 and then added chaeto and my nitrates have been 0 since.
rotarymagic
Active Member
no sponges, no bioballs, flow, chaeto or turf scrubber, plenty of liverock, livesand is the way to get 0ppm nitrates and a protein skimmer if you have alot of fish.
Powerhead in the sump? no
ajer
Member
Now Running Filter floss (changed once a week), Chempure, and PhosGuard! NO SPONGES, BIO BALLS, OR ANYTHING ELSE!! Also bought a light for Cheato, will be getting that with the fish. *********** has agreed to delay the corals, so I get the fish & inverts 2 weeks in advance. I'll post the tests and photos on Wednesday.
ajer
Member
NITRATES AT 7 PPM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Should order Fish&Inverts sat or sunday. Decided to wait on corals so if the new additions stress the Bio filter, I don't have the corals in the tank.
Changing filter floss once a week, Scrubbin' algae every other day. Testin' once a week, addin' supplements twice a week, top off twice a week.
Should order Fish&Inverts sat or sunday. Decided to wait on corals so if the new additions stress the Bio filter, I don't have the corals in the tank.
Changing filter floss once a week, Scrubbin' algae every other day. Testin' once a week, addin' supplements twice a week, top off twice a week.