mrdc
Active Member
Hi,
I've read and gotten much information from reading alot of your posts. Now I would like to ask some questions of my own and I apologize if some of these questions have already been asked. I find it helpful if I can ask all my questions in one thread.
I setup a 120 gallon reef aquarium about 6 weeks ago. It's a sump system with overflow. I am using a Remora Pro protein skimmer and one Aqua Clear 70 powerhead. I have around 100 lbs of live rock, 50 lbs of lava rock and around 400 lbs of base rock. Over the last few weeks, I have put in 3 Damsels, 30 Turbos, 10 Necarius snails, 3 Bumble Bee snails and a mix variety of crabs (Emeralds, Red and Blue leg crabs, a Queen Conch, ...). So far I have only lost 1 crab and four Turbos.
My chemicals include Instant Ocean, Aragamilk, Amquel for evaporated water, Kent Super Buffer and Cycle. I've been testing the water and the PH stays around 8.3, the ammonia and nitrites are around 0 and the nitrates are around 40 ppm.
My overflow system is located in the back left corner. I am not sure what pump is being used but I seem to get a strong current flowinf left to right. The powerhead is on the right side and is pushing water from right to left and is aimed downwards. It seems that the upper right is not getting much current so I bought a Maxi-Jet 900 and it should be in any day now.
My questions:
1) How do you know when the cycle is complete?
2) Can anyone comment on my water flow setup? I'm not interested in doing a closed system.
3) Are the chemicals I am using any good?
4) Much of the base rock had brown algae and is now turning green. Is this good?
5) When can I begin adding plant life?
5) What plant life should I start with? I want to go with something colorful but cheap and is easy to maintain. I will go with the more expensive stuff later.
That's all for now. I'm sure I will have more questions later.
Thanks.
I wanted to add that I am using crushed coral. I've seen many people here recommend sand but I am not going to replace it now. I am also using Lunar Aqualight Deluxe Series - Double Linear Strip for lighting.
I've read and gotten much information from reading alot of your posts. Now I would like to ask some questions of my own and I apologize if some of these questions have already been asked. I find it helpful if I can ask all my questions in one thread.
I setup a 120 gallon reef aquarium about 6 weeks ago. It's a sump system with overflow. I am using a Remora Pro protein skimmer and one Aqua Clear 70 powerhead. I have around 100 lbs of live rock, 50 lbs of lava rock and around 400 lbs of base rock. Over the last few weeks, I have put in 3 Damsels, 30 Turbos, 10 Necarius snails, 3 Bumble Bee snails and a mix variety of crabs (Emeralds, Red and Blue leg crabs, a Queen Conch, ...). So far I have only lost 1 crab and four Turbos.
My chemicals include Instant Ocean, Aragamilk, Amquel for evaporated water, Kent Super Buffer and Cycle. I've been testing the water and the PH stays around 8.3, the ammonia and nitrites are around 0 and the nitrates are around 40 ppm.
My overflow system is located in the back left corner. I am not sure what pump is being used but I seem to get a strong current flowinf left to right. The powerhead is on the right side and is pushing water from right to left and is aimed downwards. It seems that the upper right is not getting much current so I bought a Maxi-Jet 900 and it should be in any day now.
My questions:
1) How do you know when the cycle is complete?
2) Can anyone comment on my water flow setup? I'm not interested in doing a closed system.
3) Are the chemicals I am using any good?
4) Much of the base rock had brown algae and is now turning green. Is this good?
5) When can I begin adding plant life?
5) What plant life should I start with? I want to go with something colorful but cheap and is easy to maintain. I will go with the more expensive stuff later.
That's all for now. I'm sure I will have more questions later.
Thanks.
I wanted to add that I am using crushed coral. I've seen many people here recommend sand but I am not going to replace it now. I am also using Lunar Aqualight Deluxe Series - Double Linear Strip for lighting.
