My Aquapod 24

[pete159]

ok finally got my 35 LBS of tonga live rock, I think it might be a bit much, i still need to aquascape it, but yo can get an idea from the pics how much there is. Should i sell a few peices or see if i can arrange it to get more space?
i have a sapphire skimmer in the right chamber, in the left i have a heater, a bag of carbon, the pump and filter floss.
In the main tank i have a mj900 pump, a UV sterilizer, 35lbs tonga rock and 20 arag alive fiji pink sand.

 

[jj_harrison]

That rock looks kinda strange but I like. I think it looks good and what is that on the right side of the tank is that your UV?

 

[larryndana]

yeah, i'd do some aquascaping, but looks good so far.
i wouldn't run the uv everyday, maybe every other day.

 

[pete159]

yup thats a UV, i got it from nanocustoms, less then $50.00, lets hope it works good. I'm not running it at all yet, should i run it during the cycle? total disolved ammonia is 6.0 which is almost as high as the color char goes, so i assume thats a good sign and that I'll have a good cycle. When will I see life coming out of the rock?

 

[nigerbang]

with a 6.0 ammo...never...Wow..not sure at what point ammo starts to kill hitchhikers but I would think it to be less than 6..On second thought it will prolly drop fast..Just take your time and go step by step and dont rush things..

 

[larryndana]

do a water change asap.
you should try not to go over 1ppm of ammonia during a cycle it will start killing your live rock and sand. at least not over 2.

 

[pete159]

could the 6 be because i addedseachem stabilty?, i've read that it can cause false readings of ammonia

 

[larryndana]

i hope its a false reading.

 

[zanoshanox]

Try a water change, that will get things better for now, although during your cycle it will probably come down pretty quick on its own.

 

[pete159]

the amount i gave was total disolved ammonia, not the toxic amount. i tested today and the level of 'toxic' ammonia is 2.5 and going down,...nitrite is 1.0 and rising,.. nitrate 0,.. temp 78 ph7.6 salinity 1.023
Also there are tiny black particles that have appeared on the sand and rock, kind of looks like pepper.
there's carbon in the chamber and a bag of rowa phos to keep phosphates in check.

 

[pete159]

late tonight ammonia was 0, nitrite was 1.0, nitrate 0

 

[pete159]

here's an updated pic.

 

[oak]

It looks much better now that you have rearanged the rock. Oh by the way good luck with your tank.