Still Struggling w/ Fuge!

[moorea2]

Hi All,
I'm getting alot closer. Decided to repost so people wouldn't have to read through the many questions I have answers to.
1.) At what point during my cycle do I add the plants. Are they added after my salinity is correct when I add the LR and LS. Or are they added at the end of the cycle when evrything has cycled and I'm ready to add my fish?
2.) Based on rough diagram below do I have enough live sand in main tank and fuge to accomplish filtration?
3.) Again, based on my very rough diagram below, do I have enough live rock in both tanks to accomplish filtration? Can I add less in the main tank and fuge to save money and then add more later on? If so what are the least amounts I can add to accomplish good healthy filtration.
4.) Finally, I'd like to hear some more ideas of the order from my diagram. What comes first the fuge or the skimmer?
Thanks for ALL your help!

 

[moorea2]

If any knows the answers to question 1-3 above, that would be great. Also, what kind of lighting and how much wattage is needed. Don't want to spend to much as no one will see it under the tank in the cabinet

 

[salty cheese]

1. I'm not sure but IMO I would wait till after the cycle.
2.Yes
3.IMO I would put all the rock in the DT, if you want wait on buying all the rock I would just drop the ammount you have listed for the fuge. As far as adding more later that will depend on if it is cured or uncured, cured IMO you could add a few pounds a week(2 to 3), this is rock that you would be purchasing locally, not online. Another way is to cure it yourself in a rubbermaid container or something of the like that way you can IMO add as much as you wanted.
4. IMO the order looks fine but if it where me I would drop the bio-balls, they perform the same function as the live rock and are not needed.
Lighting alot of people just use NO, something that can be purchased at HD for cheap.

 

[moorea2]

Hi! Thanks for the reply! Please excuse my stupidity, but when you say " I would put all the rock in the DT" I checked the acronym post but could not find it.
Also, I'm still a little confused. If I put at least 10 - 15 lbs LR in the fuge, what is the least amount of live rock I can place in the 90 gallon main tank for good healthy filtration.
Will the bio balls hurt anything, or will they just serve as extra uneeded filtration. I have a huge bag of them not being used from my wet/dry setup I just broke down?
Does anyone have any idea as to when I should add the plants. What Salty Cheese says sound right, but I want to be sure to get this correct.
I found some Free standing Halimeda Algae. 4 to 5 inches tall, on line for a pretty good price. Is this a good plant to use and how much (it comes in groups of three plants) Should I also add some Caulerpa or is one plant species enough?
Thanks for all your help. Hopefully one day I'll learn something about this hobby and be able to return something to this board!

 

[salty cheese]

DT means display tank aka main tank.
JMO but I would put all the LR in the DT, some people put some in the fuge but it performs the same function no matter where it is in the system.
What the bio-balls do is add surface area for the bacteria to colonize on but with the LR they become redundant, also they might slow down the flow through your sump.

 

[swnewb]

Originally posted by Salty Cheese
DT means display tank aka main tank.
JMO but I would put all the LR in the DT, some people put some in the fuge but it performs the same function no matter where it is in the system.
What the bio-balls do is add surface area for the bacteria to colonize on but with the LR they become redundant, also they might slow down the flow through your sump.
If you wanted to have a place for pod production, would it be adviced to have LR in your fuge? Maybe using LR rubble or the like?

 

[moorea2]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but pods are what the manderins eat aren't they? If placing rock in the fuge will promote pod production, then I will have to do so as that is a fish I would love to have!
Still hoping someone, anyone can give me a definate answer as to what point of the cycle the plants are added, and what the minimum lbs of rock is for good filtration!

 

[darthmatt]

the plants are to scrub nitrites from the water, if your tank hasn't fully cycled, then you probably don't have a lot yet. Also, If the plants are removing it, you might not see an ammonia spike, so it will be harder to tell when your cycle is done. IMO it doesn't matter when, but might be better after the cycle.
As salty cheese said, it doesn't matter where the LR is it will still work. I don't have any LR in my fuge, put it all it the DT. My plants are over growing my fuge, I don't think any LR would get enough light. I have no LR in the fuge, and I have tons of pods.
As far as lights, Do a search in the Equipment forum, Look for "Lights of America" from Home Depot. I think it was from someone named Kip. I bought that and my plants took off.
I hope this helps. matt