Jose D Castillo
November 10th 03, 12:28 AM
Hello all, just want to report on my new tank. I just setup an
acrylic 26 long black back (10/25/03). I completed my cycle in 2
weeks! I had another tank (29G) previously and went through the
normal setup with "live" fiji rock (in a box) from a LFS. Went
through a 6 week cycle due to the massive die-off on the rocks. This
time was different, as I tried another approach. The live rock from
my previous tank was sitting in a closet in a box for almost 1 year
so now it was dead base rock. I started the tank with the live rock
and then added 20 pounds of argonite and 10 pounds of crushed coral.
I ended up reorganizing the rock at least 3 times until I got what I
wanted, always gently pushing down the bottom pieces through the
sand util I hit bottom, then arranging the smaller pieces on top. I
bought 2 small power heads and a skilter 250 which I "fixed" using
Friar Tom Walsh's mod (limestone down contact chamber with small
pump). The skilter already produces a lot of water movement and
combined with the 2 power heads I get excellent water movement.
Skilter is skimming well, contrary to popular belief. After a week,
I bought 2 pieces of fresh "live" fiji rock which had plenty of die-
off, as well as a pound of the sand that was at the bottom of thier
cured rock tank. I also bought another cured piece at another LFS
that was totally purple, very nice. I then bought micro-hermits.
After one more week, my ammonia is at zero and my nitrate spike
happened 2 days ago with a reading of zero now. Even had my diatom
bloom about 4 days ago and now its receeding. So, in just over 2
weeks, I have a cycled tank! I have just introduced 3 small Pajama
Cardinals and will be monitoring my water for the next couple of
days. I expect an ammonia jump quickly followed by a drop to zero.
Over all I am really happy with the setup. After one more week I
will begin to add some soft corals. I will update with more info
next week.
One more thing, I have done NO water changes! Started with RO water
from my local Safeway water machine and top off with that when
needed.
Setup:
26G Long/black back
Skilter 250 with 2 power heads
40lbs of fiji base rock, 15 lbs of fiji live rock
2 lb piece of cured rock covered with purple corraline algae
20 lbs argonite, 10 lbs crushed coral, 1 lb LFS tank sludge
2x55W PC with one sun/one blue (old, will change soon)
Currentl livestock:
6 microhermits
3 Pajama Cardinals
acrylic 26 long black back (10/25/03). I completed my cycle in 2
weeks! I had another tank (29G) previously and went through the
normal setup with "live" fiji rock (in a box) from a LFS. Went
through a 6 week cycle due to the massive die-off on the rocks. This
time was different, as I tried another approach. The live rock from
my previous tank was sitting in a closet in a box for almost 1 year
so now it was dead base rock. I started the tank with the live rock
and then added 20 pounds of argonite and 10 pounds of crushed coral.
I ended up reorganizing the rock at least 3 times until I got what I
wanted, always gently pushing down the bottom pieces through the
sand util I hit bottom, then arranging the smaller pieces on top. I
bought 2 small power heads and a skilter 250 which I "fixed" using
Friar Tom Walsh's mod (limestone down contact chamber with small
pump). The skilter already produces a lot of water movement and
combined with the 2 power heads I get excellent water movement.
Skilter is skimming well, contrary to popular belief. After a week,
I bought 2 pieces of fresh "live" fiji rock which had plenty of die-
off, as well as a pound of the sand that was at the bottom of thier
cured rock tank. I also bought another cured piece at another LFS
that was totally purple, very nice. I then bought micro-hermits.
After one more week, my ammonia is at zero and my nitrate spike
happened 2 days ago with a reading of zero now. Even had my diatom
bloom about 4 days ago and now its receeding. So, in just over 2
weeks, I have a cycled tank! I have just introduced 3 small Pajama
Cardinals and will be monitoring my water for the next couple of
days. I expect an ammonia jump quickly followed by a drop to zero.
Over all I am really happy with the setup. After one more week I
will begin to add some soft corals. I will update with more info
next week.
One more thing, I have done NO water changes! Started with RO water
from my local Safeway water machine and top off with that when
needed.
Setup:
26G Long/black back
Skilter 250 with 2 power heads
40lbs of fiji base rock, 15 lbs of fiji live rock
2 lb piece of cured rock covered with purple corraline algae
20 lbs argonite, 10 lbs crushed coral, 1 lb LFS tank sludge
2x55W PC with one sun/one blue (old, will change soon)
Currentl livestock:
6 microhermits
3 Pajama Cardinals