20 gal waterbox build, start up to 3 months in

[OverC’s]

Starting a tank thread for the first time, 2nd time tunning a reef tank. 3 months in

 

[lapin]

Nice

 

[OverC’s]

Nice

Thank you!

 

[OverC’s]

 

[KC2020]

Looks good !

I set up a WB20 March 1st and am patiently doing the fishless cycle.

 

[EricR]

Nitrate = 0.0 ppm ... NOOOO!
Where's the Dino Police when we need them?
...just kidding,,, tank looks nice,,, good luck and have fun

 

[OverC’s]

Looks good !

I set up a WB20 March 1st and am patiently doing the fishless cycle.

youre almost through the worst part

 

[OverC’s]

Nitrate = 0.0 ppm ... NOOOO!
Where's the Dino Police when we need them?
...just kidding,,, tank looks nice,,, good luck and have fun

I know its usually around 3-7ppm.. at least its easier to raise it than to lower it. Whats weird is my phosphate has crept up to 0.38. I think i have nitrates present theyre just being consumed by the corals and algae so theyre not showing up on the test kit

 

[OverC’s]

Looks good !

I set up a WB20 March 1st and am patiently doing the fishless cycle.

What are you going to do for livestock?

 

[KC2020]

youre almost through the worst part

I've kept the lights off and the tank dark so it looks like the day I set it up. I'll keep it dark for another couple of weeks and do a water change when nitrates are high. After that pods and phytoplankton. I'm not planning on adding fish for at least the first 3 months.

Eventually it'll be a mixed reef with mostly stony corals, SPS not until it's stable for 6 months.

 

[kevgib67]

Looks great and older than 3 months! Keep it up and happy reefing!

 

[OverC’s]

I've kept the lights off and the tank dark so it looks like the day I set it up. I'll keep it dark for another couple of weeks and do a water change when nitrates are high. After that pods and phytoplankton. I'm not planning on adding fish for at least the first 3 months.

Eventually it'll be a mixed reef with mostly stony corals, SPS not until it's stable for 6 months.

Ive been using phyto every couple of days to keep the pod population strong.. i think it has really helped while going through the uglies and keeping them at bay
Be careful with nannoclhloropsys (not sure on the spelling) for nutrient levels, i have recently switched to isocrysis phytoplankton and its supposed to impact nitrate and phosphate levels less

 

[OverC’s]

Also i havent had many issues keeping sps even in a new system, dont change anything quickly and i dose 2 part very sparingly to keep alk between 7.5-8 dkh.. test lots and go slow but it can be done without any losses good luck