Billy Bob

[2FUSouls]

Hi everyone here to document and get input. New tank Build thread set up 55 Gallon Live sand Live and dry rock. HOB Filter with carbon sponge and fiber net. Two 550gph pumps. Finnex Heater. lighting T5 but will be upgraded Started Jan 12 cycled using ghost feeding. Monitoring app for test using Aquarium Log App. Added macro algae to display tank (yes I know this is not recommend but I have availability to monitor and trim) current macro algae Grape Seed Caulerpa racemosa and Red Ogo Gracilaria. End goal mixed coral reef.

 

[2FUSouls]

Current reading I feel like cycle is stalled
day one ammonia 2.0 nitrate 80 nitrite 5.0
day two ammonia 4.0 nitrate 80 nitrite 5.0
day three ammonia 2.0 nitrate 80 nitrite 1.0 day four ammonia 3.0 nitrate 80 nitrite 0.25 day five ammonia 8.0 nitrate 40 nitrite 0.0
day six ammonia 4.0 nitrate 40 nitrite 0.0
day seven ammonia 2.0 nitrate 40 nitrite 0.25 day eight ammonia 2.0 nitrate 40 nitrite 0.25

 

[Uncle99]

I think your testing is wrong.
Did you add bacteria 8 days ago?

 

[2FUSouls]

I think your testing is wrong.
Did you add bacteria 8 days ago?

Yes we added quick start using API saltwater test kit

 

[Uncle99]

That kit is not sensitive enough to measure ammonia accurately.

While cycles times very on conditions provided, I’ve not seen any stall or stop, unless you dumped in bleach, that would do it.

Live sand, rock, bacteria, saltwater, flow and 8 days is cycled.

Me, I use two different bacteria’s, but after a week, first fish go in. Don’t waste your money on this test kit, it will likely never show zero.

Ready for fish

 

[2FUSouls]

That kit is not sensitive enough to measure ammonia accurately.

While cycles times very on conditions provided, I’ve not seen any stall or stop, unless you dumped in bleach, that would do it.

Live sand, rock, bacteria, saltwater, flow and 8 days is cycled.

Me, I use two different bacteria’s, but after a week, first fish go in. Don’t waste your money on this test kit, it will likely never show zero.

Ready for fish

Do you have a kit you recommend?

 

[Uncle99]

Only the Hanna checker for ammonia I’d trust.
It has the capability of reading low low amounts.
The problem with others is the colour change, I don’t know about you but I can’t tell the difference in colour, like phosphate, so little in the water, hard to tell. But Hanna’s colour meter is better than my eyes.

I don’t test for ammonia (not to say you should not) but you’ll likely not use that test again.

Rock,sand, saltwater, heat flow and a couple of different bacteria blends (all just as fine) and I wait 7 days….likely more than I need. I do test and want to see nitrate.

Then in go my first fish or two. I always put clowns first, they usually go in nice.

So, Hanna for phosphates (very important) but salifert, Aquaforest, nyos, all good kits at a better price and these your going to use a lot.

 

[2FUSouls]

Only the Hanna checker for ammonia I’d trust.
It has the capability of reading low low amounts.
The problem with others is the colour change, I don’t know about you but I can’t tell the difference in colour, like phosphate, so little in the water, hard to tell. But Hanna’s colour meter is better than my eyes.

I don’t test for ammonia (not to say you should not) but you’ll likely not use that test again.

Rock,sand, saltwater, heat flow and a couple of different bacteria blends (all just as fine) and I wait 7 days….likely more than I need. I do test and want to see nitrate.

Then in go my first fish or two. I always put clowns first, they usually go in nice.

Ok last question we used API quick start what other bacteria blends do you recommend

 

[Uncle99]

Seachem, Dr.Tims, Fritz, Brightwell, all make their own blends. I’m sure I’ve missed many.

I use a bit of Fritz and Dr. Tims.

I recommend these only because I’ve used them without issue, not because one is better than another.

Once cycled (which you are) keep all your parameters on point at all times and work towards stability in them, the less flux the better.

This condition favours the growth of good guy algae’s and bacteria’s over pest stuff, pest shows up when your chemistry is fluctuating all over the place.

 

[2FUSouls]

Seachem, Dr.Tims, Fritz, Brightwell, all make their own blends. I’m sure I’ve missed many.

I use a bit of Fritz and Dr. Tims.

Good luck.

Thank you

 

[Uncle99]

My pleasure,
Enjoy…

 

[purpfish]

Salifert are decent kits for a little cheaper but Hanna’s for N and P are the best

 

[2FUSouls]

Well we took the chance we will see how Sally and Micheal do (named by our 9 year old.)

 

[2FUSouls]

Well the kids woke up first thing they did was go check on Sally and Micheal who appear to be doing well they are now swimming throughout the whole tank and eating. Anyways we will monitor for the next week see how levels hold and than start adding the rest of clean up crew here is what we have ordered from costum clean up.
49 dwarf cerith
7 Nassarious Vibex
19 Florida Cerith
1 emerald crab
18 astrea snails
End goal is mixed reef so trying to think of good fishing stock
Currently just two clowns I would love a 6 line wrasse and a Benny shrimp couple for sure what else is recommended?

 

[2FUSouls]

Another tank update for today clownfish, Sally and Michael seem to still be doing well. They have claimed my large shell as their current home. Our macro Algae when we originally got it was like burnt orange. It's now a very dark burgundy. I'm a little concerned about lighting. If we have enough lighting. (Which lighting was our next upgrade) But trying to find the correct lights is exhausting, especially when you're trying to do this on a budget with kids so any light input would be greatly appreciated! Here are some updated photos to give you guys an idea of what it looks like

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Another tank update for today clownfish, Sally and Michael seem to still be doing well. They have claimed my large shell as their current home. Our macro Algae when we originally got it was like burnt orange. It's now a very dark burgundy. I'm a little concerned about lighting. If we have enough lighting. (Which lighting was our next upgrade) But trying to find the correct lights is exhausting, especially when you're trying to do this on a budget with kids so any light input would be greatly appreciated! Here are some updated photos to give you guys an idea of what it looks like

Glad your clowns are doing well!

 

[2FUSouls]

Glad your clowns are doing well!

Thank you I am ordering a new test kit but no stress noted at this time so that is good

 

[2FUSouls]

Low key stressed left dad home with boys and he is not as faithful as me with the testing lol guess we will see in 5 days lol

 

[2FUSouls]

EVERYONE SURVIVED!

 

[2FUSouls]

Enjoy this unboxing video from Reef Cleaners. We ordered a custom built cleanup crew, which was super easy to do. Highly recommend for anyone that's starting a tank, we told them what our end goal was the size of the tank what we currently had, and they basically built our cleanup crew for us. We did add in a blue porcelain crab. That was pretty much the only thing that we added on outside of what they recommended. I will Attach the breakdown here we shipped usps. It came nicely packaged with heat packs. Everyone so far seems to be doing well, so we'll keep monitoring.