Diving in, follow AND_Reefing.

[Fishy Guy]

Things are happening, water is being made and this stuff is about to get put in and mixed. Super excited.

Exciting!

 

[spencjw]

Took me a little bit, did not think it was going to take that long to make 25 gal of RODI. I also did a huge rookie move and didn’t measure the can so knew how much I made. Added to much salt so salinity was 40 ppt, had to add another 4 gallons to get it to 35. With all that and being sick for a day it’s complete. Salinity is perfect, temp is steamy 78, sand is in, water is in and I am adding to brightwell starter tomorrow to kick this cycle off. I appreciate everyone’s support thus far and looking forward to what to future holds, slowly.

 

[spencjw]

Got my bright well quick cycle in, tested for ammonia, read a solid 2ppt. Added in my Microbacter start xlm. Will commence my daily testing tomorrow. Super pumped and so are the kids. Going to be prepared for the 25% water change following the cycle, lol.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[spencjw]

So quick update, things are going well I am halfway through my cycle. Got ammonia reading 0 and nitrites on their way down. The bright well dry rock starter kit has been working great. Picking up a bottle of the microbacter clean for after the cycle and will add in some pods to assist with the good bacteria growth. Kids are getting pumped to pick out their first pair of clown fish. I am glad I have been taking this slowly. It has helped a lot I feel.

 

[spencjw]

I am super excited to finally have inhabitants. We got two clown fish. A Wyoming white (Ghost) and a Black Ice (GusGus). Kids picked and named them. Thanks Premier Aquatics from Chesapeake for helping with most of my stuff. Great company, super clean store and very friendly. I am dosing weekly with Microbacter clean to try and prevent the uglies and come Jan will get ICP test to see if I am ready for some coral. So pumped. Have to get better at the pics though soon, hahaha.

 

[jimyedy15]

I am super excited to finally have inhabitants. We got two clown fish. A Wyoming white (Ghost) and a Black Ice (GusGus). Kids picked and named them. Thanks Premier Aquatics from Chesapeake for helping with most of my stuff. Great company, super clean store and very friendly. I am dosing weekly with Microbacter clean to try and prevent the uglies and come Jan will get ICP test to see if I am ready for some coral. So pumped. Have to get better at the pics though soon, hahaha.

Congrats! Very nice looking tank. Excited to your progress!

 

[spencjw]

So I need some help, I tested my tank last Sunday, phosphates were .16, did a water change yesterday and tested today they went up to .38. I do not run a light, no corals, tank looks perfect. I have two clown, a goby pistol combo and 5 hermits. 25 gallon lagoon. Only use socks and floss for filtration. Change every three days. Feed once daily a third cube of frozen mysis. Thoughts?

 

[Dragen Fiend]

water changes usually help more with nitrates than phos. With that being said, your rocks could be leeching.
Try to add GFO to help bring it down.

 

[spencjw]

water changes usually help more with nitrates than phos. With that being said, your rocks could be leeching.
Try to add GFO to help bring it down.

Thanks, I ordered some Chemi-Pure Blue nano to see if I can get it down with that. Will also make sure next water change to do a good sand sifting.

 

[spencjw]

So I have had a bag of chemi blue nano in for about a week. I did another 5 gal water change and I went from .39 phosphates to .33. It has gone down I just feel is should have went down and ton more then that. I am going to test again in 3 days. I hope they continue to go down or I don’t know what to do. Next steps will be to start a Refugium and or get a protein skimmer. Please help with some thoughts!!!

 

[Dragen Fiend]

So I have had a bag of chemi blue nano in for about a week. I did another 5 gal water change and I went from .39 phosphates to .33. It has gone down I just feel is should have went down and ton more then that. I am going to test again in 3 days. I hope they continue to go down or I don’t know what to do. Next steps will be to start a Refugium and or get a protein skimmer. Please help with some thoughts!!!

Sorry should have specified. While chemi blue is good. It struggles to bind phosphates. It just doesn't contain a lot of GFO.

You can try something like PhosGuard which will work way better. Or use granular ferric oxide.
You can find either on amazon, petco or LFS should have it as well.

 

[spencjw]

Sorry should have specified. While chemi blue is good. It struggles to bind phosphates. It just doesn't contain a lot of GFO.

You can try something like PhosGuard which will work way better. Or use granular ferric oxide.
You can find either on amazon, petco or LFS should have it as well.

Thanks I appreciate that. I find it hard to think that it’s my bio load that is causing this spike. I am consistent with water changes weekly. Been good with my filter sock changes only feed once a day a fourth of a cube of mysis. I am hoping it is just the rocks, I wanted to add another fish or two and some corals soon but don’t want to do anything now until I can get this numbers in range.

 

[spencjw]

So I guess the only reason the numbers dropped was because of the water change. Did another check today and numbers are back up to .39. Not sure if I should get some liquid phosphate remover or buy a protein skimmer and or refugium first. Love to hear people’s thoughts.