First Tank Build - 40 Breeder

[Pixburgh]

Tank- 40 gallon breeder
Dry Rock- 54 lbs from ReefRocks.net (used about 44 in the reef scape so far)
Dry Sand- 40 lbs from ReefRocks.net

 

[ethridge78]

looking good

 

[newlyreefd]

Love what you've done with the scape. Can't wait to see the ongoing process. Good luck to you.

 

[evodevo]

Looks good I just did a 40 myself you might want to put the rock in the tank and check it out I found I didnt like the height of my rock work when I did that

 

[revhtree]

Gonna be nice!

 

[Pixburgh]

Thanks everyone. && evo thanks for the tip, we were worried about that. I used a cardboard piece to represent the back but nothing is as good as the real thing!

 

[sportfisha]

Looks good!

 

[MrDJeep123]

Baby gates are priceless.

Following along.

 

[Pixburgh]

Yes, especially when little fingers want to "help" :xd:.

Today the new RODI unti from BRS arrived! One step closer!!

 

[Pixburgh]

Had a bump in the road, the RODI unit that we got had a cracked nipple so it leaks. Bummer. Contacted BRS and they're shipping out a replacement part free of charge though. Rocks and sand go in the tank tonight, filling it up tomorrow. So excited to hurry up and wait some more :playball:

 

[Pixburgh]

Had to change around the scape a bit to allow for coral placement later down the road. Haven't received the replacement part from BRS yet but been running the system as is so we can finally add water. It's up 20 gallons currently.

 

[Pixburgh]

5/14 - Added Dr. Tim's one and only bacteria + 40 drops ammonium chloride
5/15 - Only ammonia present during test (24 hours after adding bacteria) = 1.0 ppm
5/16 - Still only ammonia present during test (48 hours after adding bacteria) = 1.0 ppm
5/17 - Power failure. Temp down to 62 (from 81). Added a new bottle of Dr. Tims bacteria + 40 drops ammonium chloride.
5/18 - Test reveals only ammonia present = 2.0 ppm (original ammonia reading + 24 hours prior ammonia dosing)
5/19 - Ammonia reading at 1.5 ppm. Nitrite reading .25 ppm! 0 Nitrates.

 

[Pixburgh]

5/20 - Ammonia reading at 1.0 ppm. Nitrite reading .50ppm. 0 Nitrates.
5/21 - Ammonia reading at 1.0 ppm. Nitrite reading 1.0 ppm. 0 Nitrates.
5/22 - Ammonia reading at 1.0 ppm. Nitrite reading 2.5 ppm. 0 Nitrates.

 

[Pixburgh]

Ordered my LED light for the tank today. Should be here next week.

Light of choice - OceanRevive's Arctic T-247.

 

[Pixburgh]

5/20 - Ammonia reading at 1.0 ppm. Nitrite reading .50ppm. 0 Nitrates.
5/21 - Ammonia reading at 1.0 ppm. Nitrite reading 1.0 ppm. 0 Nitrates.
5/22 - Ammonia reading at 1.0 ppm. Nitrite reading 2.5 ppm. 0 Nitrates.

5/23 - Ammonia reading at .75ppm. Nitrite reading 4.0ppm. .25 Nitrates.

 

[newlyreefd]

5/23 - Ammonia reading at .75ppm. Nitrite reading 4.0ppm. .25 Nitrates.

Slowly but surely. You're getting there :-)

 

[Pixburgh]

I have to constantly remind myself to have patience. I go in every day hoping it'll be the day the cycle will end, knowing very well I still have probably about a week to go :tongue:.

5/24 - Ammonia reading at .50ppm. Nitrite reading 5.0ppm. .25 Nitrates. *Dosed with 40 drops of ammonium chloride after testing*

 

[Pixburgh]

I have to constantly remind myself to have patience. I go in every day hoping it'll be the day the cycle will end, knowing very well I still have probably about a week to go :tongue:.

5/24 - Ammonia reading at .50ppm. Nitrite reading 5.0ppm. .25 Nitrates. *Dosed with 40 drops of ammonium chloride after testing*

5/25 - Ammonia reading at .25ppm. Nitrite reading 5.0 (+). Nitrates at 2.0ppm. *Dosed with 40 drops of ammonia chloride again.

 

[Pixburgh]

5/25 - Ammonia reading at .25ppm. Nitrite reading 5.0 (+). Nitrates at 2.0ppm. *Dosed with 40 drops of ammonia chloride again.

5/26 - Memorial day, testing break.

5/27 - Ammonia reading at .25ppm. Nitrite 5.0 (+). Nitrates at 3.0ppm. *Dosed with 40 drops ammonia chloride.

 

[Pixburgh]

5/26 - Memorial day, testing break.

5/27 - Ammonia reading at .25ppm. Nitrite 5.0 (+). Nitrates at 3.0ppm. *Dosed with 40 drops ammonia chloride.

5/28 - Tested early just to see (about 12 hours after 5/27 testing - will test later tonight at normal time to compare) Ammonia reading at .25ppm. Nitrite 5.0 (+). Nitrates at 5.0ppm.