So here's the progression of my first saltwater tank. It's been a great experience. Phew! Over 100 days, it's so hard to imagine! I still don't have fish, I'm waiting for that perfect clownfish pair. Starting this tank has been a fascinating, often frustrating, and defiantly expensive learning process, and I feel like I am constantly trying to accrue more information with the increasing needs of the tank. I've had freshwater planted tanks for years, and I was dying to make the leap into saltwater. I read tons of information, mostly on forums, and took lots of notes on the TOTM nano-reefs to see what components they had in common and went from there. The tank took almost two months to fully cycle, I never saw significant rises of nitrates or nitrites, the most NO2- I ever had was 5ppm. I even went out and purchased a different brand test kit to see if my results were off. I had a hideous outbreak of bryopsis which took over early on, and I think was what impeded the cycle. I ended up using the Kent Marine M method and blacking everything out while I went on a business trip for a week. When I came back the bryopsis was done for. Adding that Kessil has been the best move that I've made, growth went from slow to breathtakingly fast. I struggle with the idea of adding a fuge or a skimmer, but for now if it ain't broke don't fix it. Thanks for taking a look!
Day 1 - June 24, 2012
Day 15 - July 9, 2012
Day 24-29 - July 18-23, 2012 (dealing with bryopsis)
Day 46 - August 9, 2012
Day 77- September 9, 2012 (last picture before my move)
Day 106 - October 8, 2012 (two days after the move)
Day 1 - June 24, 2012
Day 15 - July 9, 2012
Day 24-29 - July 18-23, 2012 (dealing with bryopsis)
Day 46 - August 9, 2012
Day 77- September 9, 2012 (last picture before my move)
Day 106 - October 8, 2012 (two days after the move)