My build thread

[sticksxx84]

I just arrived home with a brand new Red Sea Reefer XL 300. Tomorrow I will start the setup.

 

[brendanwilson94]

Best of luck!! Welcome to R2R!

 

[dstockwell]

Welcome to the Reef

 

[Reefbuds]

So excited for you! The beginning of something great! Remember, the journey is just as satisfying as the end result. Don't rush it! Best wishes.

 

[sticksxx84]

After 2 days of building the stand connecting plumbing attaching sump, refmat, lights, wave maker, doser, slide out shelf and so on. The tank is up and running. I was also given a bio bomb of my fish guys sponge from one of his tanks. Let the cycle begin.

 

[sticksxx84]

 

[sticksxx84]

One week in now and still no measurable ammonia. When does that spike usually occur?

 

[Matty Ice]

Nice setup. I believe you need to add a source of ammonia to start the cycle.

 

[sticksxx84]

Thanks Matty Ice. I added 2.5 tbsp of Dr Tim’s ammonium chloride and 8 oz of Dr Tim’s all in one nitrifying bacteria. Finally I have ammonia but now cannot seem to get nitrites to spike. Nor do I have any nitrate either. My ammonia hit between 2 and 4 ppm and then dropped down to about .5 ppm. I then added another tbsp of ammonium chloride to get ammonia back up to 2 ppm. Still no Nitrite or nitrate. 3 weeks tomorrow. Ideas?

 

[Matty Ice]

When did you dose the ammonia and Dr. Tim’s? What test kit are you using? Fleece Matt, Skimmer or UV running?

 

[sticksxx84]

When did you dose the ammonia and Dr. Tim’s? What test kit are you using? Fleece Matt, Skimmer or UV I have no lights on and

API test kit. I first dosed ammonium chloride Saturday 11/26 and 4 oz all in one Sunday 11/27. No lights or skimmer. I had my roller Matt going though so I assume the bacteria got gobbled up by the reefMatt. I only measured ammonia and no nitrite or nitrates. One week later I dosed ammonium chloride back up to 2-3 ppm and dumped in 8 oz of all in one. That was Friday 12/2. Again no lights and no reefmatt this time. Skimmer is running though. It has now been 48 hours and the ammonia is dropping (1ppm) but still no nitrite or nitrate.

 

[sticksxx84]

Got the tank cycled and added 2 clowns on 12/7/22

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Good setup, can't wait to see what your tank will look like!!

 

[sticksxx84]

Tank is running good. 2 clowns and a frog spawn and a Zoa. Looking to add another fish. Ideas?

 

[Matty Ice]

I just got myself a RedSea XL300 too! Excited to set it up. What lights and skimmer are you using?

 

[sticksxx84]

Loving mine. I got two Red Sea RL 90 lights and a simplicity 120 DC skimmer.