New IM 14 Peninsula build

[Krokilus]

I'm jumping back in after a couple years and started with this nano until I have the space for something larger. For the tank
Tank - IM 14G Peninsula AIO
Lighting - AI Prime HD
Mechanical Filtration - 200 micron sock
Chemical Filtration - Chemipure Blue
Heater - Aquatop 100W Digital
Return Pump - Stock
Sand - CaribSea Arag-Alive Hawaiian Black
Rock - around 7 lbs of stax flat limestone rock ( ordered 10 but didnt use it all)
I also have an IM Spinstream nozzle on the return outlet fir random flow.
Cover is IM diy mesh top kit
Using American Marine wireless thermometer as well as the heater has a water temp read out.

I setup the tank 2/9/2019 and started the fishless cycle with pure ammonia, this morning the params were -
Ammonia - 1.0 ppm
Ph - 8.0
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 0 ppm
Calcium - 400 ppm
Kh - 10
Phosphates - 0 ppm
Temp - 78 degrees F
Forgot to test salinty
Also i am using LFS premixed reef water as I dont have an ro system and even if i did the water is so bad where i live that we use bottled distilled for drinking and cooking.

This evening params were -
Ammonia - 0.5 ppm
Ph - 8.0
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 5 ppm
Kh - 10
Calcium - 400
Phophates - 0 ppm
Salinty - 1.024

 

[SPR1968]

The tank looks great so far and thanks for sharing the pictures!

 

[Krokilus]

Thanks

 

[Kovacjr]

Exciting more Peninsula tanks. I'm running the IM 20G. Very happy with it

 

[Krokilus]

Exciting more Peninsula tanks. I'm running the IM 20G. Very happy with it

So far im happy with this 14 it was the perfect size for my desk. If I had more i would have got the 20.

 

[Kovacjr]

Me too! Just have a larger desk! Its a antique drafting table. 5' wide

 

[Krokilus]

Very Nice

 

[Krokilus]

Well not much to update params are about the same I had to top off today and got a little too much fresh in so my SG dropped to 1.023 but other then that its looking good.

 

[Krokilus]

Well still no changes in parameters although my sg did stabilize back at 1.024

 

[reef-rc]

I like the separate island you have going there.

 

[Krokilus]

I like the separate island you have going there.

Thanks I worked on that for half a day I knew the look I wanted but had to find away to make ot work and be safe.

 

[Krokilus]

Day 4 update after moving to the kitchen during testing where i have the most light i realized last night that my original tests were off on ammonia and nitrates. But all that meant is i was at 1.0 ppm for ammonia and 0 ppm for nitrates.

Day 4 params
Salinity - 1.024 SG
Temp - 78.4 F
Ph - 8.2
Ammonia - 0.5 ppm
Nitrites - 0.25 ppm
Nitrates - 5 ppm
Kh - 10
Calcium - 400
Phosphates - 0 ppm

So on day 4 my tank is showing signs of beginning to cycle.

 

[Krokilus]

Alright day 5 update
Salinity - 1.024
Temp - up some as it was in the 70s here with ac still tarped due to 30s this weekend but the temp was 78.8
Ph - 8.2
Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrites - 0.25
Nitrates - 5
Kh - 10
Calcium 400
Phosphates - 0 ppm this is last update for po4 for now as the test im usong only starts at 0.25 whoch is pretty high so i continue testing with it as it will alert me to high po4 but i will have to wait for my mail in ati test to come back after i believe the cycle is complete to get a clearer picture of levels.

My plans for testing are every 3 months mail in ati test and basic test kits daily to monitor.

 

[count krunk]

i think you will go crazy testing every day! which can lead to chasing numbers.

 

[Krokilus]

True but I chased numbers doing weekly tests because i struggled to read the tritation tests correctly which is why my primary form of testing will be mail in to ati labs. The teats in home are mainly a security boanket for in case something goes wrong in between. Plus its an excuse to fiddle with the tank without someone interrupting me.

 

[Krokilus]

As for numbers as long as nothing spikes toxic overnight and the other stuff stays consistent such as temp and salinity i could care less this time. I got to caught up in the minute chamges last time and my attempts to correct them almost crashed the tank.

 

[sfin52]

I really love the scape. Nice job

 

[Krokilus]

Thanks i like it too ive done piles and walls of rock before so with the limited space i wanted to create an island as well as an elevated point below the light for possibly coral needing more light.

 

[sfin52]

@Crabs Mcjones can we get @Krokilus a build thread badge .

 

[Krokilus]

Heres a shot of aquascape from the end of the peninsula. I realised i hadnt posted one.