RockRash's 75 gallon build

[RockRash]

Well today is the day. Its officially a saltwater aquarium! Its about 90 gallons total volume, this was the most salt I've ever mixed at a single time. Tomorrow I'll put on the mp40s and play around a bit. I'm still messing around with the overflow but the fritz turbo start is in with the algae barn nitrocycle. I put the 2 ai primes on so I enjoy looking at it tonight even though the water is cloudy I cant help but to just stare at it. I have some hydra 32s and a hms mount but I'm waiting on the slowest etsy shipment ever for my shrouds. They should be here Monday so I'll be able to set my lights up then.

 

[RockRash]

now I have the dreaded task of a controller board and wire management.

 

[Ricox]

This is looking amazing! Love how you're doing everything yourself. Definitely following! Will you be stocking fish straightaway with the fritz turbo start? and if so what ru thinking?

 

[RockRash]

This is looking amazing! Love how you're doing everything yourself. Definitely following! Will you be stocking fish straightaway with the fritz turbo start? and if so what ru thinking?

Thank you. I'll be waiting a week or so. The algae barn nitrocycle tells you not to add fish right away. Not really sure, I have a list of what I want but starting out will be a pair of clowns. The kids are dead set on that lol.

 

[Red_Beard]

Clowns (as long as they dont get brook) are like the goldfish of the sea, but way more fun. Super hardy.

Looking good!

 

[RockRash]

Clowns (as long as they dont get brook) are like the goldfish of the sea, but way more fun. Super hardy.

Looking good!

Ya we had a par in our old tank. They got really territorial and would bite the heck out of you when cleaning. Our last tank we didn't qt anything ( didn't even know it was a thing)
This go around we aren't in a rush and will be setting up a qt.

 

[Ricox]

Thank you. I'll be waiting a week or so. The algae barn nitrocycle tells you not to add fish right away. Not really sure, I have a list of what I want but starting out will be a pair of clowns. The kids are dead set on that lol.

Seems like the standard choice, mine are pretty territorial as well but are always fun to watch hosting a nem or when ppl come over. Mine actually just laid eggs again today which is pretty cool as well. Keep us posted!

 

[RockRash]

Ok so here's a quick question. Yesterday I started the cycle by adding algae barn nitrocycle along with fritz turbo start 900. I followed the directions and went to bed. I got a service call at 4am that took up most of my day, just got home about a hour ago. Anyway I decided to test for ammonia ( I intended to do it in the morning) and the test showed zero. That didn't seem right so I tested again and the same thing. I decided to test for nitrate and its reading around 50. Does this seem right? These are the only tests I have. I figured it would take a week or so to cycle this sees really fast.

I didn't take a picture of the ammonia test but hers the nitrate

I didn't expect to be here so fast. What should my next step be?

 

[RockRash]

I can retake the ammonia test and post pictures if needed.

 

[fishguy242]

wait another day,then recheck... :)

 

[RockRash]

wait another day,then recheck... :)

Will do. Thanks!

 

[RockRash]

Got a lot done today. Got the mp40s on although one it a little noisy. I talked to the lfs owner and he said give it a few days if nothing changes he will exchange it. I got the ato installed and my hydra 32s and primes mounted to the hms rail. I bought a cabinet at Lowe's for my controller cabinet I'll get that all set up after the holidays. Right now it's all hand on deck to get everything running and out of the way so we can get a Christmas tree this week.



Here's the ato its just a 5.5 gallon tank with a tunze ato.

Here's my rats nest if wires, controllers and power bricks.

finally a picture with the hms rail and lights. Eventually if my etsy order shows up I'll have shrouds on the primes soon. I'll clean the wires up later.

 

[RockRash]

Now for tonight's test results. About the same still no ammonia and the nitrates seem to have gone up slightly. Any advice?

Ammonia test

And the nitrate test results.

 

[Red_Beard]

Add another .5 ppm ammonia, test it to verify. If its 0 again tomorrow, do a water change to get nitrates down and start looking at clown fish :)

 

[RockRash]

So I dosed some more nitrocycle yesterday. I ended up dosing to almost 1ppm because I had a brain fart trying to devide. Anyway I just did a test and I'm somewhere in the middle of .25 and .15ppm so its getting there. Hopefully tomorrow it will be zero and I can do a water change.

 

[RockRash]

I just tested for ammonia and am back down to zero. Nitrates are reading at somewhere around 100 or more.

I'm mixing up water now for 50% change.

 

[Red_Beard]

Looks like your bio filter is digesting ammonia and is ready for fish!

 

[RockRash]

Ok water change done about 50% give or take. My nitrates are around 50 ppm now. I ordered the Ultimate EcoPack from algae barn, it should be here tomorrow. Should I do another water change to lower nitrates? Or should I leave it be and just lower it over time with weekly smaller changes?

 

[fishguy242]

i'd leave it be for now,see how she goes... :winking-face:

 

[Red_Beard]

Yep, 50 is no problem. It will probably bottom out in a few months and you will be dosing it lol.