Sara’s IM 25g Lagoon

[Rmckoy]

I remember reading somewhere it was one of the ingredients our government wouldn't allow.

I believe LRS reef frenzy will be a good substitute.

I remember something being said along these lines years ago .

but I also think it was a marketing thing .

 

[brandon429]

All good ideas here

 

[DWill]

FWI I’ve cycled two tanks using Dr. Tim’s method.
The first got “stuck” and ended taking nearly a month to cycle. That was a 10g tank. The second one cycled in less than 2 weeks, maybe 8 days.

when the first one wouldn’t cycle I added enough Ammonium Chloride to bring the ammonia to 2.0 on the Salifert test kit. Then I added 1/2 of the medium sized bottle of one and only. The tank cycled in less then a week after that.

When I cycled the second tank (my current 25 lagoon) I started at 2.0 and put in a full medium bottle of one and only. I fed the tank some ammonium chloride and maybe a half bottle of bacteria about 4 days in when I saw the decrease in ammonia. I never tested Nitrite, only ammonia until it went to zero then Nitrate. I let the Nitrate climb until it peaked the added some ammonium chloride until I had detectable ammonia. Tested for ammonia 24 hours later and it was zero. Did a water changes to bring the nitrate and phosphate down while feeding small amounts of ammonium chloride then stocked the tank with 2 clown and a couple starter corals and never looked back.

 

[saramachen]

Jan 13 2022

Yesterday was pretty boring. However this morning I went on a decent shopping spree

2 x AI prime diffuser
100w titanium heat element
Hanna Checkers: hi range Nitrate, ULR phosphate, & ALK
Fuge basket and light
Flipper

and also:
1x emerald crab
1 x skunk cleaner shrimp
1 x scarlet hermit crab

edit to add: also rented a PAR meter

 

[saramachen]

The shop I ordered the inverts from ships Tues-Thurs, and seeing as I placed my order on a Thursday i was assuming it wouldn't ship till next Tuesday. However I received a shipment notification that Fedex would deliver before tomorrow at noon. I had put my temp up and my salinity down to help with bacteria growth, so i am now spending my evening changing some water to increase the salinity, and I'll turn the thermometer down LOL

 

[saramachen]

Jan 14 2022

A little bit like Christmas Morning here . FedEx showed up before 10am with my mini CUC and a box from aquarium depot with the fuge basket.

Then around 11 Canada post arrived with my stuff from Fragbox including my missing Inkbird controller.

Added my new little friends to the tank. They seem to be doing ok. The rock is a little void of algae, although I do see some brown spots starting, so I took a cube of frozen “reef” food. I cut it in half. The shrimp came out and grabbed the whole half and disappeared behind the rocks. So I cut the other half into quarters and I wanted to make sure the emerald crab got some, so I was putting it right near him- he basically took it out of my hand . So they are eating. That’s a good sign.

 

[saramachen]

a couple of my new little buddies

 

[saramachen]

Jan 16 2022

Trying to get ready to send the kids back to school tomorrow, after being off for a month.

I received the PAR meter from Fragbox and played with it and the AI app for a couple hours. This is what i ended up with:

So based on that I came up with something like this to start:

My little cleanup crew is doing good, except I haven't seen the hermit crab since yesterday morning.....

I tested my Nitrates with the Hanna checker today, they are 40ppm yikes. Im going to get some water ready to do a change.

 

[saramachen]

Just bought a pair of these babies to pick up next weekend

 

[Crabby48]

Exciting adding first life to a new tank!

 

[Rmckoy]

Just bought a pair of these babies to pick up next weekend

I’ve seen this picture before .
Why are they in his hand and not in water ?

 

[saramachen]

I’ve seen this picture before .
Why are they in his hand and not in water ?

I have no idea why he does this... he sent me a video of them swimming around.

 

[saramachen]

My missing hermit crab made an appearance this morning

Snow day here, like a foot of snow. They just shut down major routes in Toronto - Crazy.

 

[Rmckoy]

My missing hermit crab made an appearance this morning

Snow day here, like a foot of snow. They just shut down major routes in Toronto - Crazy.

Should have seen it this morning .

between 8 and 10:00 am the amount of snow in the city is insane !
there are drifts as tall as me

 

[saramachen]

Im not happy with my powerhead placement, i've moved them 10 times probably. Even though they are small powerheads, I have to keep them on the lowest setting so they sand doesn't blow everywhere. I have lots of hills and valleys in my sand made by them so far. I have one more placement idea to try. but my poor shrimp and crab are ready for my hands to not be in there for few hours.

 

[csnv]

Nice rock work.. i like the layers look.

 

[kove.ante]

Awesome progress! Much like you, I had a tendency to move way too fast and impulsively; so, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one. Looking forward to seeing your coral plans come to fruition!

 

[saramachen]

Just ordered an RODI system. It was $350, and replacing membranes every 6 months is $150. Im paying $12 a week for Distilled, so the system will definitely pay for itself.

 

[z0mbeh]

Just ordered an RODI system. It was $350, and replacing membranes every 6 months is $150. Im paying $12 a week for Distilled, so the system will definitely pay for itself.

Depending on your usage the membrane may last significantly longer. I have never replaced mine based on time.

 

[saramachen]

Depending on your usage the membrane may last significantly longer. I have never replaced mine based on time.

Thats good to know, My usage will be about 10 gallons a week (5 for making saltwater and 5 for filling up my ATO).