While doing my Waterbox 130.4 build I researched, and researched, and researched some more on how I should cycle my tanks. One thing fairly conclusive that I found, was that most of those using Fritz Turbo Start 900 found success with the product.
The things I found to be contradictory under multiple circumstances was the method used to feed the bacteria. I chose to go with the following methods.
Display Tank- Waterbox 130.4 with 2 XR30s and 1 XR15 for lighting. 2 MP40s, 2 MP10s, and a COR20 for flow. The display tank will be cycled using Fritz TurboStart 900 and dosing with ammonia from Dr. Tims to work through the cycle process. As I will not be adding fish or coral to this system for at least 2 months, I found that this would be the best tank to try the dosing method with ammonia. I will continue to use the ammonia in the bottle until I am ready to add CUC. Once I clear 2ppm in 24hours I will add the CUC pending enough nutrients for them to feed off of. I am actually hoping for a little algae during this process so I can add a CUC and stop dosing the ammonia a couple weeks prior to adding the fish. Here is a picture of the Waterbox 130.4 in its current state- Hoping to get plumbing and control board done this weekend. This tank is stocked with about 100 lbs of Marco Foundation, Shelf and Reef Saver Rock.
Coral QT- This tank is a IM Nuvo Fusion 25 Lagoon AIO. Powered by 1 XR15 and 1 MP10 for flow. I am going to ghost feed this tank a little bit of frozen LRS Reef Frenzy. I will add a quarter of a cube 1 day prior to adding the Fritz to let it break down a bit. I will then add a little each day in attempt to not let the Ammonia get above 2.0. Once Ammonia reads 0 I will have the first 10 frags delivered. I will then monitor the levels in the tank from the frag waste and any spike in nutrients will be dealt with via water change. Other than the stock media which includes 4 cloth balls, I have added (8) Seachem Matrix Bio Media balls.
Fish QT- This tank is a IM Nuvo Fusion 25 Lagoon AIO. Powered by 1NICREW ClassicLED Gen 2 Aquarium Light and the stock return pump. I plan to stock this with either 2 Clown Fish or 4 Chromis. I am undecided on that part as of now. I will add the Turbo Start the same day as adding the fish just before acclimating the fish. I will monitor ammonia and other nutrient levels daily. Any spike in levels will be adjusted by utilizing fresh saltwater. I will keep 20 gallons pre mixed in a brute during the cycling process. It will remain at the same temp as the tanks (78f) so it is always ready to go. Other than the stock media which includes 4 cloth balls, I have added (8) Seachem Matrix Bio Media balls.
I found several used live rock for cycling. I was originally leaning towards using live rock due to all of the bonuses that come with it, but ultimately I chose not to go this method due to the amount of hitchhikers and risks involved. I am looking to maintain a pristine display tank free of any pests or diseases. Now, I hear that these are not about IF you will get them, more about WHEN. However, I plan to put all live stock, Coral and Fish, through a thorough quarantine process. I will do my best to avoid introducing any of the "nasty" stuff to my display.
Couple of other important items-
-Temp will remain at 78f.
-Salt used is Tropic Marin Pro Reef. This will be mixed to 1.019 for QT tanks and 1.025 on my display. I will slowly increase the salinity in the QT's via water changes while live stock is being Quarantined.
-Fritz was ordered from @AlgaeBarn as it is my understanding they ship temp controlled. I will find out in a day or so
-Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and Salinity will all be measured daily during cycling. The will be logged in a spreadsheet and I will update this thread daily (or every other day, if I get behind) with my results and findings. I will also include a few pictures along the way.
Let me know if you have any questions or want to provide some suggestions along the way. Also, I am happy to add in any other data or findings anyone would like to see, as long as it does not interfere with the integrity of the experiment.
Thats all for now- Feel free to follow my build thread or @keywestreefer on Instagram for more updates
The things I found to be contradictory under multiple circumstances was the method used to feed the bacteria. I chose to go with the following methods.
Display Tank- Waterbox 130.4 with 2 XR30s and 1 XR15 for lighting. 2 MP40s, 2 MP10s, and a COR20 for flow. The display tank will be cycled using Fritz TurboStart 900 and dosing with ammonia from Dr. Tims to work through the cycle process. As I will not be adding fish or coral to this system for at least 2 months, I found that this would be the best tank to try the dosing method with ammonia. I will continue to use the ammonia in the bottle until I am ready to add CUC. Once I clear 2ppm in 24hours I will add the CUC pending enough nutrients for them to feed off of. I am actually hoping for a little algae during this process so I can add a CUC and stop dosing the ammonia a couple weeks prior to adding the fish. Here is a picture of the Waterbox 130.4 in its current state- Hoping to get plumbing and control board done this weekend. This tank is stocked with about 100 lbs of Marco Foundation, Shelf and Reef Saver Rock.
Coral QT- This tank is a IM Nuvo Fusion 25 Lagoon AIO. Powered by 1 XR15 and 1 MP10 for flow. I am going to ghost feed this tank a little bit of frozen LRS Reef Frenzy. I will add a quarter of a cube 1 day prior to adding the Fritz to let it break down a bit. I will then add a little each day in attempt to not let the Ammonia get above 2.0. Once Ammonia reads 0 I will have the first 10 frags delivered. I will then monitor the levels in the tank from the frag waste and any spike in nutrients will be dealt with via water change. Other than the stock media which includes 4 cloth balls, I have added (8) Seachem Matrix Bio Media balls.
Fish QT- This tank is a IM Nuvo Fusion 25 Lagoon AIO. Powered by 1NICREW ClassicLED Gen 2 Aquarium Light and the stock return pump. I plan to stock this with either 2 Clown Fish or 4 Chromis. I am undecided on that part as of now. I will add the Turbo Start the same day as adding the fish just before acclimating the fish. I will monitor ammonia and other nutrient levels daily. Any spike in levels will be adjusted by utilizing fresh saltwater. I will keep 20 gallons pre mixed in a brute during the cycling process. It will remain at the same temp as the tanks (78f) so it is always ready to go. Other than the stock media which includes 4 cloth balls, I have added (8) Seachem Matrix Bio Media balls.
I found several used live rock for cycling. I was originally leaning towards using live rock due to all of the bonuses that come with it, but ultimately I chose not to go this method due to the amount of hitchhikers and risks involved. I am looking to maintain a pristine display tank free of any pests or diseases. Now, I hear that these are not about IF you will get them, more about WHEN. However, I plan to put all live stock, Coral and Fish, through a thorough quarantine process. I will do my best to avoid introducing any of the "nasty" stuff to my display.
Couple of other important items-
-Temp will remain at 78f.
-Salt used is Tropic Marin Pro Reef. This will be mixed to 1.019 for QT tanks and 1.025 on my display. I will slowly increase the salinity in the QT's via water changes while live stock is being Quarantined.
-Fritz was ordered from @AlgaeBarn as it is my understanding they ship temp controlled. I will find out in a day or so
-Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and Salinity will all be measured daily during cycling. The will be logged in a spreadsheet and I will update this thread daily (or every other day, if I get behind) with my results and findings. I will also include a few pictures along the way.
Let me know if you have any questions or want to provide some suggestions along the way. Also, I am happy to add in any other data or findings anyone would like to see, as long as it does not interfere with the integrity of the experiment.
Thats all for now- Feel free to follow my build thread or @keywestreefer on Instagram for more updates
