The Mandarin Reef: Waterbox Marine 35.2 AIO

[ashiWaza]

To get the edges of the rock that would face the glass smooth, I read a really cool tip: rub the rock against your driveway/sidewalk. It completely sands down the surface to a very velvety soft feeling. I did this for the surface actually against the AIO, and also so a scrubber can fit between the rock and glass

 

[ashiWaza]

Here is the tank as it sits

I'm just waiting for the sand to settle slightly, and I'll take a day 1 water test and continue to track progress as I cycle. As soon as it clears I'll try to post a cool video or something that captures all of the different angles and depth of the shelves.

 

[ashiWaza]

I had this MicroBacter product highly recommended to me by a few irl friends, and so I decided to run with it for my cycle for the first time. On my 12 gal bookshelf, I did a traditional cycle using live rock, so this was my first experience using any additive. I took water tests 24 hours after adding water and 1st dose of the MicroBacter. Looking forward to tracking the cycle as it goes forward

 

[ashiWaza]

Here is an interesting visual guide that serves as a rough estimate for your cycle. Just a cool image that I got from a friend that I thought I would share, I hadn't seen it before while doing my own research

 

[ashiWaza]

Here is a pic after the sand is finally starting to settle.

 

[ashiWaza]

While I do test the water parameters every night, I often forget to actually put the pics up here. Here is the testing for days 2 and 3. No visible changes just yet except possibly for pH. Waiting to see my ammonia start to rise...

 

[jesspal]

Will the microbacter 7 work if the bacteria do not have a source of Ammonia?

 

[ashiWaza]

Will the microbacter 7 work if the bacteria do not have a source of Ammonia?

I have wondered the same thing. Below I attached 2 pictures, both from friends who used MicroBacter7 and never dosed ammonia along with it. They're obviously both beautiful tanks, one is only 5 gallons, one is 73gal. So huge difference in tank sizes as well, and it seemed to work. My guess is that they either had contribution from live sand, waited quite a bit for tank to cycle, or both. Through research it seems as though the MicroBacter7 does contain a carbon source to help prolong/stabilize bacteria, but I find very mixed answers when searching through online forums. However, I also have another friend with a nice 160 gal tank (3rd pic) that's 18 months old, and he also added in a raw deli shrimp to boost ammonia. I was planning on doing that anyway, and so I think with a 72 hour buffer on the MicroBacter7, I'll add the shrimp today.

 

[jesspal]

Cool,
I honestly didn't know the answer, I'm curious as to what the correct process is to follow.

 

[ashiWaza]

While at my LFS getting some water, I noticed they also had pods for sale! I got into a discussion with the owner about how I wanted a mandarin, whether to trust ORA/Biota bred ones and their claims of eating frozen, etc. I was told that it's actually super easy to culture your own pods, and was given this info sheet that was shipped with the pods themselves. Thought it was interesting enough to pass along to you guys

 

[ashiWaza]

I also added 1 deli shrimp today, after 3 days of adding MicroBacter7. I will closely monitor the ammonia levels in the coming days now that there is an actual source for it within the tank. I've read reports of the shrimp falling apart after too long in the tank, so using a mesh bag of some sort may be preferable here. I'm still slightly confused as to how long I leave the shrimp in the tank. I've heard some people say they take it out after the large ammonia spike, and I've read others who say they leave it in for the CUC to handle. I will ultimately remove it from the tank, just not sure exactly when. Any thoughts or previous experience here would be appreciated!

 

[ashiWaza]

Literally right after my last post, FedEx delivered my AI Nero 5! Super 'pumped' to start using it . While the dimensions are listed online, it was much bigger than I had anticipated. I would say that it's about as wide as a soda/beer can if you hold it in your hand. I've only ever dealt with nano powerheads, as my other tank is only a 12 gal, but it looks like this thing can put out some serious power! I have a ton of shelf space and overhangs, so I'm hoping the power will allow me to not have any empty spots. For those curious, and you'll have to do some more of your own research, it seems as though an AI Nero 3 is on the way. There are videos demonstrating the power difference between the two. Apparently the Nero 3 was also added to the AI app, probably as a way to continue beta testing. Interesting nonetheless for anyone who is looking for something slightly smaller.

 

[Wayne P.]

So I started the aquascaping today, although I'm still waiting on another shipment of shelf rock. I measured out the internal dimensions on my counter with some tape, and went to work. The only certainty I have is that I really want to use the cave that was included in the Caribsea shapes bundle. It is stunning to look at in person. It also has a big hole in the back, making it more of a tunnel shape. As I intend to eventually have a mandarin, I dont want him to just hide somewhere and never be seen.

I've got almost exactly the same rock in my JBJ 28. I put an arch over the top connecting to the other side.

 

[ashiWaza]

Day 5! I skipped testing on the day I actually added in the shrimp, I didnt think there would be any noticeable difference since an ammonia source hadn't been added. Today that all changed! Still no presence of Nitrite/Nitrate, but the ammonia is definitely going up. Dosed with MicroBacter7 after testing, and hoping I start to see the conversion to Nitrite soon

 

[ashiWaza]

Day 6. Ammonia is basically off the charts, and my bedroom is starting to smell something fierce. However I did notice a slight uptick in nitrite! Tomorrow is the one week mark, and I'll really use that as a benchmark for my progress.

 

[ashiWaza]

The one week mark! I had to take the deli shrimp out of my tank, I honestly couldn't deal with the smell anymore, and I figured that there was sufficient ammonia in the tank after being in there for a few days. I'm happy that the pH has leveled out and been very consistent. Ammonia is off the charts, and nitrite is following close behind. This was also the first day I've noticed an actual color change for the nitrate test! Hoping for another 7-10 days for the cycle to be complete, and then I will begin adding pods to the tank.

 

[ashiWaza]

Day 8. Not much of a change, although nitrite/nitrate are definitely higher today. Ammonia hasn't seemed to drop too much, but now that nitrosomonas / nitrobacter have been somewhat established, I expect that to start dropping soon. Starting to get excited! Was in a hurry (to go eat sushi nonetheless haha) and forgot to include color chart in picture.

 

[ashiWaza]

Might be difficult to tell a change through the pics, but the ammonia is definitely starting to drop. Not a huge change, mostly just recording the pictures so I can keep track. These pictures are from Saturday 9/5, and today, 9/6. On a side note....I went to a guys house to buy some zoa frags today (finally got some Utter Chaos!!) and he had an angler fish / frogfish, it was seriously the coolest thing I've ever seen. I'm not gonna lie, I am so tempted to devote my tank towards an angler now haha!! Maybe that just means I need a third tank

 

[ashiWaza]

Almost to the 2 week mark, no huge changes from the previous days. Although I was able to finally start a little zoa garden in my other tank, so that's keeping my spirits up for the time being

 

[ashiWaza]

Just logging images of my testing for the past 2 days. Nitrite is through the roof with ammonia noticeably dropping as well, obviously. Still waiting for a greater conversion of Nitrite->nitrate. Not sure the time frame for when it will be finished cycling, but I think I'm getting close. I am now slightly over 2 weeks.