My tank it's up and running

[abrahamavelar]

Like the title says my tank is up and running, here's some pics of it, the guy at the lfs told me no to get a heater right now because most ppl have the issue where their water is too hot, also was telling me to get in a couple of days (when the sand settles) instant ocean bio-spira to speed up the cycle how true is this

 

[Sniperhank]

Well, being told that you don't need a heater sounds like a bad idea to me. The heater will get things to the proper temp if they drop for whatever reason. If it is heating past the point it is set to then it is a bad unit and would need replaced.

 

[abrahamavelar]

Tomorrow one of our lfs has a huge sale I’m gettin a few things then including the heater and cleaning supplies

 

[abrahamavelar]

Now this is how it's looking today, by the way happy 4th of July

 

[hackteck]

sounds like you are off to a good start

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

Not sure if I just don’t see it but you’ll want to think about throwing a power head in too. The stock pumps can leave you with dead spots where detritus collects which can cause issues. But it looks great, love the scape.

 

[abrahamavelar]

Not sure if I just don’t see it but you’ll want to think about throwing a power head in too. The stock pumps can leave you with dead spots where detritus collects which can cause issues. But it looks great, love the scape.

You are correct haven’t added one yet that way I see where I need to put it before I get it and place it in the wrong spot, plus it’s cycling right now too

 

[abrahamavelar]

Earlier today I did my first ammonia test and this is the results Monday I will check again wat should I be expecting

 

[Sniperhank]

So about 1 ppm of ammonia. What is your ammonia source?

 

[abrahamavelar]

So about 1 ppm of ammonia. What is your ammonia source?

Fish food and maybe live sand

 

[flchamp89]

Nice scape. I like the rock work.

 

[Sniperhank]

You're going to need a larger ammonia source. Either dosing pure ammonia to 2 ppm or the cocktail shrimp method.

 

[abrahamavelar]

Nice scape. I like the rock work.

Thank you!!! Spent about an hour at the lfs stacking rocks till I found wat I liked

 

[abrahamavelar]

You're going to need a larger ammonia source. Either dosing pure ammonia to 2 ppm or the cocktail shrimp method.

I have a piece of fish about the size of the shrimp, the store would not sell me just one shrimp

 

[flchamp89]

Careful with fish and shrimp hard to control ammonia. The birospira works. Can turn lights off during the cycle. Your probably going to need a powerhead or wavemaker. Check out BRS 52 weeks of reefing on YouTube.

 

[Sniperhank]

I have a piece of fish about the size of the shrimp, the store would not sell me just one shrimp

Well, that'll work. Just toss it in some panty hose and tie it off for a constant ammonia source. Then when you test for 0 ammonia and nitrite with the ammonia source still present your cycle will be complete. Then you can just throw it away and do water changes to get the nitrate levels down to 0 so you are ready for your first fish.

 

[abrahamavelar]

Careful with fish and shrimp hard to control ammonia. The birospira works. Can turn lights off during the cycle. Your probably going to need a powerhead or wavemaker. Check out BRS 52 weeks of reefing on YouTube.

When would a good time to add the bio-spira be? Yes I'm planning on adding one but want to know where I need it before I get it, I'm trying to get a hydor koralia 240 or a wave maker

 

[Sniperhank]

If you have it, just throw it in. But the bacteria in a bottle might not be even any good so who knows what the results will be. They will still need an ammonia source to speed up the cycle.

For the powerheads, remember you want to see anywhere between 10-50x turnover of the water column in your tank depending on fowlr and sps dominant reef systems, respectively.

 

[flchamp89]

Well there you go lol

 

[abrahamavelar]

If you have it, just throw it in. But the bacteria in a bottle might not be even any good so who knows what the results will be. They will still need an ammonia source to speed up the cycle.

For the powerheads, remember you want to see anywhere between 10-50x turnover of the water column in your tank depending on fowlr and sps dominant reef systems, respectively.

Yeah I'm looking at some power heads I think the koralias are really good imo