some more newbie Q's- refugiums, tests, lighting, uncured LR

[dropped]

hey everyone!

first off, i just want to thank everyone for their kind advice! i don't know anyone with a SW tank and it helps to get advice from people that aren't selling anything.

A little background of my setup is:

65g tank with 20g sump/refuge
mag9.5 with SCWD for flow
75lbs of LR
2x250 MH Canopy with 20k radiums
150lbs of southdown in main tank
ASM skimmer

I finally purchased LR today. I got 75lbs of uncured Miaki LR for a great deal! but I have some more newbie q's so please be gentle.

-water changes during cycle with uncured LR. yay or nay?

- i have a test kit. what reading should i have before i do a water change? i know i have to look out for ammonia, nitrate and nitrite.

- should i have a DSB in my refugium in addition to the main tank DSB? I have some macro algae for the refuge but i want it mainly for copepods for my future mandarin dragonet. what height of sand should i use in my refuge for copepods and macro algae?

- can i put my heater in the refuge?

- i saw a bit of bushy algae on one of the LR. i tried to scrub it and most of it came off, but not all. should i take the rock out? do i need to worry about it?

- do i do water changes in the sump or tank?

- do i just dump the macro algae in the refuge? there are 2 types that i have, can i just leave them entangled? do they just float?

- how long should i run my MH's during the curing/cycling process?

- what powerhead would you recommend for an auto top off? with about 3' of head.

- run skimmer during cycle?

i can't wait for the tank to be fully setup! i've taken pics of each stage and will make a thread when i'm done. I just need the refuge setup and I'm going to change the return plumbing setup tomorrow. hope everything goes well.

I promise when i gain more knowledge, I'll help you by answering these types of q's in the future! i promise!

TIA

 

[WarOrks15]

1 wtare changes is really up to you. if you want ot keep the stuff alive like the little crabs and worms then do them about ever other day.

2 dont really know what u are asking.

3 i would have a dsb in it. i think most ppl have on in there. 3-4 inches will be good.

4 yes you can just make sure it is going to be under water at all times.

5 i would just let it be. i did not clean any of my rock when i got it. just let the stuff grow and see after it cycles what you want and what you dont want.

6 well if you have a sump then you can take the watre out of there. but it really dose not matter. if possable keep the pumps running when do the water changes.

7 dont know

8 dont run them on at all. it will make the algae grow and then you will have a mess when it is done.

9 mj 1200 i think will work but that is just a guess.

10 i would and did. it pulls out a lot of stuff and helps witht eh smell. also run gac that keeps the smell down too.

i hope this helps some.

 

[dropped]

thanks for your reply! I have pretty much every answer now. For #2, I don't know what a high ammonia amount would be...same with nitrates, nitrites. Is there a certain level where I should definatly change the water? i'm sleepy so i hope I make sense.

so for the refuge, do pods need a DSB to breed? My refuge is only 8" high, so a DSB would take up all the room. what level can i get away with?

I have the answer to #7 also.

thanks again

 

[ellisz]

For ammonia on the LR cycle, I think it depends on what is on the rocks. If you have a lot of life on the rock, I would try to keep the ammonia below .5 for sure. I had a batch of LR that got really bad witho ammonia levels that reach 1.0 and stunk up my whole house. I did 50% water changes every day until the smell subsided. Usually every other day is fine.

You probably won't see much nitrite until the ammonia starts dropping. I doubt the nitrates will be evident at all until the tank matures a bit.

HTH

 

[dropped]

thank you!

 

[WarOrks15]

for #7 i would just get them attached to a rock and let them grow. let them grow but not go a sexual on you.