20 gallon build

[jeh1487]

Very cool how do u get access to the sump

 

[Tobykourtney]

Very cool how do u get access to the sump

I made a door on the side. If I need to do anything major the stand and canopy aren't connected.

 

[Tobykourtney]

My tds is 28. Is that acceptable for a reef aquarium. Out of the tap it's 480

 

[Mashpotatoes74402]

If you have higher phosphates in your water it will slow growth a lot. I just started my first SW reef as well. I didn't have as much patience as you though haha. What did you use as an ammonia source?

 

[Tobykourtney]

Blood worms in a filter sock

 

[Macscale]

Nice setup! What did your ammonia get up too?

 

[carey]

That is a very very impressive build out for the tank! WOW! Very well done.

I answered your question about the tds on another thread fyi.....

 

[Tobykourtney]

That is a very very impressive build out for the tank! WOW! Very well done.

I answered your question about the tds on another thread fyi.....

Thank you I purchased the di attachment for the aquaticlife ro filter I bought. I already have 5 gallons of ro saltwater made so I'll be using rodi after next week

 

[Tobykourtney]

That is a very very impressive build out for the tank! WOW! Very well done.

I answered your question about the tds on another thread fyi.....

If I added live rock rubble with coralline algae on it to my refugium would it still spread to the display?

 

[Tobykourtney]

Nice setup! What did your ammonia get up too?

.25 right now but it's only been 2 days

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

I would take the blood worms out and just use a cocktail shrimp. Blood worms are a very dirty food. Just my $.02

 

[Tobykourtney]

I would take the blood worms out and just use a cocktail shrimp. Blood worms are a very dirty food. Just my $.02

I just bought some silver sides to cycle with. Will they work?

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

I would think so, same premise

 

[Tobykourtney]

Yea I'm in North Dakota so a pack of table shrimp was a lot more expensive. I was going to use pure ammonia but couldn't find a place that sells it

 

[carey]

ACE hardware is where I get my pure ammonia from. But anything that rots is gonna get the job done.

 

[Tobykourtney]

ACE hardware is where I get my pure ammonia from. But anything that rots is gonna get the job done.

I checked ace,menards,home depot, and walmart with no luck.

 

[Tobykourtney]

Good news!!! I managed to fit the skimmer in the sump. It was a pain to put in but it's outta the display now.

 

[Mashpotatoes74402]

Pics?!?!?!?

 

[Tobykourtney]

Birds eye pic of sump

 

[Tobykourtney]

The diatoms have arrived!!! I figured I'd check all perimeters today and I got 1ppm ammonia barely detectable nitrite and 5 ppm nitrate. I guess the cycle has finally started. Hopefully the tank doesn't get to ugly considering its in my living room.