Recent content by drucifer

The hardware

Full tank pics here

Done!

And it turned out better than I expected! I googled around and found a detailed build here and the idea seemed compatible with my total lack of experience. I'll probably fill, sand, and paint this weekend. I'll most likely build a similar top for my 55 gallon.

Thanks! Picked up a tank-bred clownfish and 3 astrea snails from the LFS early this evening. All is well thus far, but only testing will tell. Thanks for all your help everybody!

18 hours, no ammonia.

11 pounds base rock - 1 piece is exceptionally dense and heavy FWIW - 45 pounds live rock, uncleaned (also about of pound or so of LR rubble in the sump). Filled on 6/14, didn't take any readings until 6/19, at which point ammonia was between .25-.5, NO2 >5, and NO3 ~15. I'll add a pinch of...

I should do this even though my nitrites have already peaked (beyond 5 according to the color scale on the API test kit) and fallen?

How about a few drops of ammonia?

Some is base rock, if you look at the pic here you can see exactly how much. I really didn't do anything to start the cycle other than chucking the live rock in there. Thanks!

11 days since filling her. Salinity: 1.024 Temp (F): 79 Ammonia: 0 Nitrite: .25 Nitrate: 20 Plus, a healthy population of diatoms :) A couple of pics, too: No lights: PC actinics:

Roger that. Thank you!

lol...sorry about that. I meant that because my tank is now filled with salt water made from tap water, would it be beneficial or wasteful to change 100% once cycling is complete?