Ryan’s 40G first reef

[rdriggett]

+1 for the diy lids. Same story here with losing a few fish before getting the lid and I even have the euro brace to help the edge jumpers.

I'll be PIFing the 40 breeder lid and picking up a DIY mesh lid. I was hoping to keep evap down with a glass lid but as I'm not running a skimmer currently, I probably need the gas exchange areas of an open tank.

 

[rdriggett]

I added 3D printed random flow generator locline nozzles.
Testing shows 2ppm, 2ppm, 30ppm.

 

[richiev]

I added 3D printed random flow generator locline nozzles.
Testing shows 2ppm, 2ppm, 30ppm.
View attachment 36232View attachment 36233

self-printed? What filament did you end up using?

 

[rdriggett]

self-printed? What filament did you end up using?

Printed by my reefing buddy using PETG.

 

[rdriggett]

Finally the cycle makes some progress! Ammonia fell from 2ppm to 0.6?ppm in one day. Nitrites are off the chart at 2-3ppm. I stopped testing for nitrates until these hit 0,0. I’m thinking by Monday it should be fully cycled. That would be 9 days. Not exactly 48h like R2R said haha.

 

[grizfyrfyter]

It's crazy how fast ammonia drops once the colonies expand.

I added 2ppm ammonia to my 100g two days ago and it's already down to 0.5ppm.

 

[rdriggett]

Installed an autoaqua smart ato lite. For $42 shipped I’m never topping off water again.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

Installed an autoaqua smart ato lite. For $42 shipped I’m never topping off water again.View attachment 36266

You will need to mind the sensor

 

[rdriggett]

You will need to mind the sensor

What specifically about it should I keep an eye on?

 

[Kensington Reefer]

Weekly cleaning is probably good

You are now relying on a sensor to do something that would normally have done.
If the sensor fails...either ON or OFF, what happens?
Do you flood or burn out pump?

Food for thought

I think I have one
It is frequently beeping and needs to be reset way too often

 

[rdriggett]

Weekly cleaning is probably good

You are now relying on a sensor to do something that would normally have done.
If the sensor fails...either ON or OFF, what happens?
Do you flood or burn out pump?

Food for thought

I think I have one
It is frequently beeping and needs to be reset way too often

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll clean it weekly.

 

[rdriggett]

Ammonia: 0.2-0.4ppm
Nitrite: off the charts
Nitrate: who cares right now.

Looks like my cycle is on track to finish early next week at its current rate.

 

[rdriggett]

ammonia zeroed out! I wonder how long until nitrite does too.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

ammonia zeroed out! I wonder how long until nitrite does too.

It is instantly reduced with water changes

 

[grizfyrfyter]

It is instantly reduced with water changes

Counter productive when you're promoting the growth of nitrifying bacteria.....

 

[rdriggett]

Ammonia seems to have reappeared @ 0.2ppm? Faulty test or bad reading last time?

I'm happy to learn that nitrite levels dont matter as long as the tank is fully cycled:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.htm

 

[grizfyrfyter]

I didn't know nitrate was more toxic to fw than sw fish.

I am at about the same point in my cycle that you are. I should finish my QT setup and get fish.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

Water changes will dilute that ammonia
Immediately

 

[rdriggett]

Water changes will dilute that ammonia
Immediately

I plan to do a 50% WC a day before adding livestock. My fish should arrive this or next week!

 

[Kensington Reefer]

I plan to do a 50% WC a day before adding livestock. My fish should arrive this or next week!

You could just do every other day
Especially in a new system, with fish and food
Key is to have replacement water ready, and “ideal”
And hopefully more than needed at that time