Reacently aquired a used BC14. It was 1/3 of the way full with 30 lbs of live sand. (Was really crushed coral). Found out the tank had been sitting for a month. It smelled. I located the source of the smell...3-4 dead snails. I scrubbed the back wall with vinegar, then scraped with a plastic spoon. I was not able to get 100% of the algae off, but I doubt it matters.

Replaced stock pump with a MaxiJet 900.
Added Hydro Flo.
Tab between chamber 1 & 2 was modded.
Chamber 2 has chemipure (came in the tank) a sponge, and filter floss. The filter floss is the only new item added by me.
15lbs sand.
~10lbs LR
Koralia 1 on its way

My only problem is my temp seems to be high. I left the lights on today, and my thermometer read 82ish. I read about this problem, but it only seemed to be for those who have modded their lights, and mine are stock. I will dig out my digital therm. later to verify. (Digi thermo reading = 81*)

**I am using a stealth heater, I believe 100W. Changed the heater to 72* from 78*, hoping to see a decrease in temp.**

I had a few hitchhikers on my LR that I have found so far (added it a few hours ago) I have several polyps, a snail, and what I am hoping are sea fans, and not apastia (sp?). They are very very very small, so it is hard to tell. They do not move when I move the rock though.

Pictures later! I'm having issues with scaping...

did you take the crushed coral out? if not do yourself a big favor and do so

Was the first thing to go

81 is perfectly fine. It's the temperature swings that cause the problems.. some people on here run at 85..

Day two, tested my ammonia for the heck of it, its at .25

Temp has held steady, glad to hear its okay.

Got some more rock, one is covered in star polyps. I really hope that the cycle doesnt hurt it. I also found a huge bristle worm living in a rock. They arent as gross looking when bigger. Almost pretty. Almost.

Now, I re-scape. Pics later hopefully!

Question: When adding things once the cycle is complete, what is the order? I know CUC goes in after the diatom algae bloom, then corals, then fish? or does it matter?

Does a stock BC hood have good enough lights for a plate coral? I like them, and was thinking maybe down the road...

I'm kinda wondering this m'self. I've gotten the impression that possibly not, since the plate coral is a sand dwelling creature, it will get less light than say a simularish LPS placed higher up that would likely do better.
Sort of moot in my case, as I have a Nanotuners 3.6 LED system ordered and hopefully arriving soon.

I re-scaped my tank last night, adding in the rock. I think I like it, I want to find some cool smaller pieces. My set up now has lots of little caves and such.

I know I mentioned the piece I got covered in some star polyps. Well, I saw what I thought was a worm on it, went to touch it with my tongs, and it turns out there is some kind of clam on there, and I was seeing its mouth. Its been on there for quite some time, and I will try to post pictures later. I really really hope that the cycle does not hurt it.

Tonights readings:
Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20

Normal? I only have one piece of base rock in the tank, and I would guess there to be about 10-12 lbs in the tank currently.

pH is 7.8, and I tested it 2 times today, once right after lights on, and just now, 7 hours later.

I do not have an alk test, but can get a hold of one.

I took out my small rock that had suposed aspastias on it. The things in question have doubled in size since putting it in my tank. The rock also had cyano. That small rock wasn't worth the battle.

Star polyps are coming out, polyps on live rock are out.

Thinking about blocking off the bottom grate on the first chamber. Thoughts?

My tank has been set up for a week now, and I am now in the last stages of my cycle. I am starting to see diatom algea and want to begin to plan my CUC.

I have two trochus snails in another tank, and i believe my hitchhiker is a Cerith. I do not want hermit crabs, but would eventually like to get a cleaner shrimp.

I went to my LFS to have my water tested. They are very trusted, and are actually a sponsor here. The employee who tested my water said that my alkalinity was fine, but did not give a number. How often do you test your alk? Would it be worth it to get my own test?

pH: 7.8
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate: 20 or 50

When the lfs tested my water, they got 50. When I test my water with API I get 20. So, I'm not sure what is going on there. I am getting chaeto tomorrow, and am hoping that will improve the situation. I am also going to order a fish guard, chamber rack, and underwater light. (Edit: just ordered )

If my alk is fine, and my pH has held steady at 7.8, is that okay? That seems low.

All of my hitchhikers are doing well. The polyps are open, and my piece covered in star polyps is doing well also.

I've added a picture of my tank below. I will be able to fill out theright side once I am able to add corals. I have several frags already in another tank, waiting to be placed.

The small rock in the front right is gone. It had cyano as well as some apastias. It was not worth the fight, imo.

Tank looks good!

7.8 is a little on the low end, but again, stability is key. You could use buffers and whatever to get it to 8.3-8.4, but are you always going to be there to dose? My 90 gallon runs about 7.85 all the time, and I've not noticed any negative side effects.

I wouldn't trust an API kit as far as my cat can throw it. I've measured my API master kit against multiple sets of Elos individual kits and while the Elos kits red almost identical, it was a crap shoot where the API kit would come out, way under, way above, or right on.

For aiptasia control, if you're going to get a cleaner shrimp, why not get a peppermint while you're at it? They only run $5-$6 a piece. Mine have kept my tank aiptasia free for over a year.

I'm used to freshwater, and figured that a stable pH is better than one that changes all the time. As long as my alk is okay, I don't think that I will mess with it.

Are peppermint shrimp reef safe? They are very inexpensive, especially when compared to other cleaner shrimps.

I figured I shouldnt trust my API test, thats why I had my LFS test it. I just hate that it is at 50. I was much more happy with 20!! I'll probably run water up to them again next weekend. I want them to test my salinity so I can calibrate my hydrometer. (well, find out if its off, and by how much)

Still looking for ideas as to CUC. Hope to get them next weekend.

No ammonia,
No 'trites.
I am testing 'trates at 5-10.

Can't make it to the lfs to get tested until Thursday, I've got parent teacher conferences tomorrow night. Be jealous.

I added a few members of my CUC, one cerith and three nass....dont know how to spell it. They are the big ones, between half an inch - one inch in shell length. They have already done really well turning my sand. I don't believe they are algae eaters, should I supplement? I also have two trochus to add, but am hesitant because I am pretty attached to them, and want to make sure its safe.

I want to pick up a few more cerith, some astrea (I have a little cyano and diatom going on. Not pretty), and maybe some more sand stirrers. I got some free micro brittles from a guy, as well as a huge chunk of chaeto. Now I read that I have chaeto too early, and it may die. If i notice die off, Ill throw it in my moms tank.

Everything looks good, nothing has died that I have seen. I did squeeze out my filter floss, it was pretty nasty, so I hope that got rid of some 'trates. Was going too just replace it, but didn't want to mess with my cycle any more than I already have.

Comment? Concerns? Suggestions? Please?

My tank is now a month old, and is doing dandy, if I do say so myself. My 'trates are down between 0 and 5, no phosphates, alk is 'fine' (haven't had it re-tested yet).

I added a young clown (maybe an inch?) last week, and its doing very well. Began hosting my frogspawn pretty much immediately. I now have a variety of corals.


Frogspawn
Alveapora (i'm pretty sure its spelled wrong, and I know now that they are hard to keep. I've had it for some time, being held in another tank, and it has grown substantially)
various polyps and zoas
Kenya tree
mushroom
ricordia

Nothing too difficult. My hitch hiker polyps have nearly doubled in number. This may be a problem eventually, but I will deal with that when the time comes.

I did lose my pulsing xenias, but have heard that they are funny that way. Have also heard that they love phosphates, and I don't have any.

My hairy mushroom isnt doing very well. Very bleached. Thought they were easy, so I'm not sure what is wrong there.

I have some zoas that I thought had the pox. I did the Furan-2 treatment for 3 days last week, and they still have pox, and all but 2 are open. So I am not sure if I was wrong about them having pox in the first place, or if I should do a second round of dips. None of my other zoas are showing signs, but I did dip them as well, just in case.

I want 3 fish total. I think. I want my clown (check), purple firefish, and a yellow goby.

Is that too much?

I need to bulk up my clean up crew as well.
I have 2 big nass. 3 really, but have only seen 2 as of late.
2 trochus (its been a day or two since I've seen them. Hope theyre hiding!)
1 mystery snail. I have no idea. I've looked through the ID threads and I've got nothing.
My hitch hiker snail. I caught it eating my cerith. The cerith was really good at falling on its back. Haven't see it either.
Numerous micro bristle stars. A local guy gave me a ton with my chaeto. (which is doing very well!)
2 Astrea

So I can see 5 snails, and only two stir the sand. Think I need more?

I have algea on the sand now. Which I don't like, and I am not sure if it is solely because I have my lights on too long or need more clean up crew.

I just did a water change, so no pictures yet. Maybe tomorrow

I think all this sounds good, what do the experts say?