ny300z Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Whats up guys, my names Nick So after years of being interested in a tank and then recently being hooked on fish tank kings haha, i decided to literally start small with a pico reef tank. After a few weeks of lurking here i went out and bought the Aqueon Evolve 4 (4g) http://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-Evolve-LED-Aq...s/dp/B006OMKMTM Set up on June 13th- 1 week ago tomorrow Added Sand, 3lbs of live fiji rock and pre mixed salt water from the LFS. Ammonia and Nitrite have been at 0 every day I have been doing a TON of searching and reading every newbie thread on here to minimize questions but bare with me since this is completely new to me. I plan on posting pics of the progress in the next day or two but i have a quick question so i dont mess anything up. Do i keep the filter media cartridge that came with the tank in there? (plain white drop in filter) I only ask because after reading for weeks i just for the first time saw someone say they should remove it and have nothing at all as a filter?? Could this be slowing down the process of cycling the tank since i left it in? And if i should take it out, what should i have in there? thanks and great site, tons of info and some of you guys are crazy with the reef setups you have! love it Link to comment
seabass Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Whats up guys, my names Nick Nick! Do i keep the filter media cartridge that came with the tank in there? (plain white drop in filter)I'm not sure what is included in the filter. You should rinse mechanical filter media (like sponges) at least once a week. Activated carbon should be replaced every couple of weeks. It's usually best to remove additional biological media. I only ask because after reading for weeks i just for the first time saw someone say they should remove it and have nothing at all as a filter??That's possible, but some mechanical and chemical filtration can be helpful. Could this be slowing down the process of cycling the tank since i left it in?Not really. Although I wouldn't let the biological filter get too established. If you used cured (established) live rock from a local store, you probably won't see an ammonia spike. If you don't see an ammonia spike in another week, the cycle is basically established for the current (small) bioload. Add livestock a little at a time. And if i should take it out, what should i have in there?Take out the biological filter media now (as live rock is your biological filter). I'd probably replace the mechanical filter media with some cheap poly-fil pillow stuffing from Walmart's craft department (make sure it doesn't say fire retardant). Then just replace the suffing (filter floss) every week. For chemical filter media, I'd get some good activated carbon and put it in a media bag. I'd replace it every week or two. Link to comment
ny300z Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 wow thanks a lot for taking the time to answer each of my questions. I was completely lost when it came to filtration for a salt water tank! As for the poly-fil pillow stuffing, i just kinda put in a handful in the filter area? loose? sorry if thats a dumb question. and the carbon media....that just goes into a media bag and sits in the filtration area as well? The live rock i purchased from the LFS was cured i believe. will double check today. I plan on staying patient for another week or and then maybe add the CUC and maybe a small coral. Link to comment
iball1804 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Yeah for the poly-fil, I just put it wherever I can in the back. It's great at catching all the loose debris. Make sure to change it periodically, though. I change mine every week when I do my water change. Link to comment
ny300z Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 Yeah for the poly-fil, I just put it wherever I can in the back. It's great at catching all the loose debris. Make sure to change it periodically, though. I change mine every week when I do my water change. great thanks, i got something to do on lunch today! theres no need to worry that i havent had much "action" yet right? no changes in the water or live rock that i can notice and no algae growing on the sand or anything. im sure i just gotta stay patient. Link to comment
ny300z Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 PICS! First Day setup - 6/13/12 tiny clam/oyster? or just a shell haha Day 3- Feather duster right? 1 week old- this morning Sponge thing that looks like its gonna come off the rock eventually Link to comment
Deleted User 3 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 PICS! First Day setup - 6/13/12 tiny clam/oyster? or just a shell haha Day 3- Feather duster right? 1 week old- this morning Sponge thing that looks like its gonna come off the rock eventually the sponge looks like a pineapple sponge Also, cute shell! I love shells. I have some sort of clam in my tank, didn't notice him until about 2 weeks after set up Just wait you'll probably have a lot more interesting things! Cant wait to see what you'll put in there! Link to comment
seabass Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I like your pics. Yep, the floss just goes in, as is, in the filter chamber. The activated carbon, in the media bag, also is just set in the filter chamber. As for the order, most people allow the floss to filter the water before it gets to the carbon (so that the carbon doesn't clog with debris). ROX 0.8 and Seachem MatrixCarbon are good brands. Some people only use carbon on occasion (to "polish" the water); this helps keep the water clear so the light penetrates better. Note: it has been reported that activated carbon fines can cause HLLE disease in fish. Link to comment
ny300z Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 tulipgirl-thanks for the ID on the sponge cant wait till i get some life going in here! seabass-i will take your advise and get those things. thanks for the info! im just so fascinated by reefs and its about time i got into the hobby im sure being obsessed with surfing has something to do with my love of the ocean! Link to comment
ward827 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Great looking tank. Love the aquascape. W- Link to comment
Deleted User 3 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 tulipgirl-thanks for the ID on the sponge cant wait till i get some life going in here! seabass-i will take your advise and get those things. thanks for the info! im just so fascinated by reefs and its about time i got into the hobby im sure being obsessed with surfing has something to do with my love of the ocean! Welcome ! Seriously i love seeing new things in my tank. All i have is a CUC & hitchikers but if you check the OP in my thread you'll see all the hitch hikers i've seen lol. I spend a lot of time staring at the tank... Link to comment
ny300z Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 Welcome ! Seriously i love seeing new things in my tank. All i have is a CUC & hitchikers but if you check the OP in my thread you'll see all the hitch hikers i've seen lol. I spend a lot of time staring at the tank... wow thats a lot of hitchhikers! thats awesome! you guys have any good online sites to get supplies for cheap? or is it easier just to get the stuff local sometimes and pay a little more? i noticed walmart has activated carbon but like seabass said maybe i should opt to buy one of those "good brands" from elsewhere Link to comment
albertthiel Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 the sponge looks like a pineapple sponge Also, cute shell! I love shells. I have some sort of clam in my tank, didn't notice him until about 2 weeks after set up Just wait you'll probably have a lot more interesting things! Cant wait to see what you'll put in there! If it is a pineapple sponge not much to worry about as it is a filter feeder but some have reported that they were multiplying rapidly but I have not seen that in any tank personally Any one else aware of this or experienced this ... Albert Link to comment
ny300z Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 how about the purple and orange thing? is that something that will start to grow? Link to comment
ny300z Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 So i went to 2 different walmarts today and couldnt find that poly-fill. ill order it online The LFS had some so i got impatient and just bought a little from there. I bought some carbon and a media bag also. I will be buying that specific brand seabass told me about online. I cut the poly-fill in half and replaced the original filter with it. The carbon states i use 1 FL ounce of carbon per 5 gallons. My tank is 4g but really holds about 3 gallons so i should really only have a little less than 1 FL ounce in the bag? my tank is tiny though. should i slowly introduce it or just put the 1 ounce of it right in now? sorry for asking step by step instructions i just would rather do this right from the start Link to comment
SyCo_VeNoM Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 If it is a pineapple sponge not much to worry about as it is a filter feeder but some have reported that they were multiplying rapidly but I have not seen that in any tank personally Any one else aware of this or experienced this ... Albert yea I had an out break for awhile few weeks ago they were literally all over the back of my tank to the point I got worried, but after reading some things online people just said leave em alone, and they eventually go away. Now they dwindled to about 20 spread out where at one point I could hardly see the back of the tank. Now that the sponges are retreating I have an outbreak of the white swirl looking filter feeders on the glass. Seriously they are so dense as I type this I'm watching a hermit crab climb up the back wall on my tank. Link to comment
21093r53 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 my buddy have a nice vq, any mods? Link to comment
ny300z Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 my buddy have a nice vq, any mods? talking bout a 350z? i had a 300zx, then had a 350z with intake and wheels...but recently sold it cause i needed a 4 door...just got a acura tl type S but i miss my Z everyday!! im obsessed! Link to comment
21093r53 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 talking bout a 350z? i had a 300zx twin turbo, then had a 350z with exhaust, intake and wheels...but recently sold it cause i needed a 4 door...just got a acura tl type S but i miss my Z everyday!! im obsessed! he had g35 but yet your z some dude blew by me today in a 260 datson so jealous Link to comment
ny300z Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 he had g35 but yet your z some dude blew by me today in a 260 datson so jealous haha must of been modded good, what you got? a mini? your avatar is small Link to comment
seabass Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Seriously, those Poly-Filters are great! It's a good choice to use (even as a substitute for activated carbon). However, I was talking about pillow stuffing in Walmart's craft department. The Poly-Filters are essentially chemical filters that adsorb contaminants (even ammonia), while Poly-Fil is just a mechanical filter. That doesn't sound like a lot of carbon, but I guess that's about right. You don't need to build up to a typical dosage of activated carbon. Link to comment
21093r53 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 yeah i got a jcw r53, i know its too small Link to comment
ny300z Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 Seriously, those Poly-Filters are great! It's a good choice to use (even as a substitute for activated carbon). However, I was talking about pillow stuffing in Walmart's craft department. The Poly-Filters are essentially chemical filters that adsorb contaminants (even ammonia), while Poly-Fil is just a mechanical filter. That doesn't sound like a lot of carbon, but I guess that's about right. You don't need to build up to a typical dosage of activated carbon. thanks! ill order some online today i knew it was used to stuff pillows! you dont know what i went through...i went on walmart.com, found that stuff, found 2 local walmarts that HAD IT IN STOCK. Neither did (looked in crafts, bedding, etc) and the 2nd walmart refused to look up the part # for me saying "if its not out on the floor we dont have it" at which point i loudly exited and went to the LFS but how does this look? http://www.walmart.com/ip/Poly-Fil-Premium...-50-oz/17808670 i am about to order 1 of those for now and see how much is in it. @21093r53- nice mini! esp the color choice...must be a blast to drive! have fun Link to comment
seabass Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 but how does this look?http://www.walmart.com/ip/Poly-Fil-Premium...-50-oz/17808670 Looks like the stuff. I'm guessing you have some local stores (which are not Walmart) that carries a similar product. Maybe a Hobby Lobby or some sort of fabric store. Link to comment
ny300z Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 Looks like the stuff. I'm guessing you have some local stores (which are not Walmart) that carries a similar product. Maybe a Hobby Lobby or some sort of fabric store. haha yea your right.... i will go on a mission today to find it locally Link to comment
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