Fluvial Edge 12g Update new build in!

[Metatrone-oz]

Hi there,

 

I've been suggested to create my own tank journal here to get started.

 

I'm new to the hobby, so I always ask a lot of question on the side of my own research and study.

 

I've started my first build on a Fluvial Edge II (I like it challenging I know), just because of the design of the tank and the "cat proof" value.

 

I've purchased the tank about 3 weeks ago, and got it wet last week end.

 

Here's my set up:

 

- Fluvial Edge II 46L

- Marine Pac 3 (pre ordered)

- 3.5 kg Live rocks

- Red Sea dry sand

- Marine Pure media (mix of balls and cubes)

- Nano doser (when tank is 6 month old)

 

I plan to do a mix of softies and LPS to start with. If my water quality is good, I'll try a few SPS.

I plan to have a couple of clowns at the moment.

 

Few photos of my current set/up process:

 

 

First habitant...

 

 

Live Rocks preparation and integration in the tank:

 

 

 

 

Room set up:

 

 

Today I found my first tiny hitchhiker. I'm pretty sure it's an Abalone (couldn't take a picture as it went hiding as soon as I turned the light on) but I'm confident it's one.

It looks like this but a lot smaller:

 

 

I wonder if it will survive my cycle :/

 

Cheers.

[HarryPotter]

Very cool, I can't wait to see how the Marince Pac is on your tank.

 

Cute cat! Lol lucky it didn't get stuck in there

[justinfox]

LOL the cat! HAHA!

 

Whoo hoo! Another Edge 2!

[Metatrone-oz]

I'm doing the first tank cycle with the pump system from the tank. The flow is really limited and I'm wondering if it could be an issue to get my cycle done. I'm using Liver rocks and I can see a few things moving there, but overall, the water doesn't seem to be moving much.

 

I haven't decided to purchase a MP10 yet as I want to see the flow I'll get from the MP3 set up. However, Neil, the designer of the MP3 is using a MP10 in his Fluval build (he's got SPS tho).

 

Any advice?

[justinfox]

Might be AOK with the MP3 and just softies/LPS! I have an MP10 on my Edge 2 and its set to about 30-40% power, any more and the sand really starts to move!

[Metatrone-oz]

Thank you for that. So my cycle should be fine until I get my MP3.

 

I was reading the MP3 manual today and Neil recommends the following media:

- Seachem Purigen

- Seachem Sea Gel

- Seachem PhosGaurd

 

My issue is that I've only bought just some Marine Pure from my LFS. I've got a mix of spheres and cubes.

I had to cut them into pieces to fit in the media compartment of the system.

 

As my tank got wet only yesterday, I'm thinking of quickly change my media to the recommended one for the future MP3 system.

I feel like the media I have is good enough for the cycle, but I really want to follow the recommendation that come with the MP3.

 

Thoughts?

[justinfox]

Just chill out and let the tank cycle the way it is.

 

Have a re-read of this: http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/_/beginners/cycling-your-tank-r8

 

And just sit on it (pick up a new hobby until it cycles!). My tank took a month for the nitrites to read 0 (just over a month actually!!!). Your tank should cycle faster with live rock (I used dead rock), so just cycle it, then when the MP3 gets to you you can think about using new media in it (I'd give Chemi-Pure Blue a go as lots of people on this forum seem to use it with great success and it seems to incorporate a lot of things into the one thing - search!).

[Metatrone-oz]

That's fair. Thank you for reminding that nothing is always settle.

 

I'll go through the normal cycle. Just having fun spotting my hitchhikers for now.

So far:

 

- 1 tiny crab (with small yellow dots)

- 1 Abalone

- 1 "micro" Brittle Starfish

 

I can also see a few copepods already.

Good fun.

[BRN]

Nice setup man good to see you set up your own thread, following!

[mpad]

And welcome!

Great start, like the rocks.

I have something bigger for the scape in mind, but maybe I need some room left for corals ?

[BRN]

And welcome!

Great start, like the rocks.

I have something bigger for the scape in mind, but maybe I need some room left for corals

 

Definitely need room for corals and its easier to maintain if you give yourself more room.

[Metatrone-oz]

As much as you would like bigger scape, you're limited with the depth of the tank and the small access. I found that the higher I wanted to go, the hardest it was to have the rocks stable (without glue or any fixing material).

I guess with a nice amount of coral and maybe some SPS if the tank can take it, you can get some nice stuff going on.

[BRN]

indeed

[Neill.w]

Looking good!

EDIT: I should say, no media needed while you cycle

[Caleb_1]

Looks good man! Will be interesting to see how it turns out. Let me know how the live Marine Pure helps your cycle!

[Metatrone-oz]

Thank you for your time today @Caled_1.

[Metatrone-oz]

Did my first water test yesterday:

 

Ammonia: 0.4

Nitrite: 0

Nitrate: 1

 

Obviously, I haven't started my cycle yet.

 

I found a new friend last night that I assume is a black brittle star:

 

 

and I phased a bit watching the legs of the other brittle star moving:

 

[Metatrone-oz]

Beginner question:

 

Considering I'm using LR, NSW and almost 3 months old cycled media (Marine Pure), should I expect my cycle to start quickly, or should I jump start it with a raw prawn drop in the tank? I'm in no rush and happy to wait. It's a general question really.

 

I'm surprised with my low ammonia levels and that I have no nitrite, nor nitrates showing.

 

Cheers

[Metatrone-oz]

I've noticed today that my sand bed got 3 distinct areas.

I know that the white part is good and the slight darker layer looks like a deep sand bed (even tho I don't have that much sand there).

My concern is the dark areas that don't look healthy. I read around about a risk of Hydrogen sulfide or a bacteria.

I want to be sure before taking actions as I have 2 spots similar:

 

[HarryPotter]

I've noticed today that my sand bed got 3 distinct areas.

I know that the white part is good and the slight darker layer looks like a deep sand bed (even tho I don't have that much sand there).

My concern is the dark areas that don't look healthy. I read around about a risk of Hydrogen sulfide or a bacteria.

I want to be sure before taking actions as I have 2 spots similar:

 

Hmm. Are you going for a DSB? At 3", I don't think so.

 

I mix up my sand with every water change to keep it clean and to feed my SPS corals, maybe that would work?

[Metatrone-oz]

Yes I thought so , no way.

 

Now I really have the sign of the DSB like with the 2 layers of sand with different colours. I'm also cycling the tank, so it's to be expected I understand.

 

Tho the black areas are not really looking good and has been there since the tank got wet. I'm thinking syphoning them while they're still small and manageable without any livestock in the tank.

[HarryPotter]

Yes I thought so , no way.

 

Now I really have the sign of the DSB like with the 2 layers of sand with different colours. I'm also cycling the tank, so it's to be expected I understand.

 

Tho the black areas are not really looking good and has been there since the tank got wet. I'm thinking syphoning them while they're still small and manageable without any livestock in the tank.

 

Sounds like a good plan.

 

BTW don't let the cleaner magnet hit the sand bed or it will pick up the sand and scratch the glass

[Metatrone-oz]

 

Sounds like a good plan.

 

BTW don't let the cleaner magnet hit the sand bed or it will pick up the sand and scratch the glass

 

It's my magnet cleaner that has a weird scratchy texture in the tank. I'm getting a better one soon. The white marks reveals how shit is my cleaner . I'm not fighting them right now tho, waiting the cycle to be over.

[Metatrone-oz]

Still going through the cycle at this stage:

 

Amnonia: 0.8

Nitrite: 0.4

Nitrate: 1 ish

 

Still can't see that bloody clicking shrimp

 

I've started to get all the final equipment needed for when the MP3 will be here (air pump, return pump, heater...)

 

I've also ordered my ATO from Reefload : http://www.reefloat.com/index.php/atu-pro2-auto-top-up.html

 

I'll do a full coverage of the different equipment set up when ready.

[Metatrone-oz]

Well I think I'm already close to the end of my cycle after 12 days wet.

 

My readings last night:

 

Amnonia: 0

Nitrite: 0.025

Nitrate: 5

 

I'll do another test today and also get my LFS to double check my reading as I just want to be sure.

I think my next step will be a major water change (~30%) to lower the nitrate lvl. My phosphate seems to be low.

 

All my hitchikers are live and well: http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/364797-cant-identify-my-new-friend/

 

I guess I will have to monitor them and decide if any of them needs to be removed. I still can't find my clicking shrimp and identify if it's a Mantis or a Pistol. (May need to set up a trap I guess).

 

I'm thinking at getting my clean up crew today at my LFS, even if I haven't noticed any algae bloom of any kind yet. There's quite a bit of dead stuff from my LR on the sand tho.

 

Now my last question would be about the fact I'm running the Fluval Edge "sump" system with a really limited water flow.

Should I wait to get the MP3 before adding any coral/fish?

 

Cheers