robbiedob84 Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 hey guys, first post on this site. not at all new to the hobby but this will be my first reef so i still prolly will have a lot of noob questions. equipment so far I'm fusion nuvo 40 smart micro ato mighty jet mid size (538 gph) 2 jebao rw4 AquaMaxx hob 1.5 phosban150 media reactor ecotech marine xr30 my first struggle is i bought the tunze protein skimmer second hand and it only fits in one of the outside chambers and im not thrilled about cutting out one of the filter socks, should i buy a hang on back skimmer instead and sell the tunze? next is should i get rid of the filter socks and replace with media baskets or get carbon reactor and keep the socks? i'll update with more questions as they come up but this is all that comes to mind at the moment. Any other suggestions please, feel free. thanks in advance for any input guys Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 to Nano-Reef.com. I might even consider a media basket without a protein skimmer. Quote Link to comment
robbiedob84 Posted April 25, 2019 Author Share Posted April 25, 2019 typically i don't run skimmers as i do 15% changes every 4-5 days, but i do sometimes leave my tank unattended for a few weeks as sometimes im outta town for work so it definitely would be nice to have one for those times imo, idk i guess the question was run dual baskets or keep the filter socks and run a dual reactor of carbon and gfo. I've never used reactors before im assuming they're better than running baskets but tbh that's a completely uneducated guess. Quote Link to comment
Kangster911 Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 I just started IM Nuvo micro 30 (the cube one) which is very similar to your tank. I am following to see how you are building the tank and what livestock you are getting. Good luck and happy reefing! Quote Link to comment
robbiedob84 Posted April 25, 2019 Author Share Posted April 25, 2019 awesome, ill post pictures as it goes up. just waiting to hear from the cabinet maker about my stand (should be any day now) then ill be getting started. Interested in seeing what you do as well. Quote Link to comment
A Little Blue Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 For new tank this size, skimmer isn't really necessary. As your livestock increases as well as demand for more aggressive nutrient export, skimmer can be a useful tool. I do use it in my setup. And it pulls quite a bit of organics out of my tank, which helps a bit. It's possible to place skimmer in first chamber and make it work. I should know, I've done it. Filter socks are PITA in my opinion but that's just me. There're many ways to utilize AIO tank designs. Pick what works for you and fits your maintenance regiment. Frequent water changes are great for any tank but if you are like some of us slackers, you'll need to figure out setup that will support that luxury and keep your reef tank thriving. 1 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 12 hours ago, robbiedob84 said: i guess the question was run dual baskets or keep the filter socks and run a dual reactor of carbon and gfo. I've never used reactors before im assuming they're better than running baskets but tbh that's a completely uneducated guess. Reactors are efficient, but I would probably utilize the AIO chambers using a media basket. If the basket supports filter floss, you don't really need filter socks. 1 Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 I loved how filter socks collect everything but the cleaning of them is a PITA, you have to have a few on hand for switching during the week. I'd go media baskets with floss and carbon. I don't use skimmers but my tanks are 25g and under. Quote Link to comment
robbiedob84 Posted April 25, 2019 Author Share Posted April 25, 2019 thanks guys, yeah i think im gonna roll with those and just pop in the tunze in the far right compartment whenever i go on vacation. your 25 lagoon looks awesome btw. Might have to steal a couple ideas from you 😁 1 Quote Link to comment
robbiedob84 Posted April 29, 2019 Author Share Posted April 29, 2019 So I’m doing the leak test right now. Should it concern me if there is a leak between the filter compartment and the display. The website says if the part is not intended to be wet. Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted April 30, 2019 Share Posted April 30, 2019 While not designed to leak, a leak between the display into the back filter chambers isn't a problem. It will function exactly as intended. 14 hours ago, robbiedob84 said: The website says if the part is not intended to be wet. That's weird, during normal operation, the filter chambers are filled with water. Quote Link to comment
robbiedob84 Posted May 7, 2019 Author Share Posted May 7, 2019 Alright guys, been a reeeeeaaal long time since I’ve cycled a tank since I’ve always kept the same sand, live rock and water. When I started my cycle I was out of over half of my testing kit so I waited for about 8 days before replenishment arrived and I did my first test. Everything was clear first test so I threw in one tester damsel and fed brine a couple times. One week later and still nothing. Everything is testing where it should be. I started the tank with live sand and life rock. Two weeks now and no sign of a cycle? It’s not possible for my tank to have gone through the first part of the cycle in under eight days is it? Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted May 7, 2019 Share Posted May 7, 2019 5 hours ago, robbiedob84 said: Two weeks now and no sign of a cycle? You mean no sign of ammonia. No ammonia can be a sign of an established cycle. Are you seeing any increase in nitrate? That would indicate that ammonia is being processed. 5 hours ago, robbiedob84 said: I started the tank with live sand and life rock. If the live rock was already cured, you shouldn't see an ammonia spike. 5 hours ago, robbiedob84 said: fed brine a couple times. You need to feed a more substantial food. Brine shrimp are more like a treat than a staple food. Frozen mysis are much better. However, a good pellet and/or flake food would offer more nutrition. 2 Quote Link to comment
robbiedob84 Posted May 7, 2019 Author Share Posted May 7, 2019 It’s life rock from caribsea actually, I have no experience with it. I’m seeing nothing, no ammonia, nitrites or nitrates. Quote Link to comment
robbiedob84 Posted May 7, 2019 Author Share Posted May 7, 2019 I have Mysis and flakes. I’ll alternate the next few days to see if I can get anything. Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 Was the liferock dry? It is injected with bacteria, maybe that's why you haven't seen a huge spike, it might he enough to convert the amount of ammonia produced with 1 fish. Do you have nitrates? Quote Link to comment
robbiedob84 Posted May 8, 2019 Author Share Posted May 8, 2019 0 nitrites 0 nitrates 0 ammonia roughly 8.0 ph Quote Link to comment
Ratvan Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 1 hour ago, robbiedob84 said: 0 nitrites 0 nitrates 0 ammonia roughly 8.0 ph What's your test kit? Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted May 8, 2019 Share Posted May 8, 2019 3 hours ago, robbiedob84 said: 0 nitrites 0 nitrates 0 ammonia roughly 8.0 ph 0 nitrates definitely is a sign of no cycle if its dry rock you used. I have found api to be pretty accurate with ammonia, nitrates if 2 or lower reads as 0 but 2 and up it's been spot on with salifert. Quote Link to comment
robbiedob84 Posted May 9, 2019 Author Share Posted May 9, 2019 @Ratvan API i know its a cheap kit but i figured id at least get an idea, @Clown79might have to get a nitrate test from them, i know I've seen it at the lfs. I put a light over the tank last night to see if diatoms would start to appear. Wishful thinking i know. Quote Link to comment
Ratvan Posted May 9, 2019 Share Posted May 9, 2019 I met a guy who thought the strips and the master kit was same thing. What and how much are you feeding now? Quote Link to comment
robbiedob84 Posted May 9, 2019 Author Share Posted May 9, 2019 I’ve been alternating Mysis and flakes but only for about 4 days now 1 Quote Link to comment
robbiedob84 Posted May 11, 2019 Author Share Posted May 11, 2019 Still nada on my cycle 😡 Quote Link to comment
robbiedob84 Posted May 11, 2019 Author Share Posted May 11, 2019 Just gotta remember to be patient, this box won’t be bland forever. Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 At this point, I might dose a live bacteria culture. Maybe more as a precaution than as a necessity. 1 Quote Link to comment
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