Prdoring's Contour 3

[prdoring]

Things still going well, added some more ammonia yesterday.  Latest tests;

 

[ramesis]

On 5/1/2020 at 2:38 PM, prdoring said:

Allright! Definitive Nitrite! Microbuddies officially getting going.

 

I think the initial wiggles are from variability in my interpretation of the test kit. But nitirite is straight up purple, adding another 2ppm ammonia tonight.

 

 

 

What did you use to create this chart?  Love it!

[prdoring]

5 hours ago, ramesis said:

What did you use to create this chart?  Love it!

Thanks! I use a google form for easy input, this throws the data as a line item into a google sheet with a timestamp.  Using the google sheet I made this graph, that automatically updates as I add data.  It has been working out well so far.

[ramesis]

2 minutes ago, prdoring said:

Thanks! I use a google form for easy input, this throws the data as a line item into a google sheet with a timestamp.  Using the google sheet I made this graph, that automatically updates as I add data.  It has been working out well so far.

That is awesome!!  I am going to look into that.  Thank you!

[prdoring]

12 minutes ago, ramesis said:

That is awesome!!  I am going to look into that.  Thank you!

I am also happy to share a template you can copy out if you would like.

 

-PRD

[ramesis]

Just now, prdoring said:

I am also happy to share a template you can copy out if you would like.

 

-PRD

That would be awesome!!  What would be the best way?  I can DM you my email address...

[prdoring]

Here is the spreadsheet template.

 

 Just go File->Make a copy to save it as your own

 

Here is the form template.
Click the dots in the upper right -> Make a copy and save it as your own

Once in the new copy go to the responses tab -> Dots -> select response destination -> select existing spreadsheet -> choose the one you saved off of the spreadsheet template.

[mipster]

You and I fell into the same deep Covid induced return to reefing. At least there was one good thing to come from Social Isolation! Following along 😁

[prdoring]

8 minutes ago, mipster said:

You and I fell into the same deep Covid induced return to reefing. At least there was one good thing to come from Social Isolation! Following along 😁

So true, and it is virtually free with all the money I am not spending at bars / restaurants / doing normal human things.

[ramesis]

52 minutes ago, prdoring said:

Here is the spreadsheet template.

 

 Just go File->Make a copy to save it as your own

 

Here is the form template.
Click the dots in the upper right -> Make a copy and save it as your own

Once in the new copy go to the responses tab -> Dots -> select response destination -> select existing spreadsheet -> choose the one you saved off of the spreadsheet template.

Brilliant!  Thank you!!

[mipster]

3 hours ago, prdoring said:

So true, and it is virtually free with all the money I am not spending at bars / restaurants / doing normal human things.

Hahaha Not sure I totally see it the same way!

[prdoring]

Oh boy, things are really starting to happen.  Not too much else to report.  Time to start figuring out what I want for a CUC.

 

[ramesis]

I want to see that Nitrite go down! 🙂 Don't let it get above 5ppm!

[prdoring]

Super interesting... could be variability in the test, but 12h after dosing more ammonia, ammonia is even lower, with nitrite only seeing a small boost and a big bump in nitrate.  Super cool if it is accurate, another test in the morning to determine statistical significance.

 

[ramesis]

4 hours ago, prdoring said:

Super interesting... could be variability in the test, but 12h after dosing more ammonia, ammonia is even lower, with nitrite only seeing a small boost and a big bump in nitrate.  Super cool if it is accurate, another test in the morning to determine statistical significance.

 

I experienced exactly what you are seeing.  I just cycled a 10 gallon.  At the end of the cycle I would add ammonia and in a matter of hours it was gone the nitrites then would start going down a little slower but overnight they would be really low and eventually it got to the point where they were gone overnight.   You are almost done!!  and your PH dropped a bit which also happened to me.  I think I read somewhere that it is because the bacteria doing their thing.   

 

I did have a mini cycle after I added fish and started feeding but it lasted only a day and then microbuddies caught up.

[prdoring]

Same readings as last evening, with even less ammonia.  Excellent!  Just need to get the nitrite->nitrate bacteria stronger and we are going to be in good shape.

 

Some other updates:

• Modded outflow to allow for a dual output, works great, much less sand turbulence and better reach.
• I love zoas, and thinking about coral placement, I am considering doing the back wall as a zoa garden, has anyone ever done this before?
• For CUC I am thinking 1 Blue leg hermet, 1 Astraea,  1 Cerith, 1 Mexican turbo, 1 Nassarius, 1 Zebra Nerite.  Thoughts?

 

[ramesis]

I keep hearing that people say to stay away from the hermits if you can because they can pick on the corals. But I don't know.. I also want a Nassarius...  

[prdoring]

Quick, but exciting update.  We had our first warmer than normal day here in Seattle yesterday, and most apartments in Seattle don't have air conditioning, including mine.  I decided to solve the problem before it is a problem and we have consistently high temps.

 

I went ahead and ordered the Chill Solutions CSX1 chiller.  It is rated for tanks up to 30g so I have some room to grow if I ever want to graduate from the pico, and it should have more than enough umph to keep this pico cool once summer is in full swing.  I am already thinking of the best way to cleanly mount / route it.  EXCITING STUFF

[ramesis]

Oh once you get it post some pics!!!  Would love to see it!

[prdoring]

21 hours ago, ramesis said:

I keep hearing that people say to stay away from the hermits if you can because they can pick on the corals. But I don't know.. I also want a Nassarius...  

Hmm I feel like I have seen a lot of folks with hermits without issue.

[debbeach13]

I love my blue legs used to also like the scarlet red but don't have any right now. They some times might it a snail or maybe just cleaning out the shell from a dead snail. LOL

[prdoring]

wow, 12h conversion of ammonia dose to nitrite.  Now we just need to get those nitrite->nitrate bact beefed up.  

 

Some questions:

• As long as nitrite isn't too high, should I keep dosing Ammonia to keep the ammonia->nitrite bact happy?
• Should I worry about high nitrates with nothing in the tank?  Or should I just wait until cycle is complete for a water change?

[ramesis]

As long as the Nitrates are below 20 I would not worry.. There is nothing in the tank.  Regarding adding more ammonia.  At this point I would not add any until ammonia and nitrites are 0.  Then do another cycle to make sure that they both go back down to 0 within 24 hours.

 

http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/how-to-start

 

Is a good resource...

[prdoring]

19 hours ago, ramesis said:

As long as the Nitrates are below 20 I would not worry.. There is nothing in the tank.  Regarding adding more ammonia.  At this point I would not add any until ammonia and nitrites are 0.  Then do another cycle to make sure that they both go back down to 0 within 24 hours.

 

http://www.drtimsaquatics.com/resources/how-to-start

 

Is a good resource...

Ended up going down the hole on that one and watching the wonderful 30min talk on nitrification BRS youtube.  Good to know, Ammonia was at 0 last night, I won't be adding more until I see movement in Nitrite, after this mornings test I may do a 20% change to keep nitrite PH and nitrate in check.

[ramesis]

4 minutes ago, prdoring said:

Ended up going down the hole on that one and watching the wonderful 30min talk on nitrification BRS youtube.  Good to know, Ammonia was at 0 last night, I won't be adding more until I see movement in Nitrite, after this mornings test I may do a 20% change to keep nitrite PH and nitrate in check.

I did the exact same thing when I cycled mine.  It was a good talk by Dr. Tim...  I followed everything he said except lowering my salinity.  But I setup my tank to 84 degrees and followed his steps.  It really worked.  I did use several seeding products..  Fritz Turbo 900, Dr Tims one and only and MicroBacter 7.  Not  all at once..