Super newbie

[joby553]

Hi all,

Just got this tank yesterday and got some equipment and lots of questions hope could help me out.

Below is the list of stuff I have got or plan to order.

2ft cube with open sump.

Ordered skimz sn143 skimmer

Bought 2nd hand maxspect r420

2x jebao rw4

Ordered jebao dosing pump.

Hailea 1/2 chiller

Planning sunsun jvp201b wave maker.

Following are some questions I need to find out:

Phosphate/nitrate - anyone can recommend me a affordable brand? Actually want try use GfO but can't find any(or don't know what I'm looking for). As for nitrate I not so sure also.

Wave makers: anyone using the rw series? Is it possible I set them to slow down during night when I on the small sunsun to blow the bottom of the tank to try lift up the debris to clear? Want to imitate currents.

Maxspect; what's the max I should do on automatic? Currently set it to this. 1. 6.30am 0%0% 2. 10am 25%25% 1pm 50%50% 4.4pm 25%25% 5. 9pm 0%5% 6. 12am 0%0%.

Cycling: should I straight buy water from lfs? Or slowly pumping to/di with salt mix??? And should on the skimmer, phosphate and nitrate while cycling? Light?

Right now have one return pump. But I haven got any other pumps at all yet, how many more should I get?

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[tofubox]

For phosphate remover, aka GFO. U can try rowaphos, but theres plenty of other brands out there, u can be the judge which is better for you.

If I'm not mistaken, the RW series comes with the night sensor, which slows the pump down when lights are turned off.

For the maxspect, u can go 50%70% for starters, and tune it up from there

For the cycling stage, theres no problem with getting NSW at the start, but many prefer using own rodi+salt for personal reasons. It up to u. Yes, skimmer and whatever nutrient control should be started at this point. U can switch on the lights if u like, there both beneficial and non beneficial effects to this. Google to understand more.

Primarily, u will only require one return pump. A secondary pump is handy in case of failures.

The rest of your equipment looks good. You might wanna consider one or two reactors to run phos remover and carbon. Also think about what time of system u plan on running for the tank. Refugium only? Biopellets? Carbon Dosing? Probiotic dosing? Algae turf scrubber? Just the good old water changes? Its all up to u.

Enjoy ur tank!

[joby553]

Hey tofu, thanks, yes I planning to get a two little fish phosban reactor to put the GfO, but I'm still stuck at the nitrate removing, get another reactor? But put what inside? Water changes definitely still will do but I'll test the parameters beforehand to determine how much I feel comfortable with.

Oh and for the pump actually I meant pumps for chiller, reactors and everything else, do you buy one big pump and connect everything together or one for everything? Will mix and match some and standalone some be ok to save space(and money)?

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[joby553]

Oh ya wanted to get a hob refugium put chaeto and some pods but the tank I see like cannot to on hold first.

If can please help me out on the nitrate part?

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[tofubox]

Hey tofu, thanks, yes I planning to get a two little fish phosban reactor to put the GfO, but I'm still stuck at the nitrate removing, get another reactor? But put what inside? Water changes definitely still will do but I'll test the parameters beforehand to determine how much I feel comfortable with.

Oh and for the pump actually I meant pumps for chiller, reactors and everything else, do you buy one big pump and connect everything together or one for everything? Will mix and match some and standalone some be ok to save space(and money)?

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Hi bro, for nitrate remover, there isnt a reactor with media that will solve the problem. If so, u will be talking about a biopellet reactor. Nitrates have to be naturally consumed by denitrifying bacteria, or outcompeted by other means like macroalgae in refugiums or natural algae in algae turf scrubbers.

As for the pump, its also up to u, U can choose to have a standalone for each equipment or u can buy a big return and T off to each equipment, whichever u prefer. I personally like having the T off method as it saves electrical, reduce chance of failure with a single durable return pump, and lesser heat overall generated.

[joby553]

Hi bro, for nitrate remover, there isnt a reactor with media that will solve the problem. If so, u will be talking about a biopellet reactor. Nitrates have to be naturally consumed by denitrifying bacteria, or outcompeted by other means like macroalgae in refugiums or natural algae in algae turf scrubbers.

As for the pump, its also up to u, U can choose to have a standalone for each equipment or u can buy a big return and T off to each equipment, whichever u prefer. I personally like having the T off method as it saves electrical, reduce chance of failure with a single durable return pump, and lesser heat overall generated.

Oh, maybe I see wrong, suppose to me the carbon reactor but I thought is nitrate.

Okok thanks will look up on the single big pump method also.

Appreciate your help bro.

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[blackcell]

Hi Bro, looks like you got the addiction already.. Let me know when you free, maybe can drop by and offer some advise

[joby553]

This weekend got stocktake before I leave the company, other than that I'm home most evenings. West side though.

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[blackcell]

Oh ya wanted to get a hob refugium put chaeto and some pods but the tank I see like cannot to on hold first.

If can please help me out on the nitrate part?

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You might want to consider redsea po4/no3 reducer, you can daily dose 5-10ml, it's helps to clear your debris too..

[blackcell]

Your space quite limited to put reactors and refugium.. Just correct dosing and good skimming will do the trick..

[joby553]

Aiya. Just bought the reactors, I hanging in the sump. Just use first Lo since bought already. But ya abit cramp. Still haven buy pump.

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[joby553]

Hi all, I don't know if I can post here, but in some dilemma. Just collected my chiller and it's WAY too big for my house.

It's a hailea hs-90 1/2hp. No pump. Willing to trade down for anyone that's wants an upgrade.

Also have a wrasse and a anemone for giveaway before I swop tanks. Pm me if interested or if I violated any regulations

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[joby553]

STReSS

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[joby553]

After a few hours, 2 trips to 4 lfs, a ton of guilty buys and a blackout later.

Bought I not working pump for FR, and unfitting pipes and pump for chiller. Tomorrow then settle bah.. August 8 then skimmer reach but decided to start cycle first before live rock dies.

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[joby553]

Phosban - done

Chiller - done, inlet abit leaking, think is my piping.

Skimmer - coming 8/8

Dosing pump - 8/8

Going find a cabinet at ikea tomorrow.

Active carbon, mg, kh, and cal weekend will go iwarna get.

Hope in not missing anything.

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[sun2000]

Looks good. A raw market prawn to kick start the cycle would be good or dosing bacteria. Test ammonia should spike and then return to zero as bacteria starts. Same time should see Nitrates rise. Indicating cycle on going.

Cabinet from Ikea be careful. Compressed board will not go well with water(worst for salt water) but if you get the solid wood type ..maybe ok but from what I see at Ikea, they are not very strong and may not take a heavy load.

cheers

[joby553]

I just want to put at the chiller there to put the medicine and the dosing stuff, maybe go see the metal cabinet kind?

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[joby553]

Oh ya I plan to put the prawn when skimmer come in first.

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[ShadowHunter]

Oh ya I plan to put the prawn when skimmer come in first.

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Can throw in the prawn (small pc will do, no need if ur live rocks has dying sponge etc) and bacteria immediately. No need to wait.

[joby553]

Can throw in the prawn (small pc will do, no need if ur live rocks has dying sponge etc) and bacteria immediately. No need to wait.

Bro, my para as follow.

Ph 8.2

Kh 6

Ammonia 0

Nitrite 0

Nitrate 10

For other I don't have the test kit yet.

So I throw on the prawn wait for ammonia to spike?

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[ShadowHunter]

Bro, my para as follow.

Ph 8.2

Kh 6

Ammonia 0

Nitrite 0

Nitrate 10

For other I don't have the test kit yet.

So I throw on the prawn wait for ammonia to spike?

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How long hv u started the cycling process? Using cured or uncured rocks?

[joby553]

Hmm since Sunday with all live rocks. Switched on rowaphos 2 days ago. Chiller yesterday. Skimmer tomorrow then come. Supposed to on with skimmer I know, but haven come and I only had time to add the water sunday

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[thomas_lim]

Take note of the heat from the chiller. It will/might cause damage to your sofa set.

Do pay a little attention to that and monitor. Might need to make some changes like adding a insulator in between the chiller end and sofa.

Once ready, let me know. I pass you more things

[joby553]

Take note of the heat from the chiller. It will/might cause damage to your sofa set.

Do pay a little attention to that and monitor. Might need to make some changes like adding a insulator in between the chiller end and sofa.

Once ready, let me know. I pass you more things

Haha ya I was pretty worried about that too. But can't think of anything insulating stuff that won't clog up the flow.

Now put a small fan to blow the hot air away only.

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[joby553]

Skimmer haven come, don't dare put the coral over... Have to wait till next week...

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