150 Gallon Build Thread ... From the Start

pH: 6.4
kH: 2.5
Co2: 30ppm
Nitrate: 5
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0

Congrats, looks like your rapid cycle (after stealing the biomedia from your other tank) is rolling. You can add the clean-up crew stock (SAEs, Otos) but there is no need to remove the danios; I'd leave them to help feed the bioload. If possible, add the new stock incrementally over several days to allow for the cycle to adjust to increased bioload. Continue to monitor water params. for an ammonia/nitrite spike but I very much doubt you'll have any issues :headbang2:The only way to cycle...

Check the pH and KH of your tap water after letting it sit out for 24 hrs... I'm curious what the readings will be. Your KH is on the lowish side but should be fine; I'll reserve final judgement until I see your tap water results. If possible, also check your GH. Depending on your tap water readings and GH values this is setting up for some sweet discus conditions.
 
Just trying to catch up on the thread here (been busy). Sounds like you're getting the last little bugs worked out nicely. Good to see. Can't wait to see it fully planted and stocked. I agree regarding the depth of substrate and I am in the same boat myself at the moment. I'll likely be adding another 60-80 pounds of sand to the back end of mine eventually, when I get bored enough with it to pull everything out and rescape most likely. With fishing weather on the horizon though, that will likely be late fall so I can spend my fun money on catching fish instead of watching them over the warmer months, LOL!
 
pH: 6.4
kH: 2.5
Co2: 30ppm
Nitrate: 5
Nitrite: 0
Ammonia: 0

Congrats, looks like your rapid cycle (after stealing the biomedia from your other tank) is rolling. You can add the clean-up crew stock (SAEs, Otos) but there is no need to remove the danios; I'd leave them to help feed the bioload. If possible, add the new stock incrementally over several days to allow for the cycle to adjust to increased bioload. Continue to monitor water params. for an ammonia/nitrite spike but I very much doubt you'll have any issues :headbang2:The only way to cycle...

Check the pH and KH of your tap water after letting it sit out for 24 hrs... I'm curious what the readings will be. Your KH is on the lowish side but should be fine; I'll reserve final judgement until I see your tap water results. If possible, also check your GH. Depending on your tap water readings and GH values this is setting up for some sweet discus conditions.

Thanks a million Vader. I will sit out some tap water and test the levels. I will also keep an eye on the N/N/A readings and Co2 level. Probably go up and get the cleanup crew tomorrow.
 
Just trying to catch up on the thread here (been busy). Sounds like you're getting the last little bugs worked out nicely. Good to see. Can't wait to see it fully planted and stocked. I agree regarding the depth of substrate and I am in the same boat myself at the moment. I'll likely be adding another 60-80 pounds of sand to the back end of mine eventually, when I get bored enough with it to pull everything out and rescape most likely. With fishing weather on the horizon though, that will likely be late fall so I can spend my fun money on catching fish instead of watching them over the warmer months, LOL!

Thanks! We are also very excited to get it completely planted and stocked.

We have 4 more bags (60 lbs) of Flourite Black on the way - we are planning on building up the right end slightly and across the back.
 
Turned it up a notch today - added a couple of rocks and tightened up the java fern. Also added a couple of pieces of planted-covered driftwood to the center ... The next step is to build up the back with Flourite and plant what will be the background / end tank plants. The Black Flourite still has quite a bit of dust floating around in the tank. I think it will just take a little time to settle / filter.

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Glad I listened ... the black flourite and green plants really have the dark red color of the stand and canopy popping out!

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