210g Build Thread....

Sounds good....I'm going to call them and see what shipping runs.
Did my first water tests (after adding 5 teaspoons of ammonia over the last two days).
PH-around 8.2
Ammonia- 1.0
Nitirites- 0
Nitrates- between 5 and 10
SG- 1.023-1.024

I also took the micron filter out of the Magnum and am just using it for circulation. I seem to be losing about 1/2 gallon of water every other day, and I still haven't hooked up the protein skimmer, but I guess I won't need it until I start stocking the thing.
Robbie
 
He's getting 45 lbs for like 200 and change. Thats with shipping.

with your test results, have you checked your tap for nitrates? Not that this low of a number is going to cause you any problems. At least it shouldn't. Is surprising that you have even a number there with how new your cycle is.. I would add another 5 teaspoons of ammonia and hold there until your cycle starts.. Then depending on how your testing turns out add a little here and there to keep it going until you get some livestock in there. When you see your nitrites peak and you start heading down towards completion is when I would start brewing water for that 50% water change your going to do.. (I shudder thinking your going to have to do a 110 gallon change.. I cringed at 40 gallons.. LOL)..

As to water loss, you running lights? Metal Halides? I loose almost a little under a gallon a day to evaporation and lights... If you don't have lights on, you'll loose more..

But it looks like your on your way.. If you order from Premium Aquatics let me know what you think of their rock.. Always on the look out for more recommendations or whatever. If its bad, PM me I don't want that to be posted..
 
clown-lover said:
He's getting 45 lbs for like 200 and change. Thats with shipping.

with your test results, have you checked your tap for nitrates? Not that this low of a number is going to cause you any problems. At least it shouldn't. Is surprising that you have even a number there with how new your cycle is.. I would add another 5 teaspoons of ammonia and hold there until your cycle starts.. Then depending on how your testing turns out add a little here and there to keep it going until you get some livestock in there. When you see your nitrites peak and you start heading down towards completion is when I would start brewing water for that 50% water change your going to do.. (I shudder thinking your going to have to do a 110 gallon change.. I cringed at 40 gallons.. LOL)..

As to water loss, you running lights? Metal Halides? I loose almost a little under a gallon a day to evaporation and lights... If you don't have lights on, you'll loose more..

But it looks like your on your way.. If you order from Premium Aquatics let me know what you think of their rock.. Always on the look out for more recommendations or whatever. If its bad, PM me I don't want that to be posted..
Click to expand...
I did have my water tested and the guy at my LFS said everything was fine, but I didn't ask for specifics..I guess I should have.
I just added two more teaspoons of ammonia and I will check the level again here soon. I am shooting for somewhere between 3 and 4 ppm.
I'm didn't think that the evaporation seemed excessive...is it? I have been keeping the lights off for most of the time (no MHs). I have a glass canopy on it, but there are some gaps at the back. We also have the AC pumping so it's a little dry in here. The level seems to drop about a millimeter a day (yes I actually measure it...out of curiosity).
I will let you know about the LR if I order some. It seems pretty reasonable....even with shipping that's still $3/lb less than my LFS. Seems worth it to me. Not to sound like such a newb, even though I am, how can I tell if it's good stuff or not?
I think the tank only has about 170g of water in it, so the 50% change will "only" be 85g. I figure a couple of Rubbermaid trash cans and some heaters and some powerheads....I'm not looking forward to it.
Thanks!
Robbie
 
Well I have been chucking ammonia in this monster left and right, and here are my latest test numbers.
Ammonia 2.0-4.0 (closer to 4.0, I think)
Nitrite .25
PH 8.0-8.2
Nitrate 5-10
I assume that since the nitrites are showing up, this is good....
And with several days near or in the 100's, the tank temp has stayed constant...of course the room temp has stayed at or below 75. Can't wait for the power bill this month:eek3:.
Thanks!
Robbie
 
Well it looks like the live sand is doing its job. With your previous post of nitrates at the same level I would assume that your bacteria has started the level 1 process of ammonia to nitrite only. But it does appear that you are on your way. I don't think you have started the second phase of turning nitrite into nitrate. I could be mistaken but I am basing this off your previous post.
 
I guess not..the nitrates have stayed at the same level since the first day. But I'm glad that something is happening:)
It's sad, but I kept telling myself how long this was going to take and how patient I was gonna be...now I wanna see some fish swimming around in there! But good things come to those who wait....
On another note, I was digging through some pics of when I brought the tank and accessories home, and apparently I have a couple of extra powerheads floating around somewhere. I'm going to try and find them tomorrow and see if they work.
Robbie
 
Power heads are good. If they are MaxiJets and you want to boost their performance from like 295 gph (for the 1200) to like 2000 gph (If you plan on doing reef).. go to http://www.mjmods.com they sell the stuff to modify the maxijet series to where you can boost the performance the Tim Allen way.. :)
 
So I found the two old powerheads after an extensive search of two garages and a shed....one works and one doesn't (sort of).
I asked for identification help here in the Products/DIY forum..there are some pics.
Thanks!!
Robbie
 
tankanator said:
Have you used the coral life skimmer yet? and of so how do you like it. I'm thinking of buying a HOB just because it would be easier to work with.
Click to expand...
I haven't yet...since my tank is just beginning it's cycle, I figure I don't really need it at the moment (my understanding is that the less filtration during the cycle, the better). I may hook it up just for the heck of it just to see how it runs...more specifically to see if I can make it work properly:).
The one thing I can say right now is that this thing is friggin' huge! It's 25" from top to bottom.
Robbie
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom