My 29g Reef Log

[Michael Marino]

 

[Michael Marino]

 

[Michael Marino]

I am thinking... I may add a cocktail shrimp to the cycle . But I am afraid of the smell

 

[Reefscape]

As you have well cured rock, it is going to aid you if you add a shrimp/prawn to the tank to get some ammonia generated and give the cycle a good ammount of ammonia to work on....Yes, am not gonna deny it will smell, but it works a treat...you can also use proper ammonia. if you read the sticky at top of the newbie section about cycling methods, the ammonia method is explained in there..

Niko

 

[Michael Marino]

Yep, I read the sticky thanks Niko! Well any way I may add the shrimp i am still thinking about it!

 

[Michael Marino]

One last question do you think like a peice of salmon ( decently small ) whould do the tricK?

 

[Reefscape]

to be honest, i could not say...i dont see why not..all your after is for something to decompose and generate the ammonia...what ever you use, ensure it wrapped up in tights/pantyhoes so it does not spread through the tank...and its easier to remove afterwards...

Niko

 

[jojo22]

You could just ask the LFS for a nice cup of skimmate and dump it in.

For DIY halides you buy a standard 500W halogen work lamp from Lowes/HD/hardware store, then a bulb from www.myreefshop.com for about $50 (I know the guy that owns it so I plug him now and again but go where ever you like) and then a ballest, I run the Fulham High Horse Model #HH-MH-120-70-C it's about $110 (If money is an issue buy a magnetic ballest they can be found vor about $36 but IMO the solid state electric is far worth the money.

 

[Michael Marino]

Thanks you guys, I am checking out the stuff as we speak

 

[jojo22]

I can't say enough how much I like the High Horse ballest I have, Just make sure you mount it where it can stay cool or put it on a heatsink. If it gets too hot the resin filling will start to seep!

And the bulb I have is an Astralux 14K 70W MH. I am very happy with the color and overall quality of this bulb.