The plunge - 90 gallon new build & newb question

[melev]

Originally posted by Linina
Ok I'm cycling now(woot), ammonia seems to be dropping, nitrites and nitrates still rising.

Yesterday nitrites were 2.0, nitrates 10.0
Today nitrites around 4, nitrates around 50.0 (colors- sigh).

I am putting in an order for a pinpoint pH monitor after experiencing the joy of the salifert 'guess the green color' pH test (i think i'm between 7.7 and 8.0)

AND lastly I'm being very depressed that it takes 100 posts to have a custom avatar. I commissioned my artist sister in law to make me an avatar and I can't even use it on this site as a premium member....lame. It's inspired by a black and white clown who has caught my eye at the LFS....I think that will be my first inhabitant (except Mr Evil Crab who is surviving the cycle so far) as soon as I get through this cycle!

I love my Pinpoint pH monitor, and don't mean to argue with the poster above. However, it comes in very useful when you have several tanks, plus you can check your newly mixed saltwater as well. With a controller, you pretty much have to bring the mountain to Mohammad, if you know what I mean.

Go help 50 people with their tanks, and let's see this amazing avatar.

[Linina]

Here's my thinking, the pH monitor will get me by until I buy a controller (I am eyeing the reefkeeper elite), and after that maybe I can use the probe for the controller, and if not, I'll use it for testing water (and maybe a second tank if i get to that point)

[Linina]

Well I rearranged the rock - as someone posted i think, i had the rock way too close to the glass and couldnt get a scraper in there. So here's take 3:

[Linina]

Also I got the maximods and will be rearranging the powerheads to be on the sides as soon as I get the magnet mounts (next week).

Temp is steady at a hair under 80. Mr. Evil Crab was alive this morning, I havent poked him tonight (he tends to burrow into the sump sand). I hope he's making it through the cycle ok (well, sort of hope - I am trying to give him away). Ammonia is definitely dropping by my nitrites and nitrates are still high.

[freddie40]

The crab will probably survive beyond the point where you are not amused by him

Your rock looks good.

Dave

[Linina]

Yeah I would really like to get rid of him. I am hopeful that someone local will take him in - I have one PM nibble but the guy has yet to call, so we'll see.

Thanks about the rock!

[Linina]

These pictures blow me away. Every time I walk up to the tank it looks chock full of rock. But I post a picture and it looks pretty bare. Very strange.

[Linina]

Ammonia zero! watching those nitrites and trates!

[freddie40]

Your cycle will end when the nitrites are close to zero. Have you added cheato yet? How about fish?

Dave

[Linina]

Picking up some Cheato from a generous local reefer tomorow. No fish yet, waiting for the nitrites to hit 0. They are still pretty high, like between the 2 and 5 mark. The nitrates are ~100.

[Linina]

But I did go check out Neptune's. I can see why you like that store. Two of their black clownfish definitely are calling my name as soon as this cycle is done.

[freddie40]

Cool. I thought the black clowns were very nice.

Once you add the cheato your trates will start to go down.

Dave

[Linina]

The black clowns are super cool. The whole family went and I found myself saying 'oh no, kids, those orange nemo's are so boring, look at these COOL black and white ones!!!". I think they are going for it but we'll see. If not, knowing that you really can only realistically have a pair, and ideally for longer than my little ones will be living at home, at some point I'll just say, "sorry guys, mommy's getting black ones!". Maybe orange in the next tank

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Linina
These pictures blow me away. Every time I walk up to the tank it looks chock full of rock. But I post a picture and it looks pretty bare. Very strange.

I also think the rock looks healthy--there is a good base of corraline algae on them which as survived and will grow.
the more the corraline grows and takes up space the less algae can

[Linina]

Thanks capn! There is one rock in the center that has some white ish stuff on it. This rock was also kind of squishy when I placed it in the tank....wonder if that's going to be a problem or what....


Tonight I opened my cabinet after work and found my sump has become extremely dirty suddenly:




Is this the algae growth I've heard new tanks get? But why only in the sump?

[Linina]

oh hey you can see Mr Evil Crab hiding in the right hand corner of the sand too....

[freddie40]

The squishy white stuff is probably a sponge. Nice.

The brown stuff in the sump is normal. Don't worry about it. Get some cheato ASAP.

Dave

[freddie40]

The crab will be good for your sump. Don't worry about him.

Dave

[Linina]

Workin on the cheato! My local guy is supposed to come through tonight but we'll see. At some point I'll probably need to go to a store and get this done!

And man the nitrites are moving slowly. I swear the color of the test is BARELY different than yesterday. Lame.

[freddie40]

Linina,

You are almost at 100. 2 more to go.

Dave

[Linina]

gratuitous post count increase post. What can I add of value....I think my grounding probe is supposed to arrive soon, that will be nice to have.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by Linina
Workin on the cheato! My local guy is supposed to come through tonight but we'll see. At some point I'll probably need to go to a store and get this done!

And man the nitrites are moving slowly. I swear the color of the test is BARELY different than yesterday. Lame.

this is why you see the algae on the substrate--feeding on the nitrates
the good thing is they are also reducing them--when they fall to zero the algae will die off

I feel a new avitar coming soon also

[Tswifty]

Nice job on the new aquascape!

[Linina]

Alright I got my avatar to the appropriate size AND I got cheato from a very generous local reefer, so YAY! Let the nitrate reduction begin!

[Linina]

Why would the algae only grow on the sand in the sump? The main display looks clean as a whistle still. Is it the slower water movement in the sump maybe?

PS thanks TSwifty!