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Unread 09/09/2019, 11:29 AM   #1
dragon174
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New 120g Setup Questions

I am not new to the hobby, but been out a while. I'm setting up a new 120 gallon (48x24x24) tank with built in mega overflow. Sump with fuge, AI Prime Fuge light, two AI Hydra 26HD lights.

Starting with some dry rock and will be adding some live rock to start the cycle process. I know that the cycle can take 4 to 6 weeks and I have plenty of time and patience so I'm not worried about taking things fast.

My main two questions are:

1. Would you start with some cheato in the fuge during the cycle and what photo period would you use?

2. Should you run the lights on the display tank during the cycle? I want to avoid as much bloom as possible.

Any other suggestions on my set up please let me know.

Thanks


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Unread 09/09/2019, 12:11 PM   #2
mcgyvr
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1. No
2. Yes you can that will help speed up/encourage the bloom faster (you won't avoid it)


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Unread 09/09/2019, 01:47 PM   #3
hkgar
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The reason for Cheato is to absorb nutrients (NO3 and PO4) so they can be removed. You have no bio load so no need to export nutrients (fish waste).


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180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx

Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels
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Unread 09/09/2019, 02:11 PM   #4
dragon174
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Fritz Turbo Start

anyone ever used Fritz-Zyme Turbo Start 900 to help cycle the tank?


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Unread 09/09/2019, 05:06 PM   #5
mcgyvr
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There are numerous "bacteria in a bottle" products...All can help some..
The bacteria will occur naturally on its own but if you want you can buy a bottle and help speed along the process


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Unread 09/09/2019, 06:47 PM   #6
rocsec1
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Dr Tim’s is great stuff. I used it for my 120 and it did the trick.


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Unread 09/09/2019, 08:47 PM   #7
jmacias
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rocsec1 View Post
Dr Tim’s is great stuff. I used it for my 120 and it did the trick.

Dr. Tim’s products are great!


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Unread 09/09/2019, 10:02 PM   #8
Michael Hoaster
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I agree with mcgyvr, you can not avoid an algae phase. The sooner you get one the sooner you get past it. Diatoms, algae and bacteria are the foundation of life in your tank. The downside of using bottled bacteria is that you get less diversity. Live rock is a better choice to encourage bacteria diversity.


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our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey

Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018
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Unread 09/10/2019, 06:35 AM   #9
dragon174
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Plan on adding some live rock tonight to finish my set up. Probably won't be more than 50 pounds as I already have a bunch of base rock in the tank.

I will try and post some picks of the tank build soon.


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Unread 09/10/2019, 12:58 PM   #10
hkgar
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Base Rock may not work as part of your bio filtration. In order to function as live rock it needs to be porous. Some base rock is just that rock, and not porous.

The amount of live rock you have will to a certain extent determine-limit your bio load (fish and coral)


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180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx

Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels
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Unread 09/15/2019, 02:41 PM   #11
dragon174
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Tank shot

Tank shot. Still need to mount the lights (2 Hydra 26 HD)



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Unread 09/15/2019, 03:40 PM   #12
dbdisok
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Photo didn’t upload.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


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Present: 55 gallon, LR, LS, HOB skimmer, HOB filter with Chemipure bags, Current Dual Satellite Power Compacts. Established January 2008.

Next up 120 gallon RR. Much planning and work to be completed.

Current Tank Info: 55 gal reef with sump, L/S L/R
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Unread 09/16/2019, 08:44 AM   #13
dragon174
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Tank Shots - Aqua Scape







Last edited by dragon174; 09/16/2019 at 08:50 AM.
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Unread 09/21/2019, 05:02 PM   #14
bnumair
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I did a full study on 9 different bacteria in bottle manufacturers. It's not on this site. PM me I can send you a link if someone wants to read it.
Anyways
Fritz Turbostart 900 is the ONLY bottle that works in a sterile and non sterile tank the fastest.
Followed by Dr. Tim and Bio Spria.
Rest all bottles I tested only worked when a carbon source was introduced making them Heterotrophic bacteria.


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Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE
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Unread 09/26/2019, 01:04 PM   #15
dragon174
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Full tank shot

Here is a better full tank shot with the Hydra 26 HD's mounted. Let me know what you think of the aquascape.


Attached Images
File Type: jpg Full Tank Shot 092619.jpg (30.6 KB, 29 views)
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Unread 09/27/2019, 10:07 AM   #16
Michael Hoaster
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Nice scape. My only criticism is it's a bit symmetrical. Make the proportions more 1/3 - 2/3 for a little more natural look.


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As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance,
our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey

Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018
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Unread 10/05/2019, 01:05 PM   #17
dragon174
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Parameters

Here are my parameters from the last two weeks.

Tank is showing some signs of a small diatom bloom but nothing crazy. I feed once a day and have 8 chromis in the tank (4 bicolor and 3 blue/green). Lights are running at low on 10% from 12 to 8 with 2 hour ramp time starting at 10am and ramping down at 8pm.

I know that my ammonia has risen a little probably from feeding. Tank is about 4 weeks old.

Any feedback is appreciated.


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Unread 10/05/2019, 10:03 PM   #18
Uncle99
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I like the first weeks number in terms of nitrate, I don't see phosohate but should run 0.03-0.07ppm....all others fine.

If you add any Stoney Corals, also maintain ALK, CA, and MG in the appropriate ranges.

Continue to keep those numbers on-point with as little variance as possible, this can reduce the length of the "ugly stages" and speed maturity.



Last edited by Uncle99; 10/05/2019 at 10:11 PM.
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