[Bagpiper Jim]

Originally Posted by beasone

What a beautiful set up Jim! We have just started a new tank and I too am trying to do everything just right.. did you ever have your ammonia spike? How long did it take for the tank to cycle with the dead rock? Did you go the deli shrimp route?

Can't wait to see it with the bead board!!

Thanks... The bead board arrives tomorrow so I plan to work on it this weekend (I am off Thursday through Saturday). I should have some photos of the finished stand soon and I will be sure to post an update. I never did see an ammonia spike even though I placed about 6 deli shrimp in the tank over a 2 week period. I think it might have been because I first placed 50 pounds of really nice live rock form the LFS. I added 100 pounds of dead rock about a week after the LR. The tank has been up for a month now and still no NO2 or NO3 so far. I have had 6 small fish (3 damsels, 2 chromis, 1 clown) in it for about 2 weeks now and the algae was starting to take over so I placed a cleaner crew in it last Saturday. The crew consists of about 15 hermit crabs and a bunch of different kinds of snails (100+). So far so good. I did my first water change this week and everything went fine. I am still checking the water every day and I expect to at least some NO3 at some point. Maybe after I get a few more inhabitants. I am thinking I will add 4 more chromis and a small Yellow Tang this week and continue to watch things. Anyway, I should have some more pictures for the thread this weekend.

Jim