Shout out to the community

[flricordia]

very nice rock. Do it right though and go another 3-4 weeks before adding any livestock. Even after the readings are good you should let the tank get a good cycle on and avoid nusiance algae outbreaks. This is where we often get into trouble. Patience is a virtue applies big time to reef keeping. Getting inpatient and stocking too soon will cost you much in the way of fighting unwanted algea and unhealthy corals not to mention die-offs. Let the diatom bloom happen. Don't do any water changes or clean off the brown algae for at the very least a month. 6 weeks is ideal. You will be rewarded with a clean, self-sustaining system. But, as with so many of us, you will probably have to learn the hard way and stock too soon. This last tank is the first that I waited for a full cycle and now it runs itself on chaeto fuge with no skimmer, UV, chemicals, just bi-weekly water changes.

Not wanting so steal your thread or show-off, just want you to see what you can expect if you wait it out. I cycled almost 8 weeks back in Aug 06 before adding any livestock and have yet to have any problems.

[stripedbadger]

flricordia,

Thanks for the great advice and that is a beautiful pic! I do plan on waiting and waiting some more. I have the patience and want to do it right, my kids on the other hand they only have 10 more to go to get to the 100th "Can we get some fish yet Dad?"

Wow 6 months for a water change? The popular opinions I've seen say to do a 10% to massive change as soon as the nitrates are down. Not true?

What about adding chaetomorpha? Since my ammonia is at 0 is it safe now?

Same question for adding sand.

This is open to anyone to apply on the questions. Karma for the helpers thus far

Thanks!

[Woodstock]

I think you misread the prior post... "One month to 6 WEEKS" before the tank cycles. Perform a water change then. A cycled tank will have ZERO ammonia and nitrItes. Keep the nitrAtes at 10ppm or less.

That is good that the ammonia is zero but test the nitrItes before adding anything. However, if the sand is dry, you can add it now; if it is "live", I would wait until the tank is finished cycling.

[stripedbadger]

Thanks for the clarifications Woodstock. LOL yeah, re-read 6 weeks sounds better. Aww yes Nitrites not nitrates.

Thoughts on when to add chaeto to the refugium?

Thanks in Advance.

[sasquatch]

I dont think the chaeto addition is critical, if theres no nutrient it just dosent grow much, its more like,when will it be available. If theres not enough room for it to tumble, just turn it over every couple of days.Steve

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by flricordia

very nice rock. Do it right though and go another 3-4 weeks before adding any livestock. Even after the readings are good you should let the tank get a good cycle on and avoid nusiance algae outbreaks. This is where we often get into trouble. Patience is a virtue applies big time to reef keeping. Getting inpatient and stocking too soon will cost you much in the way of fighting unwanted algea and unhealthy corals not to mention die-offs. Let the diatom bloom happen. Don't do any water changes or clean off the brown algae for at the very least a month. 6 weeks is ideal. You will be rewarded with a clean, self-sustaining system. But, as with so many of us, you will probably have to learn the hard way and stock too soon. This last tank is the first that I waited for a full cycle and now it runs itself on chaeto fuge with no skimmer, UV, chemicals, just bi-weekly water changes.

Not wanting so steal your thread or show-off, just want you to see what you can expect if you wait it out. I cycled almost 8 weeks back in Aug 06 before adding any livestock and have yet to have any problems.

Wow thats awesome!