Pirate_129's AP24 Thread

pirate_129 · 07-01-2007, 09:56 PM

Hi guys. I just registered for the site tonight after reading it for several weeks. I purchased an AP24 today and set the stand and tank up tonight. I have read the tons of threads on the AP24 and gained a good bit of insight into them from you guys.

That being said, I am going to start my own thread and detail what I do and add. I would appreciate advice from anyone that's interested. My goal is a nice nano with LR, LS, quite a few corals, a clean-up crew, and three or four small fish.

So far, I put together the stand which was interesting considering the directions were horrible and put the tank on it.

My first question is this...my LFS sells both purified water to mix yourself or salt water from existing tanks. The cost is minimal and I am leaning towards purchasing the water to get started. WHich water would you recommend? Is there a "best" way to transport the water? Cooler? New buckets? If I get the saltwater and start the tank up tomorrow evening, how long should I wait to add the LR and LS?

Next question...what would be bets to put in the filter? I hope to start with 30ish pounds of LR and a bag of LS. Should I chunk the balls? Sponge?

And last question...I am assumming the protein skimmer is almost a must-have so I am planning on getting one. With my goals in mind, is the stock pump worthwhile?

I know this was a ton of questions and most of them have been answered before, but I hope to tailor my questions to the specifics of my tank as it develops. I have a friend that is giving me what seems to be good advice, but the more the merrier. Thanks ina dvance for any help.

blue_eyes53813 · 07-02-2007, 07:05 AM

Hello Pirate, On your first question. I would be leary of using the saltwater from existing tanks only because diseases like ick may be in the water, You are adding the unknown to your tank, Some Petstores even use copper to treat new fish. So if that gets in your tanks it will kill everything(inverts and liverock mainly). I would buy the purified water and mix your own saltwater. You can transport it in milk jugs , buckets with lids, anything spill proof will work fine. And I would add the sand and live rock right away. If you cant afford both than sand is alot easier to add while setting the tank up. Liverock can be added slowly at anytime.

Second question.. Yes chuck the balls and use sand and rocks.

boozeman · 07-02-2007, 08:58 AM

pirate_129 · 07-02-2007, 10:08 PM

Well, I mixed and added my water today. The pump is working fine so far. One of the lights, the front one, isn't working. I removed it and believe it is blown. Anyone know if this is uncommon? I guess I'll take the bulb back to the dealer tomorrow and see if he will replace it or if I have to warranty it and wait on a new one to be shipped.

I was very impressed by my LFS today. The owner has had the store 19 years and I have heard lots of good things about him. I was talking to him about things I might add to the tank and a skimmer came up. He told me that the nano skimmer he carried wasn't a good piece of equipment and actually advised me to hold off on a skimmer until I get the tank up and running and let him help me check the water and see if I really need a skimmer. He told me he wasn't an advocate of adding alot of expensive mods to a fairly inexpensive tank. I was impressed that he wouldn't jump on the easy sale and err on the side of good advice.

I have to be out of town this weekend so I am planning on letting the tank run with nothing in it but water until next Monday and then adding LR and sand.

It's bedtime for me. Tomorrow I'll post the filter materials I bought today and get some final advice on the sponge and balls versus the stuff I bought. Thanks and good night.

lcstorc · 07-03-2007, 03:38 AM

Welcome to RS! Glad to have you here.
It is nice that you seem to have a responsible LFS. The one thing I disagree on is that you will need a skimmer, They are awesme and help a lot with water quality.
When you get back, buy your LR and put that plus a piece of shrimp from the grocery in the tank. This will start your cycle which usually takes several weeks.
Meanwhile keep reading and investigating so when the tank is ready you are as well.

pirate_129 · 07-03-2007, 06:11 AM

My plans are to add a skimmer in the very neat future acyually. MY LFS discouraged me from buying the nano skimmer he had in stock and wanted me to wait a few weeks before considering one.

So, add a piece of uncooked shrimp from the grocery when I add the rocks? Makes sense but just trying to be sure.

pirate_129 · 07-05-2007, 07:42 AM

Tanks still running with water only. The temperature seems to be stuck around 80 degrees, except when I leave the hood open for a couple of hours and it drops to 78. I am thinking heat could become an issue since the 80 degrees is without my dual daylight bulbs running since that's the one which was burned out when I got the set up. When the daylight bulbs are on, a cooling fan comes on as well, maybe that will offset the increased heat a bit and keep me from going much over 80 degrees.

lcstorc · 07-07-2007, 08:42 AM

Yes you just add the shrimp to kick off the tank cycle. The temp is not that much of a concern as long as it stays constant. Temp variations are our enemy much more than high temps. I would try adding a fan or two blowing across the water and that should lower it a degree or two.

pirate_129 · 07-10-2007, 09:32 PM

Well here's an update. Yesterday I picked up my replacement daylight bulb and installed. Running this causes my temperature to rise to between 82 and 84 degrees

.

I also added 38 pounds of fiji live rock and 20 pounds of caribsea fiji pink living sand. I put my chemi pure and phoslock into the filter and removed the three balls.

Things are looking very nice now, I am just worried about the temperature. I ordered some nice thermal backed curtains to try and drop the ambient temp in my office and will pick up a clip on fan tomorrow to try and help some more. I started to replace the stock pump with a mj900 but am hearing alot of conflicting info on how much this will help.

I think I'll be adding some of the clean up crew and maybe a hardy fish (damsel) or two to kick start the cycling. Hopefully with the decent amount of LR and LS, it'll cycle at a decent speed. I will likely return the damsels to my LFS oncecthe water settles down and replace them with the "permanent" fish.

Ideas? Corrections? Credit Card Numbers?

jheinsjr · 07-10-2007, 10:26 PM

I replaced my stock pump with a MJ900 and it dropped my temp to 80-81, so I started propping the cover open during the day with a soda bottle cap. It didn't look the best, but it was the cheapest short term solution. I now have a Coralife PC light fixture instead of the stock hood, so my temps are lower, but I top off with 2 large cups of water per day.

pirate_129 · 07-11-2007, 01:57 AM

Will just one MJ900 suitably replace the stock pump? I hera alot of people talking about replacing it with two MJs, but I'm curious if one MJ will move the water enough. Also, if you use two, where's the second one go? I'm not real sure on how to replace the stock pump or even where to put a second one.

jheinsjr · 07-11-2007, 08:24 AM

I think the 900 is within +/- 30gph of the stock pump. I put a MJ400 on the other side of my tank, just below the overflow. Doesn't really seem to make much of a difference. I think all the stuff you read about lots of flow is for people with SPS and larger tanks. Yes, the extra 400 does help get rid of some dead spots, but I only keep it on during the day.

tippMANn98 · 07-16-2007, 10:42 AM

Hey pirate129, go to Nanocustoms.com, they have skimmers made to fit these tanks perfect, While still looking stock. THey are by Sapphire aquatics, Im gonna be ordering mine the first week in august for my 29 biocube, check em' out...they are nice!! WOuld like to see some pics once you get everything going in your tank....

07-01-2007, 09:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
pirate_129 Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern Mississippi Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Pirate_129's AP24 Thread Hi guys. I just registered for the site tonight after reading it for several weeks. I purchased an AP24 today and set the stand and tank up tonight. I have read the tons of threads on the AP24 and gained a good bit of insight into them from you guys. That being said, I am going to start my own thread and detail what I do and add. I would appreciate advice from anyone that's interested. My goal is a nice nano with LR, LS, quite a few corals, a clean-up crew, and three or four small fish. So far, I put together the stand which was interesting considering the directions were horrible and put the tank on it. My first question is this...my LFS sells both purified water to mix yourself or salt water from existing tanks. The cost is minimal and I am leaning towards purchasing the water to get started. WHich water would you recommend? Is there a "best" way to transport the water? Cooler? New buckets? If I get the saltwater and start the tank up tomorrow evening, how long should I wait to add the LR and LS? Next question...what would be bets to put in the filter? I hope to start with 30ish pounds of LR and a bag of LS. Should I chunk the balls? Sponge? And last question...I am assumming the protein skimmer is almost a must-have so I am planning on getting one. With my goals in mind, is the stock pump worthwhile? I know this was a ton of questions and most of them have been answered before, but I hope to tailor my questions to the specifics of my tank as it develops. I have a friend that is giving me what seems to be good advice, but the more the merrier. Thanks ina dvance for any help. __________________ "I wanna go back to the islands, where the shrimpboats are tied to the pylons..." - Buffettism

07-02-2007, 07:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,255 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Pirate_129's AP24 Thread Hello Pirate, On your first question. I would be leary of using the saltwater from existing tanks only because diseases like ick may be in the water, You are adding the unknown to your tank, Some Petstores even use copper to treat new fish. So if that gets in your tanks it will kill everything(inverts and liverock mainly). I would buy the purified water and mix your own saltwater. You can transport it in milk jugs , buckets with lids, anything spill proof will work fine. And I would add the sand and live rock right away. If you cant afford both than sand is alot easier to add while setting the tank up. Liverock can be added slowly at anytime. Second question.. Yes chuck the balls and use sand and rocks. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

07-02-2007, 08:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Pirate_129's AP24 Thread __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

07-02-2007, 10:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
pirate_129 Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern Mississippi Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Pirate_129's AP24 Thread Well, I mixed and added my water today. The pump is working fine so far. One of the lights, the front one, isn't working. I removed it and believe it is blown. Anyone know if this is uncommon? I guess I'll take the bulb back to the dealer tomorrow and see if he will replace it or if I have to warranty it and wait on a new one to be shipped. I was very impressed by my LFS today. The owner has had the store 19 years and I have heard lots of good things about him. I was talking to him about things I might add to the tank and a skimmer came up. He told me that the nano skimmer he carried wasn't a good piece of equipment and actually advised me to hold off on a skimmer until I get the tank up and running and let him help me check the water and see if I really need a skimmer. He told me he wasn't an advocate of adding alot of expensive mods to a fairly inexpensive tank. I was impressed that he wouldn't jump on the easy sale and err on the side of good advice. I have to be out of town this weekend so I am planning on letting the tank run with nothing in it but water until next Monday and then adding LR and sand. It's bedtime for me. Tomorrow I'll post the filter materials I bought today and get some final advice on the sponge and balls versus the stuff I bought. Thanks and good night. __________________ "I wanna go back to the islands, where the shrimpboats are tied to the pylons..." - Buffettism

07-03-2007, 03:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,459 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Pirate_129's AP24 Thread Welcome to RS! Glad to have you here. It is nice that you seem to have a responsible LFS. The one thing I disagree on is that you will need a skimmer, They are awesme and help a lot with water quality. When you get back, buy your LR and put that plus a piece of shrimp from the grocery in the tank. This will start your cycle which usually takes several weeks. Meanwhile keep reading and investigating so when the tank is ready you are as well. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

07-03-2007, 06:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
pirate_129 Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern Mississippi Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Pirate_129's AP24 Thread My plans are to add a skimmer in the very neat future acyually. MY LFS discouraged me from buying the nano skimmer he had in stock and wanted me to wait a few weeks before considering one. So, add a piece of uncooked shrimp from the grocery when I add the rocks? Makes sense but just trying to be sure. __________________ "I wanna go back to the islands, where the shrimpboats are tied to the pylons..." - Buffettism

07-05-2007, 07:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
pirate_129 Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern Mississippi Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Pirate_129's AP24 Thread Tanks still running with water only. The temperature seems to be stuck around 80 degrees, except when I leave the hood open for a couple of hours and it drops to 78. I am thinking heat could become an issue since the 80 degrees is without my dual daylight bulbs running since that's the one which was burned out when I got the set up. When the daylight bulbs are on, a cooling fan comes on as well, maybe that will offset the increased heat a bit and keep me from going much over 80 degrees. __________________ "I wanna go back to the islands, where the shrimpboats are tied to the pylons..." - Buffettism

07-07-2007, 08:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,459 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Pirate_129's AP24 Thread Yes you just add the shrimp to kick off the tank cycle. The temp is not that much of a concern as long as it stays constant. Temp variations are our enemy much more than high temps. I would try adding a fan or two blowing across the water and that should lower it a degree or two. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

07-10-2007, 09:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
pirate_129 Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern Mississippi Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Pirate_129's AP24 Thread Well here's an update. Yesterday I picked up my replacement daylight bulb and installed. Running this causes my temperature to rise to between 82 and 84 degrees . I also added 38 pounds of fiji live rock and 20 pounds of caribsea fiji pink living sand. I put my chemi pure and phoslock into the filter and removed the three balls. Things are looking very nice now, I am just worried about the temperature. I ordered some nice thermal backed curtains to try and drop the ambient temp in my office and will pick up a clip on fan tomorrow to try and help some more. I started to replace the stock pump with a mj900 but am hearing alot of conflicting info on how much this will help. I think I'll be adding some of the clean up crew and maybe a hardy fish (damsel) or two to kick start the cycling. Hopefully with the decent amount of LR and LS, it'll cycle at a decent speed. I will likely return the damsels to my LFS oncecthe water settles down and replace them with the "permanent" fish. Ideas? Corrections? Credit Card Numbers? __________________ "I wanna go back to the islands, where the shrimpboats are tied to the pylons..." - Buffettism

07-10-2007, 10:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
jheinsjr Tunicate Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Pirate_129's AP24 Thread I replaced my stock pump with a MJ900 and it dropped my temp to 80-81, so I started propping the cover open during the day with a soda bottle cap. It didn't look the best, but it was the cheapest short term solution. I now have a Coralife PC light fixture instead of the stock hood, so my temps are lower, but I top off with 2 large cups of water per day.

07-11-2007, 01:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
pirate_129 Tunicate Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern Mississippi Posts: 17 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Pirate_129's AP24 Thread Will just one MJ900 suitably replace the stock pump? I hera alot of people talking about replacing it with two MJs, but I'm curious if one MJ will move the water enough. Also, if you use two, where's the second one go? I'm not real sure on how to replace the stock pump or even where to put a second one. __________________ "I wanna go back to the islands, where the shrimpboats are tied to the pylons..." - Buffettism

07-11-2007, 08:24 AM	#12 (permalink)
jheinsjr Tunicate Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Pirate_129's AP24 Thread I think the 900 is within +/- 30gph of the stock pump. I put a MJ400 on the other side of my tank, just below the overflow. Doesn't really seem to make much of a difference. I think all the stuff you read about lots of flow is for people with SPS and larger tanks. Yes, the extra 400 does help get rid of some dead spots, but I only keep it on during the day.

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