24 gallon Aquapod setup by a total newbie

[masterswimmer]

Like Dean said, if you have to ask, just do it. IMO you can't do too many water changes. I do my water changes MINIMUM of once per week, sometimes twice. I do 5%-8% each time.

Thank you for all the advice you've given and thank you in advance for all the advice you'll give me!

You're welcome in advance for all the help I'll continue to give

Russ

 

[plakatos]

update on 24g Aquapod

Happy New Year everyone! Now that the Holidays are over I have time again to write about the progress of my tank. Right now (1.5 half months since I started the tank) I still only have snails, crabs and a few hitchiking worms in it. I think I have lot's of coralline growth on my rocks and even on the back wall of my tank. At first some of the rocks turned very bright lime green, now they start to turn pink.
I got rid of the filter sponges, and got a skimmer from saphire aquatics made specifically for the AP24, which seems to be working very nice. Everything is going as it should I think, I've been measuring my water parameters and all of them seem to be normal.
The exception is maybe the pH. Although the Seachem pH test shows that my ph goes from 8.1 in the morning to about 8.3 in the evening, about a month ago I got an Aquacontroller III (bought it on ebay, it was used 2 months) and the Ph probe (calibrated it twice) shows that my pH goes from 7.9 to 8.1 during the day. So I looked at the seachem calibration fluid with the pH test and instead of 8.3 it showed 8.6. Because of this, I'm leaning to believe the results of the AC III ph probe. My alkalinity is around 5 meq/L. Should I try to raise my pH, or should I just wait (it seems to slowly increase a tiny bit week by week)?

 

[Henrye]

Hi. I have an AP 24 as well. As to your pH, a calibrated pH probe is FAR better than any liquid test. I would trust that 7.9 to 8.1 rather than your seachem test. I would not try to alter your pH at this point. You're still in a decent range, and concentrating on just the "number" can lead you down a bad path very fast. I do notice your Alk is 5 meq/L. That's actually a bit high. Are you adding any supplements? I would suggest testing for Ca and Mg now. Ca/Alk are interrelated, so it's hard to say much about it without at least the Ca measurement (Mg does come into play as a low Mg can adversely affect your ability to maintain Ca levels).

The Sapphire skimmer is a great choice. I have one as well, and even with weekly 20~25% w/c, I'm amazed what it pulls out.

Reading this thread from the beginning, the only item that came to mind for me was that tossing the AP pump was a good idea (good for SW mixing), but I'm not sure 1 MJ 900 is enough flow for you. I'm running both a MJ 1200 in place of the original, and have a 2nd MJ 900 in the second compartment for extra flow. I have been hearing some decent comments on the Rio 6HF, which reports to give 350 gph @ 1ft and only draws 15W, which, from a heat perspective is pretty good (yes, heat is an issue in this tank, so every watt counts).

Otherwise, it sounds like you're in great shape. Do you have any stocking plans in mind now that you're stable?

 

[TimberTDI]

Sorry to go off topic.

Are you guys having micro bubble issues with the Sapphire? Mine's been running 3 weeks and I'm still getting a load of bubbles. I do have the pump set on "medium" and the outlet facing against the wall.

Steven

 

[Henrye]

Steven, when you say medium, what "click" are you on, as there are 4. I found 1 up from the "low" setting has been working well. At about 3 weeks as well (I think, 3 to 4) I do have small amounts of micro bubbles present, but nothing like the first week. How high do you have the collection cup set? Also, what is the water level you're maintaining in the rear chambers?
Henry

 

[TimberTDI]

Setting is on 2, tHe collection cup is set @ 3/4 above and the water level is about 4" from the top

Steven

 

[Henrye]

I'm on "2" as well. Here's a link to a sketch that Kyle from Sapphire posted about the recommended rear chamber water level. http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=97104&st=260 It seems low, but I've been able to keep it there while having a full water level in the display. You will get some waterfall noise, but I keep a polyfilter wedged between the skimmer and the front wall. This keeps the skimmer vertically pressed against the rear wall. It breaks the flow, gives me some chemical filtration (and some mechanical as well), and keeps the skimmer back so the overflow does not splash onto the skimmer, especially around the top portion where the air holes are placed. I'm also running the cup up to the the rear wall's under-edge, which is a little over 3/4.

 

[plakatos]

Thank you Henry for your reply, it's very helpful. I am going to measure my Ca and Mg levels today when I get home. I decided to also get a stronger pump.
As for stocking, I didn't really think about it yet, because I am still busy learning the basics and admiring the day to day changes occuring even just on the live rock. Could you maybe write about how you stocked your AP24?

Steven, I have my Sapphire pump setting at 2 and collection cup height at 1/2. I think my water level is lower, it is in the line of the opening in the wall between the 2 back chambers. I had lots of bubbles for about 2 weeks, than it started to decrease and after 4 weeks I have very little.
I wrote to sapphire aquatics about the break in period regarding bubbles, and they said it's different for everyone, quote: 'The skimmer is building up a coating of protein inside and this helps to keep the bubbles from being swept back to the tank. The more protein, the faster the break in period. Protein is just a nice term for fish poop, or dissolved organic matter.'

 

[plakatos]

... collection cup height at 1/2.

Sorry, what I meant is that I placed the o-ring about 1/2 inch from the bottom of the cup.

 

[Henrye]

Steven, I had a crash about a month ago after a short tripped my GFCI and I lost circulation for a day. Only ones that made it were my neon goby and peppermint shrimp, along with an indestructible GSP. My skunk cleaner and my cherub angel died. I lost some polyps and zoos, along with a new bubble coral.

Everything is settled down and I found a juvenile pygmy angel (I loved that first one, with a real personality, but this little one is a beauty), and a disappearing wrasse, which is turning out to be not shy at all, even though an angel a quarter the size grabs the food right away. Actually, the goby is the toughest, because if I place a frozen pygmy angel or spirulina cube in, he actually picks it up and tries to make a mad dash with it. Once I'm certain in a few weeks that I maintain stability, especially as I'm feeding a bit more due to the wrasse, I'll start restocking, probably with zoos to start. It was a humbling lesson after taking things really slow with this tank that only bad things happen fast. I was ready to post it for sale right after the slaughter, but I'm having fun with the new guys swimming around and rethinking how to stock. My polyps and zoos were pretty typical, so now I have a chance to redo the colors in the tank. And I want another bubble coral!

The truth is that by reading, lurking the boards, and having taken it slow, I saw past the loss and am still excited about keeping this mini reef. I also know the temptation at getting one of those nano or frag packs once the system is "cycled", as it looks good early on. I'm glad I resisted that route, as I would have probably killed the whole thing off in 3 months. Besides, as you said, it's fun (sometimes) to see what comes out of your LR alone in the first few months.

Henry

 

[Ace23*15*]

if you take out the sponges but don't have the sapphire aquapod skimmer what we be simple and efficient for mechanical filtration?

 

[Henrye]

Filter floss. You can place it in a mesh media bag and wedge it across the top of the chamber. that way you don't have to worry about the floss floating loose or needing support. Every few days, pull the bag, toss the floss, rinse, and re-stuff. When I used that on top it was dirty enough to change at least twice a week. Floss is also cheap.
Henry

 

[TimberTDI]

:backtotop I think we jacked this thread enough.:theyareon

 

[plakatos]

Thanks again Henry, that's also very helpful, I'll try the media bag with filter floss. Where do you usually buy it?

Peter

 

[Henrye]

I usually get it from Foster&Smith. The 14 oz size may not sound like much, but it's probably the equivalent to the stuffing for a large pillow. I know some people here get it at fabric stores as well.
Henry

 

[plakatos]

Thank you, got it. I still haven't had time to measure my Ca and Mg levels, hopefully tomorrow.

Peter

 

[Pooshay77]

Nano24 Newbie

Been reading the posts on this string and quite informative...thanks!

I've not modified any of the equipment on my 24G JBJ (lighting, pump etc) and removed the bioballs and ceramic from the 2nd stage. Have carbon, phoslock, and polyfilter in there.

Q: Should I be making any changes to the equip from stock or purchasing any additional?

Q2: Should i put the heater in the 3rd stage as others had commented, currently in the main tank...

Tank was cycled with water/LR/LS from the store

Current residents:
6 turbos, 2 percula clowns, 1 Long Anemone, 1 fireshrimp

Thanks!