My goal for this aquarium is to have a biodiverse system with mutually beneficial flora and fauna in as natural a condition as I can replicate, that I personally find interesting. Otherwise why would I do it? Here are some stats. It is my intention to allow this setup to go about 6 mns before adding any live stock other than the det kits.
Tanks-
56g -36x18x20 w/ 5-6" DSB, 80# LR. 55g Sump - 48x12x18/Refugium 28" w/ 5-6" DSB black mud on bottom, 25# LR in drain chamber, some LR rubble on DSB. About 57g circulating water in system. Chaeto in refugium
DSB -
20# mud in refugium only, Carib Sea
180# very fine marine sand (<0.125mm), Nature’s Ocean
40# fine sand (0.125-0.25) from LFS
20# medium and coarse sand (0.25-2mm), Nature’s Ocean pacific coral
20# LS on top from 4 different sources
Tale of the tank, to date.
Day minus 6 - Due to a few snafus at LFS the sump and most of the sand did not arrive on schedule. And so 50# LR (and 20# Dead Rock) was placed in main tank on BB after spending about 4 days in a rubbermaid tub. (My husband was complaining of the smell.) This rock was supposedly “fully” cured when shipped. Appropriate temp, salinity, and circulation was provided throughout all handling phases.
February 3/4, 2006
Day 1&2 - Rec’d sump and remainder of sand needed. Plumbed system and set up DSB. Mud went into bottom of sump, remainder of sand was divided about 65/35 between main and refugium. The LR was returned to main tank placed on DSB, the artificial LR (dead rock) was placed in sump drain chamber. LS placed atop DSB last thing. Chaeto added to refugium.
Day 4 - ChemistriesNH3 NO2 NO3 pH Sal SG PO4 Ca dKH Chel Fe Free FE
>6.1 0.1 10 8.5 34 1.025 0.5 520 4.2 0 0
Black spots appearing in several places near bottom of DSB and several about 2-4 inches from bottom. Assume bottom of tank was “dirtied” by LR sitting on it. Even though NH3 is off the chart, did no water change as had been advised to do nothing and “let it cycle”.
Day 7- Red brown algae appears, assume cyano, NH3 still >6.1. Some green hair algae on certain LRs.
Day 9 - Sought counsel re: NH3 on reef boards and then did 50% WC. Cyano everywhere. Green hair algae going strong in some areas. Cyano persists on glass all the way to bottom of DSB. Black spots have grown somewhat. Chaeto is dying back.
Day 10 - NH3: near 0, best I can tell (hate my test kit with dumb color chart)
Day 13 - Cyano appears receding/dying back, turning gray. Some still looks healthy about 20%. Black spots appear stable.
Day 14 - NH3: 0, NO2: 0.1, NO3: 5, same comment re: test kit.
Day 18 - Add first of det kits (20 Nassarius, 20 Ceriths, 3 small Queen Conchs, 3 Cleaner Clams). Chaeto loss about 50%, assume 2' to setup turbidity, getting the lights “right”, etc.
Day 20 - Detrivores doing well.
