BSuttons 90 Gallon Build Thread

Ok, I finally added water and live sand on 11/21/13. I went out of town for 9 days so didnt test the water. Got back 11/30/13 and got a good deal on 2 Blue Reef Chromis and placed them in the talk after drip acclimation for 3 hrs. Tested water same day PH 8.0, Ammonia .25, Nitrite .25 and Nitrate 5. 12/3/13 PH 8.0, Ammonia .50, Nitrite .50 and Nitrate 5. Today its PH 8.0, Ammonia .50, Nitrite 0 and Nitrate 0. Fish seem to be doing fine. Feeding daily. About 2 days ago I began to see diatoms all over the rock. Even more today. I assume this is normal with new tank.

I do have an issue with microbubbles. This weekend I will tweek my plumbing a bit so my drain is just below water level instead of 4-5 inches as well as getting a filter sock. My drain into my fuge is not completely submerged so will fix that as well. Not sure if that is why I have the bubbles or not. I also saw some growth on inside of vinyl tube from return to the tank. My son squeezed it and a bunch of white crap blew into the tank which made the fish go nuts thinking they were being fed. I was able to get almost all out with net but have some that still blows in when I fill for evaporation.

I figured I would see a bigger spike in ammonia. Think this didnt cycle this quickly...will be patient. I read that the white film was bacterial mulm. Just hoping it was not a major issue.

I'm running a Mag 7 return, 2 Koralia Evo 1050's, Fluval Heater and 6 lamp T-5's with stock lamps. I have not put in skimmer yet. Is this something I should do now or after tank cycles? Also, when should I introduce macroalgae into fuge? Here's a pic of tank. Will get pic of sump this weekend...

 

Tank looks nice. I would introduce the macro after the tank cycles.

 

Thanks for the tip keeper...

 

Ok the diatom bloom went nuts. My rock was covered with it. So went to LFS and picked up a CUC. Only 40 snails (asterea, mexican turbo, bumble bee and nassarius) and 10 hermits. Way overpriced even at buy 1 get 2nd half off. Will go to Reefcleaners next time. So after acclimation these guys mowed down about half the diatoms within 14 hrs. Tank looking better. I do have a couple nassarius that enjoy taking a ride to the overflow and into the sump. getting annoying.

I also got some more loc-line and socks yesterday. Today I will be messing with the sump, doing some mods and hopefully cut the microbubbles out and maybe the noise a bit as well. I get pics when complete...

 

To busy to take pics of the sump today, however I'm happy to report that I have made 95% of the micro-bubbles go away. I added the sock, no good. Seemed to create more. I took some surfing advice and cut back the return flow a bit. HUGE difference! I'm quite pleased so far. We will see what she looks like in the morning. Then I may or may not add the sock back. Question? Is reducing the return a bad thing? I'm running a Mag 7 and have been told locally I should have a 9.5. Well if I did that I would have to reduce even more, right? I think I'm good now but would appreciate some input here.

My PH is up to 8.2 and 0 on everything else. Will wait a week or so and if readings stay the same, I may introduce a goby. Any suggestions?

 

I definitely recommend Reef Cleaners...I've ordered from John for 5 years! Good luck with the tank. I'm doing an upgrade to a 90 now!

 

Yo B that aquascape is sick. Lot of room for the fish to swim through and around.

 

See comments above. NICE TANK

 

Thanks for the replies. Any suggestions I receive will be soaked up. Ok, got my Chaeto today from Reefcleaners. I only purchased 1 ball. Want to see it grow plus fuge is kind of small, maybe 8 gallons. I know its new/small and traveled a few hrs to me but I've read about flow in a fuge. Not sure if I have enough. Heard of it spinning and such. The chaeto is floating but not really moving. Should I add a really small PH around the lower to mid level of the fuge? My drain t's off to the right and drains in the fuge. I have a ball valve but dont need to use it cause only enough comes through to just create a bit of surface agitation. I have a couple pics here...

 

Holy Crap! The Chaeto just sank it looks like and underwater shroom now! Do they break up like that? Is this normal? It was like a baseball players chew wad when I got...