Lucas's Rimless Shallow Reef - Long overdue update!

My tank is coming along. I have a few spaces to fill in with coral still. Everything is coloring back up and looking good. Still have all my wrasses so that is the most important thing. Probably going to add a few sps frags here in a couple of weeks. ;D

 

Well, I'm home now. The tank has cleared up a bunch. Last night I put in a 10 gal tank for the RODI topoff, as this tank was going through the 5 gallon bucket in about 4 days. I also did the standard mod for RO converted upflow media reactors like BRS's and added about 50-75ml of Ecoback biopellets. The mod is working much better than stock.

Question. I'm a bit confused as to where I am in the cycling process. The shrimp was added almost 2 1/2 weeks ago, and is decomposing nicely. Unfortunately, I do not have an ammonia test kit. I did test for nitritres and nitrates, both of which came out undetectable. So, am I still in the ammonia phase, or am I cycled (which I doubt)? I would have thought to see some nitrites by now... I have been dosing 5ml/25 gal of MB7 daily (per directions for seeding a tank)...

There is a thin layer of bright green algea developing on some of the rocks, so that leads me to believe nitrates and phosphates are present. The skimmer has not been pulling much out of the water yet. Wish I had an ammonia kit...

 

Get an ammonia kit from you LFS or take some water to them. If you have no nitrates or nitrites it may be cycled.

 

I've got my money on you being past the ammonia cycle.

Dosing MB7 can do a lot.

 

Sounds like you are on your way cycling the tank!! When your ready for some sps, I have a few colonies that could use some pruning! ;D

 

Good idea John, I'll probably just take a vial to the LFS.

Apparently so! I've now switched to the low nutrient dose, so essentially only a few drops per week.

Hey Travis, thanks for the offer! I'll take you up on that, but not quite yet. We're travelling again for the next few weeks, so I'm going to keep the tank empty of livestock until we come back.

I've been itching to see your tank since you've made the switch to more LPS. I did stop in at Vivid on Saturday just to see a little eye candy.

 

First Life!

Well, I lied. Since the cycle completed ahead of schedule, I went ahead and ordered a CUC from John at reefcleaners.org. I've ordered from him several times before, and always an awesome experience!

I also went ahead and pulled the trigger on the first of my stocking list. I figured live fish would be a better source of a bioload than a rotting shrimp while we're gone, and we have a cat/fish sitter.

First, the obligitory FTS:






And now, introducing.... Moe, Larry, and Curly! I know most people think Chromis are cheap and simple fish, but I absolutely love their personality. Able to coax any shy fish out of the rocks, these guys love to play in the open. I picked these three as they tended to school tighter than the others at the LFS, and they have not disappointed since introduction, never seperating more than 8".










Thanks for viewing, and goodnight!

 

Love the tank.

One of my favorites and it does not even have corals in it.

 

Wow, the tank looks outstanding my friend! +1

 

Looking good Lucas!! I wish my chromis behaved..