Dartolution
New member
Hey everyone reading,
I have been in the reef hobby now for 15 years and counting, with a most recent 4.5 year hiatus due to college, moving, etc...
Upon entering again I wanted to set up a smaller (40breeder) system dedicated predominantly to SPS corals with some LPS and few softies(mainly zoas/palys/ricordia).
I decided to set this system up as a clean build using dry reef rock from BRS (pukani). What I have found out so far a few months into it is I am really craving the biodiversity that comes with using live rock.
I have been contemplating ordering a standard 44lb box of kalini/pukani/totoka or some type of live rock from my LFS and curing it in a large rubber made so I can replace some of the dry rock I have and use the cured live rock.
My question is simply how to do it properly.
I want to use a large rectangular rubber made for curing, with a few powerbeads, and a reactor filled with carbon/purigen to help keep down ammonia/nitrite levels and retain as much life as possible.
I also would do WC based on the level of detectable ammonia present.
How do you guys feel about the following setup:
25-40gallon rubbermade
powerbeads for water movement (old SEIO 1500 and MJ)
Running it outside on my balcony (due to smell and temp)
- I live in central alabama and daytime temps are in the 90's right now, my balcony is east facing and covered. I have read that warmer water temps help speed up the cycling /decay /curing process so I would be looking at water temps in the mid 80's most likely. thoughts?
Using an old phosban reactor I want to add carbon and ammonia eliminating products like purigen or something to help reduce ammonia and keep everything alive on the rock.
No supplemental lighting. The only light this tub would receive is indirect shaded sunlight from the balcony. Not much.
Water changes based on ammonia level monitored daily.
Any advice/assistance with this option I am heavily considering would be appreciated.
I have been in the reef hobby now for 15 years and counting, with a most recent 4.5 year hiatus due to college, moving, etc...
Upon entering again I wanted to set up a smaller (40breeder) system dedicated predominantly to SPS corals with some LPS and few softies(mainly zoas/palys/ricordia).
I decided to set this system up as a clean build using dry reef rock from BRS (pukani). What I have found out so far a few months into it is I am really craving the biodiversity that comes with using live rock.
I have been contemplating ordering a standard 44lb box of kalini/pukani/totoka or some type of live rock from my LFS and curing it in a large rubber made so I can replace some of the dry rock I have and use the cured live rock.
My question is simply how to do it properly.
I want to use a large rectangular rubber made for curing, with a few powerbeads, and a reactor filled with carbon/purigen to help keep down ammonia/nitrite levels and retain as much life as possible.
I also would do WC based on the level of detectable ammonia present.
How do you guys feel about the following setup:
25-40gallon rubbermade
powerbeads for water movement (old SEIO 1500 and MJ)
Running it outside on my balcony (due to smell and temp)
- I live in central alabama and daytime temps are in the 90's right now, my balcony is east facing and covered. I have read that warmer water temps help speed up the cycling /decay /curing process so I would be looking at water temps in the mid 80's most likely. thoughts?
Using an old phosban reactor I want to add carbon and ammonia eliminating products like purigen or something to help reduce ammonia and keep everything alive on the rock.
No supplemental lighting. The only light this tub would receive is indirect shaded sunlight from the balcony. Not much.
Water changes based on ammonia level monitored daily.
Any advice/assistance with this option I am heavily considering would be appreciated.
