New Setup

[nbpt27]

I am setting up a 54 gal corner tank. I made a 20 gal sump and looking for ideas on lighting(gonna try LED on this one). I also want it to be able to hook up to Neptune apex. Looking for some suggestions..Thanks

 

[nbpt27]

Well the tank is up and running(DAY 2). I have a Harlequin tusk in a 10 gal QT tank been there for about a month.. Its only 3". Do u think it will be ok to cycle the tank with him?

 

[phg1960]

Not if you want the tusk to live.

 

[s_kelley]

I wouldn't risk loosing it if ya get some weird spike

 

[s_kelley]

Lighting a corner tanks kinda tricky, I had a big reflector and a 400w halide over my 92 and the edges were a bit darker

 

[nbpt27]

Ok. Gonna run out and get a couple of damsels. I do have 2 piece of live rock in the tank and a couple in the refuge

 

[nbpt27]

Ok the tank has been up and running for 7 days now and tested the ammonia today. It's at 0 still. I have about 10 lbs of live rock in the tank and 5 lbs in the refuge. Why is this? Oh ya and one damsel too

 

[jah-hoeva]

You really should not be cycling a new tank with any livestock in there.

 

[dilligaf29]

1 raw shrimp is much better than buring up the fishes gills for cycling there is also bacteria in a bottle if u gonna throw fish in a none cycle tank atleast it will keep them from having no gills left

 

[kmb0601]

I have a ReefBreeders Photon 24 hanging about my 54g corner tank, its probably 12-16" above the water and lights most of the tank, the edges are definitely not as well lit.

 

[nbpt27]

Ok the tank has been up and running for about 15 days. It has 12 lbs live rock in the tank and 10 lbs in the sump. It has one blue damsel in it too. There has been no ammonia reading at all and according to the Hanna nitrite test it reads .013 ppm. So what am I doing wrong.

 

[phg1960]

I doesn't sound like you are doing anything wrong. The live rock you added was probably enough to handle the ammonia build up and is now getting converted to nitrite. The bacteria that converts nitrite to nitrate is developing/growing to keep up with demand. With what you have posted, it's a guess whether it's peaking or on the way down from peaking. Is this the first reading you have gotten of nitrite?

I'd leave the tank alone until nitrite reads zero and nitrate starts to rise.

 

[nbpt27]

No the other day the nitrite read .015 and the nitrate 0

 

[phg1960]

Those readings are close, could be just reading error, but it seems to be going down. Leave it alone for a week or so then check nitrites and nitrates. Have patience, you're getting closer...

 

[nbpt27]

Everything is turning green.. way is this happening?

 

[Owen386]

Your going to go through many algae cycles in a newly established salt water tank, thats why "everything is green" Im assuming. With only the information provided I am making an educated guess. Little more info and pics would be great but again im sure its all normal. Honestly some of the best advice in this hobby is to take things slow.

As far as your original question thats a tough one on a corner tank. I think personally I would go with spotlight leds and retro t-5

 

[mcf6188]

hi i do have a question on the 20 gal did you cut it your self? and how did you glue it together .i am trying to do the same thing so anything you can tell me that would be great thanks chris

 

[nbpt27]

I used a jig saw to cut the acrylic and then used black silicon to set it in place...

 

[nbpt27]

Ok as long it is normal. I havent cycled a tank in so long cant remember...thanks

 

[mcf6188]

thanks for the info and one more thing it took me 3 to 4 weeks to cycle my tank .patience my friend