Enigma's 2012 Nano Contest Entry

Enigma · #1 10-21-2012, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDigital

Looking good Shelley! I thought the sand would be deeper than that.

It might wind up deeper: a lot deeper. I'm not yet sure how much volume the equipment, filtration media, and rockwork will take up.

Enigma · #2 10-23-2012, 02:50 AM

Official "fill" photograph:

17.5 gallons!

Had I any idea how much displacement there would be, I might have tried an NC29.

Enigma · #3 10-23-2012, 02:51 AM

Yes, my rock is in there already. I'm prepared to take a points hit for that, as it was the best course of action for me.

JDigital · #4 10-23-2012, 03:06 AM

Is that salt on the sandbed?

Enigma · #5 10-23-2012, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDigital

Is that salt on the sandbed?

Yup. It is dry rock. No worries.

I don't use live rock.

I've added the salt directly to the tank before when first filling.

JDigital · #6 10-23-2012, 03:09 AM

Was just curious.

Enigma · #7 10-23-2012, 03:13 AM

I'm impressed that you caught that. Good eye! When I add the salt directly to the tank I give it longer to mix before I add anything else to the tank. I'll start dosing "Stability" in a week or so, with fish food to kick start the cycle.

intarsiabox · #8 10-23-2012, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enigma

Yes, my rock is in there already. I'm prepared to take a points hit for that, as it was the best course of action for me.

Just take the rock out for minute to snap another picture and label it "prior to adding rock" photo. I may or may not be doing that.

Enigma · #9 10-23-2012, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Just take the rock out for minute to snap another picture and label it "prior to adding rock" photo. I may or may not be doing that.

I can't do that. The rock structure doesn't fit out the top of the tank. It is all glued together, and I'll need to try to get it apart when/if I remove it from the tank. Funny story (or not). I'll tell it later.

Enigma · #10 10-28-2012, 06:05 PM

Well, she is now officially cycling.

I'm adding Stability. I've got another bottle of Microbacter7 on order, and when that arrives I'll use that as well. I think there is value in using a variety of bacterial sources. I'm adding a big pinch of fish food pellets a day: more than the fish in this system will get to eat. I'm not going to test for ammonia or anything until mid-November. The last tank I cycled this way took 19 days, but I didn't add bacteria daily past the first week: I just kept ghost feeding the tank. I suspect this one will cycle more quickly, as I'll be adding bacteria daily. This tank will be a nitrifying beast by the livestock addition date.

Worth noting is that this tank is cycling hot at 83F. I believe this is a better temperature to cycle at, as it is said that the bacteria multiplies more quickly in warmer temperatures. I wouldn't cycle that warm with live rock, but as this rock is dry rock there is nothing worth trying to preserve on it.

Also, we should talk about phosphates. Dry rock is a phosphate bomb. People may advertise otherwise . . . but don't believe it. I am heading for a MAJOR GHA issue. I'm not worried about it, as I've been through it before. But, in an attempt to mitigate the phosphate damage, this rock was soaked in RO/DI for several weeks. In addition to that, I've added Phosbuster Pro to the water, and I'm using Pura Phoslock. Despite that, I expect this tank to go really green and hairy within eight weeks.