Hi
I am based in the uk and have purchased a new orca tl-450
Not sure if you are familiar, but it is a 58 litre cube, back compartment houses uv sterliser and then protein skimmer, then heater compartment and lastly biological media compartment.
It has 36w T5 10000k lighting and moon lights.
The protein skimmer pump runs at 45ol per hour. In addition I have a spray bar with a small 450l per hour connected wihich gives great eurface agitation and then finally a 450l in the main tank.
My cycle was really quick as I got cured rock only out of water for 15 mins. My readings settled with 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 0-5ppm nitrate. Phosphate is an issue (but we have upyo 8ppm in water here to protect from lead pipes, so even ro leave behind!), but I am working on it and prefilterign water change water with phosban, etc.
I have 8kg (17lbs) of live rock, some clean up crew, coral etc for the last 2 weeks and they are all well.
My question is those 0-5ppm nitrates. Do I need to work harder to remove them? I have added a poly-filter pad and am cleaning it with tap water every few days. I do still have some cermaic media in the bottom of the last chamber - could that be the source?
And then I thought, could I make a tiny refuge fro mthe last chamber? Literally, just remove the ceramic media and replace with some macro algae? Could I light it with a white led? if not, is there any light as small as that, as I dont think I have space for any more?
Would such a tiny refuge make a differnece (4 in by 3 in by 14 in deep)?
Am I overreacting?
Would my skimmer help? (it is still switched off as not getting any fry foam - I wonder if there is not enough organic matter. I am doing weekly 16% water changes)
thanks
Morris
Would love some advice?
I am based in the uk and have purchased a new orca tl-450
Not sure if you are familiar, but it is a 58 litre cube, back compartment houses uv sterliser and then protein skimmer, then heater compartment and lastly biological media compartment.
It has 36w T5 10000k lighting and moon lights.
The protein skimmer pump runs at 45ol per hour. In addition I have a spray bar with a small 450l per hour connected wihich gives great eurface agitation and then finally a 450l in the main tank.
My cycle was really quick as I got cured rock only out of water for 15 mins. My readings settled with 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 0-5ppm nitrate. Phosphate is an issue (but we have upyo 8ppm in water here to protect from lead pipes, so even ro leave behind!), but I am working on it and prefilterign water change water with phosban, etc.
I have 8kg (17lbs) of live rock, some clean up crew, coral etc for the last 2 weeks and they are all well.
My question is those 0-5ppm nitrates. Do I need to work harder to remove them? I have added a poly-filter pad and am cleaning it with tap water every few days. I do still have some cermaic media in the bottom of the last chamber - could that be the source?
And then I thought, could I make a tiny refuge fro mthe last chamber? Literally, just remove the ceramic media and replace with some macro algae? Could I light it with a white led? if not, is there any light as small as that, as I dont think I have space for any more?
Would such a tiny refuge make a differnece (4 in by 3 in by 14 in deep)?
Am I overreacting?
Would my skimmer help? (it is still switched off as not getting any fry foam - I wonder if there is not enough organic matter. I am doing weekly 16% water changes)
thanks
Morris
Would love some advice?