BB convert!

ckusnierek · 05-02-2007, 06:46 AM

Two weeks ago I converted to BB. The reason was that I was tired of the sand storms and I'm, preparing a CLS w/40x turnover and was worried I'd never see anything once I installed it. when I converted I got 4 large rubbermaids for my LR and corals. I wanted to pull all the LR so I could get 2 nasty damsels out. Any way I used a garden hose, a pillow case and a power head. I siphioned the sand w/ the garden hose (about 6' long) into the rubermaid with the pillow case duct taped to the hose to filter the sand from the water then used the power head to pump the water back in. After I finished aquascaping and turned the lights and pumps back on the tank was cloudy for about 6 hours. Also after the conversion my skimmer was going nuts 3gallons of skimate in 6 hours!!!!! glad I noticed that or I would have has a mess. My seabe anemone almost didn't make it. He looke dreal had for about a week after the conversion and had his stomach inside out for a few days. He lookd better now and ate last night

Since the conversion things look GREAT!!

Parameter FLAT all at 0. Still doing a weekly 5g WC (75g tank) Should I cut back on WC now that I'm BB?

I had some nusance alge before conversion ALL DEAD AND DYING NOW!!!!!

the wife dosn't like the "mirror" look of the bottom of the tank but I hope coraline will grow there soon.

Geoff · 05-02-2007, 09:35 AM

what kind of lighting do you have? you might need to detune it a bit now that the sand is out. i had to go down from 400w to 250w. i am actually running moderately ineffecient 250w now to keep the colours up.

BB are great, but they are a different system and need to be treated like one. it may take you a bit of time to get the hang of it as the LR completely purges itself of nutrients.

G~

ckusnierek · 05-02-2007, 11:56 AM

All PC 4x96w 2x10kK/460 2x 460/420

Little Luey · 05-02-2007, 01:57 PM

Great!
I believe you will like the way your tank operates now and you are right, the coraline will cover the glass soon.
Where in northern Indiana are you, I lived in Merrillville (NW In) for a number of years.

ckusnierek · 05-02-2007, 02:50 PM

How Ironic! I live in Elkhart (east of South Bend)
I lived in Yuma for 5 years!!!!
Small world

Looked at your profile, I'm a QC manager also

Geoff · 05-02-2007, 09:32 PM

with PC lighting you should not have a problem!!

G~

Bender 2 · 05-02-2007, 10:42 PM

I wouldn't cut back on the water changes. You will be shocked at all the crap that settles on the bottom of your tank. I do a 20 gallon water change every 10 days to two weeks and take the opportunity to siphon the gunk off the bottom of the tank. It is scary to see how much you will siphon out and then realize that it use to just sink into the sandbed and rot.

Viv · 05-03-2007, 07:45 AM

I hope your wife adjust to the "mirror" bottom. In the beginning I think that was what I looked at also, then my focus changed and the rock and corals took the focus...BB is really a great way to run a tank

Geoff · 05-03-2007, 09:14 AM

i do 10g water changes every week. it takes all 10g of water to get all of the detritus out of the sump.

i actually had to do a spot clean in the display last week. first time in many, many months. it is amazing how much sand shows up in a BB tank. the last time the LR has seen sand was 3 years ago!!!

G~