Ep.8 - The Cycle - Salt , Sand & First Fish

We finally add fish to the tank! lets catch up on the last two weeks
Music for videos:
www.marsnare.com/
Lights :
orphek.com/orphek-osix-or3-le...
Tank:
Innovative marine 75 EXT:
www.innovative-marine.com/sho...
Sump:
Nuvo RFS 27 sump -
www.innovative-marine.com/nuv...
VCR - Flex series Random flow generator
vividcreativeaquatics.com/pro...
Equipment:
Helio Heating system:
www.innovative-marine.com/hel...
Wavelink Powerhead :
www.innovative-marine.com/sho...
Mighty Jet XL return pump:
www.innovative-marine.com/sho...
Auto Top off - Hydrofill 15g ATO Kit:
www.innovative-marine.com/sho...
Skimmer - Simply Aquatics DC 120
www.simplicityaquatics.com/sk...
Rain2 Algae scrubber:
www.santa-monica.cc/RAIN2-Pol...

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

Thanks for tapping in everybody. We still rollin .. be sure to subscribe it’s time to start going live 😎🤞🏾 #KeepDoingwhatyalldo #BeEazy

[@filipinoreefer]

Slow and steady wins the race. Remember, it's a lifetime hobby.

[@metsdynastyx]

Just realized you started doing videos again. I’m psyched! Welcome back

[@mahdidorranian1479]

best build in the hobby atm, soooooo much of the mundane rock stacked no skill scapes

[@Ejay490]

Nice to see you back CJ. I used to watch your videos around the time you started your channel. You were one of the few I watched along with Mr. saltwater. You helped me start my first saltwater tank 8-9 years ago. Glad that you’re back

[@MASSAquariums]

Nice idea with the QT tank homie. Fish are way to expensive these days to lose 20 fish for one sick new fish. Tank looks amazing. Flow and lighting are fire Dawg. Look forward to 6 months from now

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

Hell yea the prices is what finally pushed me to do this… and I ain’t even got the really expensive ones yet 😅🤞🏾

[@partlycloudy531]

Awesome water station in the closet! The in reading on your TDS meter is after the water goes through the RO, so it’s not your tap water, but you still probably have good tap water being that low. The out reading is the final after it goes through DI.

[@shaminderajrawat3711]

Amazing content thank you so much

[@semisuccessfulreefer220]

Looking real good!

[@brandon-vi8cl]

great video!

[@IMGbaugher]

Looking good man!!

[@LLK50634]

very beautiful setup awesome videos

[@kicksav]

Super clean tank, looks great

[@eastnjman368]

Tank looks 🔥

[@MarSnare]

Congratulations on the progress Brotha! 🌊

[@DCALLUS23]

Great update cj

[@JonesJones-np2kq]

Happy for you!

[@adamkwek5888]

Awesome video, can't wait for the full colony to come ...😊

[@queencityreefs]

Looking good 🔥💯🔥

[@HuyTran-hg2po]

Welcome back. I love your vlogs

[@josgraha]

man you make something so stressful seem so chill! i love it, of course i'm a n00b so everything stresses me out LOL

[@HoodyNoGoody]

Glad ur back

[@ferrarireef]

Keen to see this progress along. Nice video mate 😊

[@chrisr.8995]

so glad youre back man!

[@Pchang35]

Glad to see your back!

[@freedomaquatics6328]

Looking very nice man.

[@xisotopex]

this is a fantastic setup and a beautiful tank...

[@MyFirstFishTank]

Love it. Looking great. You always do such a nice job with your builds CJ

[@kuhny1143]

Lookin good!

[@hoopaholic1982]

Yes! A channel I appreciate is finally back!!!

[@JoeTheChicken26]

Glad to see you back in the hobby!

[@benhebert8664]

Glad to see the videos, got me hooked into the hobby. Been watching since the jbj 45

[@gman107a]

Really like the aquascape, great job with the floating portions!

[@dennisscott6413]

The tank is already looking good. Can't wait to see the progress of this tank!!

[@johncondoleobat]

Wow she going to bee a cool tank !

[@michaelmartinez9127]

So Glad you’re back I just purchased a jbj 45 like your old one can’t wait to get it running! And Thanks for the great advice and wisdom for newbie’s like me keep those videos coming 👍🏻

[@ariefeht2540]

Looking Good CJ, best of luck on this new aquarium build.

[@aaron_brown7324]

Good to see you back homie…been getting stuff together to start my reef back up after my move 2 years ago…. You were a big help when I first started and look forward to learning more from you

[@raynardceaser6897]

CJ you are the man.💪 Wish I had this video before I did my 50 gallon set up. But I'll follow your journey. Awesome content brother!👍

[@opethmike]

Awesome choice on the tomini tang!

[@kimthompson1618]

Your plumbing is so neat and clean. I’m totally envious. My sump plumbing is a mess. Looking forward to the progress on this tank.

[@bigadventure3797]

I love how clean bran new tanks look.

[@Durhamcarpetcleaning]

I’ve been out of the hobby myself for a little while looking to get back in and doing things proper this time as well. I really appreciated this video. Good job. New subscriber as well.

[@MW-ut3dk]

QT is a must!!! Following along, nice to have you back! I also QT all the coral in my tank - trying to keep coral pests out.

[@Dambrah]

The normal orientation for the IN OUT on the TDS meter is after the RO membrane and then after the DI.

[@chrisscorals6926]

Love this new scape

[@nathanqwerty1]

Great stuff CJ! Great to see you back, one of the best reef channel’s on KZbin for sure, I wish you great luck and success with this one, I got that feeling this is going to be one awesome tank, keep up the good work and look forward to more updates. Being a fellow reef KZbinr myself I know how much work and time goes into it especially the detail and quality of your vids, great work keep it up, thanks for the content.

[@xisotopex]

that light reminds of the space ship from close encounters of the 3rdf kind...

[@erica.5583]

Now that is a bad ass aquascape!!! 😎👍

[@marcelrodriguez2067]

Im glad you finally doing QT

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

We will see if this works out 💪🏾💯

[@MikeLemming]

Looking good CJ. Mine should be plumbed up and running in the next couple of weeks. Ballsy move to get those damsels off rip. Good luck brother!

[@gerardduquette9296]

TDS input may be reading post-RO and pre-DI? Love the videos CJ. Keep posting!

[@jules2545]

My tap water measures about 4 on a TDS meter. I have my RO station in the garage, its just as well really as I dont have any leak prevention measures and I do occasionally forget that I am filling a container! My new tank is 9 months old now, its the first tank I used live sand. I used ammonia and left it alone for three months with the lights off. I also added lots of copepods, the rockwork went brown for a while but disappeared as quick as it appeared. Nothing since and it appears to be my least painful tank start up.

[@Reefkpr1]

Nice update CJ. Glad to see you doing QT/ Observation. I know you had a few wipeouts with the last build. With the price of fish nowadays, can't afford wipeouts.

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

We making progress 💪🏾 hopefully avoid all previous issues

[@aaron_brown7324]

Those marriage saver cutoffs for your water station are literally a life saver… we got good water here… my tds is only about 12 out of the tap out here on the green belt

[@sunnygoold9449]

Love it - love the feet - love the QT... I do the humblefish peroxide method in and out of observational QT

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

I’m looking into that method for sure.. still looking for safest ways to do this. I failed to mention the lfs runs copper and deworming meds in their tanks so I’m mainly just making sure it worked in my Observation system

[@sunnygoold9449]

@@CJSAQUARIUMS I've had no issues with any fish and there is a list of number of each species is put through it on HF. It's not foolproof and I have sand and liverock in my QT. There's also a Fauna Marin fish food (Soft Protect) for new fish I just use for QT that helps with getting them to eat and internal parasites (apparently). You also mentioned wrasse and I got a yellow tail tamarin, leopard wrasse and others through. Also I got a captive bred multibar (I always wanted one after you had them) but it went after even my SPS. My advice is stay away from captive bred - I know you love that fish.

[@leosaraiv]

I've also taken a break for 3 years and coming back at the same time. This time it's gonna be a 10g tank and ill try to document it like you do. cheers

[@NerdistAquarist]

Great stuff CJ, looking great! I wish my tap water was that low TDS. But just an fyi for the larger public. It's a common misconception that 0 TDS means it's "safe" for a reef tank. Disinfectants like chlorine and chloramine do not affect water conductivity, so a TDS meter doesn't pick up on those. I know, I was mind blown when I learned that! You have to make sure to regularly change the carbon blocks, even when you see 0 TDS.

[@AlphaOmega-vr8ee]

Hey CJ, looking great! Double check that Aquaforest hybrid salt. I think it can only be stored for like three days. Will be tough with your closet water change system.

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

Yea I’m aware short life span for the bacteria. I plan use it quick for the main tank… the QT don’t really need the bacteria and honestly will prob buy some cheaper salt for QT tank changes the AF stuff is harder to get lol

[@strat1960s]

I live outside city limits and Im on a well. We have a water softener that has 4 paper filters. The final stage TDS at the RODI filter shows zero TDS. Thats pretty surprising, but I'll go with it. LOL

[@jasonblevins8280]

Reefing is expensive here in KY. My tanks been up and running for like 3-4 years now and recently I've been having some algae issues.... I've been told I should try changing my bio media to a seeded one to give it that extra kick.... I dunno though 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@PurelyAquatic]

Nice to see that QT tank. You should consider proactively treating your new fish with copper. I always do a copper treatment with any new fish I get to avoid marine velvet/ich.

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

It’s a thought but both my local LFS already run copper and deworming meds on all fish in their systems.. I’ll medicate if Trouble shows after observing a couple weeks

[@jril3982]

Generally that in reading on the BRS unit is after the ro membrane not your tap.

[@CO.Reefing]

My TDS started out low in a new community but now I have been getting around 250 and my RODI unit is now pushing out 1 TDS. I might change them out soon or when I start seeing 2TDS. What do you think? I use live sand in all my tanks as well. it's the best and you don't have to rinse it like other dry sands. Tank is coming along awesome!

[@ganbagoos4082]

Let’s goooo😊

[@mikejurnak4253]

Raising up the rock off the sandbed was a good move. Is that 20g always gonna be next to the Main Display or just till you stock the main

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

When stocking is done that 20g is outta here

[@Knottykid]

That’s the tds after the water run thru the membrane carbon etc , it’s not the tds form your tap water

[@dmphins8349]

Enjoyed the video everything is looking great hey fam I don't know if you still talk to Rico if so I hope everything is going well be safe

[@GROCK619]

Yep pandemic prices are sky high on corals n fish !! Fo sho

[@Kenny_Edmonton]

I have my main display cycling at the moment. Ammonia is zero, nitrites are up and I’m showing nitrates as well. I also have a Qt tank and it’s cycling, did you cycle your qt tank. I have bio balls from someone’s established system and I had put one dry rock into it and I have a hob filter. I was thinking of medication but probably just gonna do an observation Qt because of the rock in there. I’m new to the hobby as well

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

No didn’t cycle the QT just used media from main tank and added bacteria. I’m doing 50-100% water changes every few days watching ammonia. So far no issues

[@scottstevenson119]

💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@FernandoReyes-wv2cu]

Hey CJ, I’m about to start filling my tank , I’m planning on filling the tank with ro water and add the salt , I’m using dry sand and I was wondering if I could fill the tank with the sand or add the sand later ? 😅

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

Dry sand? Use sand first save yourself the messy water

[@stupified007]

Did you find what the root cause of the can leaks? I'm going to try to set this up soon and am curious what you did different the second time

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

Cut the hole 1/8 too big.. couldn’t get a solid seal with bulk heads with the hole being drilled so low on the brute can. If I could do it again I would make the holes way higher to limit the amount of flexing. Current setup uniseals and silicone was the final solution.. if this don’t work I’ll have to go with version 3.0 and just plumb over top of the cans no drilling. If the pump can purge the air and handle it I’ll be set… to be continued

[@teereefer1276]

Excellent job I just broke my mug. Are you still selling them and how can I get another one?

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

Thinking of a brand new design now stay tuned 💪🏾💯

[@Champsreef303]

Just curious if you are running your lights only for the video or you running them during the cycle?? Cook that rock with no lights it will help during ugly stages!

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

Running lights now working on my real schedule.. tank was dark first couple weeks. Algae scrubber will easily balance me out if that need arises 💪🏾💯

[@so_so_reef]

How were you able to have it shut off the booster pump as well?

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

Pressure switch tied into the booster pump. Back pressure hide certain amount kills it

[@hobohunter2316]

the waterchange station is screaming for an apex with dos auto water changes!

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

It’s a thought.. just would have to figure out waste water. Only issue is life span of the hybird salt only being 48/72 hrs

[@jerrybeute8884]

Be careful with that salinity checker

[@user-yx2qs8zm7f]

What are the stands that you put under the rocks?

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

Be eazy feet 😎

[@user-yx2qs8zm7f]

Thanks. I just purchased the 75 EXT. I like your videos.@@CJSAQUARIUMS

[@jonathancollins9831]

Be VERY careful relying on the Hanna salinity checker. I’ve heard of horror stories, tanks crashing, due to inaccurate testing Other Hanna checkers are reliable and I trust em, but that salinity checker I dunno bro

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

Yes I’m well aware of the issues.. I suspect a lot of those are user error and lack of calibrating. I’ll add a refractometer as backup 💪🏾💯

[@jonathancollins9831]

@@CJSAQUARIUMS nothin like a little redundancy, but you know the drill This one’s gonna be special, looking forward to it 🤘🏼🤨🤘🏼

[@HCBCHEMISTRY]

I agree. Let that bird out of its cage, it's been in the hole for 20 years straight. The only way you will be dedicated to a tank longer than 2 years is to compete. I have an all in one 15 Gallon. I just added my last batch of frags. Let's see who has better success. Let the viewers decide which tank they like more. You have an advantage of better rock work, lights, filtration, and all the above. If you win, I'll send you a small frag of little shop of horror zoas. Once I grow them out. I had 2 polyps, now I have 4 polyps. Let me know what's up big dog.

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

😅 no deal I’m just trying to enjoy without the pressure

[@HCBCHEMISTRY]

@@CJSAQUARIUMS I know. Most people are scared and not about the business.

[@jacob6852]

Is your TDS meter between the RO and DI? I dont think thats your tap you are readying on the in side.

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

It’s the standard BRS rodi unit it should be reading tap water coming in and clean water coming out

[@jacob6852]

@CJ'S AQUARIUMS I'm pretty sure it's between the ro membrane and the di resin. My tap is 250 tds, ro takes it to 7, di to 0.

[@jacob6852]

Confirmed on my 4 stage tds reads between ro membrane and Di then post DI. I would wager the 3 stage is the same. You can get a cheap hand held tds meter to validate your tap water. My zero water pitcher came with one.

[@stevesmith4669]

love your channel man. but no way that tds reading can be accurate. never seen tap that low anywhere. but i would bet the actual reading is still very very low

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

I’m the past I’ve seen 25-40 tds so maybe my city has cleaned up some things no idea.. I’ll look into it further 💪🏾💯

[@mrcovert011]

You shouldn't even run that skimmer for about a month you can break it in later and please don't do water changes right away for about a month

[@mikethereefer3719]

*Gets second job to pay for the hobby. No longer has time for the hobby. 🤣😆

[@CJSAQUARIUMS]

Only fans or only fish whatever it’s called 😂💯

[@mikethereefer3719]

@@CJSAQUARIUMS 🤣🤣

[@lifebidesign]

Surprised that you got damsels. Looking good love your clown choice looking forward to the next one 👍

[@dkom4702]

Let’s go!!! Qt tank🥳