So I just recently set up a monster aquarium, I set Waterbox 220
So I just recently set up a monster aquarium, I set Waterbox 220

here, and really it's my dream tank build.
here, and really it's my dream tank build.

I have the aquascape all done.
I have the aquascape all done.

Finally, all the equipment is in place.
Finally, all the equipment is in place.

Well, for the most part.
Well, for the most part.

But before I could even think about, you know, adding beautiful corals
But before I could even think about, you know, adding beautiful corals

and beautiful fish to this guy, I need to get this thing cycling.
and beautiful fish to this guy, I need to get this thing cycling.

So my plan for the cycling process is to use bottled bacteria, specifically Dr. Tim's
So my plan for the cycling process is to use bottled bacteria, specifically Dr. Tim's

fishless cycle
fishless cycle

now, I wanted to do a fishless cycle
now, I wanted to do a fishless cycle

because obviously ammonia is toxic to fish gills.
because obviously ammonia is toxic to fish gills.

I don't want to hurt my fish in the process.
I don't want to hurt my fish in the process.

So definitely, you know, the fishless cycle was the way to go.
So definitely, you know, the fishless cycle was the way to go.

However, it is my first time using bottled
However, it is my first time using bottled

bacteria. In the two tanks that I've had in the past,
bacteria. In the two tanks that I've had in the past,

my Biocube 29 gallon and my Innovative Marine 40 gallon,
my Biocube 29 gallon and my Innovative Marine 40 gallon,

i've always depended on live rock and
i've always depended on live rock and

established media from the previous tank to get my tank cycling.
established media from the previous tank to get my tank cycling.

So I have no experience using these kinds
So I have no experience using these kinds

of products, I meant it's a little bit, you know, it's a little bit nerve-racking.
of products, I meant it's a little bit, you know, it's a little bit nerve-racking.

However, I've really heard great things about Dr. Tim's
However, I've really heard great things about Dr. Tim's

and, you know, I figured, why not try it?
and, you know, I figured, why not try it?

Because I definitely want a clean slate with this tank.
Because I definitely want a clean slate with this tank.

I don't want to bring any of the pests from the other tank onto this one.
I don't want to bring any of the pests from the other tank onto this one.

It's just not worth the risk because
It's just not worth the risk because

trying to get rid of that stuff in a tank of this size is just next to impossible.
trying to get rid of that stuff in a tank of this size is just next to impossible.

So I want to have a clean slate, that is for sure.
So I want to have a clean slate, that is for sure.

So what I ended up using is Dr. Tim's
So what I ended up using is Dr. Tim's

One and Only nitrifying bacteria.
One and Only nitrifying bacteria.

What I ended up doing because this tank has been cycling for like four days now.
What I ended up doing because this tank has been cycling for like four days now.

What I did is I added the one and only into the tank, just dumped the whole thing.
What I did is I added the one and only into the tank, just dumped the whole thing.

And then over the past few days,
And then over the past few days,

I have been adding ammonia to the tank to get the process started.
I have been adding ammonia to the tank to get the process started.

So I've been testing my water every day.
So I've been testing my water every day.

I've been really good.
I've been really good.

I've been using API tests just because
I've been using API tests just because

they are, you know, super fast and super easy,
they are, you know, super fast and super easy,

although I don't usually use them on my tanks, it's made the process a lot
although I don't usually use them on my tanks, it's made the process a lot

more bearable, you know, having to check everything every day.
more bearable, you know, having to check everything every day.

But so far, the cycling process has been going great.
But so far, the cycling process has been going great.

You know, I've seen the ammonia rise
You know, I've seen the ammonia rise

i've seen the ammonia drop slightly and I'm starting to see some nitrite.
i've seen the ammonia drop slightly and I'm starting to see some nitrite.

It's pretty it's
It's pretty it's

pretty exciting to have the tank finally start cycling.
pretty exciting to have the tank finally start cycling.

So is actually kind of crazy how bottled bacteria like cycles your tank in
So is actually kind of crazy how bottled bacteria like cycles your tank in

a week, two weeks, like, it's just such a foreign concept to me.
a week, two weeks, like, it's just such a foreign concept to me.

But either way, I'm not planning on adding
But either way, I'm not planning on adding

any fish to this guy any time soon because my quarantine tank just finished cycling.
any fish to this guy any time soon because my quarantine tank just finished cycling.

I really want to make sure that all
I really want to make sure that all

my fish have been thoroughly quarantined before they get in here.
my fish have been thoroughly quarantined before they get in here.

I don't want, you know, any parasites and diseases in this thing.
I don't want, you know, any parasites and diseases in this thing.

And obviously it's just good practice to quarantine everything.
And obviously it's just good practice to quarantine everything.

Right. But anyway, I'm not planning on adding
Right. But anyway, I'm not planning on adding

fish anytime soon because the quarantine tank I had set up actually sprung a leak,
fish anytime soon because the quarantine tank I had set up actually sprung a leak,

which was awful because I had to re-cycle with a new tank and everything.
which was awful because I had to re-cycle with a new tank and everything.

And it was just like, oh,
And it was just like, oh,

I should have started the quarantine process much earlier.
I should have started the quarantine process much earlier.

But unfortunately, because of that leak,
But unfortunately, because of that leak,

I'm just going to be adding fish sometime soon.
I'm just going to be adding fish sometime soon.

The fish are going to be out of quarantine
The fish are going to be out of quarantine

by the time well after this tank has cycled.
by the time well after this tank has cycled.

So it's kind of concerning because,
So it's kind of concerning because,

you know, to keep that cycle going, you need to have, you know, the fishy poo.
you know, to keep that cycle going, you need to have, you know, the fishy poo.

So I'm not going to have the fishy poop in here.
So I'm not going to have the fishy poop in here.

So it's a little troubling.
So it's a little troubling.

But I mean, I'm going to get fish in here as soon as possible,
But I mean, I'm going to get fish in here as soon as possible,

but not rush the quarantine process at the same time, because that wouldn't be good.
but not rush the quarantine process at the same time, because that wouldn't be good.

So the quarantine tank here has cycled officially.
So the quarantine tank here has cycled officially.

I know I should be ready for fish any time now.
I know I should be ready for fish any time now.

Reason I'm kind of holding back is I still
Reason I'm kind of holding back is I still

have so much to learn about the quarantine process.
have so much to learn about the quarantine process.

This is my first quarantine tank I've ever
This is my first quarantine tank I've ever

set up, you know, having had only really small tanks and limited fish options as
set up, you know, having had only really small tanks and limited fish options as

a result, I haven't had much experience with fish.
a result, I haven't had much experience with fish.

Like at all. At all.
Like at all. At all.

At all. You know, the fish I did have
At all. You know, the fish I did have

for my smaller tanks, they're pretty hardy fish and they're not
for my smaller tanks, they're pretty hardy fish and they're not

really known to be susceptible to diseases and parasites.
really known to be susceptible to diseases and parasites.

So I just kind of got really lucky.
So I just kind of got really lucky.

But a quarantine is essential for this tank.
But a quarantine is essential for this tank.

I mean, with all the fish I'm adding in, like, for example, the tangs,
I mean, with all the fish I'm adding in, like, for example, the tangs,

which are like ich magnets, like it's kind of like quarantine is
which are like ich magnets, like it's kind of like quarantine is

absolutely essential for a project like this.
absolutely essential for a project like this.

However, having had no experience,
However, having had no experience,

the quarantine process is a little bit overwhelming.
the quarantine process is a little bit overwhelming.

Before I feel comfortable adding fish in this guy, I definitely have to become
Before I feel comfortable adding fish in this guy, I definitely have to become

like a fish parasite and disease expert right now.
like a fish parasite and disease expert right now.

I don't really know what to recognize and also come up with some kind of schedule.
I don't really know what to recognize and also come up with some kind of schedule.

I mean, there are like 30 medications out there.
I mean, there are like 30 medications out there.

I can't pronounce like half of them.
I can't pronounce like half of them.

So I need to figure,
So I need to figure,

i need to figure that stuff out and like
i need to figure that stuff out and like

ASAP because we we needed fish in here like yesterday.
ASAP because we we needed fish in here like yesterday.

So hopefully I can get like intensive, you know, rigorous program here and,
So hopefully I can get like intensive, you know, rigorous program here and,

you know, become comfortable with the identification of all these,
you know, become comfortable with the identification of all these,

you know, fish problems hopefully, hopefully sooner than later.
you know, fish problems hopefully, hopefully sooner than later.

But yeah.
But yeah.

Quarantine tank is cycled baby
Quarantine tank is cycled baby

But a little update on my equipment,
But a little update on my equipment,

the bio bricks arrived, I placed them in my sump.
the bio bricks arrived, I placed them in my sump.

However, based on a comment I received
However, based on a comment I received

in my last video, someone was mentioning how I should have gotten the smaller
in my last video, someone was mentioning how I should have gotten the smaller

bricks, you know, to have better filtration going through them.
bricks, you know, to have better filtration going through them.

I mean, like more water volume, fit nicer in my sump.
I mean, like more water volume, fit nicer in my sump.

And I figured, well, I already bought these bio bricks and I
And I figured, well, I already bought these bio bricks and I

don't really want to go through the process of returning so what I
don't really want to go through the process of returning so what I

ended up doing as I just ended up cutting them into thirds and realizing that I
ended up doing as I just ended up cutting them into thirds and realizing that I

bought probably too many, that it would be overkill.
bought probably too many, that it would be overkill.

So I'm just saving the other two for when they need to be replaced.
So I'm just saving the other two for when they need to be replaced.

So right now I just have two cut up biobricks
So right now I just have two cut up biobricks

so essentially, like six pieces bio bricks are in the tank.
so essentially, like six pieces bio bricks are in the tank.

I also added the lights that I was talking about installing.
I also added the lights that I was talking about installing.

However, I probably could have gone with two strips going around because it's
However, I probably could have gone with two strips going around because it's

still a little dark in there, a little too dark for my liking.
still a little dark in there, a little too dark for my liking.

So I'm going to have to go back and redo that.
So I'm going to have to go back and redo that.

Those bio bricks are going to be super
Those bio bricks are going to be super

useful to my tank, though, you know, really important feature of this build
useful to my tank, though, you know, really important feature of this build

because I have such a minimalist aquascape there definitely needs to be some extra
because I have such a minimalist aquascape there definitely needs to be some extra

biological filtration down here in the sump.
biological filtration down here in the sump.

You know, it's like kind of like this weird misconception in the hobby that you
You know, it's like kind of like this weird misconception in the hobby that you

need to, like, pump your display full of like as much rock as you can,
need to, like, pump your display full of like as much rock as you can,

like wall to wall, like back to front, just like way too much rock.
like wall to wall, like back to front, just like way too much rock.

I think people forget that, you know, you have options like these bio bricks
I think people forget that, you know, you have options like these bio bricks

and, you know, even just adding like live rock or, you know, extra rock in your sump
and, you know, even just adding like live rock or, you know, extra rock in your sump

for that same filtration that you need, you don't really need to have that much
for that same filtration that you need, you don't really need to have that much

rock in your display as far as your fish are accounted for.
rock in your display as far as your fish are accounted for.

You can definitely you don't have to, you know, fill it all up with rock.
You can definitely you don't have to, you know, fill it all up with rock.

You definitely want space for flow and corals.
You definitely want space for flow and corals.

But also what comes in handy if you keep
But also what comes in handy if you keep

rocks in your sump, for example, is that you can easily transfer them
rocks in your sump, for example, is that you can easily transfer them

to a new tank if you need to establish a new tank.
to a new tank if you need to establish a new tank.

So you want to add like more rock to your
So you want to add like more rock to your

aquascape in the future, having like rocks cycled, ready on hand,
aquascape in the future, having like rocks cycled, ready on hand,

like just ready to go is really convenient.
like just ready to go is really convenient.

So yeah bi bricks are just really essential for me,
So yeah bi bricks are just really essential for me,

particularly because of this minimalist, complete, like lack of rock going on here.
particularly because of this minimalist, complete, like lack of rock going on here.

I also got a really cool piece of equipment and I'm pretty excited about.
I also got a really cool piece of equipment and I'm pretty excited about.

So the other day I was thinking, man,
So the other day I was thinking, man,

like water changes on this beast is just going to be such a mission.
like water changes on this beast is just going to be such a mission.

I was thinking logistically,
I was thinking logistically,

how am I going to physically bring the water here and dispose of it?
how am I going to physically bring the water here and dispose of it?

Because, I mean, the way I currently do it
Because, I mean, the way I currently do it

on my teeny tiny 40 gallon is I just, you know, siphon the water out into a bucket.
on my teeny tiny 40 gallon is I just, you know, siphon the water out into a bucket.

I think I dump that bucket out like twice.
I think I dump that bucket out like twice.

And then, you know, I carry like four or five gallon jugs,
And then, you know, I carry like four or five gallon jugs,

but like, filled halfway because I don't really have any muscles.
but like, filled halfway because I don't really have any muscles.

So it makes it easier to carry.
So it makes it easier to carry.

But if you think of that,
But if you think of that,

if I were to do like say like a 20 percent water change on here and I filled this
if I were to do like say like a 20 percent water change on here and I filled this

five gallon jugs halfway, there'd be like eight jugs.
five gallon jugs halfway, there'd be like eight jugs.

Y'all like that would be around eight jugs.
Y'all like that would be around eight jugs.

And I'm like, I already despise water changes enough.
And I'm like, I already despise water changes enough.

And that's really going to be the tipping point for me.
And that's really going to be the tipping point for me.

So it's definitely looking for something that can make that whole process easier
So it's definitely looking for something that can make that whole process easier

on me because I was just like, that's not really going to happen with frequency.
on me because I was just like, that's not really going to happen with frequency.

Knowing me, I got the idea to actually get like a cool pump.
Knowing me, I got the idea to actually get like a cool pump.

I was inspired actually by the video
I was inspired actually by the video

of filling up this tank where we kind of used a pump to bring all that water all
of filling up this tank where we kind of used a pump to bring all that water all

the way from outside in the truck into this tank.
the way from outside in the truck into this tank.

And I was like, I want that.
And I was like, I want that.

I want a system just like that
I want a system just like that

So what I ended up doing, is I got this sump pump.
So what I ended up doing, is I got this sump pump.

I got a handy dandy sump pump.
I got a handy dandy sump pump.

And I plan on putting this or using this to pump all that water I will have
And I plan on putting this or using this to pump all that water I will have

in my garage near my RODI unit with like an 100 foot hose.
in my garage near my RODI unit with like an 100 foot hose.

So it's going to be pretty crazy.
So it's going to be pretty crazy.

In terms of the sump pump, I'm actually a little bit concerned.
In terms of the sump pump, I'm actually a little bit concerned.

It might be like too much power, like it might be overkill.
It might be like too much power, like it might be overkill.

And I don't know.
And I don't know.

I really have to just test it out, I guess.
I really have to just test it out, I guess.

Anyway, the idea of a sump pump is pretty cool.
Anyway, the idea of a sump pump is pretty cool.

Like the water changes will be the easiest thing ever.
Like the water changes will be the easiest thing ever.

But I still have to figure out how I want to remove the water.
But I still have to figure out how I want to remove the water.

I've been tossing up whether I should just
I've been tossing up whether I should just

get like a massive hose and use it as a siphon and like,
get like a massive hose and use it as a siphon and like,

put it out the dog door and just dump it outside or whether I should just go
put it out the dog door and just dump it outside or whether I should just go

the more traditional route with syphon and bucket.
the more traditional route with syphon and bucket.

But I'm thinking, man, like tipping out all those water buckets.
But I'm thinking, man, like tipping out all those water buckets.

I mean, you know, but I think I'm just getting
I mean, you know, but I think I'm just getting

a bit lazy with it because, you know, I don't think it'll be that much.
a bit lazy with it because, you know, I don't think it'll be that much.

And with the sump pump, you know,
And with the sump pump, you know,

it's not too much to ask that I dump a few buckets out, you know what I mean?
it's not too much to ask that I dump a few buckets out, you know what I mean?

I've got to figure something out for that.
I've got to figure something out for that.

But either way, I am super excited about the sump pump.
But either way, I am super excited about the sump pump.

I think it's the best decision I've made.
I think it's the best decision I've made.

But yeah, guys, I'm super excited for this
But yeah, guys, I'm super excited for this

tank, it's like coming along, I'm so happy that I have started
tank, it's like coming along, I'm so happy that I have started

the cycling process now and that we're one step closer.
the cycling process now and that we're one step closer.

This is like all surreal.
This is like all surreal.

But, yeah, stay tuned.
But, yeah, stay tuned.

I'll give an update soon on how this baby goes.
I'll give an update soon on how this baby goes.

Look how pretty the aquascape is.
Look how pretty the aquascape is.

I just love it so much.
I just love it so much.

Oh hey, here's the comment I was talking about.
Oh hey, here's the comment I was talking about.

Appreciate the advice, Harold.
Appreciate the advice, Harold.

Hopefully those severed bio bricks will have the same effect, hopefully.
Hopefully those severed bio bricks will have the same effect, hopefully.

And right?
And right?

Sumps are just a whole new level of reefing.
Sumps are just a whole new level of reefing.

I don't really know how I managed without
I don't really know how I managed without

one, but so happy that we joined the sump club.
one, but so happy that we joined the sump club.

We are officially real reefers now.
We are officially real reefers now.

And Austin, tell me why I didn't even think about this.
And Austin, tell me why I didn't even think about this.

I've never had a controller system on any of my tanks before, as you can tell.
I've never had a controller system on any of my tanks before, as you can tell.

But this opens up a whole new world of cable management possibilities.
But this opens up a whole new world of cable management possibilities.

I'm really excited about it.
I'm really excited about it.

And just because I look forward
And just because I look forward

to cleaning the brown sludge from my skimmer does not mean I'm crazy.
to cleaning the brown sludge from my skimmer does not mean I'm crazy.

OK, maybe slightly, but joke's on you.
OK, maybe slightly, but joke's on you.

I was crazy long before the skimmer.
I was crazy long before the skimmer.