Tank Set Up
JBJ 28G Nano Cube
Nanotuners 5.6 LED retrofit Kit 50/50,Blue,White,Blue,50/50
CPR Medium Fuge w/cheato
Protein Skimmer Tunze 9002
Votech -MP20
Filtration- Chemi Pure Elite,Purigen, Filter Floss
Sand - 40lbs Caribsea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink
Live Rock - 30lbs Figi - 15lbs Marshall Island

Livestock-
Acropora Robusta
Scripps Acropora
Pink Montipora Cap
Purple Fuzzy Shroom
Golden Raindrop Blue Ricordea
Pink/Orange 6 Head Sun coral
Japanese Snowflake Cloves
Bali Green Cloves
Aqua Fresh Chalice
Blueberry Field Chalice
Pink and Teal Cotton Candy Chalice
LE Superman Chalice
Poor Mans My Miami Chalice
Xenia
Ultra Sunset Monti
Purple/Green 2 Head Torch
Zoas (Eagle eyes, Fire & Ice & 2 other no name ones)
Pink/Green Birdsnest
GSP
Yellow Saphire Gorgonia
Candy Coral 4 Head
Green/Blue 7 Head Ducan
Purple/Brown T. Maxima Clam

CUC-
5 - Blue Leg Herms
2 - Red Scarlet Herms
1 - Counch Snail
2 - Turbo Snails
2- Astrea Snails
3 - Nassarius Snails

Fish
6 Line Wrasse
Banded Blue Spot Watchman Goby
True Perc Clown

good start!

got the same tank as you. Similar setup. I got mine at fishsupply for like 250 with stand. Planning on adding a sump but don't know how to do it. Any ideas????

Day 1

Not sure about the sump. I'm sure someone has done it on here. Enjoying the setup so far. Played with aquascape aliitle bit about an hour ago. Thinking about adding a flow pump under the rocks in the back.



FTS

Day 2


Ok.. So I added a mj1200 in the back under all the rocks for more flow. I ordered my Tunze 9002. I also ordered a smaller cup from http://shop.mediabaskets.com/product.sc?pr...p;categoryId=12 In order to retain a modified free Lid. Messed with the scape a little more. Still not happy w/it. But eventually I'll get it the way I want it.


FTS

Day 3

Here we are 72 hrs since conception. I'm waitng on my master test kit to start water testing. I'm in no rush.. I ordered a bunch more goodies today to get things setup after the cycle is done. I plan on going with some filter floss and purigen and of course my Tunze 9002 which is on the way for filtration. Also purchased a thermometer, glass magnets, and a new 100w heater to keep temps consistant over night.It's been about 7 years since my last reef tank. Back when I was into reefing they didn't have these swewt all in one setups. It makes things so much easier.So far haven't seen any hitchhikers. I did see a dead worm. I couldn't tell what kind (Just hope it's not a bristle worm.) That would be Bad!!! Kind of looked like a flat worm.


FTS

Day 4


Ok so i got my test kit and decided to take some measurements.. Amonia .25 , Nitrite .1 , Nitrate 20

Tank is cruisin right along.. I saw my first hitchhiker today. A starfish!! I'll take that over some pesky crab anyday!!!

I'll probably wait until the end of the week and pick up a few clean-up crew.. Water is getting pretty clear.. It was pretty hot in my condo today I forgot to turn on my a/c when I left for work today.. Water temp was real high when I got home 88 F. Good thing I don't have any corals yet. they'd be toast.. I'm thinking of getting a chiller just to be on the safe side.. I wonder if the 1/15 hp JBJ would be adequate.




FTS

some bigger pics would be nice

glad to see you got your cycle started. ill be followin along. btw, what happened to day 5?

Sorry got home kind of late on Day 5



Day 6

Tested water again and I've got the same results today as I did on Day 4. I also turned off the pump I put in behind the rocks. Just getting the tank too hot.. We've been having a heat wave here in So Cal. I plan on replacing it with a smaller unit that doesn't put out as much heat. I also plan on getting a chiller.

Amonia .25 , Nitrite .1 , Nitrate 20


Larger FTS

Really digging the rock structure and diversity..

good start!! what are livestock plans? i think a jawfish would look sweet in this tank

Day 7

Thanks!! I will definitely have a jawfish or some sort of blenny cruisin the subtrate.. I plan on doing some Pulsing Xenia, Frogspawn, Shrooms, Zoas, Sun Coral for color,Candy coral, Clown Fish (gotta have nemo for the kids), Pepperment CS...and of course the Clean up crew...Should look good..

Just Got done checking parameters..Measurements haven't move.. Amonia .25 , Nitite .1 , Nitrate 20

Salinity 1.024

Temp 86 F ( Still high I wonder if this Thermometer is accurate. I will be buying a standard Mercury one. I'm not sure about these digital ones.)

Moved the scape again.. Starting to like it..I think i will tweak the back section aliitle more. I spread it out for better flow and space for the fish.


FTS..

i think your tank is going to turn out great!!

Thanks!!! It's been awhile since I've done a reef setup.. I remember from my early years of reefin. Is to take your time and be patient. This is can be a challenge. But it in the long run will save you money and the greif of things going wrong. This should be Fun!!!

Day 8

Nothing really to report.. Other than temp is still high.. I ordered a Fan today.. Hopefully that will combat these high temps.. Still hovering around 85 F Measurements are still the stil the same.. hmmmm.. Still no brown algae boom.. I will continue to wait.. I'd post a new pic but.. It looks the same as the last one... no changes to the scape...

Day 9

Ok.. So it looks like the cycle is almost complete... Starting to see some Brown Algae on the sand..Checked parameters today.. Amonia 0 , Nitrite .5 , Nitrate 35...I'll wait till I've got 0 on both Nitrite and Amonia before doing a Water change..

Got my Tunze 9002 installed today.. I can already tell that this thing is going to be a beast.. Haven't got any skimate yet. But I have a feeling it won't be long.. I must say it's a very tight fit in that middle chamber...

Added the first members of the CUC.... 6 Algae Hermits, 6 Turbo Snails and 2 Conch Snails



Pics of Tunze 9002 w/ Stevie T Skimmer Cup...

Day 10

We've got Skimate... Wow This Tunze skimmer is sweet...Not even 24 hours and its pullin crap out of the water... Still waiting on a new thermometer and fan .. Nitrite fell off a little and Amonia is O ... Probably do a water change and add my carbon and purigen at the end of the week.. Maybe add some mushrroms or a cheap coral in week or so..

Brand new Skimmer Results not even 24hrs Tunze Rocks!!!...

awesome!!

Day 11

No New addtions.. Skimmer is breakin in nicely.. Almost time for a water change...

Day 12

Still got traces of nitrites.. Going to hold off on water change till I have 0... CUC is still cruisin along no casualties yet.. Starting get alot of pod activaty on the glass.. Along with some Green algae.. I going to keep an eye on this algae.. The CUC seems to be doing a good job on the rocks.. Got my new thermometer and its shows tank temp is between 83-85.. Still too high I've got to come uo with a game plan to get it lower.. I'm starting with a fan.. We'll See....

Day 13

Nothing to report other than Temp is know under control via The fan I have aim at the back chamber..

temp is know between 79-81F w/ lights on and house temp near 80F..

Day 14

1st Water change!!!! Parameters before h2O change.... Amonia 0 , Nitirites 0 , Nitrates 20....
I'm not sure if the skimmer played a role in lowering the nitrates.. But the dropped a little since the last test a few days ago.. IDK.. I'm sure someone knows.. Ok so I changed out 2.5 Gallons (using DI w/ tropic Marin mixed over night), new floss, added some activated carbon and purigen to filtration process.. I will check the water parameters tommorow...

Looking great so far. I'd suggest maybe running some chemi-pure elite if you've got the room. Just a thought.

Great looking tank my gf just picked on up at pacific reef in orange and she got a rippin' deal. It worked out well for both of us because she got a new tank and I got her old one (BC14). I'll be keeping an eye on yours.

Looks great! Good luck!

Thanks!! Yeah I got a great deal on mine as well... Yeah I'll be using some Chemi pure real soon. I have a big thing of carbon that I'll be going through first... Filtration is little tricky when your using the middle chamber for a skimmer.. I'm in the process of coming up with a better filtration scheme.. Utilizing the 2nd and third chambers..

How are you using the 2nd and 3rd chambers for filtration atm?

Right know I am using filter floss in chamber two and I have purigen on one side and carbon on the other side in chambers 3.. I plan on making some custom media baskets and have some cheato in chambers 2 and then have floss and some chemi pure and purigen in chambers 3..

Day 15

Didn't get a chance to check water parameters.. Temp is staying between 79-81... Looks look stable.. I spotted a bristle worm.. I'm not sure if this good or bad.. So many different takes on this.. Don't know what to believe...


Day 16

Ok... So it looks like the tanks on the right track.. Water parameters are 0 Amonia , 0 Nitrates , 5 Nitrates
Water looks nice and clear and The Tunze is skimmin like the machine it is.. Pullin some nasty Brown/Green Gunk out of the water... I i'll countinue to monitor conditions.. Wait till the end of the week do another water change then add a peice...

Very nicely setup. I have sand and water in my tank so far. No liverock yet. How is the Tunze performing on this tank? A fresh photo of the skimmer showing skimate would be appreciated. I am thinking of gettin the same skimmer for my 28G JBJ.

Tunze is the best skimmer I've ever used.. I've only had it on for a week and it's pull'n out some nasty green/ brown crap out of the water.. Took aliitle tweakin to get it just right (ie. water level, air adjustment).. But after that it's been awesome...



Day 17

Everything is the same.. Probably add a coral after a water change next week..

FTS

You're rockwork looks really really nice. Where did you get your rock from?

really diggin your rock scape... did you notice though in the pic you posted above that the slight purple left-center branch looking type rock seems to have a happy face on the upper left stub? haha

-tj

Thanks!!! I got it from a few different sources.. My base rock is just regular figi rock i picked up from my LFS and the rock that is most noticable in the picture is Marshall Island rock (Which is considered the cadiilac of live rock).. Which I picked up from the same place I purchased my tank from http://www.seasidetropicalfish.com/ .. I also got a few peices of tonga branch which I got from Octopus garden in kearny mesa... I'm sure you can find some Marshall Island online somewhere..The pictures don't do it any justice.. I've got all kinds of different color of coralline algae starting to growing (pink, green,purple,blue, red and burgandy) I'm sure the purple will probably dominate.. But I have heard that the red is real common on MI rock.. We'll see...










LOL.... I never noticed that before....




Day 18-20

Ok so I will be doing a H2O change tommorow and have a CPR refugium on it's way... I'm also about to pull the trigger on a vortech pump.. Should I get the mp10 or pony up for the mp20 HHMMMM!!! We'll see... This reefing thing is starting to get expensive.. I don't even have a fish or coral yet..LOL...

Day 21

2nd water change today ( 10% ).. Parameters before change as follows... Amonia 0 , Nitirites 0 , Nitrates 2.5 , PH 8.4 , Alk 2.0 , Cal 400...Water Temp 79 , Salinity 1.025

Getting a vortech mp20... Can't wait for my new pump!!! Tank is really starting to come together... I think with the addition of the new pump for water flow and the refugium for stability.. It should be good to go.. Still tossing around the ides of a chiller.. We'll see...

Day 22

Water parameters are lookin good.. nh3/nh4= 0 , no2=0 , no3=0 , ph=8.4 , Cal=400 , salinity=1.025
I think I'll get a few more cuc tomorrow, Then add some softies maybe some Xenia or some shrooms.. If anyone has some Pulsing Xenia or shrooms they'd like to frag in the SD area that would be sweet.. lmk

awesome first coral woot!!!

Day 24

I picked up a couple of zoas yesterday at my LFS.. The guy also threw in a sun coral frag that was not doing to well at no cost (he said it wouldn't open up at all) Hopefully I can ween it back to health.. I paid $20 bucks for the zoa frags (probably too much, but you gotta support the LFS).. One is green and the other is orange.. I should be able to get pics up later tonight.. My vortech pump is also on the deliver truck as I type... I should have my refugium by the end of the week..

woot!!

Day 25

Got my new Mp20 vortech and Refugium.. The refugium was a little bigger than I anticipated.. But I got it to work with some hoses I had from an old fluval pump in my garage.. I just got done setting it all up.. Forgot my camera at work.. Pics tomorrow..

Hey I am very jealous of your MP20!

Can you make a video clip of the MP20 in action? I would have thought an MP20 was an overkill on a tank this small...and I'd be worried about the wave motion cracking the tank or soemthing!

But, anyway, do post some photos. Following this thread.

Day 26

Sorry I won't be able to make a video clip of the wave action.. it would stir up to much sand.. I turned it just past 1/4 and it was making a sand storm.. It might be aliitle overkill but I figured I'd go BIG.. Just in case I use it on a larger tank down the road.. It works really well ... Not too worried about cracking the tank or anything.. Plenty of people run these pumps on the same tank I have.. Here's a few pics of my new pump and refugium (hopefully the newley added cheato will take care of some of the algae i got building up) ... I'd take a FTS but I just did a water change.. Still alittle cloudy..

Day 27

Didn't get home in time to take a FTS.. The lights were out.. I did take a pic of my Sun Coral... It's starting to come out at night under the moonlights.. Sorry about the lighting I had to take it with my flash on..

Looking good. Keep with the updates.

looking great!! keep us updated

Update 6 Weeks...

Battling Bryopsis Algae... I'am afraid of manually pulling this stuff and spreading it everywhere..This stuff sucks!!! I started dosing Magnesium.. We'll see if this works..

Added some Corals... Xenia frag.. GSP Frag.. Couple Heads of Candy Coral...All my other Corals are doing well... I even have my Sun Coral weened back ..So far so good...

Got a few more CUC.. 3 Peppermint Shrimp..2 Scarlet Herms...

Added Some mud to the Refugium.. Cheato is growing.. But I think it's getting choked out by this Bryopsis...

I'd take a FTS.. But all you would see is my forest of Bryopsis...

Oh no! Do let us know how it goes. Keep up the updates too. Even with the bryopsis...as it may help someone else. Post us a FTS shot too, even with the nuisance algaes present. Would like to see how this turns out.

What magnesium are you dosing?

I have been dosing with Seachem.. I don't have a test kit... I have been raising 75mg a day for the last 4 days.. I am using Tropic Marin Reef Crystals for salt.. After 4 days I noticed the bryopsis weakening.. Turning a clear color.. So I decidied to maually pull most of it out..I will countinue to dose and keep an eye on it for regrowth.

Before


After



FTS

Wow, that is awesome. It has worked! Many thanks for posting that. Do you have any idea as to what your magnesium level got upto? - Assume your mag was same as what the salt manufacturer says on salt bucket..get the idea?

Let us know whether it comes back after you stop dosing magnesum.

looking awesome

Hey Mike, just wondering how the tank is doing? Has all the nuisance algae gone away or are you still manually pulling it out?