AirickD's First Reef Adventure

[AirickD]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm about to start my first nano reef tank! I had a 20 gallon long freshwater tank for several years until an extended power outage this past winter wiped out all the inhabitants. Well now I have a backup generator and have made the decision to try my hand at a mini-ocean.

 

The location of the tank doesn't allow for a remote sump so I plan on using a hang-on-back refugium as a sump. I plan on keeping mostly softies and no high-light corals with two clownfish and possibly one other fish. What can cohabitate with clowns in a 20 gallon tank?

 

I've researched quite a bit but I'm still new to reefing so any input from you guys is much appreciated.

 

Planned equipment list to follow!

[AirickD]

Here is what I plan on using so far in no particular order...

 

*2 Hydor koralia nano 240 powerheads

*smartwave wavemaker as long as the powerheads don't click too bad

*Medium 19 inch aquafuge2 HOB refugium

*Medium 16 inch Aquafuge light

*Aquafuge light stands

*2 100w Eheim jager heaters

*20g long tank

*Marineland reef capable LED light

*Reef Octopus NS-80 nano skimmer

*Reefkeeper Lite Plus controller

*Reef crystals salt

*API test kit

*Dry base rock

*Spectrapure RODI unit

*25% weekly water changes

 

I'm not sure whether to go with a shallow sand bed or bare bottom. I like the look of sand but like the easy maintenance of BB. Thoughts?

 

I don't want to put anything "live" in the tank to avoid any unwanted pests. I don't mind waiting longer for the tank to mature or cycle. Maybe I can put in my own beneficial hitchhikers?

 

Does this seem like a decent start for my nano reef? Suggestions?

 

Thanks for reading!

[AirickD]

Here's the empty tank with a fresh coat of black paint

[AirickD]

And the RO/DI unit plugging away while I wait for goodies in the mail

[alex0012]

Have you used tried out the 240s yet? Do they seem powerful enough?

[owenj]

I'm looking to get back into reefing & thinking about using that same HOB fuge. Let us know how you like it.

[AirickD]

The 240's should be delivered this week (as well as most everything else on my list). I hope to be cycling after this weekend and I'll definitely let you guys know my thoughts of the powerheads and refugium once the water starts flowing.

[alex0012]

Small gobies co-inhabit well with clowns. I have 2 ocellaris clowns and 1 neon goby in my 24g.

[AirickD]

Small gobies co-inhabit well with clowns. I have 2 ocellaris clowns and 1 neon goby in my 24g.

I love the personality of neon gobies. Would a watchman goby/pistol shrimp combo be ok with clowns?

[alex0012]

IMO I don't think it would be a problem. Both species of fish are relatively peaceful just make sure you get a female/male combo of clowns to lower the aggressiveness.

[Viking]

I have 2 Clowns and a Bangai Cardinal, They are all best buds

[AirickD]

Everything finally arrived! Heres a shot of the aquascape

 

http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/airickd/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140719_211242-1_zpsvk55pzmx.jpg.html'>

[AirickD]

Top down into the HOB sump.

 

 

 

Theres plenty of room for the skimmer, 2 heaters, temp probe, and ph probe and keeps it all out the display tank. Only a small Rio feed pump is visible in the tank but it blends fairly well with the background. The overall quality seems great and it gives decent flow with minimal noise or splashing.

[AirickD]

My only issue thus far has just been a question of temperature. When the Reefkeeper shows 78 my other thermometer shows almost 80. Which should I trust?

 

http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/airickd/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140719_211401-1_zpsfqngyi0h.jpg.html'>

 

[alex0012]

Looking good. Can't wait to see when you add the livestock. What are you planning on keeping in there?

[owenj]

Nice rockscape. Is this a 20 long? I'm guessing so based on the shape. Wish I could fit the Aquafuge on my tank but there definitely isn't enough space along the back. Yours looks sweet though.

 

Can't help you on the thermometers. Given the close discrepancy it'd be hard to accurately test them, & you're probably fine since both temps are in an acceptable range.

[AirickD]

Looking good. Can't wait to see when you add the livestock. What are you planning on keeping in there?

Thanks. Thinking about having a pair of clowns and a watchman goby/pistol shrimp pair. The clean up crew will be mostly cerith and nassarius snails. Not sure on any hermit crabs yet. As for corals I plan on only softies/ low light polyps. Frogspawn, torch, hammer, GSP...

 

Nice rockscape. Is this a 20 long? I'm guessing so based on the shape. Wish I could fit the Aquafuge on my tank but there definitely isn't enough space along the back. Yours looks sweet though. Can't help you on the thermometers. Given the close discrepancy it'd be hard to accurately test them, & you're probably fine since both temps are in an acceptable range.

Thanks. Yes the tank is a 20 long. I actually purchased 2 different 99 cent thermometers and they both read right at 78 along with the reefkeeper, so I think I can trust it now.

[AirickD]

My dKH is off the charts! 17+. Should I be worried or is this normal during a cycle? All that is in the tank so far is RODI water, reef crystals salt, dry rock, play sand, and the surfactant-free ammonia ive been dosing to cycle. PH started at 8.2 then dropped to 7.8 and has been there a couple days now.