PatrickO Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I decided to switch my ADA Mini M tank (5.5g) from planted to nano reef. I've been reading and reading and I think I'm even more confused than when I started. My main issue is what to do with filtration, skimmer, etc. Right now it has an Eheim 2211 canister filter but it seems like no one uses those for small reef tanks. So... Filtration I know live rock does the bulk of the biological filtration. I've seen people using aqua clear hang on backs with chaeto. What is the purpose of chaeto, controlling algae? Could I use my canister filter? What do I need for media? I don't need a skimmer for a tank this size do I? If I use a AC 70 or my 2211 would you still recommend a powerhead? Livestock Will most likely have 1 or 2 small fish, some hermit crabs, couple shrimp maybe nothing too crazy. Any suggestions? Will add corals a few months in when tank is established, not too worried about that yet. The live rock should cycle the tank on its own right, or should I add ammonia? Water changes Where I live I can't really have a RO/DI unit so I will either buy pre made water or RO/DI from the store and mix my own. With my high tech planted tanks I do a 50% change every week. Im assuming I will be doing much less in a reef. 10-20% a week? Am I forgetting anything? Sorry for the long post I'm just trying to do this somewhat right the first time! Heres the tank in its freshwater form Link to comment
Tamberav Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Beautiful planted tank! You can use canister filters, you just have to keep them clean and maintain them. Don't let them turn into a debris trap. There are a few people who use them. You don't need a skimmer on small tanks. Cheato is a place to grow pods and it will help a little with nutrient export. It isn't necessary. Probably don't need extra flow with an AC70. Generally people use, carbon, purigen, some sort of phosphate remover, ect. 10-20% is probably fine. I would buy RODI or distilled and mix my own over premade. Link to comment
PatrickO Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Thanks so much for the info! I'm going to start the tank today. I will pick up an AC70, I've seen somewhere guys cut up the basket and mod it, also cut down on the flow I may do that. I'm going to start with nutri sea water for now if its not too expensive but most likely will just get RO/DI and mix later on. Im going to need RO/DI for daily top offs anyway right? Thanks again. Link to comment
liquid8540 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 To be honest I think an AC70 is way to big for a 5.5gal tank, I have an AC70 on my 10 gal. I would check out the ac50 slightly smaller and may be better for you. Yes you will need the RO/DI for top offs. I do a 10% water change every week with my tank helps import and export bacteria. Link to comment
PatrickO Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 I set it up today, put the AC70 on the side, BARELY fit but it did. Flow seems good, doesn't disturb the sand or anything. Running the stock media that came with it for now. Any suggestions? Purigen, chemi pure maybe? Used live rock and sand so hopefully a smooth cycle. Should I add a source of ammonia or will the live rock do that for me? Thanks again. Link to comment
PatrickO Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 Water is clear now, noticed a little starfish hitchhiker so far. Having been topping off with distilled water. Slowly adding fish food for the cycle but as of today have 0 on all tests. Link to comment
silent1mezzo Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I forgot how much I like the ADA tanks. Your planted tank was gorgeous. I'm excited to see how this turns out! Link to comment
PatrickO Posted August 27, 2014 Author Share Posted August 27, 2014 Got the tank cycled and up and running. Got an InTank basket for the AC70 and am running chemi-pure elite, purigen, and chaeto. Doing 1 gallon water changes on Sundays with nutri sea water. Cant have RO/DI at my apartment. Topping off with distilled water. Tested nitrate today and its at 0. Got my nanobox tide saturday and am loving it so far. Getting diatoms now. Stocking is 1 picasso clown fish, 1 fire shrimp, 1 pom pom crab, 1 yasha goby and a candy cane pistol shrimp. Got a random zoa frag for free from the LFS. Going to add a clean up crew soon, keep up on water changes, and slowly add coral. Link to comment
kimberbee Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Pretty pictures! What a cute little tank! Link to comment
joy13 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Beautiful tank. Only suggestion I have is go slower. Link to comment
Angeles Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Watch that Yasha goby. They do jump. A lot. Great start though! And nice planted tank as well. That is a palynthoa frag, to clarify. Link to comment
TheDude324 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 That is a beautiful tank i love the scape! What did you have in mind as far as a CUC? Link to comment
PatrickO Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 Watch that Yasha goby. They do jump. A lot. Great start though! And nice planted tank as well. That is a palynthoa frag, to clarify. I've read that they can jump, so far he doesn't seem scared of the fire shrimp or the clown at all so hopefully he feels comfortable enough to not go airborne. He's not scared of me walking up to the tank or putting my hands in either. That is a beautiful tank i love the scape! What did you have in mind as far as a CUC? Thank you! Don't know yet for CUC, suggestions? Was thinking maybe 2 hermits and a few snails. Link to comment
TheDude324 Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 I would recommend couple of hermits , couple of cerith snails and like one nassarius snail depending on how much you feed (nassarius don't eat algae) just be aware your hermits will more than likely kill some snails for the shells so have some on had for them to change into Link to comment
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