Jump to content
inTank Media Baskets

Starting my first 15 gal reef


filekv5

Recommended Posts

Hello, So I decided to start this new hobby. I'm a scuba diver and I just love reef's and decided to keep my own :)

 

Tank: was a 20 gal - 24L x 16H x 12W I modified it a bit, built in a overflow box (my sump and fuge)

15 gal (actual size) 5 gal (overflow sump)

Return pump: is tunze silence, I had to clog the return nozzle because it was a Bit too powerful

The skimmer: Hydor Slim skin nano

Power heads: 2x Hydor Koralia 240 gph

Light : Current USA MARINE ORBIT LED 24-36" 23 Watt 48 Dual Daylight/48 Dual Actinic LEDs, 96 LEDs Total ( I might get the second one it all depends what will I decide to keep )

Heater : Jager 150 W

Salt: Instant Ocean Reef Crystal

Live rock ( well they only had seeded rock :( 7lb

Dry Rock 9lb ( my LFS is not really well stocked)

Live sand: Bio Activ Argonite 20lb (http://www.livesand.com/Aquarium-Sand-for-Saltwater-Aquariums/aquarium-sand-white-sand.html)

 

So That is my setup:

 

 

http://imageshack.com/f/ipnAQjAUj'>nAQjAU.jpg

 

 

 

And the sump, I'm going to cover it with black foil or spray paint it so it doesn't look so ugly. Chamber 1 holds the skimmer, second chamber will hold my poly filter, chemi pure, and some phosguard, then there is my pico refugeum where i threw small piece of LR and will add Cheato algae and then the return pump. I know I did a butcher's job on the silicone <_<

 

 

zeNvv2.jpg

 

So This is already day 2 of the cycle. I added 60 ml of One and Only DrTim's Aquatics nitrifying bacteria to help start off whatever was on the seeded live rock.

So far I tested my water and here is what I got:

Ph: one meter says 8.5 but the other says 7.9 I will have to calibrate them better but I believe the second one more so I would say ph of 8.0

Salinity: 1.024

Amonia 0 (testet with elos test kit - have to admit they are really nice)

Nitrate 0 (tested with elos)

Nitrite 8ppb (hana checker)

Phosphate 0.25ppm (hanna)

Alkalinity 200 [11.2dhk] (hanna)

Calcium 490ppm (hanna)

 

So I'm waiting for that amonia spike, so far I can't tell that the cycle started :blink: The sand said instant bacteria add fish right away, but I'm a skeptic I know I need to build the ecosystem.

For now that is all, Post any comment's ideas and Tips. Thanks

Link to comment

If you have not already bought that light..... DON'T!!!!!!

 

Koralia 240 gph are pretty weak... I would get the next size up if you haven't already purchased them.

Link to comment

Well, I already got everything bought and set up. What is wrong with the light? I have seen pretty good reviews from people. I know it wont handle any sps but other than that should be fine.

For the powerheads yea they are not the strongest but I was hoping they will be fine for a small tank like this. They ware pretty cheap so I might upgrade if need be.

Thank you for the Input, I will think about the lights

Link to comment

Well, I already got everything bought and set up. What is wrong with the light? I have seen pretty good reviews from people. I know it wont handle any sps but other than that should be fine.

For the powerheads yea they are not the strongest but I was hoping they will be fine for a small tank like this. They ware pretty cheap so I might upgrade if need be.

Thank you for the Input, I will think about the lights

 

It's not too bad of a light for a shallow tank. There are just some other options out there to consider at around the same price range that wouldn't limit you on what you could keep.

 

No worries!

 

That AIO compartment is pretty slick!

Link to comment

Thanks, just wish I had done a better job with silicone, should have used masking tape, but I started all wrong and glues the black divider first. After that I realized I dont have that much space to work with : ) I think I am going to add some more live rock like a branch maybe because the left upper section looks a little too empty. Even though the tank is empty I just like to sit there and stare at it : )

 

BTW: Does anyone know how to code the links to imageshac pictures right? I tried but couldnt do it and I dont like that you have to click on the link : /

Link to comment

Thank you so much Ninjamyst. Apparently Imageshack wants you to pay $3.99 a moth if u want big image links, but I just changed the size myself in the code and its free :P

Thanks again

Link to comment

So it is day 12, just wanted to make a quick update:

amonia: 0

Nitrate 1

Nitrite 30

Alkalinity 9.07dkh

phosphate 0.07

Salinity 1.026

ph 8.07

calcium 448

 

Never seen any amonia spike, But I'm guessing its because of the live sand and the whole bottle of Dr. Tim one and only bacteria I added. I added a piece of shrimp to the tank at day 6, and have been ghost feeding the tank with some flakes after that to keep the bacteria population alive since there is no bio load.

 

Added some black background to hide the cables as well as covering the side of the overflow that was visible from the front.

XTNlUT.jpg

 

Added the chemi pure elite, some phosguard and some poly filter. My phosphates ware going high at 0.48ppm after adding phosguard next day it was down to 0.07 this stuff works like a charm

 

lz9a9Q.jpg

 

Started to run the protein skimmer, I like how quiet it is : )

Lqzxtq.jpg

 

 

So even though I never saw the amonia spike, it looks like I'm having the nitrite spike, so all that's left now is to wait for it to turn into nitrate and then do my water change.

 

The clean up crew I'm planning to get is as follows:

 

scarlet_hermit_c_4e7f2b6dbf345_120x120.j

 

1

Scarlet Hermit Crab*

blue_leg_hermit__4fec45d15253f_120x120.j

1

Blue Leg Hermit Crab*

emerald_ruby_mit_4f933cc9be335_120x120.j

1

Emerald/Ruby Mithrax Crab*

dwarf_cerith_4f92cfd84b682_120x120.jpg

3

Dwarf Cerith

florida_cerith_4f933e2eecc48_120x120.jpg

2

Florida Cerith

nassarius_vibex_4effa007789ac_120x120.jp

2

Nassarius Vibex

nerite_snails__l_4ec4356fc93a92_120x120.

4

Nerite Snail

pods__4e7f2bd033058_120x120.jpg

1

Pods+

zig_zag_periwink_4f93401b86a39_120x120.j

2

Zig Zag Periwinkles


e590fcef99b7c9dd44d112ea4bda78ed8_120x12

1

Chaeto

Link to comment

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recommended Discussions

×
×
  • Create New...