NannerPudding's Homesick Tank ("Florida" Hardbottom Reef) New Critters!

[NannerPudding]

This may not be the typical reef build thread but I'm hoping it works. This post will be updates as things happen.

I had the pleasure of growing up in Florida and going to college in South Florida only a few miles from the beach. Which spoiled me a lot! I now live nowhere near the ocean and miss it terribly. I'd need to either spend the better part of a day in a car or fly to get to the ocean. So I figured I'd bring it to me.

I have flirted with making a saltwater tank for a long time but have never felt confident enough to take the plunge. I am seriously good at not having successful tanks. But I miss the ocean and want a little piece of it. Not a typical reef, but something to remind me of where I grew up and went to college.

Tank:

20L

Plan:

Pretty much going for a hardbottom reef look with Florida/Carribean inhabitants. This means lots of gorgs with some sponges (maybe), macros, brain corals, and some rics (because why not) as far as corals go. Sort of a display fuge type look. I'm trying to stock with plausible inhabitants that theoretically could be located there. Most of the display fuge/seahorse tanks I have seen on here are inspiration.

 

See link for a better description: (https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/SouthFlorida/coral/Communities.html)

Stocking Plans (*very* tentative):

* 1 Swissguard Basslet or Blackcap Basslet

* 1 Ocellaris Clown (maybe. The boyfriend wants a Fish That Shall Not Be Named in the tank )

* 1 Sixline Wrasse (wrong area but I really like them)

Gorgs, Rics and Macros. Maybe some open brain corals to liven it up. I don't plan on any SPS but I *might* go for some chalices. I don't actually like acans or zoas (gasp) so I doubt I'd go that direction. I might risk a sponge or two, but not sure how much luck I will have. It should be a pretty nutrient dense setup so it might work.

 

Current Inhabitants

 

* Pygmy Angelfish

* Yellow Clown Goby

* Florida Cerith (hitchhiker)

Filtration:

* 2 Hydor Koralia Nano 240 GPH circulators
* API super clean 30 with surface skimmer

Lighting:

Current USA Orbit Marine LED 24" to 36"


Any input is appreciated, good or trying to talk me out of things. I have done research, but let's be honest I have no idea what I am doing.

[NannerPudding]

Tank stand is set up and tank is chilling dry on top of it. Water movement is mostly going to be supplied by 2 Hydro Koralia Nanos with a HOB filter for a little extra movement and ability to run carbon and whatnot. I am debating going between an Aquaclear and this new API Superclean HOB I discovered. The API filter has a surface skimmer built in which is super handy. I am not planning on adding a refugium now but having the AC would leave me the option to mod it into one. Tough decisions....

 

 

Before I order my LR from KP Aquatics I need to settle on a light. I am planning on growing some macros in the display as well as gorgs, softies, and some of the lower light LPS corals (maybe). Torch corals are super cool to me. I have 0 intention to grow sps coral. I am leaning towards LED but am baffled by the choices. I really don't want to mess with DIY until I understand lighting and can actually wire it properly. Any suggestions?

[NannerPudding]

And we are wet! I am letting everything run to see if we have any issues. I am going to pop a black background on it here in a little bit. My light and second Koralia nano should be here Wednesday. Also put in for 20 lbs. of uncured LR from KP aquatics. Got 30 lbs of generic oolite aragonite sand to go in once the LR is scaped. Exciting times are ahead!

[NannerPudding]

So I am about to get my first inhabitants! Yes, I know I don't even have LR yet, but the tank has been running for a few days. That means it is cycled, right?

 

Without further ado, here they are

 

 

 

Bet I scared you, huh?

 

 

[NannerPudding]

I got my LR, light, refractometer, and second Koralia nano today!!!! It's like Christmas come early. I know a lot of people don't necessarily like the light I bought but I am super pleased so far. It is easy to control and time, is super bright, and was dirt cheap on Amazon. My tank is shallow and the light is very near the water so I should be good lighting wise until I upgrade to a much bigger tank.

The LR from KPA is awesome. It was really well packed and was covered in coraline. I see little bits of what look like gorgs and macros clinging to the rocks too. So far my hitchhikers include a very alive cerith snail and a ton of teeeeny worms. I am pretty sure they aren't the bad kind of bristle worm. I would be very happy if I had a mantis. A pest to some, but I would love a little dedicated mantis tank. I have a spare 4 gallon Evolve that would make a little mantis quite happy. The rock smelled good, like a jetty versus dead fish. I shipped it overnight so there shouldn't be too bad of die-off.

I am pretty happy with the scape so far. Any input is appreciated! The water is still pretty cloudy from the sand. I need to get a turkey baster to clean off the rocks.

 

[NannerPudding]

We are cycling. Had .5 ppm of ammonia last night and tonight it was 2 ppm. 0s still for Nitrite and Nitrate. My salinity is low and so I will be carefully topping off with saltwater to get it where it needs to go. I have made a diy trap for the popping critter so hopefully its identity will be revealed! Only good hitchhikers for now it seems.

[Orangutran]

Do the pirate ship!!! lol

[NannerPudding]

It appears the cycle is done, ordering my reef cleaners crew today. Got to figure out what other critters I want!

[NannerPudding]

And the fish are in! So far I have a teeny yellow clown goby and a pygmy angelfish. Not sure what the other stock will be

[gena]

Lovely tank! I really like your rockscape. I love your plans for this and look forward to seeing this filled with gorgonians. I think you need more pictures .

[NannerPudding]

I do need more pictures! Obligatory bad cellphone shots of the feeesh. The clown goby you can barely see peeking out accusingly from the rocks. I have a new 'scape (easier to work with, more caves) that I need to photograph when the lights are back on.