intr3p1d Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 I officially have my first saltwater tank set up. Yes, it is a nano and yes that kind of scares me because I know they can be harder to maintain and get working.The entire system is 6.25 gallons, with about .7 of a gallon being used as an overflow filter that right now has an enzyme sponge, carbon, and biomax in it. I currently have two small no-name powerheads running at max and each is moving 40gph. With the glass top on and both powerheads running constantly, the water seems to maintain a constant temperature of 78 degrees F.The two LED lamps are 3 watts each and have a pretty decent spectrum, probably enough for zoas and some other basic beginner-level soft corals.I do know I need more live rock and will hopefully be getting some more today.Any advice on filter media, mods, different powerheads/lighting etc? Pics below. Link to comment
PatrickO Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 I recently set my first saltwater up, 5.5G. Its been really stable with chemi-pure elite, purigen, and filter floss, I change the floss weekly. I also grow chaeto in the top chamber of a HOB but I don't think its that necessary as it grows slowly and I always have 0 nitrate and phosphate. Water changes are really easy with tanks this size so that helps keep it stable, I do a gallon a week which is probably a lot at 20% but its easy enough. What corals do you plan to keep? Link to comment
intr3p1d Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share Posted October 26, 2014 Right now I'm planning on zoas (lets face it - we all love fruit loops) , assorted mushrooms, colt and a sarcophyton toadstool. Those I think are the only corals i could successfully raise with these weak lights - but once i upgrade to 2 fluval sea nano led fixtures I'm gonna go for some torch. Just put in my order for a koralia nano powerhead today, so my flow is going to be spot-on \m/ I think im just going to remove the petco cartridges and sandwich the purigen,chemi-pure, and floss between a couple blocks of loose foam and see how that affects the overflow portion of this tank. If I reach my wit's end with making the overflow work for me, I'm going to rip it out and hook up a small-ish canister that I'll service regularly. Link to comment
cju84 Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 With enough live rock, you shouldn't need any external filtration on a tank that size, in all honesty. With weekly water changes, you'll be fine. I'd make sure you have a strong enough powerhead though (grab one of the Koralia's off Amazon). Link to comment
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