Mackerel Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Here is the tank after 4 weeks of initial setup. During this time, I've added few drops of pure ammonia to get a 2 ppm reading on the API test kit. Within 24 hours, ammonia came down to 0 ppm. I also had an increase in nitrate indicating the tank had adequate bio filtration to sustain small amount of life. After a 90% water change, I went out and bought one Cerith snail and one Nessarius snail. I also bought a GSP colony. I hope I did not add this guy too quickly. It seems to be doing well so far. Closer view of the GSP: If my GSP continues to grow and look healthy, I will be buying some mushrooms for my next coral. I also decided not to put any fish into this tank. I am still new to all of this, so any suggestions and advice will be invaluable and much appreciated. Link to comment
k4ndyk1ng Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Why this thing posted twice? Lol Link to comment
Mackerel Posted July 26, 2015 Author Share Posted July 26, 2015 Oops sorry I moved it from Members Aquariums to Pico Reefs sub forum. This is the official one! Link to comment
ndrobey Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 You will need to test for nitrates, and keep them below 10 ppm. Link to comment
k4ndyk1ng Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 You will need to test for nitrates, and keep them below 10 ppm. pretty much, the softies can handle anything but nitrates Link to comment
Mackerel Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 Yes. I will be closely monitoring nitrate levels to ensure that GSP is in a safe and happy place. Result from 10 minutes ago: Link to comment
Mackerel Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 I'd like to point out that I'm using 1 gallon jugs of distilled water from Walmart to make my saltwater and to top off evaporation. I'll probably buy a RO/DI unit soon to save money in the long term. Link to comment
k4ndyk1ng Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 get an rodi unit, it will make your life easier. if those are api test kits, bin htem and get salifert or something along those lines and good luck and enjoy the hobby also are you planning any fish and what are your future plans on corals? and what light you using? Link to comment
Mackerel Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 For lighting, I'm using Mean Well ELN-60-27D dimmable driver with 3 CREE royal blues and 3 cool whites. I got all the parts from rapidled.com Here are some pictures: I still need to hang the heat sink. It's currently supported by two wooden bars that are on the tank. Link to comment
Mackerel Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 get an rodi unit, it will make your life easier. if those are api test kits, bin htem and get salifert or something along those lines and good luck and enjoy the hobby also are you planning any fish and what are your future plans on corals? and what light you using? Thanks! I don't think I'll be adding any fish into this tank. For my next coral, i'll be getting some mushrooms. After that, a Toadstool leather. Link to comment
Mackerel Posted August 3, 2015 Author Share Posted August 3, 2015 *Update: I added more corals! Some Xenia stalks and a single mushroom polyp. The LFS was selling each for 5 bucks They are small frags but appear substantial in my tank. I also borrowed a DSLR from my dad. Here are some amateur pictures: FTS with powerhead on: With powerhead off: Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 *Update: I added more corals! Some Xenia stalks and a single mushroom polyp. The LFS was selling each for 5 bucks They are small frags but appear substantial in my tank. I also borrowed a DSLR from my dad. Here are some amateur pictures: FTS with powerhead on: DSC_1382.JPG With powerhead off: DSC_1384.JPG DSC_1385.JPG DSC_1386.JPG DSC_1387.JPG Looks awesome! seems like you have everything going perfectly- cycled properly, very careful with choices, etc. I think MAYBE you should get a single small fish to keep movement in the tank haha Link to comment
Mackerel Posted August 3, 2015 Author Share Posted August 3, 2015 Looks awesome! seems like you have everything going perfectly- cycled properly, very careful with choices, etc. I think MAYBE you should get a single small fish to keep movement in the tank haha Thanks! I really want this tank to look stunning. Hopefully something like El Fab's legendary JBJ Picotope I am thinking about adding a yellow clown goby the same time I mod the AC 110 into a refugium. I dont think that'll be any time soon though. Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Thanks! I really want this tank to look stunning. Hopefully something like El Fab's legendary JBJ Picotope I am thinking about adding a yellow clown goby the same time I mod the AC 110 into a refugium. I dont think that'll be any time soon though. An AC110 on a 5g? NICE! Haha Only thing is Gobys love to jump out of a tank and shrivel on the floor. You might have a to make (or get made) a mesh lid Link to comment
Mackerel Posted August 3, 2015 Author Share Posted August 3, 2015 An AC110 on a 5g? NICE! Haha Only thing is Gobys love to jump out of a tank and shrivel on the floor. You might have a to make (or get made) a mesh lid Yes haha. I know, the AC 110 is huge! but the length of the AC 110 (13.5 in.) is a little under the length of my tank (~16 in.). It will fit nice and snug. One of the main reasons I want the AC 110 is that It holds more than 1 gallon of water. That gives my system more than 20% increase in overall water volume! I still need to figure out how to drastically reduce the flow of the HOB filter and if it will put too much load on the back pane of the tank. Overall, It seems like a feasible DIY project. I'll definitely post pics when I get around it. That's good to know. I'll make sure to get a mesh lid as well. Link to comment
PicoSavvy Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 You can reduce the flow by cutting some of the fin out of the propeller. But man a ac 110 on a 5 gallon. Crazy. It has the same capacity as my sump. Link to comment
Mackerel Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 Now that few corals are in the tank, I am in the process of moving it into my room. (It is currently downstairs in the basement.) I gathered scraps of 3/4 inch plywood from the garage and built a simple stand. Here are some pictures: Stand after a single coat of stain and polyurethane: Link to comment
Mackerel Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 The tank is now in my room. Link to comment
Mackerel Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 I still need to figure out how to hang the heat sink. How should I go about doing this? Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 I still need to figure out how to hang the heat sink. How should I go about doing this? Are there holes? Drill 2 holes in the fins and make a small hang mount? Link to comment
chemikalzsky Posted August 5, 2015 Share Posted August 5, 2015 Nice stand. That matches perfectly. Link to comment
Mackerel Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 Are there holes? Drill 2 holes in the fins and make a small hang mount? Luckily the heat sink is already designed for a y shaped hanging kit which I own. For the hang mount, I initially planned on using an electrical conduit but the conduit bender itself costs 40 bucks. Are there any other thinner rods from Home Depot that I can use? Link to comment
Mackerel Posted August 5, 2015 Author Share Posted August 5, 2015 Nice stand. That matches perfectly. Thanks! Link to comment
Mackerel Posted August 6, 2015 Author Share Posted August 6, 2015 Xenia is growing very fast! Almost as if it's trying to grab the GSP. Link to comment
Mackerel Posted August 8, 2015 Author Share Posted August 8, 2015 Finally made a light hanger. It is made from 1/2" copper tubing. I also spray painted it black to match the heat sink. Link to comment
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