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Noob, trying to get it right!


joines77

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First saltwater tank!

My first attempt at a reef tank and trying to get it right, I've been doing a lot of research on this forum reading tank builds and using the ever so helpful search button. I've been taking it very slow. It's painful watching an empty tank for the last 3 weeks but I think it's going to payoff.

 

 

IM 25 gal lagoon

Jebeo r4

100w neo-therm heater

2 intank media baskets running filter floss chemipure blue and matrix biomedia

20 lbs dry pukani (did vinegar and bleach bath) a piece of LR for seeding

20 lbs of special grade reef sand

 

Started off cycle with bottle of biospira and have been dosing ammonia

 

Ammonia 0

Nitrite 0

Nitrate 20

 

I did a 50% water change and I'm going to let run for a couple more weeks dosing ammonia every 2 to 3 days to feed bacteria. Hoping to see diatoms soon so I can order a small clean up crew of snails.

 

Wish me luck, suggestions and comments welcome.

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righttirefire

I dig it! Go... slowly. It'll fill up fast and you'll get bored. Lol. Set an absurdly low budget to cover water changes and corals/fish every 3-4. It's hard but it's my experience it's more fulfilling to research and watch grow... get day 1 pictures of corals and fish... you'll be amazed how much stuff grow... and somethings that dont...

 

What are your stocking plans?

 

What is your light?

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I'm not sure weather to go with t5's or led's yet, if I go with led's it will be a nanobox for sure. I also heard a lot of good t5's and really like all the different ati bulb combos. Has far as fish go it will be a specimen tank so will take time to find something really nice.

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righttirefire

I just bought my second nanobox... haven't even set up the first one yet. Is it big enough for t5's? 24"? Species, what kind if species? Personally I love Zoas, Euphyllia, and Montis... and Anenomes are by far my favorite monsters

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Yea 24" ati 6 build would probably do. By specimen tank I mean just one fish Mabey maroon clown or a coral beauty. I will do more research on that to see if one of them would work.

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Pretty damn snazzy! Liking it already.

 

Dimensions, check

 

Scape, check

 

appropriate cycling process, check

 

It sure took you a while tho... Been staring at tanks for over 2 years eh?

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I've been a traveling pipefitter for the last two years living in motels only home temporary. Finally got a home gig and decided to dive in. Hopefully all the reading is going to payoff.

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  • 3 weeks later...
Simulated Fish

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Diatoms stating to show! An order of snails coming very soon!

 

If you haven't picked up you CUC yet I HIGHLY recommend reefcleaners, you couldn't ask for better customer service or livestock.

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If you haven't picked up you CUC yet I HIGHLY recommend reefcleaners, you couldn't ask for better customer service or livestock.

 

That's what I've heard, my only concern is the amount of cleaners he sends. I've seen some of his shipments for small tanks, and they seem like a bit overkill. I just don't want any dying from starvation. So I'll probably just ask for a 5 gal cleaner pack which only contains about 12 snails.

I love the rockwork! Those 25G Lagoons are awesome, I'll be following along here for sure!

Thanks!

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Simulated Fish

That's what I've heard, my only concern is the amount of cleaners he sends. I've seen some of his shipments for small tanks, and they seem like a bit overkill. I just don't want any dying from starvation. So I'll probably just ask for a 5 gal cleaner pack which only contains about 12 snails.

 

Thanks!

I went with the 10g package and he sent me exactly what was listed other than 5-8 more of the little little snails. John knows what tanks need what and won't over supply you with something your tank doesn't need or could handle. Trust me your in good hands!

 

Plus you could always let him. know you don't want and extra and talk to him about your concerns, he is very understands and quick to reply.

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Simulated Fish

Here's a good video to watch about clean up crews :)

 

I am really loving this 160g tank build been following since the start! defiantly full of a bunch of good info.

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  • 1 month later...

I haven't posted in awhile I have been letting the tank cook for the last couple of months. I have added a clean up crew that demolished the diatoms that I had, 3 turbos 2 nassarius 3 hermits and a peppermint shrimp. Over the last three weeks I've added 3 chromis and two clown. I won't be adding any corals until I have the light that I want, which will be a nanobox duo. My next purchase will be a ato and then a quality light. The evaporation rate on the 25 gal lagoon is insane, so a good ato is first on my list. I'm very happy with this tank and no regrets thus far. Thanks to everyone on NR for all the slid advise it's been very helpful to follow all the different builds.

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ATOs are life savers for tanks with evaporation issues. I'm in a similar boat with an open top 40b with an open top 30b sump...

 

So yeah, getting one soon will help ease the top off maintenance up to refilling the reservoir. I use a 10g aquarium as my reservoir and it lasts me about a week, could probably get another day or 2 if I filled it to the rim.

 

Try to feed those chromis a few times per day if you can - they're planktivores so always eating tiny pieces of food in the water column.

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