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My Reef Tank Story


lostsol95

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I'm a scuba diver and snorkeler, and relish being in the underwater world! I once spent 8 hours a day for 9 days swimming around St. John USVI, with only a dry bag filled with water/sunscreen/protein bars attached to my swimsuit with a fishing line. I love being in the water to say the least. I'm fascinated by coral and everything in the ocean, but my experience usually lasts just a week once every other year or so. What better way to keep the experience going and learn all of the science behind what sustains the earth, than to start my own reef aquarium! After a few weeks of researching equipment, which seemed like forever, I've just taken the plunge and made my first ever reef equipment purchase! I'm brand new to the hobby, so it was a lot of deliberation between not wanting to spend too much, but wanting to get the most out of it.

 

Here's what I ultimately bought:

 

Nuvo Fusion 10

Nano Box Tide M+ (with the storm trooper decals!)

Aqueon 06105 Pro Heaters Submersible Aquarium Heater, 50-Watt

CaribSea Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand, 20-Pound (I know it's too much, but it was the least expensive option)

Red Sea Coral Pro Salt Mix

SunSun JVP-110 528-GPH Wavemaker Pumps (for mixing RODI and salt)

ViaAqua 50-Watt Quartz Glass Submersible Heater with Built-In Thermostat (for mixing RODI and salt)

Salinity Refractometer, Aquarium & Seawater - Dual Scale (1.0 to 1.070 S.G.) by Agriculture Solutions

Atlas 772 L Nitrile Chemical Resistant Gloves (1-Pair), 25", Yellow

KollerCraft TOM Algae Scraper Multi-Tool

 

I still have to purchase...

 

RODI from LFS

Live Rock from LFS

Test kit (still not sure if I need the master kit or just a few tests like Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrites, Alkalinity...)

Super glue gel and putty for the Live Rock

Maybe coral dip solution

A food grade bucket (my buddy suggested the buckets from the local home brew store as to not leech chemicals from the plastic)

 

After tank establishment...

 

Some snails (cleaning crew)

I'd really like a starfish

A single Goby (I don't really want fish because of bioload, but I've been told it's best for the biology of the tank)

Pipette's for spot feeding

Mysis shrimp for food

Tongs

Haven't decided on the coral yet, but I will start simple with polyps, mushrooms and zoanthids. I also really like a Torch and some Frogspawns.

 

I don't think I need a protein skimmer yet, nor a media reactor. The Nuvo comes with the sock filter. I already have a turkey baster and siphon hose.

 

Any comments or advice would be much appreciated.

But please, no one add up what I've spent so far!

 

So now the waiting game. More to come.

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Simulated Fish

Master kits are great!...... While you cycle...

 

I got one for uned $10 bucks at Petco because around here they stopped carrying saltwater. Honestly I used religiously whlie cycling + month afterwards and that is all. Every few weeks I'll run a test just to play it safe but the levels never change, other than Ph from water changes.

 

Ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are going to be damn near constant once you established you biofilter. They are great to have if your having issues but getting that reefmaster kit isn't work the 40 dollar price tag IMO. Get the tests you will really need depending on what livestock you plan to keep. Just my 2 cents.

 

Good luck and welcome to nano-reef! :welcome:

Excited to see what your tank becomes!

 

P.S. Hold off on the goby untell your tank is established, you don't want the little guy to starve!

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Facinating hobby, for sure.

 

Take it slow and steady as you are dealing with a complex, living biotope that requires time to mature.

 

Good luck!

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IronChefItaly

Looks like you're off to a great start and have the right mindset when it comes to bioload. Be aware that 10 gallons is going to be a handful with weekly maintenance to keep the water parameters stable. For your first set up, no one can stress enough the importance of working slow and having patience. Once you have your live rock in place, be sure to monitor salinity, pH and temperature and work on getting those stable before you consider adding any clean up crew or coral. In terms of equipment and tests, keep in mind that simplicity goes a long way.

 

A few of my best resources...

 

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/

https://www.youtube.com/user/BulkReefSupplyCom

Look for local saltwater hobby facebook groups

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@Weetabix7 - Revive it is, thanks!

 

@Hippieheadshot - Yes, I did see that Petco has saltwater things on sale, I'll stop by, thanks! Also, excuse my ignorance, but is the filter sock the biofilter? The sock is just a 'sock', right, nothing in it? The Fusion's no longer come with the 3 stage basket, but I don't know if there's anything else I need to put in. Remember, I'm only going by posts I've read and pictures online :D

 

@IronChefItaly - This tank will sit in my office, so I was limited by size. I'm prepared to do weekly gallon water changes, scrape the algae, mix the RODI/salt, use the refractometer, clean the filter weekly, feed when I get to that point.... Am I missing anything? I'm only going to have an inch of sand, so I'm hoping stirring it up and letting the bad stuff get caught in the filter will be enough for that because I don't know how to get the siphon hose going in such a small tank.

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fishfreak0114

@Weetabix7 - Revive it is, thanks!

 

@Hippieheadshot - Yes, I did see that Petco has saltwater things on sale, I'll stop by, thanks! Also, excuse my ignorance, but is the filter sock the biofilter? The sock is just a 'sock', right, nothing in it? The Fusion's no longer come with the 3 stage basket, but I don't know if there's anything else I need to put in. Remember, I'm only going by posts I've read and pictures online :D

 

@IronChefItaly - This tank will sit in my office, so I was limited by size. I'm prepared to do weekly gallon water changes, scrape the algae, mix the RODI/salt, use the refractometer, clean the filter weekly, feed when I get to that point.... Am I missing anything? I'm only going to have an inch of sand, so I'm hoping stirring it up and letting the substrate get caught in the filter will be enough for that because I don't know how to get the siphon hose going in such a small tank.

The tanks biofilter is the live rock/sand. The filter sock just catches debris so it's not floating around in the water column. Just stirring the sand should be fine, that's what I do, but to start a siphon in that size tank without splashing water everywhere just submerge the end and suck on the other end. But if you don't do it fast enough you get a not so nice mouthful of water lol (I've done that so many times)

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Simulated Fish

@Hippieheadshot - Yes, I did see that Petco has saltwater things on sale, I'll stop by, thanks! Also, excuse my ignorance, but is the filter sock the biofilter? The sock is just a 'sock', right, nothing in it? The Fusion's no longer come with the 3 stage basket, but I don't know if there's anything else I need to put in. Remember, I'm only going by posts I've read and pictures online :D

 

 

The tanks biofilter is the live rock/sand.

To elaborate on what fishfreak said - your biofilter is the most important part of setting up your tank and the reason you cycle.

 

The sand, rock, and even the tubing in your return pump will become home to bacteria. This bacteria is what breaks down nutrients that are in the tank and keep it heathy. The nitrogen cycle will break down ammonia. Here is a good video that explains this natural process.

 

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/aquarium-filtration-biological-nitrogen-cycle/

 

BRS has a great series going on right now with a 160g tank. It is a really solid in depth explanation of many important factors that you should consider and research. (Also don't worry the newer BRS videos are MUCH better then that older nitrogen cycle lol he is a reefer and takes awhile to get comfortable behind that camera!)

 

The most important thing I can say is be patient, rarely in this hobby do good things happen quickly! Keep asking questions and be honest about your limitations. Keep up on your husbandry -Reef keeping tanks dedication especially in the beginning!

 

(Edit: spelling)

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It's funny, but I actually think of a 10g tank as a large, easy tank, lol.

Guess that's why I'm on Nano-Reef.

 

I agree that being patient is very important.

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Marc.The.Shark

Nice start & welcome. There is a lot of good info on here & a bunch of people willing to help. Once you get everything set up(or on the way), make sure to start a build thread in the members tanks area. You will be able to document your progress & ask questions along the way in one spot. Also feel free to look around & comment on others threads, the more people get to know you & see you around the more help & response you'll get to questions.

 

And don't worry, you can definitely have starfish in your tank. I currently have an 8 gallon with two (~5"). Have had them about a year, a serpent and a red brittle star. They mostly hide during lights on, but I can always find them and when food hits the tank they come running! Lol. Once your tank is stable & running for 5-6 months, check out the nano stars @ KP Aquatics, they come in at around 2-3", mine have doubled in size.

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@fishfreak - sounds like a mess waiting to happen!

 

@marc - cool, I look forward to the starfish

 

@Hippieheadshot - nice videos! for my cycle period, I plan to just have the sand, water, and live rock without my sock filter in, so just my pump making the water flow and have the Live Rock absorb as much bacteria it can. I also saw a video saying I should add Seachem Stability instead of a shrimp or food to help the cycle along.

 

Any recommendations for Live Rock? Most of my LFS just have Fiji rock right now, but I'm not sure I want that.

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fishfreak0114

Just did some reading on stability, it's nitrifying bacteria so you'll still need an ammonia source to feed it. That could be a raw shrimp, some fish food or you could dose pure ammonia. That's probably the cleanest way. Just dose it up to 2ppm and once the tank is processing that in 24 hours you can add a CUC. I don't have any live rock recomendations, but for dry rock Marco rock is really porous.

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Just for fun, my brackish desk tank... 4 feet long, 6 inches wide, perfect beach for my female fiddler crab and enough water for my fancy guppy.

post-89951-0-76884300-1450674119_thumb.jpg

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Simulated Fish

@fishfreak - sounds like a mess waiting to happen!

 

@marc - cool, I look forward to the starfish

 

@Hippieheadshot - nice videos! for my cycle period, I plan to just have the sand, water, and live rock without my sock filter in, so just my pump making the water flow and have the Live Rock absorb as much bacteria it can. I also saw a video saying I should add Seachem Stability instead of a shrimp or food to help the cycle along.[/size]

 

Any recommendations for Live Rock? Most of my LFS just have Fiji rock right now, but I'm not sure I want that.[/size]

 

Many reefers love BRS's Pukani.

Http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-pukani-dry-aquarium-live-rock-e1ff36b97044a1c7c73c73e4d27aeba4.html

 

For my new JBJ RL 45 is a toss up between BRS Pukani and -Reef Cleaners rock. Both are great options but I'm leaning towards Pukani because it's EXTREMELY porous rock which is great for a minimalist aquascaping and that's what I'm looking to do. Another nice thing about Pukani is because it is so porous the amount of rock you get is 1.5 - 2 times as much per Lb, also why it's a bit more expensive.

 

Also John at ReefCleaners is AMAZING and will do anything he can to get you the rock you'd like and need for your tank.

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what a cool little ( or not so little) tank.

Just for fun, my brackish desk tank... 4 feet long, 6 inches wide, perfect beach for my female fiddler crab and enough water for my fancy guppy.

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Many reefers love BRS's Pukani.

Http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/brs-pukani-dry-aquarium-live-rock-e1ff36b97044a1c7c73c73e4d27aeba4.html

 

For my new JBJ RL 45 is a toss up between BRS Pukani and -Reef Cleaners rock. Both are great options but I'm leaning towards Pukani because it's EXTREMELY porous rock which is great for a minimalist aquascaping and that's what I'm looking to do. Another nice thing about Pukani is because it is so porous the amount of rock you get is 1.5 - 2 times as much per Lb, also why it's a bit more expensive.

 

Also John at ReefCleaners is AMAZING and will do anything he can to get you the rock you'd like and need for your tank.

 

It's not the first time ReefCleaners was recommended to me, so John must be good!

 

I'd like to find Live Pukani rock. I'll have to shop around and see if anyone is selling it. I think it might be difficult during the holidays.

 

I received my first piece of equipment today.... an algae scraper! LOL!

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Additional musings and questions...

 

- Do I rinse the live sand?

- If I’m using live rock and live sand, is the tank already pretty much cycled (just dose a little ammonia or Microbacter7 like in fishfreak's comments)?

- Do water changes during the cycling period or do I want to keep this building bacteria in there for the cycle?

- If/when I get the diatom/brown algae bloom, does it just go away with regular water changes?

- I’m going to buy extra socks, but with the beginning corals and fish, do I need anything else for filtration like a media basket?

- I’m pretty sure I don’t turn the lights on during the cycling period, but if I do, Blue light grows less algae.

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Additional musings and questions...

 

- Do I rinse the live sand?

- If I’m using live rock and live sand, is the tank already pretty much cycled (just dose a little ammonia or Microbacter7 like in fishfreak's comments)?

- Do water changes during the cycling period or do I want to keep this building bacteria in there for the cycle?

- If/when I get the diatom/brown algae bloom, does it just go away with regular water changes?

- I’m going to buy extra socks, but with the beginning corals and fish, do I need anything else for filtration like a media basket?

- I’m pretty sure I don’t turn the lights on during the cycling period, but if I do, Blue light grows less algae.

 

-Don't rinse the live sand, that would probably kill the bacteria living in the sand. Usually there is a clarifier in the bag that can be used.

-No there is always some sort of cycle, always test to be sure.

-After the cycle yes usually, the bacteria on the rocks start to use up nutrients. Also after the cycle you can do your first water change and this also helps to control diatom blooms.

-You probably don't need to run anything else in the beginning, maybe some carbon or chemi-pure. Later on when your nutrients start to rise you need to worry about GFO/Bio Media, etc...

-FIGHT THE URGE! Turn them on for short periods if you need/want to. But long periods of light will help algae/diatoms bloom.

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One thing to note on diatoms. They feed on silicates. These leach out of newer rock, sand and plastics. They will subside after a time at which point the diatoms will begin to disappear. Don't sweat diatoms, they are temporary.

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So I received the Fusion 10 and Red Sea Coral Pro salt in the mail from Marine Depot. I'm a little annoyed with Marine Depot unfortunately. The tank has been previously opened, you know the cheap tape used to repackage, and even the plastic for the mesh tank top was previously ripped opened to get to the other items packaged within. Also, it's the first time I've bought Red Sea Salt but the lid was half off and there didn't seem to be any type of safety seal on the bucket, but maybe that's just the way Red Sea does it. Oh well, the tank itself seems fine by visual inspection, I'll live with it.

 

The filter sock that comes with the tank seems pretty cheap and I don't want to start on the tank without having a more permanent solution figured out. I don't have any experience with a media basket, nor a filter sock, so I don't know which direction for filtration I should go in. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks

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I would report both things to Marine Depot. With pictures if you took any. The salt should have been sealed and you shouldn't have been a sold an opened unit for full price.

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Marc.The.Shark

^ +1. Red Sea salt has a seal on the outside of the bucket that you have to break. I've purchased from Marine Depot with no issues on salt....mostly.. Usually its the delivery that damages the plastic pail, It's usually 50/50 with me on salt buckets being damaged in transport no matter where I get them from. As long as the inner packaging is still sealed it's fine.

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