Occult Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Hi guys, After purchasing my mini-bow over a year ago, I've been meaning to turn it into a nano-reef for the longest time. As of 2 days ago, I finally did. This is my first attempt at a saltwater tank, after numerous years of keeping freshwater. My equipment is: 7 Gal Mini-Bow (Kinda obvious) 2x40 Watt Current Orbit AC500 modded for refug (with a 13 watt lighting) A minijet 404 10 lbs of live rock 10 lbs of live sand My water params are: Temp: 80.8 F PH: 7.87 s.g.: 1.029 (Never using a hdyrometer again) Ammonia: 0.5 ppm Nitrite: 2 ppm Alk: 13 dkh Calcium: 430 ppm So right now my biggest issue is trying to get my salinity down. I already did a 10% water change, but I don't know what else I can do. Also I wouldn't mind any comments on my aquascape. Link to comment
Littleoceans Posted May 8, 2004 Share Posted May 8, 2004 Cool- looks good Welcome aboard..... LO Link to comment
harbingerofthefish Posted May 9, 2004 Share Posted May 9, 2004 as far as salintiy, add fresh water...thin out whats in the tank. Then make up a few batches of SW and test to see the SG of it. as far as aqua scaping...i have a 7 bow and I need more rock. Sure your going to add more when you get corals etal...but you might want to go ahead and ad more now just so that it will cycle witht the rest. of course, ignore that if you want more of a look that you currently have. Link to comment
Occult Posted May 9, 2004 Author Share Posted May 9, 2004 Thanks for the warm welcome, I added freshwater as you recommeded, and now my s.g. is at 1.026, so all is good for now. It concerns me that my ph is a bit low. I heard it was normal for it to drop during cycling, can anyone confirm that? I kinda like the open look of my nano, and honestly given my budget I don't think I could afford to put in more. I'm also glad that there's almost no smell, that kind of worried me. Link to comment
harbingerofthefish Posted May 9, 2004 Share Posted May 9, 2004 Not a clue on the pH thing. sorry. I can feel your pain on the funds issue. Except for the rock I initially started out with, I haven't added any large pieces since. Kinda pricey locally and ordering a bunch doesn't work if I only need a few peices. I did find a coupon in the paper for one of my LFS. But 1# get 1 free. Yee Haw! well kinda. Thier price is $8 a pound. But now it's $4 a pound, so I need to run up there and get some before some one grabs it all. Link to comment
Chris687 Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 Yeah I agree I had the same problem...Refactometers are way better....Your aqua scaping in looking great.... Off to a great start.... Link to comment
Chris687 Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 With your salinty you can bring it down with making small very small water changes with RO water and keep checking the SG levels it until it reaches the point that you want it... I wouldn't worry to much about doing it gradually since there is no live stock in your tank...But, its always good to practice the safe way.... Good luck... Link to comment
Occult Posted May 11, 2004 Author Share Posted May 11, 2004 Yeah I love my new refractometer. I believe I already mentioned that I brought the s.g. down to 1.026, so I believe I'm good there. My PH is climbing up now, and is at 7.96, my ammonia is barely noticeable but my nitrites are off the chart. I'm starting to see white specks floating around in the water, and some brown stuff form on the sides of the glass (diatom?). I haven't seen any signs of life, which worries me a bit, but I'm attributing that to the cycling. Anyway thanks for the advice. Link to comment
Chris687 Posted May 11, 2004 Share Posted May 11, 2004 No problem...Just sit back and let the cycle begin. I wouldn't worry about testing your water conditions for about atleast a week and half. I would go ahead and watch the SG level though... I like running it at 1.024 so it has room if there is a mishaps. goes up or down.... And my corals seem to like it... It sounds like you have everything under control...Good Job... Don't worry about the life coming out in your rocks....You might see some you might not....I don't notice too much of anything comming out of my LR....excecpt for the occasional hitchhickers.... Link to comment
Occult Posted May 20, 2004 Author Share Posted May 20, 2004 Well thanks finally cycled, and I managed to get my hand on a few frags. Here's my new mushroom Link to comment
Occult Posted May 20, 2004 Author Share Posted May 20, 2004 Here's another one, not quite sure what it is, but I got a feeling it's a xenia. Of course my newbiness causes me to be wrong sometimes. Link to comment
Occult Posted May 20, 2004 Author Share Posted May 20, 2004 And here's a shot of them both, haven't decided where to place them yet. I know it might seem like nothing special to you guys, but I can't help but get excited. Now all I have to do is improve on my photography skills Link to comment
HobokenAddict Posted May 21, 2004 Share Posted May 21, 2004 Where are you located in NYC? Link to comment
Occult Posted May 21, 2004 Author Share Posted May 21, 2004 Yeah I found out it was Capnella, boy do I feel silly. Hoboken, I live in Brooklyn actually, out by the bay. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.