Double Arch: IM 20G Fusion - Upgrade in Progress

[caas1496]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to the forum and new to the hobby. This is my first attempt at keeping a saltwater reef tank so I'm sure I will need lots of advice along the way.  The tank was started on 9/7/2018 so it has been running for just over a week. Currently my setup is...

 

Equipment:

• 20G IM Nuvo Fusion
• Orbit Marine Pro LED (Dual Fixtures) with Ramp Controller
• 75W Jager Trutemp Heater
• Tunze Turbelle Nanostream 6015 Powerhead
• 2X Spin Stream Nozzles
• Chaetomax Refugium Light
• Digital Thermometer

 

Rock and Sand:

• 20 lbs live sand - Arag Alive West Caribbean Reef
• 20 lbs Liferock Dry Rock
• 2 lbs Live Rock (from LFS)

 

Macro Algae:

I purchased a clump of Chaeto from the local fish store for the refugium and got a couple a freebies buried inside. I believe they are Red Razor Bryothamnion and Gracilaria Hayi.

 

FTS (9/10/18) :

I am still playing with the settings on the ramp controller. If anyone wants to share their recommendation for a good light cycle on the Orbit Marine Pro that would be great.

 

 

I look forward to sharing my progress and documenting the evolution of this tank.

[Christopher Marks]

Welcome to the community @caas1496! I really like the aquascape you've made for your nano reef, lots of interesting features with the two arches and that great cave on the left.

 

You're clearly off to a good beginning, what kind of livestock have you been researching to add to your system?

[ReefCap]

I really like the rock work aquascape! Great job!

[Clown79]

Welcome🙂

 

Great looking aquascape

[caas1496]

I haven't decided on a plan for fish yet but I am very interested in keeping a wide variety of inverts. I am considering:

• Snails (Nerites, Ceriths, Nassarius)
• Zig Zag Periwinkles
• Emerald Crab
• Conch
• Blue Tuxedo Urchin
• Blue Leg Hermit Crab
• Brittle Star
• Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

If there are any other great inverts for nano tanks that I should consider I would love to have suggestions.  I would like to have as much biodiversity in my tank as possible. 

 

On another note, my cycle is progressing and I am not sure if I should do a water change as the Nitrates are getting very high. I dosed ammonium hydroxide to get my cycle started and my parameters are now at:

 

Ammonia: 1.5 ppm

Nitrite: 1-2 ppm 

Nitrate: 50-100 ppm

 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

[Clown79]

Waterchange is done qt the end of the cycle.

 

Size of waterchange is determined by nitrate levels.

 

If very high 80-100% is needed

[caas1496]

The tank has been running for a little over two weeks now and I am anxiously awaiting the end of the cycle.

 

Parameters on 9/24/18

Ammonia: 0

Nitrite: 0.05

Nitrate: 50-100

Salinity: 1.023

 

While I wait for the tank to cycle I have been testing out some custom light mounts to raise the lights a little further from the water level. I think this will provide a little bit more even spread from the two fixtures.  Below is a picture of what the new mounts look like currently. I am still experimenting with the mounts and may change a few things and make a new set.

 

[Clown79]

Very cool mounts. Did you make them?

 

You're almost done cycling! Fun time begins soon.

 

If you are planning corals, I would increase the salinity to 1.025.

[Reeferadicto13]

Welcome!

nice aquascape,. For the cleanup crew I’ll recommend snails only , IME hermit crabs like to kill the snails for their shell

[121a]

Your rockwork is very cool, love the open cave! Like Clown79 said, if you want to keep corals, you may want to increase salinity to 1.025. You can either do it as part of your next water or simply top off evaporated water with salt water instead of fresh. 

[caas1496]

11 hours ago, Clown79 said:

Very cool mounts. Did you make them?

 

You're almost done cycling! Fun time begins soon.

 

If you are planning corals, I would increase the salinity to 1.025.

Thanks Clown79. Yes, I made the mounts. They are 3D printed.

 

11 hours ago, Reeferadicto13 said:

Welcome!

nice aquascape,. For the cleanup crew I’ll recommend snails only , IME hermit crabs like to kill the snails for their shell

I have read that if I provide extra shells I can be sucessful with hermits. Is this true? I am really interested in keeping some. Especially blue leg hermits. Anyone have tips for keeping hermits peacefully with snails or specific species to avoid?

 

I will work on increasing the salinity to 1.025 with my top offs and upcoming water change at the end of the cycle. 

 

Thanks everyone for the advice!

[Acetabularia-less]

I can't comment on the blue leg hermits, but I have had good luck with my scarlet reef hermits leaving snails alone. They seem to prefer the cerith-style long and narrow shells and ignore the trochus-style conical shells as homes.  Your LSF will probably be able to supply bulk empty shells to scatter around  your tank if they decide to move house. That combined with keeping them will fed might be enough to get them to ignore snails. Maybe others have had different experiences with the blue legs though. 

[caas1496]

Just found this guy in my tank. Looks like a bristle worm to me. From what I have read these guys are good for the sand bed. Just wanted to get a second opinion before I set him free again in my tank. Friend or foe?

[falcooo]

Amazing start with the rocks! It looks great. I can't wait to see once you start adding livestock. And to chime in on your invert ideas, a pistol shrimp and goby combo is a really entertaining pair.

[caas1496]

It has been a busy week  with the tank. Earlier this week my test kits showed zero ammonia, zero nitrites, and a whole lot of nitrates. I did a number of water changes to reduce the nitrates in preparation to get my first fish. I am also seeing the start of a diatom bloom so I will be adding a CUC soon. Yesterday I added my first fish, a Tailspot Blenny!

 

  

[Reeferadicto13]

Cool little guy!!

what other fishes u have in mind?

[caas1496]

 Since the last post I have been adding corals and have also added a cleaner shrimp (Jacque) and a picasso percula clownfish (Samson) to the tank. I am trying to get some decent coral pictures that I can post with an updated list of the livestock in the tank. For now here is a new FTS and a picture of Samson!

 

FTS: 10/28/18

[caas1496]

On 9/30/2018 at 2:35 PM, Reeferadicto13 said:

Cool little guy!!

what other fishes u have in mind?

Reeferadicto, I am hoping to also add a goby pistol shrimp pair at some point. The goby will probably be my last fish.

[ReefCap]

That clown is tiny!!! I had to do a double take, I thought you got a bigger tank because that little guy is so small he makes the tank look huge!

 

Great looking TSB as well!

 

For the goby look at the Randall's watch man goby or Dracula goby (if your budget allows). 

[vlangel]

Great looking tank and scape.  Lots of rock will help with biological filtration and keeping the tank more stable.  Cool light mounts too.  Can you make them in black?

[caas1496]

7 hours ago, ReefCap said:

That clown is tiny!!! I had to do a double take, I thought you got a bigger tank because that little guy is so small he makes the tank look huge!

 

Great looking TSB as well!

 

For the goby look at the Randall's watch man goby or Dracula goby (if your budget allows). 

The clown is tiny and it wasnt even the smallest one they had at the LFS! 

3 minutes ago, vlangel said:

Great looking tank and scape.  Lots of rock will help with biological filtration and keeping the tank more stable.  Cool light mounts too.  Can you make them in black?

Thanks vlangel. I could make them in black but I would need to get some black filament for the 3D printer. White was what I had on hand. 

[caas1496]

A lot has changed in the tank so I figured it was time to post a new FTS. I recently got a pair of Hi Fin Red Banded Gobies who seem to be doing well. A more detailed tank update to follow soon... for now just some fish and coral photos.

[caas1496]

This is the current list of fish and inverts in the tank. All credit for the names goes to my girlfriend. Naming all the creatures is her favorite part.  

1 - Sexy Shrimp (Roxy)

2 - Rock Flower Anemones (Kiwi and Strawberry)

2 - Hi Fin Red Banded Gobies (Bert and Ernie) 

1 - Candy Cane Pistol Shrimp (Ducky)

1 - Picasso Percula Clownfish (Samson)

1 - Tail Spot Blenny (Snoot)

1 - Emerald Crab (Eileen)

1 - Cleaner Shrimp (Jacque)

3 - Hermit Crabs (Gertrude, Miriam, Bethany)

Assorted Trochus, Nassarius, and Nerite Snails

 

 

[caas1496]

I spent some time this weekend with my camera trying to get better quality pictures of my reef and favorite corals. I also added the finishing touches to my mobile saltwater mixing station. My source for water is not near my tank so I can roll this station over to the bathroom to hook it up and make saltwater, and then roll it over to the tank when I am ready to do my weekly water change. I really like having all my water making and water change gear in one place that's easy to roll out and use when its time for tank maintenance. Keeps everything much tidier. 

 

Mobile Saltwater Mixing Station:

 

FTS 1/13/19:

 

 

Well I am at my limit for photo attachments so the rest will have to wait...

[shaner014]

Really impressive stuff here! Love that cart 😍😍😍