wiigelec Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 I've had some ups and downs in this hobby. Over the last 10 years I've screwed up many things trying to figure out what works, made a lot of mistakes and learned a lot of lessons. I've also read countless books, articles and forums trying to educate myself on the many aspects of reefing. This will be my third attempt at running a successful mixed nano reef. I like the challenge of the smaller tank because it really forces you to concentrate on what matters the most: water quality. Here is the plan: EQUIPMENT CHECK - 20 gallon high w/ stand CHECK - Spectrapure RO/DI CHECK - Glass top acrylic cover CHECK - Thermometer CHECK - Finnex HMO 100W heater CHECK - CPR medium aquafuge Aquafuge light CHECK - Tunze doc skimmer 9001 CHECK - Vortech mp10 IM MiniMax Desktop reactor CHECK - Tunze nano osmolator ATO CHECK - dry rock CHECK - aragonite sand TEST KITS CHECK - API saltwater master - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH Salifert - calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, phosphate FILTER MEDIA Chaeto ROX carbon GFO LIGHTINGRapidLED DIY Storm controller 6 channel dimmable Radion XR30 Gen 1 LIVESTOCK CLEAN-UP CREW Reef cleaners - ceriths, nerites, nassarius FISH Clownfish pair CHECK - Neon goby Tailspot blenny INVERTS Cleaner shrimp SOFT CORALS Zoanthus sp. Actinodiscus sp. LPS Turbinaria peltata Caulastrea sp. SPS Montipora sp. Pocillopora damicornis FEEDING Flake, pellet, frozen, fresh DOSING Bulk Reef Supply calcium, alkalinity, magnesium Trace elements Current FTS 3/10/2020 2 Quote Link to comment
Christopher Marks Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 Welcome to the community @wiigelec! Solid plans ahead, it looks like you're off to a good start! How long has it been up and running so far? You should hide your heater inside the HOB refugium, it should have enough flow to work fine in there. 🙂 I'd wait on adding any filter media until the system is well cycled, you won't need anything for now. 1 Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 Hey thanks! I've actually had the tank setup for quite a while now (aherm 2 years) but finally added water last weekend. Right now it is cycling with 10% ammonia and Microbactor7 haven't seen any nitrites just yet. Haha the heater in the display tank was just in there to help get the temperature up so no worries it's not in there any more and the finnex is in the Aquafuge. Good note about the filter media one of the themes of this tank is to only use what is needed... 1 Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share Posted April 18, 2019 Here's a full frontal so you can see the rockscape. Please don't judge the dirty glass its cycling... 2 1 Quote Link to comment
WV Reefer Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 40 minutes ago, wiigelec said: Here's a full frontal so you can see the rockscape. Please don't judge the dirty glass its cycling... That looks nice! 😃 Quote Link to comment
Christopher Marks Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 I like your aquascape @wiigelec, those are great arches, I can already picture the future SPS collection at the top! Keep up the good work 🙂 Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted May 4, 2019 Author Share Posted May 4, 2019 Light: https://www.nano-reef.com/forums/topic/405846-full-spectrum-led-pendant/ 1 Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 Not sure why but I've been at 2-4ppm of ammonia for almost 8 weeks now with no sign of nitrites also dosing microbactor 7. Going to do a 100% water change and try again... Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 Finally getting somewhere! Tank cycled and blue neon goby that I picked up at the LFS a couple weeks ago should clear quarantine protocol this weekend so will introduce into display. Took a break with the display DIY led and picked up a Radion XR30 for a decent price. Have a couple inexpensive pucks from Kiwi Lighting on the way to build a decent light for coral quarantine. As soon as it arrives and is assembled I'll start picking up some frags. Going to start with a few zoas and discosomas... 1 Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted March 12, 2020 Author Share Posted March 12, 2020 Parameter log: Temp - 77.5 Salinity - 35 ppt pH - 8.0 NH3 - 0 ppm NO2 - 0 ppm NO3 - 20 ppm Will do a couple water changes to raise pH and lower nitrates... Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted March 15, 2020 Author Share Posted March 15, 2020 Water change: 4 gals (also did four gallons on Thurs) Maintenance: cleaned HOB, pumps and glass Operational: reduced HOB flow to minimize bubbles in return Livestock: transferred Tinny Tiny (blue neon goby) from QT to DT lights out until tomorrow Parameters: Temp - 77.2 Sal - 35 pH - 8.0 NO3 - 5-10 ppm Will be ordering Red Sea NO3 and PO4 test kits for more accurate measurements Equipment: ordered MiniMax desktop reactor to run carbon and filter floss 1 Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 Equipment: installed minimax with 50% floss and 50% carbon Livestock: Tinny Tiny seems to be adjusting and has found his perch high on the rocks Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted March 25, 2020 Author Share Posted March 25, 2020 Testing out a Continuous Auto Water Change System (CAWCS) 125mL every 3 hours for 1% per day Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted March 29, 2020 Author Share Posted March 29, 2020 Nitrates high (24 ppm) and phosphates low (trace) so will be working to get those to appropriate balanced levels; WC, NOPOx and potassium phosphate... Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Received a frag 3-pack from Cultivated Reef a zoa, candy cane and monty cap. They’re in the quarantine system right now the candy cane was a bit travel weary but looking better by the day... Quote Link to comment
Saultman Posted May 10, 2020 Share Posted May 10, 2020 On 3/24/2020 at 6:35 PM, wiigelec said: Testing out a Continuous Auto Water Change System (CAWCS) 125mL every 3 hours for 1% per day How is the auto water change working out ? Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Excellent! I actually have it turned up to 250ml a shot right now to bring nitrates down. Highly recommend! Quote Link to comment
wiigelec Posted May 14, 2020 Author Share Posted May 14, 2020 Frags in quarantine 2 Quote Link to comment
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