Rp.McMurphy

Hi ChrisQ- thanks for your reply. - I'll keep an eye out for deadspots. I try to monitor the flow whenever I kick up debris/feed and it seems pretty good but there's always room for improvement. Have the returns and a koralia 425 blowing across the back wall. -Yep, the rock is definitely young. Was all dry rock except for one little piece of live. I'm sure this is all part of the uglies but since I'm a rookie I don't how far to let the uglies go before they become permanent. And I really don't like algae. - I use a powerhead to blast my rock before water changes. My hand got tired with the baster. Ha. Love seeing all the stuff fly. - My goby does a great job turning over my sand (it's spotless) but he is probably also part of the reason for my high nitrates. Don't think it was a good idea to get a sandsifter in such a new (and small) tank. Rookie mistake. He lost weight so I've been target feeding him more than I'd like. I'm usually verrrry stingy with my feeding. Been considering taking him back until I can establish a good pod population for him. But the white sand is nice. - Since I was going to start using purigen I ordered the salifert nitrate kit today. API puts it at about 20. Going to do some aggressive water changes to get it down and then have purigen maintain it down there. Sound like a plan?

Thank you.

Tank: IM Nuvo Fusion 20 (used) Stand: Modded IKEA Brimnes cabinet Return: Stock pump Powerhead- Koralia 425 Heater: 75w Cobalt Neo-Therm Light: AI Prime HD (used) Trays: 1 custom caddy and 1 inTank, currently running floss and purigen ATO: Semi-DIY from autotopoff.com Stock: 2 small ocellaris clowns 1 small chromis 1 small diamond goby 1 starry blenny 2 trochus snails 3 lazy red legged hermits 1 emerald crab 2 frogspawn 1 wall hammer 1 Duncan 1 Aussie torch It took me months to research and accumulate gear but finally got the tank wet at at the beginning of April 2018. After an initial hiccup with the stand (documented here- https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ikea-brimnes-cabinet-as-stand-for-nuvo-20.379626/) things have been running relatively smoothly. Keeping up with weekly 20% changes and trying to take it slow. Just added the corals the last week (late May).

How much are you putting in the bag? Have a 2 month old tank that I need to start bringing nitrates down in. Starting to see the beginnings of some GHA starting. Stock: 2 small ocellaris clowns 1 small chromis 1 small diamond goby 2 hermits and 2 trochus 1 frogspawn and 1 hammer Appreciate any advice.

Have yet to hear a bad word about the inTank baskets... interesting thought with just the floss holder though. Maybe I'll explore that. Thanks.

Understandable. Thanks though.

I know there are more than a few of you that have or have had a Nuvo Fusion 20 tank so I thought I'd ask... My tank is at the tail end of the cycle so I'm getting geared up for the next phase. Currently I'm just running floss in a single chamber with an Aqua Gadget Custom Caddy and can see water escaping around the top and out of the tray. The floss is lightly packed.  Does enough water flow through the floss (and eventually my media) despite the water that takes the easy way around? If not are there steps or mods I can make to improve flow? Am thinking I can get some acrylic from Tap plastics and fill the outer gap if I need to. I know that the inTank trays are better but you know, money. I only bought one of the aqua gadgets in case it didn't work out. Appreciate any feedback.

I have 6 softball sized pieces of dry rock left over from my build if anyone needs it.

Thanks for the tip, Sailingeric. I'll be sure to keep an eye on the sale forum.

I'm going to have a ton of questions... but for now it's the calm before the storm while my tank cycles. Thanks.

Thanks for the welcome. I have an ATO set up and yes, after a few days initially without one I don't know how I could really do without one. I bought float switches and a DC pump from autotopoff.com. It works really well- it's a solid step up from a DIY set up (I'm fairly handy but I hate electricity) but allowed me to save a few bucks. The only issue is fitting the switches in the return chamber- they'll only fit right in the middle so I had to offset my light to one side. I may just get another pump and split my return hose and see if it'll fit that way. My other question is about my media tray. I bought an aqua gadget custom caddy (would love inTank but you know, money...). Some of the water does seem to flow around the tray. Currently I'm only running floss but eventually will bag my own media. Will there be enough flow though the tray despite some of the water taking the easy way around? I'll have more questions but for now the tank is just cycling. Not much to do for now.

Good to hear about your tank, Emerald525. Question, during water changes what did you find was the easiest way to get water back in? Did you use a pump? Just lift up the bucket and pour?

Already got the ATO set up. Was pretty impressed to see how much water these little tanks can go through in a day. Thanks for the advice Any little bit of knowledge passed on that can save me from future missteps is much appreciated.

Thanks albertareef- glad to be here.

Ha. Low maintaince was a relative term- I know this is quite a commitment. I know small tanks require disciplined upkeep and don't have many of the benefits of larger tanks but as a renter with a landlord I have to work with what I can. Baby steps.

Typical story- had freshwater tanks but always looked on with envy at the saltwater world. The best fish. Corals. The chemistry and science. But mostly just how [language filter] pretty that water looks. Bought a used Nuvo 20 and got water in it last weekend. Now patiently waiting for it to cycle. Been to pretty much every LFS and have enjoyed meeting everyone. Looking to keep a low maintence tank with a few fish, softies and LPS. Going to rely on you all for advice.