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. 

47 minutes ago, spectra said:

I have had a few IM tanks...............20, 10, 30L and now a 14 peninsula. I have ran InTank baskets in all but my 10 and that was an aqua gadget. It did work but believe me the InTank stuff is worth a few extra dollars.......I just run a floss holder now in my 14 and zip tie a bag of media to the bottom of it. To be honest I think they both have a little water loss over the edge and wouldn't worry about it.

 

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. 

39 minutes ago, lewisriverfisherman said:

I have intank baskets so I am of no help.

Understandable. Thanks though. 

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

On 4/16/2018 at 6:11 PM, Sailingeric said:

Like you I went from fresh water to saltwater. I started with a 29 gallon tank and after a month I moved everyone to my 75 gallon tank. I have found saltwater fish keeping is not that much harder than freshwater other than you just need stay on top of topping off with freshwater daily so the salinity stays in check.  I am just now starting with some beginner corals so need to learn how to keep the elements and hardness in check.  

 

I would recommend checking the for sale forum, you can save a bundle that way.  

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

On 4/16/2018 at 5:15 PM, wantanewtank said:

Do you have any questions?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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

On 4/13/2018 at 9:31 AM, lewisriverfisherman said:

Welcome to the forum!!  As others have stated there are lots of knowledgeable peeps here so don't be afraid to ask questions.   I have a 20gal nuvo myself, ATO are good to have with these small tanks.  My main challenge  with my tank has been keeping my salinity stable.  I have a ghost skimmer and it wet skins and this can effect my salinity for the week (start of the week .025, by the end of the week it's almost down to .024) looking forward to how your tank progresses.

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.