15 gallon budget build

[tatooinemarine]

*** TANK HAS BEEN TAKEN DOWN ***

After a 3 year hiatus, I decided to put together a budget build using leftovers from previous tanks. We moved into a rental house and I was going to wait until we bought a house again, but grew impatient after 3 long years. Also had the perfect stand and spot, so it just made sense. I Wanted to make something simple, low maintenance, cost effective, and quick and easy to break down when the time comes. IG: tatooinemarine

Equipment:
15 gallon Marineland glass aquarium (24x12x12) $38
Cobalt heater (reused)
AC-70 (reused)
Oceanbox overflow box and In-Tank media basket $100
Penguin power head (reused)
Fluval Marine LED $50 (new on fb marketplace)
Koralia Pico $30
Auto Aqua ATO: $130


12-15ish lbs live sand $30

LIVESTOCK:
2 Spot Blenny (Marv)
Mushrooms
Zoanthids
Sympodium
Duncan
Leather
Milky Way Palys

 

[tupes]

Nice start you have there.

 

[tatooinemarine]

Had a decent stash of dry rock to choose from. Decided to avoid chemicals (bleach or vinegar) and clean the rock naturally. Selected some choice pieces, rinsed with a hose and a light scrub with a brush. 1 week outside in full summer sun, 3 weeks in RODI water with a power head and 100% weekly water changes.

 

[tatooinemarine]

Been cycling in saltwater for over 3 weeks now. First week was just rocks and I added a bottle of Fritz TurboStart. Second week I pulled the power head when I added 12-15lbs of sand.

 

[xiholdtruex]

very nice little setup you have going here!

 

[tatooinemarine]

very nice little setup you have going here!

Thanks !

 

[tatooinemarine]

I have been testing this week, everything seems to be remaining pretty stable . . .

Temp: 77 F
Salinity: 1.023
PH: 8.1-8.2 (been testing everyday)
Ammonia: 0.25 ppm
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0

 

[tatooinemarine]

Considering adding some more flow to the tank. The power head I removed was too strong, and the AC-70 leaves the left side pretty still. I could turn up the AC-70, but I would like to distribute the movement more evenly. Looking between the Hydor Koralia 240 or Hydor Pico 180. I like that the pico is adjustable, but I know the koralia is a great option also.

Thoughts . . . ?

 

[BlueDamselReef]

Awesome! I'm starting a 20 gallon budget build today. Can't wait! [emoji170][emoji225]

 

[BlueDamselReef]

Considering adding some more flow to the tank. The power head I removed was too strong, and the AC-70 leaves the left side pretty still. I could turn up the AC-70, but I would like to distribute the movement more evenly. Looking between the Hydor Koralia 240 or Hydor Pico 180. I like that the pico is adjustable, but I know the koralia is a great option also.

Thoughts . . . ?

Also, Sicce makes a 270gph power head. I really like sicce power heads, but their a little more expensive than the hydor koralias. [emoji170][emoji225]

 

[tatooinemarine]

Spent some money on the budget build to solve a couple problems. Tank was losing about 32+ oz water daily. Thank you to Marine Depot for good prices and fast shipping.

 

[tatooinemarine]

Adding my first additions to the tank today . . .

 

[tatooinemarine]

New additions are settling in nicely.
Lavender hairy mushrooms (found 2 babies)
Pacific flower Ricordea Yuma (found 8 babies)
Green Stardust Zoanthids

 

[living_tribunal]

You’re patience and even temper is as strong as the degree to which you make me self-conscious about my patience and temper.

(I like your budget nano build a lot)

 

[lonelyfloat]

New additions are settling in nicely.
Lavender hairy mushrooms (found 2 babies)
Pacific flower Ricordea Yuma (found 8 babies)
Green Stardust Zoanthids

Looks fantastic!

 

[tatooinemarine]

Another addition . . .

 

[tatooinemarine]

More babies added . . .

 

[tatooinemarine]

Haven’t posted in a while. Tank is still going strong. Lost a few of my ricordea yumas, and added a few more nice softies. Also added a two spot blenny.

 

[tatooinemarine]

FTS 12/4/2019

 

[tatooinemarine]