Lou City Reefing
Active Member
*** DISCLAIMER – This will be a lengthy read! ***
This thread is made in a blog style – something I can recall on, and something that will help people in the future.
Hello Everyone,
My name is Nathan! (“Hi, Nathan”, they reply. LOL) After watching countless hours of videos about reef tanks from all different creators, I have set out to join the hobby and create a reef tank. Also, I have done hours of reading on forums, asking questions, and listening to people’s input. I originally had the idea to start a larger 75-gallon tank because as I know, “the bigger the tank, the fewer the problems”, but that also includes a larger initial price tag. After watching WWC’s video on Sean’s tank, which is a 20-gallon long tank, I thought “that is more my style!”, and I set out on a journey to acquire the items I WANTED to start a K.I.S.S. tank (Keep. It. Stupid. Simple). Yes, I understand there may be cheaper/better alternatives, but these are the items and equipment I wanted to try out. I am ALWAYS open to comments about what worked for you or recommendations you may have!
The goal of this tank is to look clean. What do I mean by clean? I mean to ensure that the aquascape I build “flows” with the tank, to always keep the inside and outside of the glass clean, to keep the stand clean, to make wire management non-intrusive inside the stand, and to thoughtfully place corals that makes them flow inside the aquascape. While seemingly easy goals, I write them down so I can hold myself to them.
I plan to keep two (2) clownfish, one (1) six-line wrasse, one (1) lawnmower blenny (or any sand sieving blennies) (HELP APPRECIATED ON OTHER BLENNIES), one (1) cleaner shrimp, and other CUC (clean-up-crew) will be determined later. The corals I plan to keep are: LPS, Softies, and MAYBE an Anemone.
My equipment list thus far (draft):
The powerhead has been trickier than the lighting. I like the AI Nero 5’s cost and the capability of only using one app to control both my lights and powerhead. I do know that Sean from WWC also uses a Nero 5 in his 20-gallon long and so did most, if not all, of their contestants in their WWC Epic Tank Battle series. I know I am paying a premium price for a powerhead that I will never use its full capabilities in that size of a tank, but I do like to controllability of the powerhead. I was also looking at a much cheaper option off amazon, which was the Hygger Mini Wave Maker (1600gph). I aired on the side of “you get what you pay for.”
Time for the ATO system. I like the small and unintrusive form factor of the Xp Aqua Duetto Dual-Sensor. I more hesitant to get an ATO with a mechanical switch due to more maintenance, salt breaking the switch, and potential downfalls to a broken mechanical switch. I was also looking at the AutoAqua Smart ATO Micro from amazon, which roughly the same price. I will gladly take any advice anyone had to offer in this region.
I encourage you (Yes, YOU!) to ask questions, give advice, and keep up with this thread as I continue this journey into this amazing hobby! Pictures to come as I progress!
This thread is made in a blog style – something I can recall on, and something that will help people in the future.
Hello Everyone,
My name is Nathan! (“Hi, Nathan”, they reply. LOL) After watching countless hours of videos about reef tanks from all different creators, I have set out to join the hobby and create a reef tank. Also, I have done hours of reading on forums, asking questions, and listening to people’s input. I originally had the idea to start a larger 75-gallon tank because as I know, “the bigger the tank, the fewer the problems”, but that also includes a larger initial price tag. After watching WWC’s video on Sean’s tank, which is a 20-gallon long tank, I thought “that is more my style!”, and I set out on a journey to acquire the items I WANTED to start a K.I.S.S. tank (Keep. It. Stupid. Simple). Yes, I understand there may be cheaper/better alternatives, but these are the items and equipment I wanted to try out. I am ALWAYS open to comments about what worked for you or recommendations you may have!
The goal of this tank is to look clean. What do I mean by clean? I mean to ensure that the aquascape I build “flows” with the tank, to always keep the inside and outside of the glass clean, to keep the stand clean, to make wire management non-intrusive inside the stand, and to thoughtfully place corals that makes them flow inside the aquascape. While seemingly easy goals, I write them down so I can hold myself to them.
I plan to keep two (2) clownfish, one (1) six-line wrasse, one (1) lawnmower blenny (or any sand sieving blennies) (HELP APPRECIATED ON OTHER BLENNIES), one (1) cleaner shrimp, and other CUC (clean-up-crew) will be determined later. The corals I plan to keep are: LPS, Softies, and MAYBE an Anemone.
My equipment list thus far (draft):
- 20-gallon aquarium (non-negotiable)
- Eheim Jager TruTemp 75W heater (non-negotiable)
- Tidal 55 HOB filter (non-negotiable)
- AI Nero 5 powerhead
- Two (2) AI Prime HD16
- XP Aqua Duetto Dual-Sensor ATO System
The powerhead has been trickier than the lighting. I like the AI Nero 5’s cost and the capability of only using one app to control both my lights and powerhead. I do know that Sean from WWC also uses a Nero 5 in his 20-gallon long and so did most, if not all, of their contestants in their WWC Epic Tank Battle series. I know I am paying a premium price for a powerhead that I will never use its full capabilities in that size of a tank, but I do like to controllability of the powerhead. I was also looking at a much cheaper option off amazon, which was the Hygger Mini Wave Maker (1600gph). I aired on the side of “you get what you pay for.”
Time for the ATO system. I like the small and unintrusive form factor of the Xp Aqua Duetto Dual-Sensor. I more hesitant to get an ATO with a mechanical switch due to more maintenance, salt breaking the switch, and potential downfalls to a broken mechanical switch. I was also looking at the AutoAqua Smart ATO Micro from amazon, which roughly the same price. I will gladly take any advice anyone had to offer in this region.
I encourage you (Yes, YOU!) to ask questions, give advice, and keep up with this thread as I continue this journey into this amazing hobby! Pictures to come as I progress!
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