LordJoshaeus
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- Oct 23, 2018
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Hi everyone! I found a site with recommendations on how to set up a nano reef...I can post a link to it later if you guys would like to read (grill? 
) its suggestions, but first I wanted your thoughts on my tank concept based on it. Here we go...(I'll only mention details that are not givens)
SETUP; A 20H with a background covering the sides and back (to keep stray light - abundant in my room, which has a south facing window and a bunch of lamps sustaining houseplants - out of the tank). The tank will be kept completely dark for the first month or two of cycling; a single fish will then be added and the front will cease to be blacked out, but the lights will still not be turned on for another month at least (depending on when any photosynthetic life is added...could be later), at which point a clean up crew will also be added (the aforementioned site recommended the following for a tank this size; 4 Trochus snails, 4 Cerith snails, 2 Nassarius snails, 4 Bumblebee snails, 1 Peppermint shrimp or cleaner shrimp, and perhaps a fighting conch).
LIGHTS; Likely two 5000K BR30 bulbs (with 120 degree beam angles...I use the 2700k version of these to grow some of the aforementioned houseplants), with 2200 lumens each. Probably better for macroalgae growth than coral growth...I have not, however, ruled out a strict FOWLR setup with no photosynthetic life, in which case the lighting will be far weaker. If macroalgae are used the tank may receive some light fertilization as well. Photoperiod would likely be about 8 hours a day.
FISH; No clue on this front. Might just have a colony of invertebrates, as I am nervous about dealing with territorial issues between the fishes (especially since I would love to attempt to spawn the fish/inverts). If I do keep fish, I just want a mated pair of one species to keep the bioload down. I don't want to deal with any species that demand live foods (mandarins, pipefishes, etc)
SESSILE LIFE; Soft macroalgae and soft corals chiefly, to reduce the number of variables (calcium!) I need to track in this tank. May not keep any.
CIRCULATION; One 160 GPH filter near the top of the tank with the output roughly 6 inches away from the front glass, and two 80 GPH filters/pumps on the bottom corners of the opposite side. The 160 GPH filter will be filled with purigen.
WATER; Shooting for 35-36 ppt salinity, 3 gallon WC's a week. If I try to spawn any of the occupants, the waste water will be sterilized with a small amount of bleach, dechlorinated, and then used for algae and perhaps copepod cultures. Should I do WC's during cycling?
I'd be thrilled if you guys could help me make this idea less vague...I'm struggling to determine precisely what to do with this tank. Thanks
) its suggestions, but first I wanted your thoughts on my tank concept based on it. Here we go...(I'll only mention details that are not givens)SETUP; A 20H with a background covering the sides and back (to keep stray light - abundant in my room, which has a south facing window and a bunch of lamps sustaining houseplants - out of the tank). The tank will be kept completely dark for the first month or two of cycling; a single fish will then be added and the front will cease to be blacked out, but the lights will still not be turned on for another month at least (depending on when any photosynthetic life is added...could be later), at which point a clean up crew will also be added (the aforementioned site recommended the following for a tank this size; 4 Trochus snails, 4 Cerith snails, 2 Nassarius snails, 4 Bumblebee snails, 1 Peppermint shrimp or cleaner shrimp, and perhaps a fighting conch).
LIGHTS; Likely two 5000K BR30 bulbs (with 120 degree beam angles...I use the 2700k version of these to grow some of the aforementioned houseplants), with 2200 lumens each. Probably better for macroalgae growth than coral growth...I have not, however, ruled out a strict FOWLR setup with no photosynthetic life, in which case the lighting will be far weaker. If macroalgae are used the tank may receive some light fertilization as well. Photoperiod would likely be about 8 hours a day.
FISH; No clue on this front. Might just have a colony of invertebrates, as I am nervous about dealing with territorial issues between the fishes (especially since I would love to attempt to spawn the fish/inverts). If I do keep fish, I just want a mated pair of one species to keep the bioload down. I don't want to deal with any species that demand live foods (mandarins, pipefishes, etc)
SESSILE LIFE; Soft macroalgae and soft corals chiefly, to reduce the number of variables (calcium!) I need to track in this tank. May not keep any.
CIRCULATION; One 160 GPH filter near the top of the tank with the output roughly 6 inches away from the front glass, and two 80 GPH filters/pumps on the bottom corners of the opposite side. The 160 GPH filter will be filled with purigen.
WATER; Shooting for 35-36 ppt salinity, 3 gallon WC's a week. If I try to spawn any of the occupants, the waste water will be sterilized with a small amount of bleach, dechlorinated, and then used for algae and perhaps copepod cultures. Should I do WC's during cycling?
I'd be thrilled if you guys could help me make this idea less vague...I'm struggling to determine precisely what to do with this tank. Thanks
