Lifeguard Aquatics 9.89 Gallon Build.

[Marine2149]

So originally i thought i would just buy 1 fish and 1 coral. That was before i made the trip down the rabbit hole, i could not resist. I ordered a Lifeguard 9.89Gal w/ filter in back. I really like the clean design and the price was just right ($127) shipped from amazon.

The tank should arrive by Friday and prob wont be fully cycled until the end of July. Ive had great success in the past cycling tanks within 2 weeks by adding stability and other tricks ive used in the past. I have a 90 gallon cichild tank. i will see if my parameters stabilize within 2 weeks, if not ill wait.

Anyways hear what i currently have.

SPECS
-3.7 Gallon imagitarium W/ back filter.
-Lomini Pixi30 (30 watt) Full spectrum light
-BioHome ultimate Marine media
-Filter pad for water clearity (use instead of carbon)
-AquaMax ROX 0.8 Carbon meadia. Debating on using, heard that all carbon media has phosphorus. Is this true? Will the benefits out weight the risks due to using a 10 gallon tank?
-Substrate Carib-sea Argonite (Caribbean mix) Should i be looking into something else for a reef tank?
-Purple rocks
-25W heater
-(for flow) pump leads into a head up top.

Current water parameters
-Salinity 1.025
-PH 7.9-8.0
-Cal 380ppm
-Temp 80F
-KH 180
-GH 180+
-NH3 0ppm
-No2 0ppm
-No3 0ppm

Only test kit i have yet to receive is my phosphorus test. I have not looked into what requirements i need for optimal coral growth yet. im currently not at that level yet, frankly wont be there for atleast a month. im a bit intimidated by the strict water parameter requirements and don't have the confidence to make the leap, plus corals are pricey and don't want to deal with the drag of failure.

Any insight will be apprciated. I look forward to learning a new hobby and learning form all of you.

Thanks.

This is what i ordered. Will arrive Friday.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Nice looking system.

I have a 16g rimless tank that I made. I just run a HOB filter system and a Tunze in-tank skimmer. I use the tank as a RFA breeding tank.

Good luck and have fun with yours!

 

[Marine2149]

Nice looking system.

I have a 16g rimless tank that I made. I just run a HOB filter system and a Tunze in-tank skimmer. I use the tank as a RFA breeding tank.

Good luck and have fun with yours!

thanks for letting me know about the mini protein skimmer. i was under the impression that they only came in one size for sumps only. Already learning something.

thanks.

 

[Ron Reefman]

thanks for letting me know about the mini protein skimmer. i was under the impression that they only came in one size for sumps only. Already learning something.

thanks.

I won it here at R2R and I didn't think it would be very good. To my surprise it does a really nice job. My only issue is the air intake is set by a thumb screw turned in to squeeze an air hose. Not very precise, but it works.

 

[Marine2149]

Update on build for my newborn son.

FILTRATION-BIOLOGICAL
I decided not to use the provided plastic media balls it came with and I bought 1lb of Biohome Marine media. I read that biohome was really good and so far its been great for my freshwater. No NH3,No2, and very little No3.

FILTRATION-CHEMICAL & MECHANICAL
I also added Carbon media and a square filter pad to catch small patricles. It came with a 103 GPH pump and a coarse sponge too.

SALT
Used Reef crystals for salt since i plan to add corals eventually.

CONCERN?
I read that carbon media has a good deal of phosphorus, should i consider not using it or does the benefit outweigh the risks? Im thinking since i only have a 10 gallon tank that my chemistry might be more fragile so i should avoid potential swings in water chemistry. Anyone have any insight?

Thanks.

THIS IS HOW I HAVE MY FILTRATION SET UP IN THE INSIDE. IS THIS CORRECT? ANY SPECIFIC WAY THATS MORE EFFICENT.

Thanks for all your input guys, this is exciting.

 

[Marine2149]

 

[Marine2149]

Any suggestions on which formation looks best. I like the first one the most.

 

[jazzfisher]

No 1 has the 2 towers at same height-not good too symmetrical. No.3 leaves more room for coral although there aren't many places for fish to hide/caves etc.

 

[Marine2149]

Thx for the input.

Is having the two tower peak near the top bad. I did consider possible coral growing outside the water. Is this why it's possibly bad.

I can prob put some more rock behind to make caves

 

[jazzfisher]

The 2 towers is just visibly not as interesting & not as natural as in a real reef. Also where are the fish going to go/hide with 2 towers.
Look at this thread for some ideas: Need help with your aquascape

 

[Marine2149]

The 2 towers is just visibly not as interesting & not as natural as in a real reef. Also where are the fish going to go/hide with 2 towers.
Look at this thread for some ideas: Need help with your aquascape

Okay so a two island setup with an area in the center to create depth. Okay I'll try something.

 

[Marine2149]

 

[Marine2149]

Maybe I just bought too many rocks need to account for the coral once it gets bigger

 

[jazzfisher]

I like these 2 the best. Just make sure to leave enough room on the sides for a cleaner magnet. My pick would be the last one in your post. The 1st pic here

 

[Marine2149]

I think I've finally decide what configuration I'm going with. Still plenty of time to rearrange it, probably will judging by how iam.

The idea behind this is to allow ample space for coral growth upwards and allow swimming space in the middle of the water colum.

At the edge to the right there's cave systems including the back and an overhang rock on the left. Think this will be more then enough for my two clowns and future crustations.

 

[Marine2149]

So I just desgined my top. We'll see how it turns out.

 

[Marine2149]

Dunno if 8 want to build the top. Unless I can make something minimal. I really like the clear top end of my tank.

Anyways just finished my control panel. Just waiting on my inkbird heater controller.

 

[Marine2149]

Control board completed.

 

[Marine2149]

Update: it's been about a month and my tank seems cycled enough. I've put in two clowns, peppermint shrimp, and 2 hermit crabs.

I bought 3 zoa's, 1 Duncan, GSP(died), and brain looking one that I forgot the name of already.

The GSP died while I went away for a weekend. Seems my PH dropped substantially. I bought an RODI unit from BRS and now my PH has been low. Eventually I figured out that I have excess CO2 in my home. So far the best I can do is PH 7.8 and that's with heavy airation, wood air stones, a plant next to the tank, and I open the windows a few times a day. If I don't open the windows my PH drops to 7.6. it's wierd. I'm sure my testing method is not to accurate since I'm using a cheap prob from Amazon. Although I have calibrated constantly and the results match my API test.

Anyways here's my progress. I also broke up a rock and Aquarium epoxy to create what you see now.

My corals and fish seem to be happy my chemistry has all balanced out.

 

[Marine2149]