Any advice for a newbie is appreciated

[reeferRyan97]

I finished cycling my 15 gallon AIO about 3 weeks ago after 2 months of cycling. (I gave it extra time bc I didn’t trust the API kit 100%)
Temp has been 78 and salinity is staying at 1.025-1.026 w a refractometer. I added a clownfish, 3 snails, a peppermint shrimp, and an emerald crab. What test kits should I be getting to be testing for coral.. and should I look at getting a small wave maker for more flow?




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[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

Your tank looks very good!

I would say yes to the additional circ pump if you want corals.

For test kits, to me personally it depends

I think everyone needs to test nitrate and phosphate in terms of algae/dino's management.

If you're just getting started keeping corals, and looking to keep the hardiest of soft corals and Zoa's, you don't need any additional test kits, in my opinion (other than N&P). Simply doing regular, partial water changes will maintain all the elements these corals need for strong growth.

If you want to get into some of the more delicate LPS and SPS stoney corals, then you'll need to keep track of Alk and Calc, and depending on how deep you want to go, many use ICP testing to investigate trace elements too. But Alk alone will get you quite far in this hobby

I follow Randy Holmes-Farley's suggestion to not test for magnesium as it's problematic to do so:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/just-say-no-to-magnesium-testing-rmm-is-born.1017528/
Additionally, I also stick to RHF's guidelines on parameter levels:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/article-thoughts-on-nutrient-target-ranges.1095268/
I hope that helps and good luck!

 

[reeferRyan97]

Thank you!
I’m already wanting to upgrade but I’m trying to be patient and see how I deal with managing this one
Should I go ahead and get Hanna checkers for the testers? And what should I be looking for in a power head? I don’t want it to blow my fish out of the tank

 

[Fish Fan]

Thank you!
I’m already wanting to upgrade but I’m trying to be patient and see how I deal with managing this one
Should I go ahead and get Hanna checkers for the testers? And what should I be looking for in a power head? I don’t want it to blow my fish out of the tank

The Checkers are considered very good, if not a bit pricy, but if they are in your budget, and you think you'll be in the hobby for a while, then by all means grab them. Many do not care for the Calcium Checker, it's really tedious to use. The Checkers come up on the R2R Marketplace all the time

Salifert makes test kits that are both reliable and quite affordable (similar in cost to API).

For a wave pump, a small circ pump will be fine, but saltwater tends to need a lot of flow, which won't bother your fish at all. If you have a few buck, the EchoTech Vortech MP-10 is a solid choice for this tank, as is its Chinese knock off, the Jebao DMP-10. These pumps are nice because they keep the power cord out of the tank, and they can be controlled to vary the output, so you can tone them down if they are blowing too hard (<not likely, unless your sand is very fine).

You could also just do a small Hydor or Aquaneat pump, these are inexpensive and work well.

If you're just getting going with reefing, this guide and video series may offer some help too:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/


Let us know if you have further questions!

 

[Damage12]

I agree with above. As for corals I would start slow. Tanks less than 6 months old are not very stable and have swings that can kill your coral. Start off with some soft corals like discosma type mushrooms. See how they do and try another type of soft coral and so on. It takes good year for a tank to stabilize. Small tanks are notoriously harder to maintain stability.

Best of luck and enjoy the ride.

 

[reeferRyan97]

I agree with above. As for corals I would start slow. Tanks less than 6 months old are not very stable and have swings that can kill your coral. Start off with some soft corals like discosma type mushrooms. See how they do and try another type of soft coral and so on. It takes good year for a tank to stabilize. Small tanks are notoriously harder to maintain stability.

Best of luck and enjoy the ride.

I’m definitely taking my time for coral. I’m limited on space too so I have to be pretty careful with choosing what type of coral I’m putting in there so it doesn’t get over crowded as it fills out

 

[Marco_99]

If it were mine I’d take a wee bit of rock out. Time your corals grow and a fish or two added it’s not much free space

 

[reeferRyan97]

If it were mine I’d take a wee bit of rock out. Time your corals grow and a fish or two added it’s not much free space

I agree but I would have to take out 1/3 of it as it’s 3 big pieces.. wasn’t planning on coral until I saw some at my LFS and learned a lot more about it. Now I’m already wanting to upgrade to at least a 40 or 50 gallon to get the stability they need

 

[Marco_99]

I agree but I would have to take out 1/3 of it as it’s 3 big pieces.. wasn’t planning on coral until I saw some at my LFS and learned a lot more about it. Now I’m already wanting to upgrade to at least a 40 or 50 gallon to get the stability they need

Nothing a hammer and chisel can’t fix

 

[reeferRyan97]

I agree but I would have to take out 1/3 of it as it’s 3 big pieces.. wasn’t planning on coral until I saw some at my LFS and learned a lot more about it. Now I’m already wanting to upgrade to at least a 40 or 50 gallon to get the stability they need

Nothing a hammer and chisel can’t fix

It won’t disturb too much if I break the top one apart and put it back in?

 

[Marco_99]

It won’t disturb too much if I break the top one apart and put it back in?

No. There isn’t much going on in there to upset. People add/remove, rework scapes all the time.