Aqueon 20g High Desktop budget build

[DiverDan509]

I started this build with a 20g high aqueon tank from petco for about $30,
Also I bought a 565gph koralia nano powerhead for about $15 on sale from $30.
Im using the quietflow 20 from aqueon aswell for filtration $20, running carbon with water changes approx every 14 days 25% water change <5g>
Heater: Ebo Jager from Eheim 75w rated for 26g $49
Light: IC Loop Orbit from current usa, $89
12 hr photoperiod to replicate equatorial coral sea
temp: 77F
food: ON prime reef flakes and Hikari brine shrimp
stock list:
1x Yellowtail damselfish
1x Mexican turbo
1x Nassarius snail
1x Orchid dottyback
1x Skunk cleaner shrimp
1x Clownfish ocellaris ,added 1-5-2020
salt: reef crystals from IO
salinity: 1.026
coral: devils hand and green long polyp toadstool
its been going for about 7 months now

full tank shot 1-2-2020

Full tank shot 1-9-2020

rock added 1-10-2020

frags added 1.15.2020

 

[flchamp89]

I like it. Looks good. Rock is really clean for 7 months.

 

[DiverDan509]

yea the middle is seed rock and the tops of the dry rock is coraline but the shadow still remains bare
edit: also battling spirobid worms

 

[showmebutterfly]

temp: 77F

Is the temp 77 or is that a mistype? I love that you've given so much detail about your setup, but reading that low(?) temp threw me a curve. lol

 

[DiverDan509]

77F is the standard temp for a tropical reef, above 80F and the coral will start to die, 72F-80F is considered the "green zone" for reefing, also its proven that higher temps stress fish more and contribute to early death

 

[showmebutterfly]

77F is the standard temp for a tropical reef, above 80F and the coral will start to die, 72F-80F is considered the "green zone" for reefing, also its proven that higher temps stress fish more and contribute to early death

You are correct. I should not read / type before caffeine has kicked in. I don't know where my brain was that I thought 77 was low. Geez.