brewandreef
Community Member
Hey guys,
New Reef2Reef-er here. Just wanted to show a build of my tank. This is my first saltwater tank ever, and I'm still learning everyday. Unfortunately, I'm a stick head, and sometimes I get a big head thinking that I can do anything just cause I'm an engineer haha. I know that's not the case when it comes to marine biology. But acros are just so appealing to me. From the different color variations and branching beauty, to just the straight up challenge. And I totally understand how acros need a "mature" tank, and dry rock just won't do it. Call me irresponsible but I would like to try. And if this doesn't work out, then my wife probably won't let me do it again, and I will flat out tell you, "dang, bro you were right."
Now that I've got that off my chest, my tank is just another JBJ 30 Gallon Rimless AIO. Nothing fancy. Actually bought it off a local reefer for $250 on 05/04/2017, and it was in pretty good condition. Also got a gently used AI Hydra 26 HD for $225 from another local reefer that week. Everything after this was pretty much bought new from BRS.
06/07/2017
Got the AI HMS Single Arm Mounting Kit.
06/26/2017
A bit of BRS Dry Pukani and a MaxSpect Gyre
Gotta love BRS Black Friday specials
Then everything sat in the closet for like a year, and I never thought this tank was going up since the budget was super tight. Then a promotion, and wife getting a new job, I finally bought a Red Sea Blue Bucket of salt and started curing my rock and getting more goodies. I cured my rock in saltwater for about 6 weeks, no bleach or muriatic acid. Did a 100% water change the first few weeks, cause this stuff was FILTHY. Ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates were off the chart. Towards the end, only did about 50% water changes to leave some food for bacteria. After 6 weeks, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, nitrates were <5ppm, and phosphate were <0.03ppm.
Anyways, got some more test kits, some filter floss, purigen, chemipure elite, and biospira, and this baby finally went up on 06/09/2018.
I threw in a clown, and then a few more fish a week, later. Consistently checked for any spikes of ammonia or nitrite, and everything was all good. I bought a Spongode frag from a local for $10 as a test, and this thing was just super happy in my tank. But I quickly realized how fast nitrates could rise in a nano with only doing water changes for primary nutrient export. Typically, I had to do 5 gallon WC once per week, when nitrates were hitting about 10 ppm. I was also throwing in some Pohl's Coral Vitalizer daily, just to see if it did anything.
07/04/2018- I bought an acro frag pack from a local. 7 nice acros for $120. Pack included:
Rainbow Mille
PC Rainbow
Strawberry Fields
Paletta Pink Tip
Cali Tort
Mr Pacman
And a no-named acro floating around Austin, TX (they called it Rainbow Nasuta)
I did a WC that following weekend, and it definitely ticked some of them off. Then PE came back about 3 days later. That's when I knew I needed a skimmer, so I could keep my hands out of the water for longer periods. Threw on a Tunze 9004. It's a bit finicky, but overall still a great nano skimmer. Been pulling out some good skimmate.
So, I'm getting tired of writing now. I'm dosing Red Sea's Reef Foundation as well as a low dosage of Reef Energy and Pohl's at night, and all of my acros have been really happy. The spongode is just a beast, doesn't care what goes on in the tank, it just grows and grows. Wife calls it The Hulk. Nitrates are about 2-3 PPM, and phosphates are <0.03 but >0. I REALLY need to get a Hanna UL Phosphorus Checker. Salinity is 35ppt, Calcium 450, Alk 8.4, Mag(Mixed kinda high at 1440 but could be testing error in Red Sea Mg Test) So far in 10 days, the corals have started to grow over the glue on the plug. I'll have to say, the Strawberry Fields and Rainbow Mille have to be the hardiest acros in there. Would definitely recommend those for any acro beginner. PC Rainbow is just a little more finicky, but probably one of my fastest growers thus far. The others are definitely easier to get upset, and they mostly show PE at night. I literally don't watch TV anymore. Just stand in front of the tank after work trying to see if the corals are happy. Seriously though, don't mess with anything if it ain't broken. The corals are much happier when you've got your hands out of the tank. I'll update on my progress soon. Hopefully it'll be good news. Good vibes to all.
-Jonathan
New Reef2Reef-er here. Just wanted to show a build of my tank. This is my first saltwater tank ever, and I'm still learning everyday. Unfortunately, I'm a stick head, and sometimes I get a big head thinking that I can do anything just cause I'm an engineer haha. I know that's not the case when it comes to marine biology. But acros are just so appealing to me. From the different color variations and branching beauty, to just the straight up challenge. And I totally understand how acros need a "mature" tank, and dry rock just won't do it. Call me irresponsible but I would like to try. And if this doesn't work out, then my wife probably won't let me do it again, and I will flat out tell you, "dang, bro you were right."
Now that I've got that off my chest, my tank is just another JBJ 30 Gallon Rimless AIO. Nothing fancy. Actually bought it off a local reefer for $250 on 05/04/2017, and it was in pretty good condition. Also got a gently used AI Hydra 26 HD for $225 from another local reefer that week. Everything after this was pretty much bought new from BRS.
06/07/2017
Got the AI HMS Single Arm Mounting Kit.
06/26/2017
A bit of BRS Dry Pukani and a MaxSpect Gyre
Gotta love BRS Black Friday specials
Then everything sat in the closet for like a year, and I never thought this tank was going up since the budget was super tight. Then a promotion, and wife getting a new job, I finally bought a Red Sea Blue Bucket of salt and started curing my rock and getting more goodies. I cured my rock in saltwater for about 6 weeks, no bleach or muriatic acid. Did a 100% water change the first few weeks, cause this stuff was FILTHY. Ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates were off the chart. Towards the end, only did about 50% water changes to leave some food for bacteria. After 6 weeks, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, nitrates were <5ppm, and phosphate were <0.03ppm.
Anyways, got some more test kits, some filter floss, purigen, chemipure elite, and biospira, and this baby finally went up on 06/09/2018.
I threw in a clown, and then a few more fish a week, later. Consistently checked for any spikes of ammonia or nitrite, and everything was all good. I bought a Spongode frag from a local for $10 as a test, and this thing was just super happy in my tank. But I quickly realized how fast nitrates could rise in a nano with only doing water changes for primary nutrient export. Typically, I had to do 5 gallon WC once per week, when nitrates were hitting about 10 ppm. I was also throwing in some Pohl's Coral Vitalizer daily, just to see if it did anything.
07/04/2018- I bought an acro frag pack from a local. 7 nice acros for $120. Pack included:
Rainbow Mille
PC Rainbow
Strawberry Fields
Paletta Pink Tip
Cali Tort
Mr Pacman
And a no-named acro floating around Austin, TX (they called it Rainbow Nasuta)
I did a WC that following weekend, and it definitely ticked some of them off. Then PE came back about 3 days later. That's when I knew I needed a skimmer, so I could keep my hands out of the water for longer periods. Threw on a Tunze 9004. It's a bit finicky, but overall still a great nano skimmer. Been pulling out some good skimmate.
So, I'm getting tired of writing now. I'm dosing Red Sea's Reef Foundation as well as a low dosage of Reef Energy and Pohl's at night, and all of my acros have been really happy. The spongode is just a beast, doesn't care what goes on in the tank, it just grows and grows. Wife calls it The Hulk. Nitrates are about 2-3 PPM, and phosphates are <0.03 but >0. I REALLY need to get a Hanna UL Phosphorus Checker. Salinity is 35ppt, Calcium 450, Alk 8.4, Mag(Mixed kinda high at 1440 but could be testing error in Red Sea Mg Test) So far in 10 days, the corals have started to grow over the glue on the plug. I'll have to say, the Strawberry Fields and Rainbow Mille have to be the hardiest acros in there. Would definitely recommend those for any acro beginner. PC Rainbow is just a little more finicky, but probably one of my fastest growers thus far. The others are definitely easier to get upset, and they mostly show PE at night. I literally don't watch TV anymore. Just stand in front of the tank after work trying to see if the corals are happy. Seriously though, don't mess with anything if it ain't broken. The corals are much happier when you've got your hands out of the tank. I'll update on my progress soon. Hopefully it'll be good news. Good vibes to all.
-Jonathan
Last edited:
. We'll see how the next one goes.
