DerpFish's Budget 10 Gallon Nano Mixed Reef

[DerpFish]

Unlike many of the beautiful tanks on here, this one is in need of some rehab.

This is my 10 gallon nano mixed reef tank that I started about three years ago. I set it up following Inappropriate Reefer's budget 10 gallon build; basic 10 gallon tank with an Aquaclear 70 off the side housing chaeto, some biomedia, a small heater, some activated carbon, and some filter floss. The display light is an Aquaknight led set to be on 8 hrs and I have a 50w led grow bulb pointed at the back of the filter set to be on when the display light is off. I added a gravity fed ato and temperature controller to help maintain stability.

Stocking currently consists of a clownfish, pistol shrimp, a couple hermits, some snails, soft corals, LPS, SPS, and a couple of NPS.

This tank has had some problems; ich, bottomed out nutrients, dinos, aiptasia, and vermetid snails.

A fallow period of a few months seems to have gotten rid of the ich problem. I think the dinos are finally on their way out after dosing nutrients, bacteria, and phytoplankton. I added a few berghia nudibranchs that have multiplied and are quickly ridding the tank of its aiptasia infestation, but the vermetids still remain.

Overall, I think the tank is beginning to recover and I'm beginning to see regrowth on many of my corals that had died back.

 

[Dan_P]

Unlike many of the beautiful tanks on here, this one is in need of some rehab.

This is my 10 gallon nano mixed reef tank that I started about three years ago. I set it up following Inappropriate Reefer's budget 10 gallon build; basic 10 gallon tank with an Aquaclear 70 off the side housing chaeto, some biomedia, a small heater, some activated carbon, and some filter floss. The display light is an Aquaknight led set to be on 8 hrs and I have a 50w led grow bulb pointed at the back of the filter set to be on when the display light is off. I added a gravity fed ato and temperature controller to help maintain stability.

Stocking currently consists of a clownfish, pistol shrimp, a couple hermits, some snails, soft corals, LPS, SPS, and a couple of NPS.

This tank has had some problems; ich, bottomed out nutrients, dinos, aiptasia, and vermetid snails.

A fallow period of a few months seems to have gotten rid of the ich problem. I think the dinos are finally on their way out after dosing nutrients, bacteria, and phytoplankton. I added a few berghia nudibranchs that have multiplied and are quickly ridding the tank of its aiptasia infestation, but the vermetids still remain.

Overall, I think the tank is beginning to recover and I'm beginning to see regrowth on many of my corals that had died back.

HaHa, I looked at the photo before reading the post and thought “hey nice tank, clearly everything under control”. My respect for the effort went even higher after reading the post.

 

[DerpFish]

HaHa, I looked at the photo before reading the post and thought “hey nice tank, clearly everything under control”. My respect for the effort went even higher after reading the post.

Haha, well that's appreciated. I'm hoping to get everything under control soon

 

[DerpFish]

Well about six months after adding my first three little berghia nudibranchs they've grown up, reproduced, and all but eradicated the aiptasia infestation in my tank. Now it's time for these guys to find a new home and for me to do my first trade/sale meetup.

 

[DerpFish]

Things seem to be continuing in the right direction for this tank. My SPS seem to be recovering from the dinos, aiptasia, and instability.

It's most noticable in the mystic sunset monti, which just a few weeks ago had no color and was losing tissue.

I'm also super happy at the rebound of this acan. Six months or so ago it was only two heads that barely had any tissue left after being picked apart by a peppermint shrimp. It regained it's tissue pretty quickly after getting rid of the shrimp, but within the last month it has really taken off and popped out at least 7 new heads.

Considering how well things seem to be recovering in the tank I figured I'd test out another coral. It's not the prettiest little torch out there, but for $20 I think it was a good deal.

 

[DerpFish]

Came home from work to find that my Lady Vamp zoa frag had completely disappeared. I'm thinking my pistol shrimp probably stole it over night. I'm super bummed out because it was one of my favorites and I'm not likely going to find it.

 

[ABQ_CHRIS]

I admire your perseverance. Your results look great.

 

[DerpFish]

I admire your perseverance. Your results look great.

Thank you! I don't think someone can stay in this hobby long without a good deal of perseverance

 

[DerpFish]

Things continue to be improving in the 10 gallon. I have began dosing additional magnesium to correct it slowly lowering over time. I'm also strongly considering upgrading my light to the Mini Noopsyche.

I actually managed to find my Lady Vampire zoanthids that had previously been lost.

My NPS seem to consistently have their polyps out after I thought they were both done for. The dendro is opening up more and more each day and I'm cautiously hopeful that the gorgonian will regrow the lost tissue.

The only thing that doesn't appear to be doing well is my Pink Lemonade Stereonepthea. Over the last couple weeks it has been looking shriveled up and droopy. I know some leathers go through phases like this and I'm hoping that's all that's going on.

 

[DerpFish]

My job pulled me down near New Wave Aquaria and I couldn't help but stop in and take a look. I ended up leaving with a trochus, nassarius, bumblebee, and a couple of zoanthid frags.

They had a great 2 for $50 deal going on so I snagged a frag of Pornstar zoas and an unknown one.

Pornstars

Unknown

If anyone knows the ID for these it would be greatly appreciated.

I still haven't found a good spot for my last torch frag, now I have to find room for these guys . The 10 gallon is getting cramped, but a recent pay raise is bringing my hopes for the 150 ever closer.

 

[Sean Clark]

Following along.