First saltwater voyage starting with HelloReef

[TheReefAbides]

That's a really nice setup

agreed! alot of time, planning, resources went into that. well done

I went with corals. A lot of varity.

yes there is, its a hard decision to make. I love all the varieties.. but also have been enamored by the clown fish BTA symbiotic relationship. I know clowns will host other corals sometimes, would be nice if the nems would play nice with others

hmm decisions decisions.

 

[Avgwarhawk]

I have read and heard not all clowns host nems or anything. It's a learned behavior. Captive bred clowns don't learn the behavior. Mine host nothing but the fish food! But then I see posts concerning a clown starting to host. I guess it is hit or miss.

 

[TheReefAbides]

I have read and heard not all clowns host nems or anything. It's a learned behavior. Captive bred clowns don't learn the behavior. Mine host nothing but the fish food! But then I see posts concerning a clown starting to host. I guess it is hit or miss.

Correct, I thought I’ve also read articles where you can try to encourage hosting with either acclimation box or some type of container to keep the clown close to the nem for a short period of time.

 

[TheReefAbides]

So last night I received and added a Nature Dimensions Nano Fleece roller system to the tank.

First thoughts were, well designed laid out and packaged. Two thumbs up!

Not sure if I had the water levels in the tank set up properly in the beginning. Made some adjustments to the ATO sensor level and removed some water from the tank.
Dropped the roller in and played with it for a bit. I noticed when I got home from work that the roller had been triggered. The fleece looks like it was only dusty brown so I raised the optical sensor. I will keep monitoring the unit.
Goal is to get it dialed in along with the ATO to maintain a consistent water level and salinity before adding any corals.

Any critiques are welcome and helpful, also pictures or videos of your own HR or IM15 set up with ND fleece roll



Update on the tank critters

-The two clowns M&M seem to be adjusting well and spend a lot of time together. Both are eating. Every other day or two I add 1/4-1/3 of a brine shrimp cube mixed with tank water.
Daily feeding of BRS Pellets. 1-2x daily work schedule dependent. Typically 1x daily.

-2 Peppermint shrimp seem happy and healthy with good appetite. Noticed one molted today as the remnants were lodged in the wavemaker.

-Nassarius snails, from my most recent count im down to 2 from 4. not sure what happened, maybe a difference of sality from my LFS shocked them? unsure as of now.

-Cerith Snails, Once added they immediately dove into the sand not to be seen since.

-2 hermit crabs, these critters are doing well. Its cool to watch them scale the rock scape like a cliff hanger. One hermit decied to utilize the shell from the dead nassarius.

 

[Avgwarhawk]

Looking at your ATO and where the water level is in the main display tank, that is were mine stays with the ATO. As far as the sump levels, I don't worry about it. However, I don't have a fleece roller. The sump levels go up and down as the filter starts to imped flow and or the middle sump gets something added(like ceramic bio balls). As long as my ATO keeps the water level between the Hello and Reef etched in the front glass I'm good.

How did you know the 2 snail had died? Out of it shell or something? Yeah, hermits will switch shells. Mine has quite a bit. I keep a bunch of empty shells for them to try.

 

[TheReefAbides]

Looking at your ATO and where the water level is in the main display tank, that is were mine stays with the ATO. As far as the sump levels, I don't worry about it. However, I don't have a fleece roller. The sump levels go up and down as the filter starts to imped flow and or the middle sump gets something added(like ceramic bio balls). As long as my ATO keeps the water level between the Hello and Reef etched in the front glass I'm good.

How did you know the 2 snail had died? Out of it shell or something? Yeah, hermits will switch shells. Mine has quite a bit. I keep a bunch of empty shells for them to try.

The one was belly up and mangled, and I’m assuming the second must have died and was eaten because the hermit was wearing its shell. I bought a 6 pack of misc shells for hermits and he chose to wears the snails lol

 

[TheReefAbides]

After about 3 weeks my lid has arrived. Ordered this one from Top Lids. Its is crafted well and is super clean. It does however interfere with how I had my light mounted with the light shades. Some fooling about with that will be required. so far I like it and no longer have to worry about the Clowns carpet surfing.

 

[X-37B]

Have watched the tutorial videos, seeing how the socks needed to be changed every 2-4 days, stocking pile and washing in the machine with bleach. I thought that would be a bit time consuming and less time to enjoy the progress. First question in my mind was is there an easier more efficient way for the filtration. Saw an ad for the nature dimension fleece roller, good reviews and plenty of videos in action. So I said heck why not, order one and it should be here end of week. I did order a few extra socks just in case. As tech always has the chance of failing.

I kind of want to get an extra pump and wave maker to have on hand. I can’t think of anything worse than being Sabotaged by failing equipment.

The plan is clowns and Bubble tip anemone. I saw some mocha storms I really loved, although came with a steep price tag. Maybe some zoas also.

I can feel this becoming a very immersive hobby. As I’m already dreaming of larger aquariums to home different breeds of fish and I haven’t even stocked this one yet
I have to remind myself one day at a time
For now I’ll just keep enjoying shared reefs by others

 

[X-37B]

You can do alot in a 15g nano.
Here is my current 15" cube for insperation.

And here is your future destination my current 2 year old 150. One of 6, lol.

 

[TheReefAbides]

@X-37B
wow! both of those a beautiful! thank you for sharing!

Its always nice to see others success in the 15 gal tanks. I have read so many mixed reviews and journeys. Conditions swing fast in the small water volume, I have even experienced that just with salinity. Fingers crossed I can build a nice reef like yours

I would love to learn more about your 15 gal before I get in over my head with a larger tank (although I sometimes feel it maybe easier). Do you have a dedicated build page to it?

I am currently trying to decide how I'm going to increase my export of phosphate. Since 4/23 till 5/9 it has been trending in the upward direction. Just tested before w/c change to day and I am at [.18ppm]

 

[X-37B]

@X-37B
wow! both of those a beautiful! thank you for sharing!

Its always nice to see others success in the 15 gal tanks. I have read so many mixed reviews and journeys. Conditions swing fast in the small water volume, I have even experienced that just with salinity. Fingers crossed I can build a nice reef like yours

I would love to learn more about your 15 gal before I get in over my head with a larger tank (although I sometimes feel it maybe easier). Do you have a dedicated build page to it?

I am currently trying to decide how I'm going to increase my export of phosphate. Since 4/23 till 5/9 it has been trending in the upward direction. Just tested before w/c change to day and I am at [.18ppm]

First get an ato for that system for stability. My 15 has only 9.5 g's of water.
I do nothing in my nanos for no3 or po4 control. It keeps it simple.
I does 2 part but am switching to A4R.
This is the 15 thread. Check it out.
Thread 'IM 15 Nano Cube' https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/im-15-nano-cube.1099086/
This is my old 18" cube at 10 months.

 

[Jon B.]

After about 3 weeks my lid has arrived. Ordered this one from Top Lids. Its is crafted well and is super clean. It does however interfere with how I had my light mounted with the light shades. Some fooling about with that will be required. so far I like it and no longer have to worry about the Clowns carpet surfing.

Our tanks look very similar! Same lid (yours is set up differently on the right hand side though), the fleece roller and the light stands. Looks good!

 

[TheReefAbides]

@Jon B. Thank you, I am really enjoying it so far. hopefully I can get the light shade back on, I have to modify the Printed Reef brackets though.

 

[Avgwarhawk]

@X-37B
wow! both of those a beautiful! thank you for sharing!

Its always nice to see others success in the 15 gal tanks. I have read so many mixed reviews and journeys. Conditions swing fast in the small water volume, I have even experienced that just with salinity. Fingers crossed I can build a nice reef like yours

I would love to learn more about your 15 gal before I get in over my head with a larger tank (although I sometimes feel it maybe easier). Do you have a dedicated build page to it?

I am currently trying to decide how I'm going to increase my export of phosphate. Since 4/23 till 5/9 it has been trending in the upward direction. Just tested before w/c change to day and I am at [.18ppm]

Just be careful reducing phosphates. If they bottom out to 0 dinoflagellates usually show up. It's hard to get rid of whatever dino starts growing. Ask me how I know. Anyway, I used the following and it dropped my phosphates but I was not mindful and it dropped it to 0. Hello dinoflagellates. So, if you get it just test phosphates daily and pull it out when at a good level.
Your pet will love this Boyd Chemi-Pure Blue Nano Ultimate Filter Media, 5 count:
https://www.chewy.com/dp/192211?utm_source=app-share&utm_campaign=192211

 

[TheReefAbides]

@X-37B
wow! both of those a beautiful! thank you for sharing!

Its always nice to see others success in the 15 gal tanks. I have read so many mixed reviews and journeys. Conditions swing fast in the small water volume, I have even experienced that just with salinity. Fingers crossed I can build a nice reef like yours

I would love to learn more about your 15 gal before I get in over my head with a larger tank (although I sometimes feel it maybe easier). Do you have a dedicated build page to it?

I am currently trying to decide how I'm going to increase my export of phosphate. Since 4/23 till 5/9 it has been trending in the upward direction. Just tested before w/c change to day and I am at [.18ppm]

Just be careful reducing phosphates. If they bottom out to 0 dinoflagellates usually show up. It's hard to get rid of whatever dino starts growing. Ask me how I know. Anyway, I used the following and it dropped my phosphates but I was not mindful and it dropped it to 0. Hello dinoflagellates. So, if you get it just test phosphates daily and pull it out when at a good level.
Your pet will love this Boyd Chemi-Pure Blue Nano Ultimate Filter Media, 5 count:
https://www.chewy.com/dp/192211?utm_source=app-share&utm_campaign=192211

I’ll keep that in mind!

Are you still using aquaforrest salt? I noticed the ALK is trending lower compared to advertised parameters

 

[Avgwarhawk]

I’ll keep that in mind!

Are you still using aquaforrest salt? I noticed the ALK is trending lower compared to advertised parameters

Yes I do. My alkalinity stays consistent. Wonder what reduces alkalinity in a SW aquarium? All for Reef has alkalinity increaser.

 

[TheReefAbides]

I’ll keep that in mind!

Are you still using aquaforrest salt? I noticed the ALK is trending lower compared to advertised parameters

Yes I do. My alkalinity stays consistent. Wonder what reduces alkalinity in a SW aquarium? All for Reef has alkalinity increaser.

I’m thinking about switching salt to tropic marin PR before adding nems or corals. My local LFS uses it, I figure this will make for easier acclimation and similar parameters long term since I will be getting majority of live stock from him. Bonus he QTs all of his fish before sales

I need to do more research on dosing, I know it’s one of those things that seems inevitable.

 

[TheReefAbides]

We are officially at the 1 month mark

Parameters

Salinity: 1.0245
Alkalinity: 6.2dkh
calcium: 390
magnesium: 1370
Nitrate: ~ 20
Phosphate: .21

Fish, hermit crabs, and shrimp seem to be doing well. No signs of snails in the last 3 days

Possibly the first signs of some diatoms?

 

[Jon B.]

Did you happen to put any Copepods in your tank once it was cycled? I credit them with keeping my tank from getting "ugly".

I also use the Tropic Marin salt. Mixes really cleanly, doesn't leave any gunk or other stuff in the bucket. That's the main reason I bought it.

 

[TheReefAbides]

Did you happen to put any Copepods in your tank once it was cycled? I credit them with keeping my tank from getting "ugly".

I also use the Tropic Marin salt. Mixes really cleanly, doesn't leave any gunk or other stuff in the bucket. That's the main reason I bought it.

I just added a batch of Galaxy pods from algae barn on Friday!