skylar12590
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2020
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 29
Hello Everyone!
I am new here! I just joined a few days ago. Figured it was about time I introduced my self to everyone. My name is Skylar! I have been using Reef2Reef forums for a little while now while setting up a new saltwater aquarium. I had a few freshwater tanks growing up and now that I have my own place I decided I wanted to get back into the aquarium world! I found a video series from Mr. Saltwater Tank on Youtube about 8 months ago and have been following that to build my first saltwater tank. I started a bit small but I wanted to make sure I learned how to do the basics first. Baby steps right? Below is the gear that I purchased in November. I set everything up in December and have been up and running since then. I purchased 30 gallons of RO/DI water from my LFS to get everything started and plan on buying my own RO/DI unit some time in the future. I used bottled bacteria to kick off the cycle. As far as livestock I started with two ocellaris clownfish. About every two weeks, I have been adding new fish as well as CUC as needed. I have a Bangai Cardinalfish and a Yellow Watchmen Goby. 5 hermits crabs, 3 Turbo Snails, a cleaner shrimp, and a Brittle Sea Star. I also added a handful of empty shells I plan on adding an Orchid Dottyback once the DiversDen or LFS has one in stock. Possibly a few more snails. For Christmas, my fiance gifted me a Fluval 107 Cannister filter as well as a ATO pump. I have started the process of getting that hooked up. Currently running the canister filter along with my HOB filter listed below. I have seen a pretty big Diatom bloom happen two weeks ago but it has since cleared and the snails seem to really love digging into that stuff. I ran my water tests last night and below are the most recent results.
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - .1 ppm
Nitrate - .2 ppm
Phosphate - 0 ppm
Calcium - 370 ppm
Alkalinity - 8.6 dKH
Magnesium - 1290 ppm
Salinity - 1.027 d SG
PH - 7.8
They seem okay? I am using the Salifert kits to run most of the tests and I have a Hanna digital checker for Salinity, PH, and Phosphate.
In the canister filter, I do have carbon in there now but I am thinking of adding another type of media in there just not sure of what yet. Any help on this would be appreciated?
With all of that said! I do have some questions for anyone that's willing to answer. Not sure if they should be a part of my welcome post. I can move them to a different forum if needed. With the light below I am learning that it will not be strong enough to host a BTA or any type of hard corals. I was looking at upgrading to an AI Prime HD and a NERO 5 Wavemaker in a few months (5-6 months possibly from now). Or could I just add a second LED light of the same kind I have below?
Powerhead Placement! I currently have both powerheads placed in the front sides of the tank, shooting at each other. I have them turned down to accommodate the flow that soft corals like. Where should they normally be placed?
ATO Reservoir - I Was thinking about getting a food-safe plastic container for my ATO. Would this be okay?
I plan on getting a BTA and a few Zoas. Maybe a finger leather/ toadstool leather but I want to future proof myself in the event I do decide to have a mixed reef.
I apologize for my long-winded first post! I am super excited about this new journey I am on and have big plans for the future! I took some pictures last night of the tank. Let me know what you think of the aquascape! I look forward to any of your responses!
~Skylar
I am new here! I just joined a few days ago. Figured it was about time I introduced my self to everyone. My name is Skylar! I have been using Reef2Reef forums for a little while now while setting up a new saltwater aquarium. I had a few freshwater tanks growing up and now that I have my own place I decided I wanted to get back into the aquarium world! I found a video series from Mr. Saltwater Tank on Youtube about 8 months ago and have been following that to build my first saltwater tank. I started a bit small but I wanted to make sure I learned how to do the basics first. Baby steps right? Below is the gear that I purchased in November. I set everything up in December and have been up and running since then. I purchased 30 gallons of RO/DI water from my LFS to get everything started and plan on buying my own RO/DI unit some time in the future. I used bottled bacteria to kick off the cycle. As far as livestock I started with two ocellaris clownfish. About every two weeks, I have been adding new fish as well as CUC as needed. I have a Bangai Cardinalfish and a Yellow Watchmen Goby. 5 hermits crabs, 3 Turbo Snails, a cleaner shrimp, and a Brittle Sea Star. I also added a handful of empty shells I plan on adding an Orchid Dottyback once the DiversDen or LFS has one in stock. Possibly a few more snails. For Christmas, my fiance gifted me a Fluval 107 Cannister filter as well as a ATO pump. I have started the process of getting that hooked up. Currently running the canister filter along with my HOB filter listed below. I have seen a pretty big Diatom bloom happen two weeks ago but it has since cleared and the snails seem to really love digging into that stuff. I ran my water tests last night and below are the most recent results.
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - .1 ppm
Nitrate - .2 ppm
Phosphate - 0 ppm
Calcium - 370 ppm
Alkalinity - 8.6 dKH
Magnesium - 1290 ppm
Salinity - 1.027 d SG
PH - 7.8
They seem okay? I am using the Salifert kits to run most of the tests and I have a Hanna digital checker for Salinity, PH, and Phosphate.
In the canister filter, I do have carbon in there now but I am thinking of adding another type of media in there just not sure of what yet. Any help on this would be appreciated?
With all of that said! I do have some questions for anyone that's willing to answer. Not sure if they should be a part of my welcome post. I can move them to a different forum if needed. With the light below I am learning that it will not be strong enough to host a BTA or any type of hard corals. I was looking at upgrading to an AI Prime HD and a NERO 5 Wavemaker in a few months (5-6 months possibly from now). Or could I just add a second LED light of the same kind I have below?
Powerhead Placement! I currently have both powerheads placed in the front sides of the tank, shooting at each other. I have them turned down to accommodate the flow that soft corals like. Where should they normally be placed?
ATO Reservoir - I Was thinking about getting a food-safe plastic container for my ATO. Would this be okay?
I plan on getting a BTA and a few Zoas. Maybe a finger leather/ toadstool leather but I want to future proof myself in the event I do decide to have a mixed reef.
- Aquarium - Aqueon 20 Gallon High - 24" Long x 13" Wide x 17" High
- Stand - Matching Aqueon Metal Forge Stand
- Aqueon Versa-Lid Glass top
- 24-36" IC LOOP with Bluetooth LED - Current USA
- Dual eFlux 660gph Wave Maker Kit - Current USA
- Aqueon 10 Quietflow Power Filter
- EHEIM Jager 75 Watt Heater
- 20lbs of Caribsea Life Rock
- 20 lbs of Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand (20 lb) - Caribsea
- JW Pet Magnetic Thermometer & Generic sticker tank thermometer
- Generic Refractometer with Calibration Fluid
- Fritz 14lb Bag of Salt
- Tunze Nano Mag Scraper
I apologize for my long-winded first post! I am super excited about this new journey I am on and have big plans for the future! I took some pictures last night of the tank. Let me know what you think of the aquascape! I look forward to any of your responses!
~Skylar
