Last Chance Tank Before Baby!

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

I have been into small takes for a very long time. My problem is I get bored easily and have not been satisfied with how most of them turn out or when trying something new turns into disaster. With a new baby on the way I needed something with less mess and less maintenance. While full changes are easy and quick, this isn't always practical and do cause a mess.

Some of the initial problems:
I went from weekly full water changes to dosing All for Reef (AFR) and AF Elixir. Unfortunately the elixir expired early this year and was opened late last year. I ended up cross contaminating. I also ended up having issues with how I was reading salinity with refractometer. And was causing the water I would get to be high. I believe the water in my tank is accurate but something is a miss.

While the wife has given me permission on what I need I am still limiting and since I can't pinpoint the issue, I am resetting. This will allow me a fresh start from beginning.

Plan is to drain everything, rinse everything add sand, redo rock scape and get things on auto pilot. While coming out less than 50 a month in maintenance.

I am redoing the rockscape as I will need easier access to the bottom to clean as I don't want to have to take the rock out and make a mess. I love the layout but it will not work.

My equipment currently is
UNS 30A Dual AIO
AI Blade 12" Grow and Glow
AI axis 40
Nature Dimensions filter roller
Reef Breeders ATO
Kamora T stepper pro for AWC
Versa VX-1 for AFR
Ink Bird wifi temp Controller
Amazon ZKSJ Mini Aquarium Pump Wave maker

Test equipment
ATC refractometer will be ordering a backup
Salifert mag, cal,
Hanna Phosphate, ALK, Nitrate

Dose and feed
All for Reef
Benepets
Reef Roids

This will start when I get home after work.

I am starting a new thread as my other is to muddied up with shifts and changes and this is a reset for a clean start. Please let me know any suggestions as dosing and minimal water changes are new to me. Just have to keep cost down long term but also be simple.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

Reserved for later use

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

So first lesson is to preheat or rest water in garage. In house, specific gravity was 1.029. in garage 1.025 to .026. in freezer for a bit 1.034.

Current salt fresh from yesterday still in container:
KH/AlK 8.6
Ca 440
Mg 1440
Nitrate 0
Phosphate 0
pH 8.3
Specific gravity1.026

This reassures me that the levels are good starting out. Plan will be to start a small dose off AFR tomorrow and to slowly increase as needed.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

So not before I pull things and mess with the tank, I need to get the equipment situated. This includes fixing the rats nest.i already cleaned off the counter top. While I might not make it pretty, anything has got to be better than this lol

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

And complete! While it is still not the greatest, I am limited on space and compartments. Hopefully I can get a cabinet mounted above. I can then mount the lights under and put the doser above. I can use the compartment next to it to run and hide the cables and setup the other compartment better. Would like to also get a better surge protector that can be controlled wifi eventually as well for emergencies if I am away. But I don't know how long this cabinet will hold up.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

So the tank is now setup. I will start to next setup the doser tomorrow. Everything else is in place but corals still need to be mounted. I have the par meter so will be working through that tomorrow as well. Then I can mount the corals once I know readings.

Now the biggest challenge...clean the mess I made up so the wife is happy.
On a side note, I forgot to change cloths. Anyone know how to get super glue off clothing lol?

 

[Goaway]

I'm not good at keeping small tanks.

I really hope you can get the advice you need. I love afr. I run a 112g system. Mind you. My acropora don't love my no water change habits. My hammers have grown like crazy.

Anyhow, exporting nutrients is what you'll need to dial in. Many reefers have their own system.

Mine is very porous live rock in the sump, feather dusters, and macro algae.

We all know vintage reefer. So, he might have some tips to help.

Also, randy has a diy calibration fluid for refractrometers which is pretty trustworthy and pennies to make. I've used it for almost 20years.

 

[Goaway]

And, no idea about superglue removal... as many bottles as I've been through.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

I'm not good at keeping small tanks.

I really hope you can get the advice you need. I love afr. I run a 112g system. Mind you. My acropora don't love my no water change habits. My hammers have grown like crazy.

Anyhow, exporting nutrients is what you'll need to dial in. Many reefers have their own system.

Mine is very porous live rock in the sump, feather dusters, and macro algae.

We all know vintage reefer. So, he might have some tips to help.

Also, randy has a diy calibration fluid for refractrometers which is pretty trustworthy and pennies to make. I've used it for almost 20years.

Yeah, the full water changes work great. But this is actually just to big of a tank for cost to do and mess. I still plan on weekly water change but will be much simpler just take longer.

My issue is the temp in house. When I went into store and brought cali ration fluid and water sample with my refractometer, everything was spot on. I did an experiment with the garage, house and freezer. The colder the higher. So I just make sure it's warmed up lol

Will definitely need guidance on this as dosing low water changes and such so far have been disastrous. Plus rock scape to difficult to get to bottom without pulling out as I did before.

I also have never had success with sand. So this will be tough.

Looking forward to guidance on this one. But I did see the salinity calibration guide before and it's interesting. Good in a pinch. Randy always has some good stuff.

 

[Goaway]

I dont know how well aio tanks filteration works. But, to clean the rocks, using a turkey baster or power head to stir stuff up worked on moving the waste to filter socks.

Probably works for any filter pad as well.

You can definitly stir up the bottom well with no sand.

Having 2 younglings myself, a low maintenance aquarium is a dream come true.


I am very sure this can be done.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

That is why I reduced the amount of rock so I can easily reach around and access sand and such. I have always felt with picos. Just air pump and light or circulation pump and light. Super easy when 5 gallons or less. AIOs isn't bad I actually setup a filter cup using plant holders and filter floss. Water is already pretty clear.

But here it is prior to this tear down.

 

[Tahoe61]

I like the sand in the tank very much. The tank is probably going to go through an ugly stage, you're just going to have to be patient. In the long run I feel the biological filter within the sandbed helps to stabilize the system. :)

 

[Goaway]

I like the sand in the tank very much. The tank is probably going to go through an ugly stage, you're just going to have to be patient. In the long run I feel the biological filter within the sandbed helps to stabilize the system. :)

That's a very valid point.


A nice cuc to help uglies when/if it happens.

That's most likely to take place as you'll be swithing to partial water changes.

Awesome build! I'll be following along.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

I like the sand in the tank very much. The tank is probably going to go through an ugly stage, you're just going to have to be patient. In the long run I feel the biological filter within the sandbed helps to stabilize the system. :)

Hopefully be minor as the rock in there has been alive for months and all sorts of stuff. Reused from build I broke down today as well. But with fresh sand, that will be an all new experience. I haven't had much luck with sand. Hopefully it will work out this time. I have a gravel vac as well. But will probably pick up some things to turn it.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

That's a very valid point.


A nice cuc to help uglies when/if it happens.

That's most likely to take place as you'll be swithing to partial water changes.

Awesome build! I'll be following along.

There is already lightning dove snails, some asterina and hermits. I do have 2 porcelain crabs and a flaming prawn goby. Tried to keep some of the feather dusters.

Definitely need some sand crew. While the rock is very much live, sand being new could cause more uglies lol.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

Not sure what happened or if I ticked something off. I noticed my neck hurting which isn't unusual lol. But my right eye, most of my peripheral was like the old blocked channels with some static. Also started having a migraine. While I did increase the temp in our house to 75. I would not think this would do anything like this. But definitely to warm for us. Woke up with still a bit of head discomfort and neck kinked. I had contacts in but wanted to wait before messing with my eyes.

I did check on the tank and things are doing ok. I am going to lose one Duncan head but won't know for a bit how everything is. I did lose my sps but will be able to get another once I'm squared away. But now time to get more sleep as I have to be up in a few hours.

 

[Goaway]

I hope you and the coral are feeling better.

 

[PharmrJohn]

With a baby on the way I was trying to cut costs and mess, even though it took more time, I ended up causing a complete wreck in my tank, I am at wits end and ready to throw in the towel. Unfortunately I have spent what I considered to much money lol.

I went from weekly full water changes to dosing All for Reef (AFR) and AF Elixir. Unfortunately the elixir expired early this year and was opened late last year. I ended up cross contaminating. I also ended up having issues with how I was reading salinity with refractometer. And was causing the water I would get to be high. I believe the water in my tank is accurate but something is a miss.

While the wife has given me permission on what I need I am still limiting and since I can't pinpoint the issue, I am resetting. This will allow me a fresh start from beginning.

Plan is to drain everything, rinse everything add sand, redo rock scape and get things on auto pilot. While coming out less than 50 a month in maintenance.

I am redoing the rockscape as I will need easier access to the bottom to clean as I don't want to have to take the rock out and make a mess. I love the layout but it will not work.

My equipment currently is
UNS 30A Dual AIO
AI Blade 12" Grow and Glow
AI axis 40
Home made filter cup DIY with plant holder and filter floss
Reef Breeders ATO

Test equipment
ATC refractometer will be ordering a backup
Salifert alk, mag, cal, phos (will be purchasing possibly next week ultra low Hannah phosphate checker)
API PH and Nitrate.

Dose and feed
All for Reef
Benepets
Reef Roids

This will start when I get home after work.

I am starting a new thread as my other is to muddied up with shifts and changes and this is a reset for a clean start. Please let me know any suggestions as dosing and minimal water changes are new to me. Just have to keep coat down long term but also be simple.

Well, I'm happy your continuing. In my humble opinion, a distraction is necessary to survive the responsibility that's coming up for you. And trust me, your wee-one is eventually going to be Fascinated with your set up. THAT being said, I gave up my 90g 14 years ago as my children were entering their teens and pre-teens. I needed to concentrate on them fully. Looking back, I'm not sure that was the right decision. I probably could have done both. But......I'll never know!!!!

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

I hope you and the coral are feeling better.

Actually I am a bit better. I put up a camera to watch the tank and actually seems to be doing better. I'll know more when I get home.
Thank you

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

Well, I'm happy your continuing. In my humble opinion, a distraction is necessary to survive the responsibility that's coming up for you. And trust me, your wee-one is eventually going to be Fascinated with your set up. THAT being said, I gave up my 90g 14 years ago as my children were entering their teens and pre-teens. I needed to concentrate on them fully. Looking back, I'm not sure that was the right decision. I probably could have done both. But......I'll never know!!!!

I am kinda at that wits end point where if things go south again, then I'll probably just quit till I can refocus.

Hoping they will be. I'm actually managing 2 small planted tanks as well. It's just a handful at the moment and need to start saving more money.

I had gotten out once before. But It was on a smaller scale and much easier to do lol.