My 20 Gallon High Reef

[Brian085]

This will be my log for a nice reef tank. (hopefuly)

The tank is a standard 20 gallon high.
Current usa nova 24" 4 bulb (96watts).
Coralife superskimmer 65.
2 Koralia Nano 240's.
25 pounds of live rock.
20 pounds of sand.

Sand added:

Hermit:

Full tank shot:

Mushrooms:

Any comments are welcomed =]

 

[NanoNano]

Looking good! I have a 20 high as well. Welcome to the club.

 

[smoq]

I'd like the rockwork. Mp10 would be a great pump for this setup IMO.

 

[Brian085]

I feel I'm fine with the 2 nano's and I got them pretty cheap too. Thanks for the comments!

 

[Brian085]

Here are some water test results.

Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 5ish ppm

It seems that there hasnt been any die off from the live rock due to no amounts of ammonia. The live rock was added 6 days ago. I would say I'm near being able to add a clownfish? Whats everyones thoughts?

edit:
Ph: 8.1
Phosphate: 0ppm
Carbonate hardness: 125.3ppm
Calcium: 400ish ppm

 

[sprinklerdudes]

6 days is not enough time, just my opion,

 

[sprinklerdudes]

I like the set up you have though

 

[Brian085]

Okay how long would be a good time to wait? I edited in more test.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Sweet start to the Hobby! just looking at the pix reminds me of my first days starting! So exciting. I think your koralias will be just perfect. Yeah the MP10 is superior but why break the bank when you're just starting out? Great setup so far!

 

[Brian085]

Thank you!

 

[smoq]

Yeah 6 days is not long enough. I guess you didn't reach the ammonia spike yet, test the water again. It usually takes 2-4 weeks for LR to cycle.

 

[Brian085]

The live rock was from established tanks.

 

[smoq]

Oh, in that case your test may be right and you're ready for clowns. I would wait 2-3 days just to be safe, test the water again and stock this thing up:)

 

[Brian085]

8 pounds of the rock came from one store that had it set up in a running tank for months and 15 pounds was from another store that got it in from someone taking down their tank. Another 2 pounds are just small "rubble" rocks.

You can see the 15 pounds with all the coraline on it from the first post picture.

I tested ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate 3-4 days ago with the same results.

 

[_Alex_]

if all the rock is live and has been live for more than a few months then you shoudlnt get much of a cycle intill you add some livestock. just take it slow and dont add to much at once. i have changed tanks before with all new water and just changed the live rock and filters over, then livestock and not had any problems. so in my opion you should be fine

 

[Brian085]

Well stocking is gona have to wait. I deicied to modify the skimmer. I'm goning to raise the pump up and mod the bubble deffuser. It would be done but I need parts :p

 

[sprinklerdudes]

if the rock has already been cycled you should be ok, I like to wait a few weeks between each addition to allow things to balance out, espically in small tanks. the rock I put in my tank was fine for a few days and then I had it spike took about four + weeks before it finished cycling,

 

[Brian085]

Update
FTS

Mushroom

Clownfish

BOOO Green Hair Algae

 

[Brian085]

Look what the snail mail dropped off!

Mangroves^