My new project

[Mike from TN]

Picked up some beautiful corals this morning. A nice medium sized Frogspawn ( 13 heads ) and a really nice Zoa. Both have been dipped, acclimated and are at home in the tank. I’ll post up some pix as soon as they open up.

 

[brett_schn]

Picked up some beautiful corals this morning. A nice medium sized Frogspawn ( 13 heads ) and a really nice Zoa. Both have been dipped, acclimated and are at home in the tank. I’ll post up some pix as soon as they open up.

Nice!!! Pics or it didn’t happen

 

[Mike from TN]

Frog is opening nicely. A little slower that I’d like but it’s doing its thing. Sorry for poor picture quality. Using my iPad!

 

[Mike from TN]

Zoa is real slow to open. I moved it into the shade for now to see what happens.

 

[brett_schn]

Looking good! Use the Snapseed app to edit white balance to get better pictures if you want

 

[Mike from TN]

I suck at math!!!
Now that the RO/DI unit is up and running, I’ll be making my own water for water changes.
My question to the more experienced reefers here is, has anyone used this salt and how many cups of dry salt to 5 gallons of RO/DI to get me in the ballpark? I’d rather mix to a slightly high SG and dilute down than mix to a lower SG and have to dissolve more salt to get it where I need it.
This is the label. Just need it in the ballpark and I can work from there.
Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Mike from TN]

So, I’m thinking this little Fluval skimmer is more trouble than it’s worth. Been fiddling with it since day one and really can’t seem to get it dialed in. I think I’m just going to remove it and use that chamber for additional filter media.
Also plugged the hole in the false wall today. I cut a piece of 1/8” Lexan the size of the chamber and inserted it between the false wall and the media basket.

 

[brett_schn]

So, I’m thinking this little Fluval skimmer is more trouble than it’s worth. Been fiddling with it since day one and really can’t seem to get it dialed in. I think I’m just going to remove it and use that chamber for additional filter media.
Also plugged the hole in the false wall today. I cut a piece of 1/8” Lexan the size of the chamber and inserted it between the false wall and the media basket.

Ive heard of many people having trouble with their skimmer in the past. If ur nutrients are too high in the future it might be worth an upgrade but for now no skimmer is just fine

 

[vetteguy53081]

Tank has been running roughly 15 days and you have fish and coral already ?
Its likely not halfwat into cycling. Also, plan on replacing that platic hydrometer with a refractometer for more accurate results and I also see API test kits which have let many people down.
Not trying to break up the excitement but honestly, you have stocked about a month too soon and are using components intended to just get you by with tank being properly cycled.
reefing is a far cry difference from Freshwater setup and I we are here to see you succeed.

 

[Paleozoic_reefer]

I suck at math!!!
Now that the RO/DI unit is up and running, I’ll be making my own water for water changes.
My question to the more experienced reefers here is, has anyone used this salt and how many cups of dry salt to 5 gallons of RO/DI to get me in the ballpark? I’d rather mix to a slightly high SG and dilute down than mix to a lower SG and have to dissolve more salt to get it where I need it.
This is the label. Just need it in the ballpark and I can work from there.
Thanks in advance for any help!

I would buy a refractometer instead. Every bucket is going to be slightly different in composition and with such a small tank, even little differences in SW will cause big issues...

 

[Mike from TN]

I would buy a refractometer instead. Every bucket is going to be slightly different in composition and with such a small tank, even little differences in SW will cause big issues...

Totally understood. The reason I was asking about the dilution is that it’s not stated on the bucket. I’m just back into reefing after many,MANY years. Back in the day,I used Instant Ocean. Many things have changed since my last reef setup.
Like I was saying on my other post, I just needed a number of cups of mix per five gallons of water to get me in the ballpark. I would adjust from there. Doing some searching around, I got my answer 1/2 cup/gallon.
This is strictly a budget build and I do understand we are dealing with living creatures here. Health issues have forced me into an early retirement and this takes up the time nicely. I most likely will invest in a refractometer although I’ve used a swing arm for ever and it never let me down.

 

[Mike from TN]

Okay Guys! Got a refractometer coming, be here on Wed!

 

[Mike from TN]

Got one of these bad boys coming now that I pulled the skimmer.

 

[Mike from TN]

Frogspawn sure is happy in its new home!

 

[Mike from TN]

Chamber 1 media box should be here tomorrow. Looking forward to the next step in more efficient filtration. I got my refractometer today, calibrated it and I’m spot on at 1.025

 

[gabrielw94106]

Chamber 1 media box should be here tomorrow. Looking forward to the next step in more efficient filtration. I got my refractometer today, calibrated it and I’m spot on at 1.025

The 1st chamber basket is crazy youll be really happy with the purchase!

 

[Mike from TN]

Thanks Gabriel! I really looking forward to getting it. Are you running the same one, from InTank?

 

[gabrielw94106]

Thanks Gabriel! I really looking forward to getting it. Are you running the same one, from InTank?

I am ,I got it a few weeks ago and I can already tell a difference. I run mine with: filter floss, chemipure blue, and seachem purigen with marine pure gems in the 2nd chamber. Works wonders and everything is happy

 

[Mike from TN]

That’s great to hear. I was a little worried about attempting a Nano after being out of the hobby for 10+ years. This is quickly turning into a fun little project. I have lots of (retired) time on my hands. Every morning while my coffee is brewing, I do a 1 gallon water change. LOL!

 

[gabrielw94106]

That’s great to hear. I was a little worried about attempting a Nano after being out of the hobby for 10+ years. This is quickly turning into a fun little project. I have lots of (retired) time on my hands. Every morning while my coffee is brewing, I do a 1 gallon water change. LOL!

Great to hear you’re enjoying it! Im looking forward to further updates on the tank!