New Sonoran Nano Reef

[sonoransurvivalist]

After months of research, purchasing things that are most likely unnecessary for day one setup, I have finally gotten everything together to get this started. Here's the current setup -
Red Sea Nano Max G2 XL (33.5 gallons)
Red Sea ATO+
Red Sea 4x dosser (connected but not planning to use for some time until I've got a need for it)
Top Lids cover
Aquatop titanium 200w heater
Reefcasa Refugium light
rockscape from reefscapedesigns

My original plan was to have the refugium light in the rear sump, and I'm still going to try to get that done, however I was not expecting the back glass to be opaque...

Currently on day 3 of cycling with Fritz Turbostart 900. I followed the instructions that called for setting salinity to 1.018 and temp at 82 and have been manually topping off with more salt water instead of RODI. This morning my ammonia was already at zero, nitrite was low, but not zero, nitrate was around 2. Added another dose of nitrocycle to bring the ammonia back up to 1 adjusted temps down to 78 and will check again in a few days to see where ammonia and nitrite sits.

While I was always intending to add GSP on the back panel as I like the living wall look, I'm hoping that will offer a barrier to the refugium light bleeding through from the rear sump once it's grown in (plus I expect the chaeto to block the majority of the light too). Depending on when I can demonstrate a full cycle, I'll be starting with two Kaudern's Cardinals (my son's choice).

Long term I'm planning to have 2 clowns, 2 cardinals, a pistol shrimp watchmen goby combo, a 6 line wrasse, and an as of yet undecided option. As for Corals, I know I want GSP for the back wall, going to setup some rock islands to contain other more fast growing/aggressive corals like pulsing zania and the like on the sand bed, an anemone to go with the clowns but other than that I will most likely be primarily picking corals based on availability at my local reef shop.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[sonoransurvivalist]

Quick update, the tank is stilll cycling. Today marks the first day my ammonia has read zero. My Nitrites are another story. I'm using the Red Sea Marine test kit and my nitrites have to be beyond the max reading on this kit (which is 1.0). Nitrates are going up so I expect nitrites to zero out in the coming days. pH is around 8, alk is around 7. I've calibrated the temperature readings between the heater and the ATO+. The ATO+ thermometer is actually quite accurate.

Something I was not expecting, I keep the temps stable in my home via air conditioning. Room temps are 77 degrees and I had originally had my tank set to 78 degrees. After turning on the skimmer, the temps have risen to 79.5 degrees and are just hovering there even with the heater completely turned off.

I've added two new things to the tank in my quest to automate everything from the start - a Hydros XP8 control board, and an Avast auto feeder. Still working on the final layout of the internal cabinet, but getting there. Last things to add to this is a wave maker and the nanomat. If temps start going above 80, will have to look into a chiller solution.

 

[sonoransurvivalist]

21 days to cycle, added two clowns, a colony of 3 zoanthids, and a rock flower anemone.

Still working on appropriate feeding levels. I also added the Avast auto feeder (not pictured)

 

[Falcareef]

It looks great

 

[Prosniper1926]

21 days to cycle, added two clowns, a colony of 3 zoanthids, and a rock flower anemone.

Still working on appropriate feeding levels. I also added the Avast auto feeder (not pictured)

Love the clowns of choice. Im currently looking for 2 mocha storm clowns. Id like to see how your refugium works out as ive been thinking of doing the same thing with my all in one tank as well. I like the light you have for it. Nice and compact

 

[sonoransurvivalist]

Love the clowns of choice. Im currently looking for 2 mocha storm clowns. Id like to see how your refugium works out as ive been thinking of doing the same thing with my all in one tank as well. I like the light you have for it. Nice and compact

Thanks, I really wanted clowns as they're a hallmark of marine tanks in my opinion and they're typically so active. My LFS has so many variations of clowns, these seemed decently priced and unique. Yeah, I'm hoping the refugium light works out. I've already seeded the tank with copepods which the clowns went nuts for as soon as they got in the tank. Trying to allow the nutriance to come up a bit to support Chaeto, but I'm kind of dreading the maintenance of it as it's going to be all the way at the bottom under that shelf. Will have to get some thick gloves to handle it.

 

[X-37B]

Quick update, the tank is stilll cycling. Today marks the first day my ammonia has read zero. My Nitrites are another story. I'm using the Red Sea Marine test kit and my nitrites have to be beyond the max reading on this kit (which is 1.0). Nitrates are going up so I expect nitrites to zero out in the coming days. pH is around 8, alk is around 7. I've calibrated the temperature readings between the heater and the ATO+. The ATO+ thermometer is actually quite accurate.

Something I was not expecting, I keep the temps stable in my home via air conditioning. Room temps are 77 degrees and I had originally had my tank set to 78 degrees. After turning on the skimmer, the temps have risen to 79.5 degrees and are just hovering there even with the heater completely turned off.

I've added two new things to the tank in my quest to automate everything from the start - a Hydros XP8 control board, and an Avast auto feeder. Still working on the final layout of the internal cabinet, but getting there. Last things to add to this is a wave maker and the nanomat. If temps start going above 80, will have to look into a chiller solution.

Best option for a chiller is the Tunze Aquawind. I use one on my 150 and 112. Room can get to 82 and tank stays 78 set at 77.
I use these temp stickers on all sysyems even when running aqualocig temp controllers.
They are cheap.imsurance.
My old Tunze fan on my 20g cube.

 

[X-37B]

I have a pair of naked clowns in my 35 nem system.and a large maroon in my 150.

 

[Prosniper1926]

Love the clowns of choice. Im currently looking for 2 mocha storm clowns. Id like to see how your refugium works out as ive been thinking of doing the same thing with my all in one tank as well. I like the light you have for it. Nice and compact

Thanks, I really wanted clowns as they're a hallmark of marine tanks in my opinion and they're typically so active. My LFS has so many variations of clowns, these seemed decently priced and unique. Yeah, I'm hoping the refugium light works out. I've already seeded the tank with copepods which the clowns went nuts for as soon as they got in the tank. Trying to allow the nutriance to come up a bit to support Chaeto, but I'm kind of dreading the maintenance of it as it's going to be all the way at the bottom under that shelf. Will have to get some thick gloves to handle it.

have to have clowns.i just dont wanna keep the origanal ones as i see it as everyone has them. But thats one thing thats held me up so far was cleaning the refugium in that small space. I did see a guy on youtube make a basket for his chaeto so he didnt have to handle it.

 

[sonoransurvivalist]

@X-37B I ended up getting a small cooling fan when I bought the first corals. Temps were still trending upwards and even broke 81 despite the ambient room being a bit lower than that. I purchased the Chihiros Cooling Fan would did the trick over night and the tank has stayed stable at 78 since. Now I just need to drain enough water to move the aquarium a little bit away from the wall so I can get the fan onto the rear sump.

 

[X-37B]

@X-37B I ended up getting a small cooling fan when I bought the first corals. Temps were still trending upwards and even broke 81 despite the ambient room being a bit lower than that. I purchased the Chihiros Cooling Fan would did the trick over night and the tank has stayed stable at 78 since. Now I just need to drain enough water to move the aquarium a little bit away from the wall so I can get the fan onto the rear sump.

Nice!
I have the RS170-35g as a nem system. They are nice aio's.

 

[sonoransurvivalist]

have to have clowns.i just dont wanna keep the origanal ones as i see it as everyone has them. But thats one thing thats held me up so far was cleaning the refugium in that small space. I did see a guy on youtube make a basket for his chaeto so he didnt have to handle it.

Yes, I'm thinking about something similar that can fit through the opening where the filter sock is that will allow me to pull the whole group out at once and maybe even offer some additional barrier for light pollution into the main display.

 

[Prosniper1926]

have to have clowns.i just dont wanna keep the origanal ones as i see it as everyone has them. But thats one thing thats held me up so far was cleaning the refugium in that small space. I did see a guy on youtube make a basket for his chaeto so he didnt have to handle it.

Yes, I'm thinking about something similar that can fit through the opening where the filter sock is that will allow me to pull the whole group out at once and maybe even offer some additional barrier for light pollution into the main display.

I think that would work well. Mine came with a protein skimmer. But im thinking of pulling it out and using that spot as a refugium. Are you gonna add anything else to it or just chaeto? Ive seen some peaple do aditional media in it as well

 

[sonoransurvivalist]

I think that would work well. Mine came with a protein skimmer. But im thinking of pulling it out and using that spot as a refugium. Are you gonna add anything else to it or just chaeto? Ive seen some peaple do aditional media in it as well

I was also debating pulling the skimmer too, the one that comes with the Red Sea is purpose built for the space, it's pretty big and it takes up pretty much all of the space between the filter sock and the separator through the activated charcoal and return pump area. But, there is about 13"x5"x4" space under the sock and skimmer. Ultimately, I have decided to keep the skimmer because it enables additional overhead for fish stocking.

 

[sonoransurvivalist]

Another day, another update.
Moved from manually feeding to allowing the auto feeder to handle everything. The Avast feeder runs for 20 seconds, lets everything sit in the mixing chamber for about a minute, then the mixer kicks on and puts it into the tank. The Tank absolutely needs a cooler. The small fan is enough to manage the heat output, and with the toplid I ordered (which came yesterday) I was trying to figure out how to use the cover and the fan... well, I think this looks good and maintains the effectiveness of the fan. Its able to stand on the rigid lid frame and point down directly into the aquarium giving me a max surface area coverage.

As of last night, I am closely monitoring Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels. Unlike the controlled initial cycling which had a set dose of ammonia, the fish and food waste are generating a continuous amount. When I tested last night, there was trace amounts of ammonia and nitrite.. less than the lowest marker, but not zero. The fish don't appear to be lethargic or breathing heavy, but am closing monitoring water quality to ensure if I need to I can do a water change. Rock anemone was moved to the sandbed and seems to be doing fine.

 

[tetris rox]

Another day, another update.
Moved from manually feeding to allowing the auto feeder to handle everything. The Avast feeder runs for 20 seconds, lets everything sit in the mixing chamber for about a minute, then the mixer kicks on and puts it into the tank. The Tank absolutely needs a cooler. The small fan is enough to manage the heat output, and with the toplid I ordered (which came yesterday) I was trying to figure out how to use the cover and the fan... well, I think this looks good and maintains the effectiveness of the fan. Its able to stand on the rigid lid frame and point down directly into the aquarium giving me a max surface area coverage.

As of last night, I am closely monitoring Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate levels. Unlike the controlled initial cycling which had a set dose of ammonia, the fish and food waste are generating a continuous amount. When I tested last night, there was trace amounts of ammonia and nitrite.. less than the lowest marker, but not zero. The fish don't appear to be lethargic or breathing heavy, but am closing monitoring water quality to ensure if I need to I can do a water change. Rock anemone was moved to the sandbed and seems to be doing fine.

You'll never regret getting that lid for the fish. I have had a few fish guys jump into the unknown and always wanted one of these covers ever since my six line wrasse jumped (RIP little buddy) He was probably chased by the clownfish pair I had in my 29 Biocube.

Your setup looks super nice! Can't wat to see how it goes in your journey!

 

[sonoransurvivalist]

Got the Chaeto, another jar of Copepods and a bottle of Phytoplankton. I also added a clean up crew which is battling the algae showing up well.

The Chaeto, while does fit down where I intended, it needs a cage. It immediately moved from the spot with the light, and clogged the intake on my skimmer. I've moved the Chaeto to a different spot temporarily till I can get something 3D printed that will contain it and keep it where the refugium light is. Copepods added to rear sump after the filter sock.

Parameters:
Salinity - 1.025
pH - 8.2
Alk - 7.9
Temp - 79
Nitrate - 10
Phosphate - 0

Considering Phosphate is unmeasurable (checked with Hanna checker Low Range) I've turned off my skimmer and I'm trying to feed more heavily. pH has stayed pretty stable at 8.2, alk is slowly going up. Still need to pick up hanna checkers for magnesium, nitrate, and pH.

 

[BigDangler]

I have the same exact tank.. When I got it the tank ran too hot.. Like 82.. Wanted it at about 77-78.. Replaced the return pump with a DC pump.. Dropped to 80.. Got rid of the skimmer now its at 77.5.. House stays at 76 during the day and 72 at night.. Their pumps run wayyy too hot.. I even bought another pump for the skimmer and still was too hot..

 

[sonoransurvivalist]

I have the same exact tank.. When I got it the tank ran too hot.. Like 82.. Wanted it at about 77-78.. Replaced the return pump with a DC pump.. Dropped to 80.. Got rid of the skimmer now its at 77.5.. House stays at 76 during the day and 72 at night.. Their pumps run wayyy too hot.. I even bought another pump for the skimmer and still was too hot..

Glad to hear I'm not the only one. I frankly found my self scratching my head trying to understand exactly where the heat load was coming from when I was in cycling and watching the day time highs. I noticed immediately after turning the skimmer on that my temps jumped 2 degrees. I don't think my heater has turned on once since I started running the skimmer and I had to add the cooling fan to get things back down to 78-79. What pump did you switch to? I've been debating what options were a good replacement both to give me the better control an AC pump gives and also get some noise reduction.

Since you got rid of your skimmer, what'd you fill that large space with? obviously, I can use that for the refugium, but I'm thinking I could also add more live rock back there with bio media for copepod living space. As is, I'm trying to keep the skimmer in, but I've always thought I might take it out... many nano tanks do not use one and get by just fine.