New Tank Setup 2025

[ReefRookie22]

Setting up a new tank for 2025.
New to the hobby so trying to digest all of the advice and information.
I have essentially followed RefDorks affordable tank set up from YT with some adjustments.
Tanks is a Tetra 105l
Live sand, dry rock+live rock.
Hygger Wavemaker
150w heater.
Currently cycling has been the biggest headache due to conflicting advice. Still a little cloudy as I moved some sand around yesterday.
Got a some amazing advice from LFS yesterday so looking forward to heading back there often for supplies!
Anyway here's a picture of stage 1!

 

[Popeye]

Setting up a new tank for 2025.
New to the hobby so trying to digest all of the advice and information.
I have essentially followed RefDorks affordable tank set up from YT with some adjustments.
Tanks is a Tetra 105l
Live sand, dry rock+live rock.
Hygger Wavemaker
150w heater.
Currently cycling has been the biggest headache due to conflicting advice. Still a little cloudy as I moved some sand around yesterday.
Got a some amazing advice from LFS yesterday so looking forward to heading back there often for supplies!
Anyway here's a picture of stage 1!

BRS has alot of good information and videos to help you out, check them out. Also right here obviously, R2R you'll find alot of help. Looking good and remember, patience is key

 

[jimyedy15]

Setting up a new tank for 2025.
New to the hobby so trying to digest all of the advice and information.
I have essentially followed RefDorks affordable tank set up from YT with some adjustments.
Tanks is a Tetra 105l
Live sand, dry rock+live rock.
Hygger Wavemaker
150w heater.
Currently cycling has been the biggest headache due to conflicting advice. Still a little cloudy as I moved some sand around yesterday.
Got a some amazing advice from LFS yesterday so looking forward to heading back there often for supplies!
Anyway here's a picture of stage 1!

Looks great! I’m new myself. Did a lot of research and watched a load of videos prior to starting, but I wish I would have watched the 3-1 hour(ish) presentations Ryan B from BRS gave at the RAPs this summer. It should be must watch for anyone new IMO. He has advices backed by science and research.

For example, I wish I wouldn’t have added corals right after cycle was complete so I could have had copepods, more beneficial bacteria, etc. in tank and left lights off for a few extra weeks and let that stuff seed to help prevent ugly stage down the road. Good luck!

 

[kevgib67]

Looking great, I look forward to watching this come together! Welcome to R2R, glad you are here!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[ReefRookie22]

Ok, it's been a couple of weeks since I filled the tank.
After contacting ATM to clarify the need for a source of ammonia I found that I indeed had to add some ammonia to feed the bacteria so added a raw shrimp to the tank 2 days ago.
Not enough posts warn you about the tepid shrimp soup making your house smell gross. However, since the fish shop I ordered the Ammonium Chloride from failed to deliver I was left with no option (I didn't feel like peeing in the tank).
So Sid the shrimp is 2 days in and looking a little worse for wear. Tested last night and ammonia had risen to 0.5-1.0ppm. no sign of nitrites or nitrates tho so will be interesting to see if the bottled bacteria survived the famine.
Mildly concerned about my heater as I cranked it up to 30°C 2 days ago and the temp has not risen at all (if anything it's dropped to 23°C). Have now got my backup heater in there. House isn't particularly cold so a bit worried the heater isn't super reliable.
Been researching fish to keep myself positive and sadly have come to realise that my #1 fish choice (Midas blenny) might not be possible in my tank as it's only 23gal. Looked at a tailspot instead but it's just not the same.
Surface scum still there but don't want to focus on it as I think the more nutrients the better while I'm cycling. I can always do a mega water change before adding fish. Anyway, here's Sid the shrimp, medium rare.

 

[ReefRookie22]

Ok, looks like the tank is (close to) cycled! It has been about 3.5 weeks since I added the bacteria and the shrimp.
Ammonia been at 0.0 for a few days after spiking to 2.0ppm.
Nitrite close to or at 0.0 now after spiking to 2ppm.
Nitrate looking like it's at 10-20ppm currently.
Will test again on Sunday am and then water change and a fish I guess. I will take a water sample to LFS for a full water test first. I don't want to leave it too long now to add a fish as the ammonia has been at 0 for a few days and I don't want the bacteria to die off.
As always, thoughts and advice welcome.

 

[Tahoe61]

The bacteria will not die off, so you are safe.
What type of fish are you thinking of?

 

[ReefRookie22]

The bacteria will not die off, so you are safe.
What type of fish are you thinking of?

Adult queen angel.
Jk
Was thinking of a tailspot blenny. I essentially want a blenny, a goby/shrimp pair and a pair of clownfish. In that order but spaced out.

 

[ReefRookie22]

Adult queen angel.
Jk
Was thinking of a tailspot blenny. I essentially want a blenny, a goby/shrimp pair and a pair of clownfish. In that order but spaced out

Got my first fish!
Beautiful Midas blenny.
Currently he's tucked away in a hole in my rockwork. He's nice and yellow again after going camo for the journey.
I fed him 10 pellets of Hikari Marine-S but so far he's not ventured out to eat any.
Should I try and feed him again this evening? I don't want to overfeed the tank as I know that can cause problems. Will he come out at night to grab the food that sank?
He seems very happy acclimatising and definitely growing in confidence but still not been more than half out of his 'burrow'. I guess he's not really using much energy.