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.

 

[ReefRookie22]

Hi All, just thought I'd give a 1 month update.
Tank is going well, absolutely loving having it.
Current inhabitants include 2 Ocellaris clowns, a Midas blenny, 3 bumblebee hermits and 3 nassarius snails.
I have been sticking to weekly water changes of about 15% and have only recently turned the lights on throughout the day though I have turned the light to keep the brightness down so no signs of algae/diatoms yet.
I have asked the LFS to get me in a yasha goby and Randall pistol shrimp but it's on hold until I get my head around the practicalities and costs of a qt tank. (Qt the goby & not the shrimp?/qt neither?
I want to run a (temp) qt tank but it's really hard to get the recommended medications in the UK. Adding up the price of a new tank, the meds and the fact that I need to buy salt and you start to realise why this can be a pricey hobby! I've not even entertained adding corals yet (£££)
I bought new shells for the hermits so they wouldn't kill the snails and all have happily moved house now.
Until recently I was feeding twice a day (morning pellets and evening mysis) but I've recently moved to smaller feeds 3 times a day to keep the blenny's batteries fully charged.
I'm really trying to ensure that I am only feeding what is being eaten as I don't want my nutrients to creep up.
I'm still testing with API but plan on switching to Salifert when they run out.
Nitrate has never gone above 10, not testing phosphate yet.
Made a few mistakes but nothing catastrophic.
1) Thought I could combine water change with top up before realising it would increase my salinity.
2) Failed to read the instructions for the heater and partially melted the bracket!
3) Poured water into my tank too quickly and jammed my wave maker with floating sand (starting to regret fine sand slightly).
4) Flooded the kitchen a couple of times when making RO water.
All the inhabitants seem very happy. The clowns and blenny both spend 90% of their time in the bottom right of my tank. None of them are interested in exploring the tunnels in my rocks which is mildly annoying.
I'd love to get the shrimp/goby next. I also love the idea of a mandarin but am aware of the challenges. I'd also love a flameback angel but I that may have to wait for tank 2.0 some day.
I'd like to get. GSP, an anemone and some nice beginner corals in due course but I'm pacing myself.i also bought a brilliant little freshwater surface skimmer which has cleared up the film I was getting on the surface of the water.
I have a tendency to throw myself (time and wallet) into new projects but am pleased with my restraint and discipline so far.
Really enjoying everyone's posts.

 

[ReefRookie22]

Thought I'd post an update to cheer myself up.
Tank is going well. Clowns and Blenny are happy though none will go through the rock tunnels I lovingly selected for them!
The hermits are growing at an alarming rate and I'm getting concerned they may one day go after one of the fish or my toddler.
I recently went away for a couple of days and asked my neighbour to feed the fish. Within 24 hours of me leaving the blenny jumped into the skimmer and had to be retrieved with a spoon!
2 weeks ago I added a yasha goby and a candy pistol shrimp. At first it was all going well. The shrimp dug the burrows and the goby gained confidence over the first 3-4 days. I saw them both a fair bit and loved that she shrimp dug the burrows and I could see him working his way around the tank. Then they both went missing. I didn't see either for 3 days. I could usually hear the pistol snapping every now and then but I haven't heard it for a few days.
The yasha went into hiding and only pokes his head out every 3 days or so. They've gone from being a really characterful addition to my tank to a massive disappointment as I pretty much never seen them and I'm not even sure the pistol shrimp is still alive.
I guess this is the reality of keeping fish. They are not going to behave how you want them to.
I've been keeping my lights very low and so 3 months in I have close to 0 algae. I don't know if that's a good thing as the dry rockwork looks very sterile.
The clowns and blenny mainly occupy the bottom right corner of my tank so the tank looks quite empty.
I'm still really enjoying the tank and even the testing and maintenance is still a novelty. I'm just sad about my shrimp and goby. Maybe they are still getting used to the tank but the pessimist in me says that this is the way it'll be. Just hope the shrimp is still alive.
Anyway here is a shot I managed to get when they were still out and about.

 

[ReefRookie22]

Hi all,
Another update.
Tank going well.
Fish look very happy and healthy.
Inhabitants are:
2 Ocellaris
1 Midas blenny
1 filamented flasher wrasse
1 Yasha Goby + Candy pistol shrimp.
3 nassarius, 3 Hermits, 1 trochus.
Finally sorted the goby/shrimp drama.
Returned the Carribbean pistol shrimp and got a candy one who paired with my yasha goby straight away. They are now happily inhabiting one of my rock caves.
Rocks starting to grow a bit of algae but looks like calcareous algae. Lights still very low. I'd like to get some soft corals but my lighting is too low and I'm worried if I get a more powerful light then my algae will go crazy as my nutrients are quite high.
Nitrate 20-30
PO4 0.5 .
I only feed twice a day, usually a quarter of a mysis frozen cube and occasionally 5-10 hikari S pellets. I'm only running a filter and surface skimmer but have ordered an internal protein skimmer. Have also added a small bag of nitrate/phosphate removing media but it doesn't seem to be doing much.
Keeping up with 20% water changes every 10 days and weekly testing.
Definitely seeing some jostling at feeding time but no aggression.
Still really enjoying the hobby.

 

[ReefRookie22]

Well,
Tank definitely more 'alive' now!!
Turned the lights up full. Lots of what appears to be calcareous algae as really hard and can't scrub it off. Patches of purple corraline algae but either my hermits or trochus keeps eating it.
Fish all still happy, yasha goby gaining confidence by the day.
Bought some Babylonia snail shells for my hermits and one has finally moved house.
Ordered some soft corals (GSP, Xenia, discosoma, green cabbage and cloves).
Currently running a nano skimmer to try and reduce nutrients.
Going to buy an additional light (poss tunze eco chic) as even for softies I think my PAR will be too low.
Thinking I might boost my cuc too. My trochus is great so might get more but wondered if there is a snail that eats algae but not corraline algae.
Also considering a canister filter as I'd like to get some of the kit out of the tank.
Still having loads of fun with it. Fish happy so I'm happy.

 

[ReefRookie22]

Exciting update!! CORAL TIME.
Tank looking good, algae growing quick.
Added 5 corals
GSP, Pulsing Xenia, Kenya tree, Green shrooms and firework clove.
Definitely harder than I thought adding corals. The whole removing plugs, dipping, gluing process was stressful (for me and the corals apparently).
Despite having done literally 1000s of hours of research online nothing quite prepared you for adding corals.
Was expecting a green cabbage instead of a Kenya tree so when they arrived (mostly retracted) I couldn't tell what was what!
I thought the retracted GSP was a purple cabbage!
Currently the GSP is nicely extending it's polyps, the mushroom was not happy in any of the places I glued it so kept detaching and floating off. I've left him to settle in my clownfish rock.
The Xenia retracted almost completely and is in the process of extending again. The Kenya tree looked great until I moved it and now it looks very sad. Hopefully it'll bounce back.
Fish mostly ok though my yasha goby lost about 10mm off his hi-fin and has gone into hiding again. Perhaps one of the other fish gave him a warning nip!
Just ordered a Japanese deep water toadstool and a turbo snails to try and sort out some of the algae.
All looking good and a lot more like a natural reef with all the algae.

 

[ReefRookie22]

Quick update.
Original corals looking ok.
Firework clove has started producing new polyps.
Xenia Completely retracted and sulked for a week but now out and pulsing like crazy.
GSP was very happy until my last water change and has been sulking since.
Kenya tree for moved and has been very retracted since.
Moved my rock work around to make cleaning a bit easier and so I could fit my new skimmer/filter. All looks a lot cleaner.
I've also added my Japanese deep water toadstool which is very cool under the blue lights.
I also got sent a gorgonian, some more GSP and a leptoseris which I wasn't expecting! Made an error dipping the lepto and now it's really p!ssed off.
Grabbed some more turbo snails and couldn't resist a strawberry conch so tank looking a lot busier. Needed something to tackle some Dino's/cyano/hair algae.
Also got some hitchhikers on my new corals so been madly searching for those and eliminating the baddies!
Fish all very happy, my blenny has outgrown his old burrow so had to move house.
Already looking at a larger tank to accommodate more fish. The obsession continues.