new tank

FriedReef TV · Feb 22, 2019

In the beginning of January I started a nano reef in a 20 gallon long and it's going ok but my tank is progressing kinda slow. It's been cycled since the end of January but i have no coraline growth yet and water parameters aren't stable. nitrates- 0 ppm phosphates- 10 ppm salinity-1.025/6 ph- 8.0 alkilinity- 8 ppm. I use RO/DI water for everything, topping off every day and 10% water change biweekly. All that's in the tank is 2 snails 2 crabs and a little GSP frag thats doing pretty good. My clownfish and filefish are chilling in quarantine for 3 more weeks. Equipment wise I'm running a Chinese black box light, a ac70 filter with carbon, gfo, and filter floss and a ac50 as a mini refugium but I haven't set it up yet. I also have a cheap wavemaker from Petco but it does the job. Yes, I would have a sump but because of where I live I cant. Anyway, any recommendations on things I can do better to help build a good foundation for the tank to mature on and how to keep everything stable? Also, how to keep algae down? Thanks

SurfTrack · Feb 22, 2019

I would just suggest you keep up with your water changes. I think your tank has potential.

FriedReef TV · Feb 23, 2019

SurfTrack said:
I would just suggest you keep up with your water changes. I think your tank has potential.

Thanks I hope so

mshonk · Feb 23, 2019

If it is this January chill out and let things happen. Don't overfeed. Take your time. I still see algae and my tank is almost a year. Though I use a two little fishes phosban reactor and an led grow strip light from ebay as an algae reactor to compete with nuisance algae. But I would imagine you are in the uglies so just sit it out and be consistant.

FriedReef TV · Feb 24, 2019

mshonk said:
If it is this January chill out and let things happen. Don't overfeed. Take your time. I still see algae and my tank is almost a year. Though I use a two little fishes phosban reactor and an led grow strip light from ebay as an algae reactor to compete with nuisance algae. But I would imagine you are in the uglies so just sit it out and be consistant.

Ok thanks and yeah it's this January I had alot of diatoms but they went away completely about 3 weeks ago. I'll probably try to just introduce some coraline into the tank and see if it spreads.