Newbie with a pico

[Kehy]

So I've got no saltwater experience and a 2 gallon cube. Bad idea? Yup. Still going to do it? Absolutely.

I've actually got the tank set up and cycling right now, now I'm rethinking what corals I want. Originally I was just going to do just softies, but looking at the size of the tank, I don't think that's going to be practical long term. This is an 8" cube, full of rock right now. There's not much growing space, especially if something decides to grow fast. So now I'm considering some LPS as well.

What I'm considering:
-Duncan
-Acan / micromussa
- Blastomussa
- candy cane
- zoa garden

Light is an adjustable Coralife 50/50 20 watt cfl

 

[Strawberry]

I think acans, zoas, and maybe a goni would do just fine in your nano tank! Keep us updated

 

[Malifry97]

As long as you keep stability the main factor, you could keep anything from softies to sps

 

[tnyr5]

10 or 15 years ago, it might have been a bad idea. Nowadays, with so many people on the forums that are happy to help, it's a wonderful idea .

 

[Peace River]

Just make sure that you share pictures along the way! Good luck!

 

[Kehy]

Welp here it is in all it's new glory. Mostly dry rock with a single piece of live rock. On that rock came Steve, the clam. Also a brittle star and a 5" bristle worm. The worm startled me. This is an 8" tank.

 

[Jcagle09]

Welcome to R2R and saltwater aquariums. I recently started with a 10 gallon myself and it seems to be going ok so far. Good luck!!

 

[Malifry97]

Welp here it is in all it's new glory. Mostly dry rock with a single piece of live rock. On that rock came Steve, the clam. Also a brittle star and a 5" bristle worm. The worm startled me. This is an 8" tank.

I wanna see Steve!

 

[Kehy]

I distinctly remember I did NOT leave Steve hanging off the side of a rock, hanging on by seemingly nothing.

Steve, what are you doing?

 

[Malifry97]

I distinctly remember I did NOT leave Steve hanging off the side of a rock, hanging on by seemingly nothing.

Steve, what are you doing?

lol...what kind of clam?

 

[Kehy]

So after much nothing, it seems as though my tank has finished, or is very close to finishing cycling. Given that there's a bit of an algae bloom in places I can't reach (I think I'm out of the diatom stage already, now on to red algae), I assembled my avengers.

x3 of the tiniest Blue Legged Hermit crabs I've ever seen
x1 _____ snail (also fairly small)
x1 bristle worm
x1 Steve

and maybe x2 brittle stars, if they'd ever leave their caves

I'm going to have to order new test kits, since it looks like at least the ammonia test in my kit has gone bad. In the meantime, I took a sample of my water to my LFS, and it was pronounced that I have fairly low pH. A generous handful of crushed coral was shoved into my hand, along with the aforementioned crabs and snail.

The coral was calling to me though. I really felt it. Any ideas on when I might be able to add some? Maybe meh-colored zoas, possibly GSP to start with? I have my eye on a few designer zoas, but I'll definitely wait on those until I'm more experienced and better equipped. Somehow.

Pic spam incoming!

Before crushed coral was added. I mean it's pretty much the same color, just different size and texture.

Anyone know what kind of snail this might be? Totally forgot as soon as I walked out the door

Avengers (mostly) assembled

<3 Steve. I still have no idea what you are, or why you've decided to be there, but I <3 you.

 

[Kehy]

Well, I sorted out the pH issue- I hadn't added enough salt in my last water change. I've been paying much more attention to it now. And now I really, really, want to get some coral...

 

[Kehy]

Welp, time to evict the bristle worms! Why? Because they were eating my brand new (slightly more expensive than anticipated) corals.

Got a neon green candy cane with unknown hitchhikers, and the literal star of the show - Star Fire Zoas. They were a bit rich for my blood, but I had money and I couldn't stop looking, so I got them. And now I still can't stop looking at them. Final placement has yet to be decided. Oh, and I lowered the light by a couple inches.

Question.
Anyone know what these hitchhiker polyps(?) are on my candy cane?

 

[virtual reality]

Green star polyps?

 

[C_mo97]

Awesome build. Keep up the good work!!!

 

[Kehy]

Steve doesn't deserve this fate.

 

[Kehy]

Woo! Finally got that (attempted) zoa- munching jerk! There's a smaller one left, but he's been more elusive.

Used a plastic eyedropper to make a trap

Go go go go! Attack!

Gotcha, jerk!

 

[Kehy]

Whoops, haven't updated in awhile!

Few things have changed. Mostly getting more coral than I probably should have, but I needs the more. Always the more. So far everyone seems to be doing ok, sometimes one guy or another gets grumpy for some unknown reason, but a good feeding and a water change seem to usually sort that out. I can understand.

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

Looks like its coming along. Getting any growth?

 

[Chrisfish]

Awesome looking Pico