Hello fellow reefers!
This is my first adventure in saltwater and reefing, though I've had freshwater tanks for 20+ years. I will already declare that I'm addicted. My wife thinks I have a problem, actually...
I've had my 33 gallon nano up and running since early August last year. I took my time and cycled my rocks in rubbermaids for 5-6 weeks and then another month or so in the tank before adding hermits, snails and fish. I believe the tank was roughly 4 months old before I added my first corals and started with a couple frogspawn frags. Once they showed signs of being happy/healthy I added a few more (mix of lps/easier sps) and have slowly added more over time. Aside from an unplanned 30hr power outage back in late November (lost my banggai cardinal) it's filling in nicely and everything is showing signs of growth, good polyp extension and hungry appetites...
Equipment:
33 gallon tank (36x18x12) - sumpless
AquaMedic T5 fixture with 3x ATI Blue+ and 1x ATI Purple+ (39w each)
Eshopps PSK-100H HOB skimmer
DIY HOB refugium w/ IM Chaetomax light (made from an old aquaclear 110 power filter)
IM Hydrofil ATO Controller+Pump
Jebao SOW-8 wavemakers (x2)
Additives:
Brightwell Reef code A/B
Brightwell Magnesion
Brightwell Phytogold S/M
Brightwell Zooplanktos S/M
Brightwell Microbacter7
Vinegar
Food:
Reef roids
PE Mysis
PE Calanus
Nori (periodically for both conch)
Acropower
Current parameters:
Alkalinity - 9dkh
Calcium - 480
Magnesium - 1440
Nitrate - 25 (coming down slowly with vinegar/carbon dosing)
Phosphate - 0.05
Nitrite - 0
Ammonia - 0
Here are a few progress pics along the way, I'll update the thread later with a list of all the livestock.
First attempt at a reef aquascape...
The aquascape I settled on after changing out a couple T5 bulbs and adding a few corals...
Current pic (taken 3 days ago)
This is my first adventure in saltwater and reefing, though I've had freshwater tanks for 20+ years. I will already declare that I'm addicted. My wife thinks I have a problem, actually...
I've had my 33 gallon nano up and running since early August last year. I took my time and cycled my rocks in rubbermaids for 5-6 weeks and then another month or so in the tank before adding hermits, snails and fish. I believe the tank was roughly 4 months old before I added my first corals and started with a couple frogspawn frags. Once they showed signs of being happy/healthy I added a few more (mix of lps/easier sps) and have slowly added more over time. Aside from an unplanned 30hr power outage back in late November (lost my banggai cardinal) it's filling in nicely and everything is showing signs of growth, good polyp extension and hungry appetites...
Equipment:
33 gallon tank (36x18x12) - sumpless
AquaMedic T5 fixture with 3x ATI Blue+ and 1x ATI Purple+ (39w each)
Eshopps PSK-100H HOB skimmer
DIY HOB refugium w/ IM Chaetomax light (made from an old aquaclear 110 power filter)
IM Hydrofil ATO Controller+Pump
Jebao SOW-8 wavemakers (x2)
Additives:
Brightwell Reef code A/B
Brightwell Magnesion
Brightwell Phytogold S/M
Brightwell Zooplanktos S/M
Brightwell Microbacter7
Vinegar
Food:
Reef roids
PE Mysis
PE Calanus
Nori (periodically for both conch)
Acropower
Current parameters:
Alkalinity - 9dkh
Calcium - 480
Magnesium - 1440
Nitrate - 25 (coming down slowly with vinegar/carbon dosing)
Phosphate - 0.05
Nitrite - 0
Ammonia - 0
Here are a few progress pics along the way, I'll update the thread later with a list of all the livestock.
First attempt at a reef aquascape...
The aquascape I settled on after changing out a couple T5 bulbs and adding a few corals...
Current pic (taken 3 days ago)