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- Jan 27, 2017
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I'd like to formally introduce my 10 gallon makeshift reef, currently it's almost done with its cycle and I'm coming to R2R to guide me through the next exciting phase of life for this project.
The equipment used on this 10 gallon was going to be a medium tech. But I've found the low tech design I had made was much more efficient, so this design follows the keep it simple stupid rule.
Filtration: Modified Aqueon 20 with many years seeded bio-media from my LFS. And floss for polishing. (Have a sump but the HOB takes up less room including the heater)
Flow: I can't really make an argument on reliability or controllability, but using a SUNSUN circulation power head that was for 7 dollars you can't really beat it, but I hate the suctioncup model so I've upgraded to the magnetic for a few bucks extra. The flow provides 525 GPH which is a little much considering the filter alone puts out around 200 GPH from the specs I've gathered. In total the highest flow available for this 20 inch long tank is around 700 GPH. (Probably going to get a smaller Circ pump and move this one to my 29 gallon).
Media: 5.5 Lbs of LR directly from a system running for many years, as well as 4lbs of dry rock I've done this out of pure interest to watch corraline grow! Also I've used some fine sand that I can not find the brand of right now but it was not live at all so it greatly extended the cycling process with a 2" deep bed.
Lighting: The Current USA Orbit Marine PRO LED was probably the perfect choice, it was cheap and powerful enough to handle pretty much any type of coral I will want to put in the system.
Purposely let diatom bloom spread pretty good over my dry rock on purpose, just to get it going done and over with, and so I know that my CUC will have something to eat in their new home and the silica is being feasted upon.
The temperature is at a perfect constant 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
The cycle I'm anticipating should be done any moment now considering my data gathered:
And here is the setup:
More coming soon ! Any help with CUC ideas would be greatly appreciated.
The equipment used on this 10 gallon was going to be a medium tech. But I've found the low tech design I had made was much more efficient, so this design follows the keep it simple stupid rule.
Filtration: Modified Aqueon 20 with many years seeded bio-media from my LFS. And floss for polishing. (Have a sump but the HOB takes up less room including the heater)
Flow: I can't really make an argument on reliability or controllability, but using a SUNSUN circulation power head that was for 7 dollars you can't really beat it, but I hate the suctioncup model so I've upgraded to the magnetic for a few bucks extra. The flow provides 525 GPH which is a little much considering the filter alone puts out around 200 GPH from the specs I've gathered. In total the highest flow available for this 20 inch long tank is around 700 GPH. (Probably going to get a smaller Circ pump and move this one to my 29 gallon).
Media: 5.5 Lbs of LR directly from a system running for many years, as well as 4lbs of dry rock I've done this out of pure interest to watch corraline grow! Also I've used some fine sand that I can not find the brand of right now but it was not live at all so it greatly extended the cycling process with a 2" deep bed.
Lighting: The Current USA Orbit Marine PRO LED was probably the perfect choice, it was cheap and powerful enough to handle pretty much any type of coral I will want to put in the system.
Purposely let diatom bloom spread pretty good over my dry rock on purpose, just to get it going done and over with, and so I know that my CUC will have something to eat in their new home and the silica is being feasted upon.
The temperature is at a perfect constant 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
The cycle I'm anticipating should be done any moment now considering my data gathered:
And here is the setup:
More coming soon ! Any help with CUC ideas would be greatly appreciated.