Wuzzo's First Reef

ScottB · Oct 4, 2018

Just so I have this right; you started the tank roughly 2 months ago, correct? Sorry if I got that wrong, but on that assumption herewith my opinions:
Even with live rock and starter, you have a few more months of noise and tank nasties before nearly any intervention you do is helpful. Ride it out. Keep to your regular maintenance schedule.
That said -- if you have not already done so -- get your test kits together. Some recs: Salifert: Ca and ALK. RED Sea: Nitrates (NO3). Hanna PO4 checker https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UNK3I8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Make sure your RO/DI is testing 0 TDS to keep the diagnostics simpler if nothing else.

If you have TEST numbers, then share asap along with system volume and some flow information. Be ready for a range of suggestions

IMO: Ride it out where you are; tolerate the uglies, they are building your ecosystem from scratch right now. Don't add more fish or corals until Thanksgiving and add slow or low bioload animals. There are going to be more swings. Green hair algae maybe next. Maybe you skip that and go to diatoms. Hopefully no dinos; they are depressing. If something is dead dying get it out. Start testing and logging. Keep it fun.

LetItReef · Oct 4, 2018

WuzzoFish said:
I'm pretty sure it is cyano. I will get something for it. Any recommendations?

Remove as much as you can- turkey baster, water change and add flow.

Tuffyyyyy · Oct 4, 2018

Get 2 of the Hydor Korilia pumps for your tank (they're the cheapest wavemakers I've found), or find some used ones from here. Also make sure you're topping your water off to keep your salinity in check and doing regular water changes. Since your tank is so small I'd suggest buying premixed water from your LFS. You've had a decent start thus far, we're here to help make sure you can have sustained success. In your space time I'd suggest watching the BRS 52 weeks of reefing on YouTube since it should tell you basically everything you need to know about setting up a tank.

LetItReef · Oct 4, 2018

I have the Jebao ow-10 in a standard 10g and works well.

Wuzzo · Oct 18, 2018

October till now: Alot of stuff is happening. Alot of cyano and algae is gone. It was the flow all along. I got two pumps. But this morning I saw what looked like a small Amphipod scurrying around my tank. It spooked me when i turned the light on. Any ideas? I'll get right on pics.

Wuzzo · Oct 18, 2018

Sorry I was gone so long, I completely forgot about this site.

Wuzzo · Oct 18, 2018

ScottB said:
Just so I have this right; you started the tank roughly 2 months ago, correct? Sorry if I got that wrong

I got the tank early/mid August.

Wuzzo · Oct 18, 2018

I think I'm getting better at this hobby. I had freshwater before.

Wuzzo · Oct 20, 2018

Tomorrow I plan on getting a couple coral frags (montipora blastomussa and some euphyllia) the cyano is really clearing up and I think ight is also helping it grow cause' when I use the blue light it almost goes away.

Wuzzo · Oct 20, 2018

*I think the white light is the problem, not ight

Wuzzo · Oct 20, 2018

Also, any recommendations for small but interesting/colorful fish for my tank?

Wuzzo · Oct 20, 2018

Wuzzo · Oct 20, 2018

I have like two top fin pumps for now, one is 171 gph and one is 118 gph.

Wuzzo · Oct 20, 2018

I have like two top fin pumps for now, one is 171 gph and one is 118 gph.

Wuzzo · Oct 20, 2018

Crazeh · Oct 21, 2018

You've already got a couple gobys and a clownfish in there so I'm reluctant to say add anything extra as you'll be overstocked. There are people who keep 4-5 small fish in the Evo successfully but have long established tanks with heavily upgraded filters - they could easily end up with territory issues in the future though so most people wouldn't recommend more than 3.

Total flow rate you have is fine in my opinion.

Got any recent photos of the tank?