13.5g Fluval Reef

[Kan123]

Very nice tank!! I love the coral growth, although it’s minor it’s still there! Would be major growth within a year for sure, can’t wait to see that.

Thank you! Haha very minor, but once it starts it’ll hopefully be exponential.

 

[Kan123]

End of November update:

Parameters/dosing:
Finally stopped procrastinating and set up the dosing pump. additional dosing changes, I’ve started using pohls coral vitalizer and wow it makes a difference. Green slimmer polyp extension has increased substantially and all the sps have far more character in flow.

Coral additions:
Only added 3 zoanthid frags. The other zoanthids have started to take off so needed to get my collection complete before I have no space. Can’t wait to see how this zoanthid rock will look. Currently acclimating, will post top down of the rock in a couple of weeks once placed and settled.

Other equipment changes:
Got the xr 15 diffuser and have it installed on the system. Made a substantial difference in the discoball affect and everything appears a little more pleasing to the eye. I’m aware of the PAR drop but have realized I had the lights a little too bright in the first place - some corals began to bleach despite showing great growth unfortunately.

I also noticed that I honestly haven’t dialed in the skimmer properly and if things have been thriving for 2 months without it working properly, whether I need it at all. Have it turned off and will monitor nitrates and phosphates in the upcoming weeks. Planning to convert chamber 2 into a large cheato refugium and start building the home to copepods in hopes to keep a mandarin in the future. My LFS has a captive bred one and it steals my heart every time I see him.

 

[Kan123]

Things are looking really good! I got the mandarin I was talking about and as promised have an image of the Zoa garden.

 

[i cant think]

Things are looking really good! I got the mandarin I was talking about and as promised have an image of the Zoa garden.

I wish you so much luck with the mandarin!! I’m tied between a longfin clownfish, mandarin or a yellow head jawfish for my 20g nano (It’s some how doing alright with 6 fish in so I think I want to push it long term but stick to the smaller, calmer fish).

 

[Kan123]

I wish you so much luck with the mandarin!! I’m tied between a longfin clownfish, mandarin or a yellow head jawfish for my 20g nano (It’s some how doing alright with 6 fish in so I think I want to push it long term but stick to the smaller, calmer fish).

this mandarin has been at the store for about a month and has been actively eating frozen food so I’m pretty optimistic about it’s survival in an aquarium!

if you’re in New York City, they’ve got 1 more you could scoop! I’m trying to decide on my last fish, there’s a chalk bass that stole my heart last week but I’m also very eager to get a pink streaked wrasse.

 

[ISFNick]

Hi, what intensity are you running your light at? Seems like an overkill light but I can see the value in keeping it in the event of a tank upgrade!

 

[Kan123]

Hi, what intensity are you running your light at? Seems like an overkill light but I can see the value in keeping it in the event of a tank upgrade!

I have it at a peak brightness of 50%. I guess it’s relative to what you define as overkill.

Intensity wise, absolutely. This is a monster, I felt that there was no way 50% would be enough and had it at 65% which caused things to slowly bleach , now I need to bring their colorations fully back.

But in terms of spectrum, ease of use and being tried-and-true, I don’t think it’s overkill. Corals look absolutely stunning and are growing so well with incredible coloration. I also got it as part of a deal with the aquarium so don’t know if I would have spent the same buying it new. Now that I have it, absolutely no regrets and would get it again.

 

[GoReefin]

Looking good! Have you ever considered a fighting conch to clean up the sand bed? They do a pretty good job

 

[Kan123]

Looking good! Have you ever considered a fighting conch to clean up the sand bed? They do a pretty good job

Thank you! I’ve been thinking about that but think it’s just the substrate type that makes it appear so dirty. I attached photos and it’s more of a gravel-sand-combo that makes it look this way. I have a bunch of nassarius snails in there keeping the sand itself clean. I posted a picture of the sandbed/gravel. Do you think a conch would help?

 

[i cant think]

Thank you! I’ve been thinking about that but think it’s just the substrate type that makes it appear so dirty. I attached photos and it’s more of a gravel-sand-combo that makes it look this way. I have a bunch of nassarius snails in there keeping the sand itself clean. I posted a picture of the sandbed/gravel. Do you think a conch would help?

I think they can, I had a conch in a tank with a similar substrate (Course sand) and he did wonders.

 

[JoJosReef]

Substrate doesn't look that bad. But, I'd get the conch just for the pleasure of having one. Living vacuum cleaners! And they are funny when they look at you with those eyeballs. My favorite invert in my Evo.

 

[GoReefin]

Thank you! I’ve been thinking about that but think it’s just the substrate type that makes it appear so dirty. I attached photos and it’s more of a gravel-sand-combo that makes it look this way. I have a bunch of nassarius snails in there keeping the sand itself clean. I posted a picture of the sandbed/gravel. Do you think a conch would help?

Yeah should help nicely have 2 in my tanks love them.

 

[Kan123]

Thanks for the advice, I’ll keep my eyes peeled for one!

 

[Kan123]

Some underwater pics from today

 

[i cant think]

It’s so good!! I wish my nano could look that nice but instead it’s falling appart slowly and inverts and coral are dying but I guess “Trust the process”.

 

[Kan123]

It’s so good!! I wish my nano could look that nice but instead it’s falling appart slowly and inverts and coral are dying but I guess “Trust the process”.

Thank you! What’s going on? Got a build thread? I’d be happy to try to help!

 

[i cant think]

Thank you! What’s going on? Got a build thread? I’d be happy to try to help!

Yeah, the small tag below my name that says “Build thread contributor” has a link to my build thread for the nano. I figured out why the hammer died, that was due to BJD.

 

[JoJosReef]

What is that cup-looking coral next to your hammer?

@i cant think sorry about your hammer. I just lost mine today which also had BJD--treated with Cipro, just not fast enough.

 

[i cant think]

What is that cup-looking coral next to your hammer?

@i cant think sorry about your hammer. I just lost mine today which also had BJD--treated with Cipro, just not fast enough.

I’m pretty sure it’s a chalice, also it’s a shame euphillia get hold of BJD so easily even when they’ve almost never been in contact with it.

 

[Kan123]

Yeah, the small tag below my name that says “Build thread contributor” has a link to my build thread for the nano. I figured out why the hammer died, that was due to BJD.

Following! Will try to help out