A Clean Slate!

Max! · Mar 9, 2019

Summary: Zoas, what do I need, What don't I, and how's my setup?

Second go at Saltwater, the first time ended pretty abruptly. All I can say about that is Ich is a !$%&

Anyway! So the thought of a Zoa garden really pleases me and I was hoping to work toward that some day but lets back up for a second.

It's a 20 g Petco monstrosity and for filtration I'm maining a Fluval 206 Canister. Hopefully I'll make this purely mechanical in the future.

The light is an Hipargero Aqua Knight that is pretty tried and true in the community to a certain degree.

There is a little Rio+ 180 that keeps things moving. Fiji Pink Live sand, generic heater, live rock, blah blah blah.

The reason I throw these specs at you is I'd like some constructive criticism on what the next purchase may be - HOB skimmer? DIY Refugium? Leave it be? I want to let my creativity run rampant to a certain degree but I'd rather here something isn't going to work from someone else than finding out first hand. I like saving money just as much as the next guy but I'll purchase whatever I need to do it right.

(And yes I set up a quarantine tank LOL)

Who's your favorite online Zoa seller?!

Thanks guys!
I can't wait what y'all have to say ^-^

geddavis · Mar 9, 2019

WWC and tidal gardens have some really nice zoas but they are pretty pricy. I was happy with my zoas from salt water critters. Salt water critters are the cheapest by far and don’t have a bad selection of zoas. As for filtration I would get rid of the canister and add a sump. But if that is not possible I’d get rid of the canister fillter and get a HOB fillter with a skimmer. Also a refugium is not a bad investment. If you are going for great coloration you should get a kessil light as I have had great success with zoas under them. Honestly it is totally possible to have a nice zoa garden in your tank as it is now these suggestions are just add ons to make sure your system works smoothly. It is also important to test and dose magnesium when growing large volumes of zoas as they suck up magnisum fairly fast.

Max! · Mar 9, 2019

geddavis said:
WWC and tidal gardens have some really nice zoas but they are pretty pricy. I was happy with my zoas from salt water critters. Salt water critters are the cheapest by far and don’t have a bad selection of zoas. As for filtration I would get rid of the canister and add a sump. But if that is not possible I’d get rid of the canister fillter and get a HOB fillter with a skimmer. Also a refugium is not a bad investment. If you are going for great coloration you should get a kessil light as I have had great success with zoas under them. Honestly it is totally possible to have a nice zoa garden in your tank as it is now these suggestions are just add ons to make sure your system works smoothly. It is also important to test and dose magnesium when growing large volumes of zoas as they suck up magnisum fairly fast.

Thank you so much!!!!!!!! So why no canister? "Nitrate Factory" or is there another reason. I'm super consistent with water changes weakly. 25-30 percent.

Mastiffsrule · Mar 9, 2019

Welcome, and that is a nice set up.

Personally I would run with what you have except maybe a light switch. Keep it simple, cleaning along w/ regular water changes should be enough. I would let it run and keep testing. If there are no issues water parameters are good why change what’s working? And save some money.

geddavis · Mar 9, 2019

They catch a bunch of debri and waste that slowly break down and polite the water with nitrate. If you are very consistent with replaying polishing media or whatever media is first in the fillter then it is totally possible to run a great tank with one but that means changing media once or twice a week. I just find other filters easier.

Max! · Mar 9, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
Welcome, and that is a nice set up.

Personally I would run with what you have except maybe a light switch. Keep it simple, cleaning along w/ regular water changes should be enough. I would let it run and keep testing. If there are no issues water parameters are good why change what’s working? And save some money.

That's so nice to hear from someone else haha. We're always so nervous and wonder constantly if what we are running is good so thank you for your input! The light could definitely use some work admittedly. Recommended test kits? Recommended lighting? You're a big help man thank you!

I love your signature btw. So inspiring <3

Max! · Mar 9, 2019

geddavis said:
They catch a bunch of debri and waste that slowly break down and polite the water with nitrate. If you are very consistent with replaying polishing media or whatever media is first in the fillter then it is totally possible to run a great tank with one but that means changing media once or twice a week. I just find other filters easier.

Replacing or cleaning?
Quite frankly I enjoy cleaning it and I find it super easy but if you're saying I'd need to replace carbon, etc every week that could get pricy!

geddavis · Mar 9, 2019

I like the sailfert test kits you get the most bang for your buck with them. 1 or 2 tuna blue leds would work well for a 20 or 1-2 AI primes would work.

geddavis · Mar 9, 2019

Max! said:
Replacing or cleaning?
Quite frankly I enjoy cleaning it and I find it super easy but if you're saying I'd need to replace carbon, etc every week that could get pricy!

Not carbon just the fillter floss or other water polishing media.

geddavis · Mar 9, 2019

geddavis said:
I like the sailfert test kits you get the most bang for your buck with them. 1 or 2 tuna blue leds would work well for a 20 or 1-2 AI primes would work.

btw, 2 of these lights is probebly over kill if you just want to keep zoas

Max! · Mar 9, 2019

geddavis said:
I like the sailfert test kits you get the most bang for your buck with them. 1 or 2 tuna blue leds would work well for a 200 or 1-2 AI primes would work.

Cool man. The par on this light is meh to say the least but I suppose for beginner zoas tolerating lower light is one of the appeals. But, they're our babies so why not spoil them right? Any thoughts on a skimmer? I love the Aqua C Remora's and I have a friend who could get me one for whole sale price. Heard about them?

Max! · Mar 9, 2019

geddavis said:
Not carbon just the fillter floss or other water polishing media.

Alrighty alrighty I see what you're saying. The fluval's suggest you to use pads specific to the unit. Filter floss is dirt cheap obviously. Think there is a difference in quality. For now, replacing them weekly wouldn't be an issue at all!

Mastiffsrule · Mar 9, 2019

Glad to help. My opinion is only 1 of thousands on the sight, all have good points. I am in the belief of up-keep and monitoring works and let the tank balance itself.

There are many test kits. I like salifert. I would make sure to have the Ph, Dkh, No3, Po4, calcium and mag. Set up a schedule to clean and test. If numbers are not right, then look for options from supplements to additional equipment. And follow a good schedule of cleaning the canister.

Light is tricky, depends on budget and if you are sticking just to zoa’s or maybe sps in future

geddavis · Mar 9, 2019

Max! said:
Cool man. The par on this light is meh to say the least but I suppose for beginner zoas tolerating lower light is one of the appeals. But, they're our babies so why not spoil them right? Any thoughts on a skimmer? I love the Aqua C Remora's and I have a friend who could get me one for whole sale price. Heard about them?

Seems like a nice skimmer it should work for a 20.

geddavis · Mar 9, 2019

I would also like to mention I’m a little baised towards leds but there are also t-5s, MH, and DIY lights that work just as well Im just unfamiliar with them.

Mastiffsrule · Mar 9, 2019

geddavis said:
I would also like to mention I’m a little baised towards leds but there are also t-5s, MH, and DIY lights that work just as well Im just unfamiliar with them.

+1

I love t5, I think they give great color and par. But that said I run AI hydra 52’s and love em.

Gonebad395 · Mar 9, 2019

Welcome to R2R great looking tank

Max! · Mar 9, 2019

geddavis said:
I would also like to mention I’m a little baised towards leds but there are also t-5s, MH, and DIY lights that work just as well Im just unfamiliar with them.

I have NO IDEA where to even start with those haha. I like LED because they seem to be relatively low profile compared to things like halides