Apartment Reef Tank Build

[dan987]

I decided it was time to start another saltwater aquarium. Because I am renting an apartment, I want the whole setup to be easy to move. I also plan on going on vacation at some point.

So it needs to be small.
It also needs to be stable enough to go a week without needing anything.
Add to all that, a tiny budget.

Small, stable, cheap, and low maintenance.

Let the research begin...

 

[dan987]

Old RO/DI from Buckeye Hydro:

New filters from same:

 

[dan987]

After much reasearch, here is my choice:

Completely covered for low evaporation. 13.5 gallons, so it has enough water volume to be stable. It's also just small enough to be movable. The all-in-one filtration means no ugly equipment showing and no need for a sump. And has an optional skimmer. Bult in lights are proven to grow most coral. And low cost!

I'm gonna say I made a good decision. Time will be the judge.

 

[dan987]

10 lb of base rock from DrF&S

10lb (or 20?) of oolite sand from same

 

[dan987]

Throw it all together:

Add some essentials and 2 months to cycle:

You may have noticed the refractometer. My hydrometer were reading inconsistant. No surprise. Tried to order a normal refractometer. First it was on backorder, then i just got a refund and an apology. I gave up. New refractometer is amazing though. I recommend it.

Using Bayer for dip. 20$ desk from Wal-Mart as my work station.

Using IO reef crystals and/or LiveAquaria reef salt as price dictates.

 

[dan987]

First coral from Cherry Corals. Highly recommend them. I forget what it's called.

Sorry for the cell phone pics. Not a photographer, and I don't plan on becoming one.

 

[TatorTaco]

Looks good man. The coral is a toadstool mushroom coral. I've seen them called Tyre toadstool corals too if that helps. I heard they get quite big, but at least they're easy to frag.

 

[skiergd011013]

Throw it all together:

Add some essentials and 2 months to cycle:

You may have noticed the refractometer. My hydrometer were reading inconsistant. No surprise. Tried to order a normal refractometer. First it was on backorder, then i just got a refund and an apology. I gave up. New refractometer is amazing though. I recommend it.

Using Bayer for dip. 20$ desk from Wal-Mart as my work station.

Using IO reef crystals and/or LiveAquaria reef salt as price dictates.

That looks great!! I too am a fan of smaller tanks now, and simple setups. its cheaper, easier, and fills up and looks established faster. I currently have a 30 gallon, but in the future after a possible move, I want a 20 gallon long. I also have that same refractometer and love it. Just be sure to calibrate it each use, and let your sample temperature regulate for 30 secs or so on the prism before hitting read. I was getting swinging measurements at first before doing this, but now I love the instrument.

 

[themcnertney]

Looks good man. The coral is a toadstool mushroom coral. I've seen them called Tyre toadstool corals too if that helps. I heard they get quite big, but at least they're easy to frag.

They do get quite large. Mine was 2' diameter before I cut it in half.

 

[dan987]

That looks great!! I too am a fan of smaller tanks now, and simple setups. its cheaper, easier, and fills up and looks established faster. I currently have a 30 gallon, but in the future after a possible move, I want a 20 gallon long. I also have that same refractometer and love it. Just be sure to calibrate it each use, and let your sample temperature regulate for 30 secs or so on the prism before hitting read. I was getting swinging measurements at first before doing this, but now I love the instrument.

Thank you. I have noticed this. The refractometer is great, but it's still a machine. Needs to be used properly. I have found that it stays calibrated for a while. Several days. But I recalibrate and double check anyway.

 

[dan987]

STOP

Hammer time:

 

[dan987]

And whatever this thing is

Also purchased an Eheim heater to keep the temperature stable. So far that has not proven effective.

 

[dan987]

The blue photos are not altered. They are the night lights that come with the AIO aquarium.

 

[skiergd011013]

The last one is goniopora. They are very touchy in captivity and are notorious for dying. Its actually the only coral i have ever killed.

 

[dan987]

I've had livestock in the tank for over a month and the results are not great. The hammer coral looks happy, but the toadstool looks closer to death every day. The goniapora retracts several times per day, but appears healthy otherwise. Time will tell.

The 50W eheim heater isn't stable...
I bought this because BRS gave it such a glowing recommendation. This is a sample size of 1, so I cannot make a real assesment, but I am displeased. Been fiddling with it for a few weeks with no luck.

And I'm unhappy with the filtration. I couldn't get the skimmer to work properly (likely user error). And the sponge filter leaves a lot to be desired. The whole back of the tank is gross.

I ordered a 50W Easy-Therm, which I will place in the return pump chamber. I ordered a media basket for the first chamber. Planning on running polyester batting, then chemi-pure. The rest of the back will be filled with marine pure 1.5" balls.

All in, this new setup cost about $130. Pictures of the products, setup, and transition will be coming within a week or two.

 

[dan987]

From Google images