Bretts SPS Deskmate build

BZreef16 · Oct 10, 2022

Hey everyone, Im finally getting back into reefing. I have had various tanks from nano cubes up to a 75g mixed reef. All of which were not as successful as i hoped for. Hoping to change that this time around.

This tank has been set up for about a month. Im just getting through the ugly green stage after and short and minor diatom bloom. I have already upgraded the light and pump and added a lid and ATO.

Everything seems to be doing good so far except the SPS. I think its because my flow is not enough and i just recently switch to reef crystals from Aquaforest sea salt. I have 2-outlet random flow nozzle coming so i hope that helps with flow.

Schedule:
1G weekly WGs using Reef Crystals
Daily feed: pellets
Change socks every 3 days

My current set up:
Eshopps Deskmate 4.8G total volume
Kraken Reef lid
AI sol light
Sicci Micraplus return
Prism ATO
25W Eheim heater
3D printed cord locks
10lbs live dry nano rock
5lbs carribsea fiji sand

Livestock:
Crew:
3x Blue hermits
1x emarld crab

Fish:
6-line wrasse

Coral:
Neon Kenya tree
Green/purple torch
Montipora (not sure which exactly)
Not sure on zoas (chime in if you know)

Lighting:
I knew i wanted to eventually keep a few SPS so upgrading the light was a no-brainer. I first tried the Fluval marine LED. I have to say, for $50 it was a great light.I had it for about 2 weeks before deciding that it wasn't enough blue for me. The corals did coral very nicely as you can see from some of the images. I then decided to upgrade again to the AI sol. I know ill eventually go bigger so having 1 sol already is nice.

Here is where i could you use your help. Let me know what you think of my current settings based on tank age and knowing this will be a mostly LPS and softy reef.
My current settings are very simple but ill adjust over time.
8am:
1-hour ramp up to
royal 60%
blue 60%
white 35%

630pm:
1-hour ramp down to
royal 0%
blue 3%
white 0%

9pm: all 0%

Image below:

Then 10.10.22 :

Now 07.12.23

V A R I A N T · Oct 11, 2022

Nice addition to your desk setup. Looks good in the corner!

BZreef16 · Oct 12, 2022

Just added the random flow nozzle from Vivid Aquatics. Trying to get the flow just right. It seems like having 2 decreased the flow by quite a bit so trying this set up.

hiutse · Oct 19, 2022

How's the sixline doing in there? Was thinking about adding a pink steaked wrasse in my Deskmate but thought it might be too small

ShepherdReefer · Oct 19, 2022

Love the desk tank.

BZreef16 · Oct 19, 2022

hiutse said:
How's the sixline doing in there? Was thinking about adding a pink steaked wrasse in my Deskmate but thought it might be too small

Seems happy, Theres plenty of spaces to hide for him. I might swap him out for a royal gramma though to get some bright colors.

ESHOPPS.INC · Oct 21, 2022

Looking good!!!

CrabKeeper · Oct 22, 2022

BZreef16 said:
Hey everyone, Im finally getting back into reefing. I have had various tanks from nano cubes up to a 75g mixed reef. All of which were not as successful as i hoped for. Hoping to change that this time around.

This tank has been set up for about a month. Im just getting through the ugly green stage after and short and minor diatom bloom. I have already upgraded the light and pump and added a lid and ATO.

Everything seems to be doing good so far except the SPS. I think its because my flow is not enough and i just recently switch to reef crystals from Aquaforest sea salt. I have 2-outlet random flow nozzle coming so i hope that helps with flow.

Schedule:
1G weekly WGs using Reef Crystals
Daily feed: pellets
Change socks every 3 days

My current set up:
Eshopps Deskmate 4.8G total volume
Kraken Reef lid
AI sol light
Sicci Micraplus return
Prism ATO
25W Eheim heater
3D printed cord locks
10lbs live dry nano rock
5lbs carribsea fiji sand

Livestock:
Crew:
3x Blue hermits
1x emarld crab

Fish:
6-line wrasse

Coral:
Neon Kenya tree
Green/purple torch
Montipora (not sure which exactly)
Not sure on zoas (chime in if you know)

Nice nano set up. I look forward to watching it progress. Especially the torch. I've been wanting to add one.

BZreef16 · Oct 31, 2022

Updates: 10/31

Added some new equipment.
Pump
I upgraded the pump once again to a IM mighty pump. i had to modify the intake for it to fit in the chamber.....but im finally satisfied with the flow and noise. Virtually silent.....and flow on setting 3 combined with 2x RFG is working great.
Lights:
I returned the AI sol and went with an Ai Prime. At this time im using the BRS AB+ preset on 50% ramping to 75%.

Fan
I was having an issue with temp rising above 79 so i added a little fan behind the plant. The leaves deflect the air as a stream across the top of the tank. Now it holds well around 78

Dosing
Started dosing <1ml of All for Reef

Corals
Added green monti
Super red mushroom
GSP

BZreef16 · Oct 31, 2022

wtdenk · Oct 31, 2022

If you would like a skimmer I highly recommend the Reef Glass Nano protein skimmer. Fits wonderfully next to the heater. Such a small profile. It's what I'm using on my 3.8.

BZreef16 · Nov 8, 2022

@wtdenk Which heater are you using and do you have biospheres in the back chamber. Im not sure Ill be able to fit even the glass skimmer. Maybe if i take the spheres out of the bag and let fall lower in the chamber

BZreef16 · Nov 8, 2022

Update 11/08

After adding the mighty pump, the water level was getting a bit high in the display. Thanks to a fellow #Deskmate owner, I replaced the original overflow with a 3D printed concept to allow more flow/turnover.

hiutse · Nov 11, 2022

Nice! Where did you get the overflow?

BZreef16 · Nov 11, 2022

@hiutse I had a friend 3D print it. Then cut the cross bars with a dremel

revhtree · Nov 11, 2022

Looking great!

LaurenceC · Nov 25, 2022

BZreef16 said:
Updates: 10/31

Added some new equipment.
Pump
I upgraded the pump once again to a IM mighty pump. i had to modify the intake for it to fit in the chamber.....but im finally satisfied with the flow and noise. Virtually silent.....and flow on setting 3 combined with 2x RFG is working great.
Lights:
I returned the AI sol and went with an Ai Prime. At this time im using the BRS AB+ preset on 50% ramping to 75%.

Fan
I was having an issue with temp rising above 79 so i added a little fan behind the plant. The leaves deflect the air as a stream across the top of the tank. Now it holds well around 78

Dosing
Started dosing <1ml of All for Reef

Corals
Added green monti
Super red mushroom
GSP

What is it you had to do in order to modify the intake? Thanks

BZreef16 · Nov 28, 2022

@LaurenceC
I drained about 2 gallons and used painters tap to create a backboard around the display side of the overflow. Then used a dremel to cut the overflow slots. Most of the debris fell into the filter sock. Took about 5 mins

BZreef16 · Nov 30, 2022

UPDATE:

Upgraded the AI with a diffuser and dialed back the intensity to 25% with BRS settings. Even with the diffuser, i think I was way overfill with the previous settings.

Just installed the Reef Glass skimmer. I will be dialing it in over the next few days. I couldn't pass on the reviews and im hoping this will allow me to feed the corals a bit more without sacrificing phosphate levels

Mounted a couple corals on the rock. Im debating having the rock on the left be entirly GSP and using a acrylic rod to keep the right rock up. That way when the GSP overgrows, I can keep it from growing on the right rock.

Started dosing Microbacter 7 and added carbon to the sump.

Overall all parameters are in check and consistant.

Some issues:
Every day at the same time the GSP, starburst and kenya close for about 2-3 hours before opening again. I assume its from a swing of sorts but i checked PH and it seems to be consistant. Any thoughts?

Im also getting a hair algae of sorts. It's fairly opaque in color and seems to only grow on the rock. Video below

Lastly, my birdnest has bleached. I assume its mainly from intensity of the lights but could also be from pico parameters shifts. It will be a ongoing going to keep a few healthy SPS in this tank.