Budman93's 10 gallon nano build!

[Budman93]

Hello everyone! Just started the cycle on my 10 gallon nano. I previously had. A 72 gallon bowfront but at this point in my life i think something small is the way to go. All the supplies are in and the wait begins. Im pretty happy with how the scape turned out!

 

[helen ann]

Love the scape!

 

[Coastie Reefer]

Looks good. I'm running a 10g these days too...

 

[Steadyreef42]

Nice scape ! Just started my cycle on my 5.5g build a few days ago . trying to be patient this time in this build . Hard to do

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Looks nice!

 

[Budman93]

Thanks everyone!

Update 10/5: Everything is going very well. Have found some cool and not so cool hitch hikers. I've been disposing of a few pesky Vermetid snails but have seen 2 baby serpent stars, baby feather dusters, and a couple bristle worms. The rocks are ALIVE! Everywhere you look there are little bugs roaming around.

Tank has been up for 6 days now but it feels like much longer. I added a cube of mysis shrimp but have been unable to get an ammonia or nitrite spike. I used live sand and 100% cured live rock so I know the tank would cycle fast but 2-3 days fast?? Regardless I am going to wait another 10 days at least before I add anything. Also picked up some biospira to help ease that process along.

PH has been stuck on 7.8 to 7.9 for awhile. I pointed the powerhead at the surface, took off the canopy, and just dosed some "KENT Marine Superbuffer" to hopefully knock that up to 8.2.

Here is the tank at the 6 day mark! Turned down the blues so you can see the algae growth on the filter and the start of some on the sand. the LR looks really green like this haha.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

Looks good. If you used actual "live" rock a couple day or even zero day cycle isn't out of the question. What are your livestock plans?

 

[Budman93]

Looks good. If you used actual "live" rock a couple day or even zero day cycle isn't out of the question. What are your livestock plans?

The LFS I bought it from said it was completely cured so I'm thinking it was just a very short to non-existent cycle. Regardless, I'll keep checking just to make sure.

As for livestock I was planning on adding a clownfish and perhaps another small fish like a goby. Then for inverts probably a mix of astrea, trochus, and nassarius snails along with maybe some peppermint shrimp or sexy shrimp. I'm definitely undecided though and open to ideas. For corals I'll probably start off with a mix of zoas, mushrooms and maybe a kenya tree to fill vertical space.

I am very much a newbie when it comes to reef aquariums so I'm not trying to get too crazy.

 

[Budman93]

Update 10/7

The microfauna in my tank has exploded! Little bugs are reproducing and visible all over the glass. I saw the craziest thing early today too. I thought it was a flat white slug but whatever it was zipped into my liverock quick as soon as I got up close to the aquarium. After some research I'm 95% sure it is a benign type of flatworm.Also did my first water change today, about 15%. Tank already looks much more clear.

AND, I got coral! LFS had a nice looking Favia frag that I scooped up. Here's a rough idea of what it looks like under blue light. Forgot to buy glue like a dummy so until I remember he is going to be chilling in the sand. I've read these guys like low flow/light so maybe it's better to keep him near the bottom anyways.

I also purchased an emerald crab on a whim but he climbed under a piece of LR almost immediately after being placed into the tank and I haven't seen him since. Hopefully after a couple nights of scouting the tank out he becomes a little more active during the day.

Ammonia and Nitrite remain at zero. The PH buffer I bought a few days ago has also done the trick and I'm up to about 8.1-8.2 right now. Barring some drastic change in levels over the weekend I am going to order the entire cleanup crew this weekend from Liveaquaria.

 

[mackenzie.riney]

I have a very similar set up and plan! Definitely following along

 

[Budman93]

Update 10/11!!!

My Liveaquaria order came in today! The Fedex guy tossed the box onto the porch upside down though :mad: Luckily I came out and got the box 5 seconds later. Here are some of the new tank mates!


I got three "sexy shrimp"! These guys are adorable! I knew they were tiny but dang are they small. Two of them are already best friends, the other guy is a loner I guess. I also got a clownfish and a couple Trochus and Nassarius snails!

 

[helen ann]

Those sexy shrimp are too cute!
Nice lil' clown!

 

[Budman93]

Thanks Helen ann! I am already in love with the little guys. They already happily munched up a couple pellets I dropped down for them so they are settling in nicely!

 

[Budman93]

Anyways, heres a summary of everything that's been up with the nano. I think posting here will help me later and maybe anyone else setting up something similar.

- The clownfish is still a little confused by everything and is hanging out at the top corners of the tank but I think she will calm down in the coming days. I've read that sickly ones will be breathing heavily, hang out near the powerhead, or otherwise acting sluggish. Definitely not what mine is like.

- After I bought the emerald crab on a whim I became a little concerned reading up that they can sometimes turn nasty and eat inverts and fish if they are hungry enough. I am definitely not going to let that happen! I have a clip sort of like the ones you seal bags of chips shut with and I stick some seaweed in it and drop it in my tank. He loves it and munches it up every night.

- Replaced my Tetra filter for the first time yesterday. Not a big fan of the filter. The guy at the LFS recommended it but the intake area on the fiter is huge and sucks up bristleworms and pods. Looking at some Fluval ones that have more stages of filtration.

- I'll probably have to buy a new powerhead. The 425gph Hydor Koralia pump I got is just way to much for my 10g nano. It blows the sandbed away over time and my sand isn't fine at all. I also doubt any corals could take getting blasted by it full time.

- The API test kit is pretty good but I find the PH test in particular VERY hard to read. The purple color I get doesnt match any of the pictures. I'm confident it's at least 8 but if I'm beginning to start a mini-reef tank I need something more accurate and clear to read.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

Anyways, heres a summary of everything that's been up with the nano. I think posting here will help me later and maybe anyone else setting up something similar.

- The clownfish is still a little confused by everything and is hanging out at the top corners of the tank but I think she will calm down in the coming days. I've read that sickly ones will be breathing heavily, hang out near the powerhead, or otherwise acting sluggish. Definitely not what mine is like.

- After I bought the emerald crab on a whim I became a little concerned reading up that they can sometimes turn nasty and eat inverts and fish if they are hungry enough. I am definitely not going to let that happen! I have a clip sort of like the ones you seal bags of chips shut with and I stick some seaweed in it and drop it in my tank. He loves it and munches it up every night.

- Replaced my Tetra filter for the first time yesterday. Not a big fan of the filter. The guy at the LFS recommended it but the intake area on the fiter is huge and sucks up bristleworms and pods. Looking at some Fluval ones that have more stages of filtration.

- I'll probably have to buy a new powerhead. The 425gph Hydor Koralia pump I got is just way to much for my 10g nano. It blows the sandbed away over time and my sand isn't fine at all. I also doubt any corals could take getting blasted by it full time.

- The API test kit is pretty good but I find the PH test in particular VERY hard to read. The purple color I get doesnt match any of the pictures. I'm confident it's at least 8 but if I'm beginning to start a mini-reef tank I need something more accurate and clear to read.

Clown sounds fine. They take a while to get used to things and if you had a pair they'd settle out a little faster.

I have a 425 in my 10g and it's just right. Just have to point it up a little, which helps with scum on the top of your water too.

Look into the Aquaclear 50. Amazon has them for $30 right now, usually closer to 40. I have on one my 10 and use the foam pads that come with it, but put GFO and carbon in a little 99 cent mesh bag from Petsmart. Works like a charm.

 

[Chrisfish]

Welcome, very nice looking nano

 

[Budman93]

Clown sounds fine. They take a while to get used to things and if you had a pair they'd settle out a little faster.

I have a 425 in my 10g and it's just right. Just have to point it up a little, which helps with scum on the top of your water too.

Look into the Aquaclear 50. Amazon has them for $30 right now, usually closer to 40. I have on one my 10 and use the foam pads that come with it, but put GFO and carbon in a little 99 cent mesh bag from Petsmart. Works like a charm.

Thanks for the advice! That filter looks perfect. And the results speak for themselves, beautiful tank!

 

[Budman93]

Update 10/14

Clownfish has settled in beautifully! He swims around the tank and seems to feel right at home. I've also decided that I'm going to get him a girlfriend! I've been looking at the Black ocellaris clowns on Liveaquaria and I think they will add some...color for lack of a better word to my aquarium. I'll wait a couple weeks to see if they go on sale but asof right now that's the plan.

I hope I don't get yelled at but yes, I bought some coral from Petco! :O

The one a couple towns over from me has a great looking frag tank and the guy helping me seemed very knowledgeable. The price was also unbelievable. I got a 25+ polp colony of Green Dragon eyes for like $13 since they are running their frag sale. They also had this massive frag of what looks like a Montipora for the same price. It's so big I'm not even sure how to place it in the tank but I'm open to suggestions as of right now I have it sitting on the top. Also if anyone knows exactly what it is feel free to chime in. It's hard to see but it's tan in color. I also tried gluing my Favia to the side of one of my rocks but that came out poorly. I definitely need practice.

Also my emerald crab either molted or died. I took the shell out and there was a hole in his belly so I'm thinking a molt right now but we will see.

Anyways, here are some pics! I absolutely love my zoas and will be getting more very soon, the entire bottom rock on the left is going to be a rainbow.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

Looks a little like a sand dollar monti... and I'm thinking molt on the crab too. Looking good, keep it up!

 

[Darth George]

Looks good!