First Reef Tank - 10G

Will_W · Sep 15, 2022

So here is my first tank build.

it was inspired by both Inappropriate Reefer's Budget Build Series as well as Fragbox TV's Budget Nano Reef videos.

so for my equipment:
Standard 10 Gal. Aquarium
AquaKnight A029 30W Main Light
Reef Breeders Pico Refugium LED Light (8 Watt)
Aquaclear 70 HOB Filter (Converted to a Refugium)
Hydor Theo Aquarium Heater 50W
Smart ATO w/ 3.5 Gal. Reservoir

this tank really game together fast. i have some natural looking liverock and some Fiji pink mini-flakes for my sand and marine pure gems (to the refugium).

a few weeks after cycling i added a CUC and chaeto to my refugium
2 white clawed hermits
1 halloween hermit,
1 blue legged hermit

2 astrea turbo snails
2 cerith snails

A few weeks after that i added
two clownfish
A small branching hammer coral,
A Frag of firework clove polps
A combo Dragon Eyes/Gatorade Zoa
a Utter Chaos zoa frag
and a florida ricordea mushroom

the journey is continuing and i will try to update as i can!

bnord · Sep 15, 2022

Sounds like a great start, love to see pics when your can

exciting times

best of luck

here’s my 15

Will_W · Sep 15, 2022

Okay, so apparently my phone keeps throwing an issue with uploading pictures.... image too large message. I use the app on my android. Anybody have the same issue?

Will_W · Sep 20, 2022

So quick update. I have a leak in the silicone of the 10G. It's small but consistent. So I have went and found a deal on a 20G high. My question is I currently have an aquaknight A029 on the 10G. Do yall think that it'll still be enough on the 20 gallon high? Should I look at getting a different light? If so what recommendations do yall have? It is going to have the HOB refugium and is going to be set up as a peninsula style so an edge mounted light is definitely preferred. Still trying to get the pictures to upload.

Will_W · Sep 23, 2022

Update, So it appears that it is enough light for now. I am still going to look for a deal on an AI Prime or a Kessil. But everyone seems to be enjoying the bidder space. I still hate that pictures won't upload. Anyone else have these picture uploading issues?

Will_W · Sep 28, 2022

So this week's update.... good and not so good. Everything looks to be happy and healthy. The new zoas I got from the zoanthids.com live sale are looking fantastic. I'm still working on figuring out how to upload pictures. I noticed this week that my calcium and alkalinity have shot through the roof. Alk at 15 and the calcium is over 500. I immediately did a retest with same results, and had my favorite lfs do a test as well. They had the same results. I did a 50% water change and I'll be testing again today to see if it's gone down some. Freaked me out for sure. Especially since I am not dosing anything. Maybe coming from the rocks? I have no clue...