Getting back into Salt with the Fluval 12g

[Contrariwise]

Hi All and Welcome to my Fluval 12g build! I've been out of the salt world for about 5 years, I moved around the country every year or so and converted to freshwater to avoid the heartache (and expense) of building and then tearing down a reef with each move. Recently I set some roots and am thrilled to jump back into salt! So without further ado.


Just set up today.

Equipment:

• Fluval 12 gallon - back painted black with modded lighting hood
• Fluval 30w Heater
• Fluval HOB 20 filter - running Seachem Matrix Carbon, Purigen and Filter Floss
• Koralia Nano 240
• Reef Glass Nano Skimmer
• AI Prime HD+
• APC 600w Battery Backup (in case of power outage)
• IKEA Bekvam Birch Cart - stained to dark brown/black

LR:

• 15lbs Fiji LR - from LFS
• Live Aragonite Size 0 sand

After Cycle - Planned Livestock

CUC:

• Nerite Snails
• Peppermint Shrimp

Fish:

• Firefish
  
• Royal Gramma or Yellow Clown Goby

Coral:
Softies:

• Mushrooms & Ricordea
• Zoas
• Xenia

Stoney:

• LPS - Acans
• SPS - Monti, Birdsnest

Can't wait for this cycle to start and get moving. ;Yawn Until then - Pics!

 

[Chrisfish]

Welcome to R2R, we’re happy you joined and that’s a very nice nano tank

 

[Contrariwise]

Welcome to R2R, we’re happy you joined and that’s a very nice nano tank

Thanks! So young yet, but I hope she'll be a beaut in a while!

 

[GoVols]

Thanks! So young yet, but I hope she'll be a beaut in a while!

Well,
It already looks great.

Nice job on the scape and I bet that AI Prime could grow every thing you want.

 

[Contrariwise]

Water is clearing up from the addition of the sand and rock. Extra blue photos as I'm playing with the light settings. More tomorrow afternoon during white light times.

 

[Contrariwise]

Moved heater to the left and noticed scape wasn't as stable as I'd like it to be. Fixed and looking good.

 

[Katrina71]

I'm gonna suggest a cluster of barnacles and a tailspot blenny. Coolest fish with a bunch of attitude.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I really like your rock setup. Looks great.

 

[Contrariwise]

I really like your rock setup. Looks great.

Thanks! I'm sure it will evolve but I'm currently digging the slope

 

[Contrariwise]

Added the reef glass nano skimmer today. I had originally purchased it with a marina 200 pump. The air pump was CRAZY loud Not acceptable!

So I ended up purchasing a piezoelectric pump. I was skeptical about the bubble output I would get, but so far it seems strong. I have noticed "pulses" where the output becomes stronger for a microsecond. Overall its much more quiet and well worth the money!

 

[hotashes]

Coming along nicely, be sure the wooden airstone produces fine bubbles for better productivity. I've got practically the same skimmer design and using a limewood airstone

A.

 

[Geebs19]

Tank looks awesome!

 

[Contrariwise]

Coming along nicely, be sure the wooden airstone produces fine bubbles for better productivity. I've got practically the same skimmer design and using a limewood airstone

A.

Yup! Limewood it is. Does yours tend to skim wet or dry?

 

[hotashes]

I'd say wet, although it's not dragging lot of liquid.. It's more between wet-dry, as colouration of skim mate is medium and volume is just enough daily to know it's working.

A.

 

[Floundering_Around]

Oooooh, Definitely following along. Loving that scape as well, good job!

 

[WV Reefer]

Very nice so far!

 

[grassy_noel]

Tank looks great, excited to follow along!

Just curious, is it possible you meant a 30 watt heater? 300 watts seems really big for a 12 gallon tank. I run a 75 watt heater on my 20 gallon and a 25 watt heater in my 10 gallon, and they both keep up pretty well.

 

[Djhype97]

Tank looks good!

 

[Contrariwise]

Tank looks great, excited to follow along!

Just curious, is it possible you meant a 30 watt heater? 300 watts seems really big for a 12 gallon tank. I run a 75 watt heater on my 20 gallon and a 25 watt heater in my 10 gallon, and they both keep up pretty well.

Ha! Yes! Thanks for the catch. I'll edit now

 

[Contrariwise]

I'd say wet, although it's not dragging lot of liquid.. It's more between wet-dry, as colouration of skim mate is medium and volume is just enough daily to know it's working.

A.

Good to hear, I've always had Venturi driven skimmers before and wasn't sure of the ability to pull skimate with the air driven style. I'll post pics when I see some nasties forming.