James’s 29g Nano Build

[Goaway]

i wish...i do 15-20 gals a day evap...

Sounds right.

 

[MaxTremors]

Eh yes, is that bad? That’s how I’ve always done it. I don’t have an ATO, but I stay on track with my weekend top offs.

I could probably get away with topping off once a week, but usually do it every other day or every two days. I usually mark in the return chamber where the water level is after a water change so I can just at a glance know roughly how much to add. I could probably get away with testing my salinity once a month, but I do it usually before adding water, it’s always 1.026, but it never hurts to double check. How much water do you add each week? If it’s more than a half gallon I would start splitting it up and do it twice a week.

I remember when I first starting keeping reef tanks when I was 15 or 16, I had a 55 gallon, and I would wait until the water line was down 2-3 inches and then just dump in a 5 gallon bucket of tap water fresh from the tap that I just felt with my hand to make sure it was roughly the right temp, with some dechlorinator added. Surprisingly it didn’t seem to bother any of my fish or corals (they were all easy soft corals at that point). When I think back on how I did things when I first started I just cringe, but it was what I was told to do. There were no reef forums back then (or if there was I didn’t know about them), and I got so much awful advice (don’t do water changes, but also don’t do anything for nutrient export and don’t worry about dosing anything), but against the odds I kept a bunch of soft corals and fish alive for a few years until I learned better. I sometimes feel like I’m being nostalgic, but I swear that fish used to be at least 200x hardier. I had fish in that tank that were thriving that I don’t know if I’d try today.

 

[James_O]

How much water do you add each week?

Around 2-3 gallons? I should definitely start topping off every 2 days or something.

 

[Goaway]

It's not that difficult. You got 30g to worry about, that's like a few pints a day.

 

[kittenbritches]

Eh yes, is that bad? That’s how I’ve always done it. I don’t have an ATO, but I stay on track with my weekend top offs.

In a nano especially, you should top off every day to keep salinity stable.

 

[James_O]

Goby is hiding in the palys today. Seems to still be doing good, just really hard to spot feed when he’s scared of everything:

 

[kittenbritches]

Goby is hiding in the palys today. Seems to still be doing good, just really hard to spot feed when he’s scared of everything:

He's cute! My YWG is dying, and hiding where I can't get to him. I'll probably find him this weekend when I move everything.

 

[James_O]

He's cute! My YWG is dying, and hiding where I can't get to him. I'll probably find him this weekend when I move everything.

He is cute, and I love him, but the dottyback is being a jerk. I’m going to have to re-home either the goby or the dottyback soon.

 

[kittenbritches]

He is cute, and I love him, but the dottyback is being a jerk. I’m going to have to re-home either the goby or the dottyback soon.

Oh that's super sad. My dottyback and goby were besties and shared their cave until I got taken over by the bigger fish I put in.

 

[elorablue]

Around 2-3 gallons? I should definitely start topping off every 2 days or something.

My 20g goes through about 10 litres a week. The ato was the best mechanical device I’ve added. My salinity is 1.025 always and forever. I have the Tunze nano version but the duetto ( I think it’s called) is cheaper and will do the job.
and good morning James.

 

[shadow_k]

Yes ATO saved me my JBJ has been working amazing! Saves so much time I

 

[MaxTremors]

Goby is hiding in the palys today. Seems to still be doing good, just really hard to spot feed when he’s scared of everything:

My pink bar Goby is a coward, and darts into his hole when ever he gets spooked. But my Tailspot blennie will eat out of my hands. He likes to hang out under this plating chalice that’s kind of above my Duncans and so every time I try to feed the Duncans he’s all up in there stealing all the food (he’s not at all scared of tongs or a pipette), so I’ve started feeding him little pieces of plankton with some tongs until he’s full before feeding the Duncans.

My coral banded shrimp, who I have a love mostly hate relationship with, has taken to ‘cleaning’ my hands whenever I put them in the tank, maybe I should rent her out to the local spa to pick at rich ladies’ feet.

 

[Goaway]

Goby is hiding in the palys today. Seems to still be doing good, just really hard to spot feed when he’s scared of everything:

Belly looks good. your goby belly I mean.
Mirror trick 100% success, no longer in use!


He is still scared to grab food around the tang. He's improving.

 

[Goaway]

James, you have a mom. Does she use makeup? like a compact powder tin thing with a mirror?

 

[James_O]

James, you have a mom. Does she use makeup? like a compact powder tin thing with a mirror?

I do have a small hand help mirror, that I can try to use. Would putting it on the side be ok?

Belly looks good. your goby belly I mean.
Mirror trick 100% success, no longer in use!


He is still scared to grab food around the tang. He's improving.

Nice picture! Everything looks very healthy.

 

[fishguy242]

test results???

 

[shadow_k]

test results???

+1 on thir

 

[Goaway]

I do have a small hand help mirror, that I can try to use. Would putting it on the side be ok?



Nice picture! Everything looks very healthy.

Yes, on the side where the dotty looks most.

 

[fltohi]

Hey James, did you go to the Lexington frag swap today?

 

[Goaway]

I want to make sure I'm not blind. Seriously, what do you guys see?
I feel like, I'm being made a fool. I'm calling it incognito for now.
All under flashlight.
Oct 7th.

Tonight. Oct 9th


The foot is not the same color in either pic. I'm doing something wrong.