Lorekeeper's 10 Gallon Mixed Reef

[Lorekeeper]

Hello all!

I've been lurking around on this forum for a few years now, and finally decided to set up an account today. I frequent some other forums, but seem to end up on Reef2Reef a lot when I need specific information, so why not give it a go?

This tank has been set up in some form for about 2 years. It started in the middle of 2016, in a 1 gallon jar. It wasn't long before I moved up to a 2 gallon jar, and then to a 2.5 gallon AGA, and finally, a 5.5 gallon glass tank.

It was originally planned to be softy and macro only, but I ordered a couple LPS frags on my last shipment and have decided to include some LPS and SPS from now on, going with a tradition mixed reef.

Equipment list:
Top Fin 10 Gallon HOB
Top Fin 10 Gallon Internal Filter (no media, used as a 97 GPH powerhead)
No-name heater that I've had good luck with over the years (Tetra heater copy, but better made IME)
12" Finnex planted tank LED fixture, tinted with some blue plastic
15W Chinese PAR 30 Reef Bulb, 3 Cool White 2 Royal Blue

Stocking List:

Fish:
4-Striped Damsel (he's just under 1", and will be upgraded through my tanks as needed)

Inverts:
1 Red-Legged Hermit
6 Cerith Snails

Macroalgae:
Caulerpa Prolifera
Red Dragon's Breath
Red Branching Macro

Softy:
Green/Brown Zoas
Orange Zoas
GSP

LPS:
Neon Green Candy Cane
Australian Painted War Coral

Being a high-school budget, this was all done on a tight budget. That said, I'm making incremental improvements to the equipment and adding stock as I can afford an order big enough for free shipping.

I'm tired of typing, so pics!

FTS 4/15/2018 (sorry for it being a bit blown out)

Both Zoa Colonies:

War Coral:

Candy Cane:

and finally... my ghetto ATO system!

 

[tabungrahim]

How u make a ATO

 

[Lorekeeper]

Using two plastic bottles. Mutilate one with a pair of scissors, and then stick the second bottle through the first.

King of DIY on YouTube has a video explaining how to do it. Takes all of 5 minutes, and you just need a couple of bottles, scissors, and tape.

 

[sneub]

Fantastic!!
Welcome aboard!!

 

[AspiringLobophyllia]

Hey just a heads up, salt would diffuse up into that ATO. So where true ato’s would minimize your salinity swings, this one basically just keeps your water level steady.

 

[Lorekeeper]

I'm pretty sure that isn't the case, as the ATO water tests as 0.000 after a few days of use.

Not only that, but my tank salinity didn't change when I added it to the tank, meaning that water didn't mix.

I'm not sure of the science behind it, but I'd say it has something to do with the density of saltwater vs. fresh.

 

[Lorekeeper]

So tonight while I had the pumps off for feeding, I noticed a couple blemishes on my war coral. You can see them in the top left corner of the frag in this picture.

Anyone have any idea what the issue is, if there's an issue? It seems happy, has had feeders out (the closed heads are because it just got fed), and I spotted a couple new mouths.

 

[Lorekeeper]

Sadly, I lost the damsel this afternoon. It ended up jumping through the crack in the lid I left for the HOB. Sad day!

On the bright side, all corals seem to be doing well. War coral looks to be splitting a head, and I got an emerald crab (made sure it's a true emerald, and that it's a female) and some pink zoas over the weekend.

 

[xiholdtruex]

That ATO is great lol effective yet simple! Sorry about the damsel I have experienced more jumping in salty tanks for some reason as well, warcoral looks awesome!

 

[Lorekeeper]

Thanks!

Someone over on Nano-Reef did an experiment with food coloring and a hamster bottle ATO, and proved that there is no diffusion up into the bottle. Same concept here.

The damsel was actually sorta my fault. I left a 1" gap at the back of the glass cover for my HOB, and that's what he jumped out of. I've since cut a lid that fits everything a lot more snug.

This tank is actually getting upgraded into a 10 gallon (and then probably into either a 20 long or a 29 in a year or so when I'm off to college), due to a new inhabitant.

I found some locally-raised Pink Skunk Clowns, and ended up getting one. I read, around, and made my decision based on the fact that I can upgrade as time goes on (I already have the tanks), they're slow growers, and it's barely off fry food at this point. Little thing is just 1/2". He's been in the tank for about 24 hours, and so far he's been pretty personable.

 

[Lorekeeper]

This tank actually just got upgraded into a 10 gallon. I added a second par 30, and another skunk to pair up.

 

[Stella1979]

Found you!

 

[rhines]

A

 

[Lorekeeper]

Found you!

I was wondering whenever you were gonna catch up!

 

[xiholdtruex]

The tanks looking good, I'm amazed at what those bulbs look like.

 

[Chrisfish]

Welcome to R2R, very nice Nano tank

 

[Lorekeeper]

The tanks looking good, I'm amazed at what those bulbs look like.

Thanks! Not bad for like $8 a piece, eh?

Welcome to R2R, very nice Nano tank

Thanks

Tank is doing pretty well since the last update. The clowns are getting nice and fat with two meals a day, and the corals seem to have adjusted to their new home nicely. I tried to add in a molly, and things didn't go so well... he acclimated fine, but the clowns decided that he was in their territory. Oops. Got the little guy out and he's now going to a friend with a pretty massive brackish tank.

 

[xiholdtruex]

Not bad at all I have them saved on my bookmarks

Thanks! Not bad for like $8 a piece, eh?


Thanks

Tank is doing pretty well since the last update. The clowns are getting nice and fat with two meals a day, and the corals seem to have adjusted to their new home nicely. I tried to add in a molly, and things didn't go so well... he acclimated fine, but the clowns decided that he was in their territory. Oops. Got the little guy out and he's now going to a friend with a pretty massive brackish tank.

 

[Jesterrace]

Using two plastic bottles. Mutilate one with a pair of scissors, and then stick the second bottle through the first.

King of DIY on YouTube has a video explaining how to do it. Takes all of 5 minutes, and you just need a couple of bottles, scissors, and tape.

You know, you meet the craziest people in the strangest of places.

 

[Lorekeeper]

You know, you meet the craziest people in the strangest of places.

Looks like it

I guess a lot of us are on multiple forums!