New Reefer-24 Gallon AIO

Kmarshall168 · Jul 20, 2023

This is my first saltwater tank. Been freshwater only up to this point. I am aware that 24 gallon might be a difficult first tank but im up for the challenge.

Equipment:
Tank- Lifegard Aquatics Crystal 45 degree Low Iron Ultra Clear Aquarium
Stand- Jet Universal Benchtop Machine Table (will explain that later)
Light- AI Prime 16HP Reef With Arm
Heater- Innovative Marine 100 watt Helio PTC Smart Heater
Return Pump- Sicce Syncra Silent 1.0(251gph)
Lid- Innovative Marine 24"x24" DIY mesh kit
ATO- Fauth Aquatics Smart ATO(LFS Special)
Controller(ish)- POWSAV Smart Power Strip

I originally bought the tank at my LFS and didnt haven't a stand so I tried to order a stand from Landen Aquatics on Amazon and it was delayed for 6 weeks straight. I then ordered the Jet stand above as a temporary while i continued to wait for the Landen stand for an additional month until i cancelled it. The Jet Stand has been phenomenal the whole time and i have a plan to create magnetic front faces from wrapped plywood to hide the ATO reservoir and wires. I originally cycled the tank without live sand using Brightwell aquatics microbacter7 and quickcycl. I did cycle it with the live rock and extra ceramic media balls in the rear left chamber. Once the tank was cycled I added in live sand and have been testing for the last two weeks. It isnt super nice too look at yet but it will be once my pair of flurry clown fish and light get moved to the DT in hopefully three weeks and the stand covers are made.

Kmarshall168 · Jul 20, 2023

Here is a slight update as well of the small but efficient QT setup running for the Clowns. Its a 7 gallon Japan Aquatics i believe with a simple Aquatop HOB filter and Micro Heater. I have also added a piece of PVC tubing for hiding spaces and a thermometer

19Mateo83 · Jul 20, 2023

Looking good so far. If I could offer one word of advise. Be calm and don’t freak out when the uglies come, which they will. They will come and go. BTW, I love the repurposed jet stand. They make awesome tools!

Kmarshall168 · Jul 20, 2023

19Mateo83 said:
Looking good so far. If I could offer one word of advise. Be calm and don’t freak out when the uglies come, which they will. They will come and go. BTW, I love the repurposed jet stand. They make awesome tools!

They do for sure affordable too. an i am more than ready for the uglies haha thanks though

19Mateo83 · Jul 20, 2023

Kmarshall168 said:
They do for sure affordable too. an i am more than ready for the uglies haha thanks though

Seed your tank with copepods and they will help reduce some of the uglies.

Kmarshall168 · Jul 20, 2023

19Mateo83 said:
Seed your tank with copepods and they will help reduce some of the uglies.

Is there any posts or videos on this?

19Mateo83 · Jul 20, 2023

Kmarshall168 said:
Is there any posts or videos on this?

Gumbies R Us · Jul 20, 2023

Kmarshall168 said:
This is my first saltwater tank. Been freshwater only up to this point. I am aware that 24 gallon might be a difficult first tank but im up for the challenge.

Equipment:
Tank- Lifegard Aquatics Crystal 45 degree Low Iron Ultra Clear Aquarium
Stand- Jet Universal Benchtop Machine Table (will explain that later)
Light- AI Prime 16HP Reef With Arm
Heater- Innovative Marine 100 watt Helio PTC Smart Heater
Return Pump- Sicce Syncra Silent 1.0(251gph)
Lid- Innovative Marine 24"x24" DIY mesh kit
ATO- Fauth Aquatics Smart ATO(LFS Special)
Controller(ish)- POWSAV Smart Power Strip

I originally bought the tank at my LFS and didnt haven't a stand so I tried to order a stand from Landen Aquatics on Amazon and it was delayed for 6 weeks straight. I then ordered the Jet stand above as a temporary while i continued to wait for the Landen stand for an additional month until i cancelled it. The Jet Stand has been phenomenal the whole time and i have a plan to create magnetic front faces from wrapped plywood to hide the ATO reservoir and wires. I originally cycled the tank without live sand using Brightwell aquatics microbacter7 and quickcycl. I did cycle it with the live rock and extra ceramic media balls in the rear left chamber. Once the tank was cycled I added in live sand and have been testing for the last two weeks. It isnt super nice too look at yet but it will be once my pair of flurry clown fish and light get moved to the DT in hopefully three weeks and the stand covers are made.

Nice aquascape design!

Kmarshall168 · Jul 20, 2023

Gumbies R Us said:
Nice aquascape design!

thank you

Kmarshall168 · Jul 20, 2023

Hey, how early should I add these? Should I add them mow before the tank has a light or livestock? Still 3 weeks before those are added at least. Thanks

19Mateo83 · Jul 20, 2023

Kmarshall168 said:
Hey, how early should I add these? Should I add them mow before the tank has a light or livestock? Still 3 weeks before those are added at least. Thanks

I added as soon as it was cycled. I started ghost feeding too. I kept my lights off for 3 weeks so no need for lights for pods. I did. notice however that when I turned on lights and diatoms set in they disappeared in a couple days versus the weeks I’ve had before. This first picture is diatoms on the 15th in my sand.

Here it is three days later when the pod population caught up. Notice the full pods everywhere and the lack of diatoms.

Im not promising a miracle cure to the uglies… but the proof is in the pictures.

Kmarshall168 · Jul 21, 2023

19Mateo83 said:
I added as soon as it was cycled. I started ghost feeding too. I kept my lights off for 3 weeks so no need for lights for pods. I did. notice however that when I turned on lights and diatoms set in they disappeared in a couple days versus the weeks I’ve had before. This first picture is diatoms on the 15th in my sand.

Here it is three days later when the pod population caught up. Notice the full pods everywhere and the lack of diatoms.

Im not promising a miracle cure to the uglies… but the proof is in the pictures.

100% by ghost feeding i assume you mean feeding an empty tank?

19Mateo83 · Jul 21, 2023

Rabidbeast666 · Jul 21, 2023

He's right about the pods. I added as soon as I was sure my ammonia was a non issue. Already had diatoms from the cycling and 3 days later had none. Sand, rock and glass nice and clean again. As they say, your results may vary. Good luck with it.

Skay · Jul 21, 2023

Rabidbeast666 said:
He's right about the pods. I added as soon as I was sure my ammonia was a non issue. Already had diatoms from the cycling and 3 days later had none. Sand, rock and glass nice and clean again. As they say, your results may vary. Good luck with it.

didn’t even know that was an option, i just pushed through on both my tanks lol. gonna definitely look into that thank you and the guys that mentioned pods