Panda's First Nuvo 20

[BadPanda]

You do get what you pay for in the hobby. I bought quality equipment this time around and its paid off so far. You should check the used section for a controller it will save you some money.

Tell me about it. All equipment can at least handle 30-40 gallons for the near upgrade since getting bit by the Acro bug. I'll try to hold out till we move though.

 

[BadPanda]

Since my second AI prime is coming tomorrow, I was wondering. Has anyone offset their primes to simulate sunrise and sunset? First prime would have a different ramp up and ramp down time compared to the second prime.

 

[BadPanda]

Happy. update!!!! Of all the creatures my clown can hos, one them decided to hist Duncan. Can't wait to show this to my kids when they get back from grandma.

 

[BadPanda]

*host

 

[BadPanda]

Picture update

 

[Retro Reefer]

I wouldn’t rush on the acro’s your chances for success with them in that new tank are very low.. reefing is a long term hobby and nothing good comes from rushing, I personally wouldn’t put anything at all in a new tank for the first 8-12 weeks even if it’s cycled and then I just do a few cheap LPS or softy “tester” samples over the next few months to see how they do.. IMO acro’s should only be introduced into a stable and well established tank that’s a year or more old unless your a seasoned Reefer and know what your doing and same goes for that clam... rushing can cause unnecessary failures and larg amounts of lost money which ultimately leads many people to leave the hobby.

 

[BadPanda]

I wouldn’t rush on the acro’s your chances for success with them in that new tank are very low.. reefing is a long term hobby and nothing good comes from rushing, I personally wouldn’t put anything at all in a new tank for the first 8-12 weeks even if it’s cycled and then I just do a few cheap LPS or softy “tester” samples over the next few months to see how they do.. IMO acro’s should only be introduced into a stable and well established tank that’s a year or more old unless your a seasoned Reefer and know what your doing and same goes for that clam... rushing can cause unnecessary failures and larg amounts of lost money which ultimately leads many people to leave the hobby.

Thanks for the advice. All LPS and SPS except for the Duncan and Red dragon acro were all testers, with some about $10 frags. The clam, well I've been holding out ever since cycle, but for some reason this particular one was calling for me. I remember going to a LFS and kept looking at these and would tell myself to buy it later. There was something about this clam and honestly it wasn't even the prettiest ones that they were offering. As of two weeks ago, I considered the tank filled stock wise and might add one more SPS down the road. The upside to the stock I have is that my alk is now consistently around 9DKH after weeks of consistent 12-13DKH. I don't know if its from the clam or the acros though. Again thanks for the advice.

One question though about the clam. When I purchased the clam, the mantle was completely brown/goldish with the black outline. Recently as with pic above, it's starting to have some blue patches all over the mantle. Would this be considered as an expected finding with clams?

 

[BadPanda]

This just occured to me. Can you replace a canister filter with built in uv sterilizer with a bulb that can grow chaeto? Trying not to displace any more water than I have to.

 

[Tmm87]

You should strongly consider removing one of those clowns. You're asking for trouble once they start to mature.

 

[BadPanda]

You should strongly consider removing one of those clowns. You're asking for trouble once they start to mature.

Thanks for the response. Did it already and returned one of them

 

[Tmm87]

Thanks for the response. Did it already and returned one of them

Awesome! Thanks for not pushing your luck. The clownfish you saved thanks you too.

Tank is looking very good.

 

[BadPanda]

Awesome! Thanks for not pushing your luck. The clownfish you saved thanks you too.

Tank is looking very good.

The black ice was getting too aggressive anyways. Took out 2 clowns and replaced it with a black and white clown per wife's request. I initially went with with three to see which would pair up and take the odd one out.

 

[BadPanda]

Two month update:
alk 12
cal 440
mag 1400
Sal 1.025

Finally installed my IM AGO. Just like what everyone says, it's a bit noisy during fills but tolerable. Return pump upgraded to Sicce 1.5 and was more quite compared to stock. Added another torch that I call Snow White. I don't think the torch or bleached or stressed. It eat during feeding and is slowly extending out. no complaints on my icecap 1k. It does the job, humms when needs to be cleaned and am getting good flow for both sps and Los. Acro's show slight growth specially after adding the second prime which was a good call. Clam is doing ok. a little growth noted since purchase. Overall I am very happy with the set up and livestock. only regret is rushing to acquire corals. Live and learn.

 

[BadPanda]

Week 11 update. No new livestock but added my pearlberry acro and what a lot are calling blueberry torch. I still call it snow white. Alk 9.8, Cal 450, Mag 1400 and Sal 1.025. Came back from a five day vacation and was happy with no livestock loss. Though my leopard wrasse looked a bit skinnier than usual. Started to feed frozen mysis and looks like it's bouncing back. The clam for some reason grew decently while I was out. significant shell growth noted on clam. 50/50 shot but I might get the 30 Nuvo and transfer everything. My Duncan I think is not looking good. The skin seems ripped on one side only. I think necrosis is out of the question. The only thing I can think off is my clown might be rubbing it too much.

 

[reef-rc]

+tagging along

Question: How are you liking the IceCap 1K gyre? Flow-wise? On the lowest setting? What you have it set on? Thanks

 

[BadPanda]

+tagging along

Question: How are you liking the IceCap 1K gyre? Flow-wise? On the lowest setting? What you have it set on? Thanks

I have it max on 30%. Anything higher would make a sandstorm. Two other settings come on at different times. So far I like it. It caters to both my Lps and sps. The gyre does get dirty really fast but easy to clean. I would definitely recommend it.

 

[reef-rc]

I have it max on 30%. Anything higher would make a sandstorm. Two other settings come on at different times. So far I like it. It caters to both my Lps and sps. The gyre does get dirty really fast but easy to clean. I would definitely recommend it.

I am going to give it a shot and see how it goes. I had an eye out for the gyre a year ago when I started the tank but it was a tad too strong for the nano so I settle on Ecotech MP10. Great pump; just wished water movement was wider. That was before I I noticed you had a smaller one. Seems this pump just came out 6 months ago based on my understanding and not much comments on use for 20-25 gallons tank from what I can google.

 

[BadPanda]

I am going to give it a shot and see how it goes. I had an eye out for the gyre a year ago when I started the tank but it was a tad too strong for the nano so I settle on Ecotech MP10. Great pump; just wished water movement was wider. That was before I I noticed you had a smaller one. Seems this pump just came out 6 months ago based on my understanding and not much comments on use for 20-25 gallons tank from what I can google.

From what I read, it's rated up to 40 gal. What I like about also is that it's 2in1 combo. Your can adjust the direction on two sides. if you don't mind the big eyesore then you should be golden. The width of the gyre takes up about 3/4 the width of my tank.

 

[BadPanda]

Quick update. Leopard passed away and now I have an amphipod bloom. Replaced it with a flame angel. Love the flame. Ate all the algae on the back wall and is now black again. Supplementing with nori. So far no noted nipping on sps, lps or clam. Purchased a pink and red goniopora per daugther. Extention is great until my fire shrimp decides to pester them. The biggest change I've seen is when I started dosing Polyp lab colors. I dilute one drop into 10ml and dose 1ml nightly for about two months now. I don't know if it's coincidental, but my sps corals are finally showing some good colors. Strawberry shortcake is now mainly yellow/green with purple tips. Compared with the rust color it originally came with from unique corals. Pearlberry from Mr. V is now showing some blue hue only about 3-4 weeks from receiving it. I read somewhere that there are some acro's that take awhile to color up and some that color up fast. What do you guys think? Before I get flamed for my flame angel. The angel with rehomed very soon to an 80gal once it's up and running. Waiting for my polyp lab clip filter so I can post better pics. Right now I'm feeding my corals reef energy 0.5ml sun, wed and Fri, Polyp lab colors nightly and reef roids every Tues and thurs.
phosphates 0.4 Hanna url
nitrite 10 Hanna url
alk 9.8 red sea
cal 440 red sea
mag 1400 red sea

I also noticed what I believe is bryopsis per feather looking strands. Would it be ok to just lather it with super glue or putty. Trying not to use too much chemicals for my tank. I think bryopsis came from a live rock a got from the reef shop and never again.

 

[BadPanda]

My Polyp lab lens came in last and all I can say is awesome. I was only able to take a top shot before going to work. I was using the 15k lens