Lburton
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2022
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 8
- Location
- Warrenton
- What state or country do you live in
- Missouri
Hi everyone! Posting my second attempt at a reef tank! My first (15 gallon Fluval Flex) had to be torn down after moving out-of-state, and now I am trying again after learning from my mistakes and having a bigger budget! I am still a newbie, but have lurked around here long enough to hopefully pick up some good habits but also to know I have a LONG way to go and lots to learn!! Without further ado, here’s how it started, and how it’s going! Thank you for stopping by my thread, can’t wait to learn and grow in the hobby!!
5 gallon Fluval Chi Rimless tank
Random “Aquarium light” I had laying around
Nano Protein Skimmer
Marina S15 HOB filter
Pinky Filter Media, Xport Biocubes, and rock fragments
Fluval M50 heater
Vortech MP10QD
Aqua Gadget Hydrofill Ti ATO
Caribsea “live” sand (actually quite dry)
RedSea Coral Pro, distilled H20
I used the same rock I had in my old tank from 4 years ago, and treated it all as a dry rock setup. Started cycling, lights off, with Microbacter7 and Stability (overkill? Maybe, but I read up on biodiversity!) and fishless cycled for weeks using Fishless Fuel. I saw a spike in my nitrites, but ammonia was still persistent according to my API test kit. I then added a Seneye Reef Monitor, and did a final dosing of Fishless Fuel. A week later, ammonia and nitrites were gone. However, with the Seneye I realized that my light was putting out 20-30 PAR even at the surface… so I upgraded to an AI Prime 16HD and added some Zoas, GSP and a blue leg hermit to get things started! I also invested in Hanna checkers, because I no longer trusted the API kit. The digital readouts are WAY nicer than guessing colors and trying to correct for lighting differences!
My latest additions were an Utter Chaos paly, a BamBam zoa, candy cane, pulsing Xenia (gifted from a friend’s tank), and a Wheeler’s Goby who I never see!! I have done 2 weekly 50% water changes since completing my cycle, and am awaiting the dreaded diatom bloom to rear its ugly head…
Latest pictures
taken today, March 13 2022
5 gallon Fluval Chi Rimless tank
Random “Aquarium light” I had laying around
Nano Protein Skimmer
Marina S15 HOB filter
Pinky Filter Media, Xport Biocubes, and rock fragments
Fluval M50 heater
Vortech MP10QD
Aqua Gadget Hydrofill Ti ATO
Caribsea “live” sand (actually quite dry)
RedSea Coral Pro, distilled H20
I used the same rock I had in my old tank from 4 years ago, and treated it all as a dry rock setup. Started cycling, lights off, with Microbacter7 and Stability (overkill? Maybe, but I read up on biodiversity!) and fishless cycled for weeks using Fishless Fuel. I saw a spike in my nitrites, but ammonia was still persistent according to my API test kit. I then added a Seneye Reef Monitor, and did a final dosing of Fishless Fuel. A week later, ammonia and nitrites were gone. However, with the Seneye I realized that my light was putting out 20-30 PAR even at the surface… so I upgraded to an AI Prime 16HD and added some Zoas, GSP and a blue leg hermit to get things started! I also invested in Hanna checkers, because I no longer trusted the API kit. The digital readouts are WAY nicer than guessing colors and trying to correct for lighting differences!
My latest additions were an Utter Chaos paly, a BamBam zoa, candy cane, pulsing Xenia (gifted from a friend’s tank), and a Wheeler’s Goby who I never see!! I have done 2 weekly 50% water changes since completing my cycle, and am awaiting the dreaded diatom bloom to rear its ugly head…
Latest pictures
