Space's 15g SPS

[spacetime]

Hello all,


Inspired by Hype's Archipelago, RIP :-( I got bit by the SPS bug and started a new Nano using much of the equip from my old RSM 34g.


Here is the tank, using approx 10 lbs of 15 lbs order of BRS ECO Saver Dry Rock (some of which is in the sump) and 15lbs of Fiji Pink sand.


I have an eshops RS90 sump, inside is a Tunze Nano DOC Skimmer, BRS media reactor (running a bag of CPE), heater, Tunze Osmolator ATO, and recently added 1lb of live rock.


As far as the tank it is a 24x12x12 Deep Blue, powered by a Vortech MP10 on reef crest mode (less than half power) and fueled by a LifeReef Nano Overflow with Gurgle Buster (highly recommended).


Currently have 2 Blue Eyed Cardinals and one PJ Cardinal added over time, and "cycled" the tank with Dr. Tims.


During cycling never really went over .25, but had a ammonia spike of .5 ppm when I turned on my skimmer which leveled out after a couple of days (after I turned off the skimmer). Have not read any nitrite, nitrate, or phosphates which troubles me. No diatoms, GHA or pods.


Recently turned the fixture on which is a Aquatic Life 4 bulb (which I've had to replace the timer don't get me started on this).


Bulb Combo is 2x ATI Blue Plus, 1x KZ Fiji Pink, and 1x Geisemann Pure Actinic. The tank is more white than picture looks.

Hope you enjoy!

 

[ritter6788]

Looks like you're off to a great start. Looks nice.

 

[Tinola]

Good start! Are you gonna do a ULNS type system?
I'm really looking forward to your progress!

 

[jtgordon20]

^++1 Really good start so far!!
Now to keep it stable and start filling it up!! Good choice of equipment!
can we get a shot of the equipment?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

It's PURDY so far!

 

[skinz78]

Looking good, keep us updated on the progress!

 

[Steven R]

looks great so far 15g is going to be a tough one for sps good luck i am sure you will do great things with it and that nice scaping you have done keep the progress pics coming.

 

[nova65ss]

Very nice like the rock work!

 

[Bry]

Great lookiing start! Can't wait to watch this progress.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

I love the rock work!! I'll be tagging along and can't wait to see what you do with the tank!!

 

[spacetime]

Thank you all for the support! Made a minor change to the rockwork to remove the gap between the two rocks on the right. Now it looks like one piece. Unfortunately one of my cardinals has to stay out in the open, but its how I had the rockwork originally and I planned on having a gap for him to hide until he had a friend in the tank. I'll post pics at a later time don't want to bog down the page for a minor change.

As far as the question to a ULNS, not at the moment. I do not have the budget for a reactor and the zeovit products, however, I do plan on keeping the levels as close to zero as possible. After I graduate, land a job, and take a vacation, likely less than a year from now, I forsee making the change to a ULNS.

First two things on my list to purchase (other than corals) are a reef controller to make sure I don't nuke the tank by way of a heater malfunction, and a new skimmer probably a SWC ?120? cone skimmer. Hopefully I'll get a controller before years end, any recommendations (budget friendly) are much appreciated.

As far as the challenge I'm up for it, my girlfriend and I have a 2.5 gal pico which has been up for 2 years.

I forgot to add I started the tank with RO and Tropic Marin Bio Actif Salt.

 

[Tinola]

with regards to ULNS, you can dose vinegar. I just started dosing today.
It's the cheapest way to get ULNS besides vodka and sugar. You just need a good skimmer and have to feed a lot so your corals won't starve and die and bleach out.

Get a reef angel controller. It's like $270, but if that's too much, an Apex Jr. or a reefkeeper lite For less than 150
Good luck man!

 

[spacetime]

Thanks.

I've tried dosing vodka before and would not do it again. I had an algae bloom which covered the top of my tank nearly nuking the tank (did not have good surface skimming) and making my rear chamber look like it was covered in snot. I've progressed in terms of equipment since then but my skimmer is still the same. Granted I have half the volume of water, I still do not trust the Tunze Nano DOC for vodka dosing.

As far as controllers go my tank is largely automated on its own. I have the MP10 is either on reef crest, or lately I've tried out tidal surge. (on a side note I honestly feel like I'm really working my cardinals out and think that this pump may be too much for this tank, I have it on max 4 lights) and an Aquatic Life with built in timer. I also have a Tunze ATO which handles itself, and I don't have a real need for constant PH monitoring (although I do suffer from low ph 8.0 in the tank but since i just turned on my skimmer I'm hoping this helps, I also have yet to have an algae bloom). Thus I will be asking for a Reefkeeper lite to handle the heater and thats about it.

On a side note, has anyone out there had experience with Dr. Tims One & Only cycling with dry rock? I've just ordered a bunch of coral from last nights WWC sale and fear that I will put them into the tank only to run into an algae bloom. I still have yet to register any nitrite or nitrate. Hope this does not turn out to be a mistake, but I may just be looking at a packed picotope for a few weeks

 

[revsgirl]

Looks great!

 

[ifarmer]

tank looking great.

 

[spacetime]

Thanks all! The scape looks even better now to be honest.

Detected ammonia this morning less than .25 I am mortified! In order to force cycle this tank I've added two more lbs of live rock to my sump, one nice and porous semicured rock to the sump and another pound of rubble. Added more Dr. Tims One & Only to the tank and stopped running my reactor and skimmer and removed the filter sock. I've been overfeeding the fish and I'm going to turn the heat up two degrees to 78 to help the bacteria to multiply.

I'll post some photos soon of the rocks (multiple angles) and my sump set up.

 

[spacetime]

Just an update after turning off all the bells and whistles the tank is finally reading nitrite and nitrate. Does anyone know if CPE has an ammonia remover?

 

[Tinola]

When are your corals arriving?
I think the CPE might ​absorb ammonia. Not quite sure though.

 

[spacetime]

I feel pretty confident that it does because only when I turned off my reactor (wanted no phosphates during cycling) did the nitrite and nitrate start to appear.

 

[spacetime]

As promised another shot... while its not much different I am much happier with the new scape. The sump is not very photo-worthy right now as I removed the socks and foam filters and its a mess to be honest. I am experiencing a bacterial "bloom" as the glass is covered in a white film, which was very similar to what I experienced during my days vodka dosing my Red Sea Max.