Tyler's 20 Gallon IM Tank

[tfrad]

Hi all this is my first saltwater fish tank. I've been researching for months as its my first ever tank and would appreciate any suggestions!!

Equipment List:
Innovative Marine 20 Fusion 20 Gallon
Tunze Turbelle Nanostream 6040
2x IM custom caddies
Filter Floss
Kessil A160WE w/ Gooseneck
5 stage BRS RODI system
18 LBS Live Rock
20 Lbs Fuji Pink Live Sand
Instant Ocean (planning on switching to Red Sea Pro)

Added the sand on the 28th to give it a few days to clear up followed by the live rock on the 1st of July

Perameters from today (2nd)
Temperature = 78.1
Salinity = 1.024
PH 8.2
Ammonia = 0.25PPM?
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 5.0ppm

After I put in the live rock in I fed it with a little bit of fishfood. I'm not sure why i'm already testing for Nitrate and barely little to no ammonia? Maybe i need to add more fishfood?

Also, I think I see a little bit of aptasia hitchiker that poped up on the live rock. Thinking of taking it out and rinsing it off in a bit of RODI water.

 

[kacrocorals581]

Nice aquascape!

 

[dream.reef]

Yea very good

 

[litenyaup]

Looks awesome!

 

[tfrad]

Found an interesting hitchhiker on my LR asterina star? It's about the size of a BB and green.

 

[Honeycombz]

Scape is looking great! What plans do you have on the tank?

 

[tfrad]

Thanks! I have no set plans really. Probably look into getting some softies first and then SPS once I learn to manage water parameters and get experience. Hopefully a clam too. Cleaner shrimp Firefish, clownfish, Gobys, sea stars I think to name a few?

 

[tfrad]

Update: Tank cycled purchased 2 trocus snails, 1 cerith, 3 hermits which have already gone to town on some of my live rock I might get an astrea snail to mix it up a bit for the left side of the tank since they seem to not be interested in moving to that area.

Bought a cleaner shrimp and a Firefish. Shrimp already ate some food out of my hand and the goby has been hiding/sleeping all the time unless it's being fed.

 

[reef-rc]

watch out for that firefish...may jump on you. shy and easy intimidated will make them nervous. leverage the tank cover if u can

i current setup this same tank myself

 

[tfrad]

watch out for that firefish...may jump on you. shy and easy intimidated will make them nervous. leverage the tank cover if u can

i current setup this same tank myself

My Fire fish is super intimidated its always hiding when i'm near the tank. Except when I feed it. You have a great tank/set up by the way! Did you add any additional CUC/fish? Also how's your skimmer? I like your rock scape a lot. I'm not sure if mine will work for corals when they get bigger/When i actually get some. Only time will tell.

 

[tfrad]

 

[dream.reef]

Cool

 

[reef-rc]

My Fire fish is super intimidated its always hiding when i'm near the tank. Except when I feed it. You have a great tank/set up by the way! Did you add any additional CUC/fish? Also how's your skimmer? I like your rock scape a lot. I'm not sure if mine will work for corals when they get bigger/When i actually get some. Only time will tell.

Thx for the compliment. I have been so busy that I have not been posting regularly on the overall progress.

Yes I had added the CUC back in late June and fish.
CUC - cerith snails and Trochus snails and 1 cleaner shrimp
Fish - 2 frostbite clown, 1 bangai cardinal, 1 tail spot blenny, Yasha White Ray Shrimp Goby, Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse
Skimmer - works ok imo. not the best. does produce a little micro bubbles which escape into the main tank and I have been able to limit it much with additional filter without impacting water flow

 

[tfrad]

Added my first coral. $20 frag from LFS last week I think its Acan LPS. Seems to be doing well
Latest perameters
Salinity 1.024
Temp 78.6
pH 8.4
Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate 0
Alk was 6.5 but added a little dose of Reef Code B which I think will bring it up to about 8.0
Calcium 380

Having a problem getting my firefish goby and cardinal to swim around the tank. the Firefish made a little burrow home in the sand in the back of my LR and doesn't come out unless its feeding in which he stays inches from the burrow. I thought it was my flow which i turned down to the bare minimum but still no luck getting them to come out.