Almost there-25 Gallon Nano Reef

[FAT REEFER]

It's almost time to finally assemble my 20 gal long Nano Reef....it has been a long time coming. After having failed at my first attempt at a reef tank a few years ago, I nearly lost my enthusiasm for this hobby. I have kept freshwater tanks for most of my life, but I made the mistake of leaping without really looking into my first reef a aquarium, thinking I would be able to learn as I went along. While I certainly did learn a lot during that process, my biggest lessons were a) how foolish that thought process was and b) aiptasia are not a pretty little development that prove my tank is doing well. I have spent many months now learning everything that I can and slowly purchasing piece after piece to put together a fairly simple but beautifully well done reef aquarium. My hope now is that some of you, my fellow reef enthusiasts will give me pointers, positive feedback, constructive criticism and basic tips as to what I can do to make it even better.

I still need to get the last couple things: RO WATER, HEATER, SAND, LIVE ROCK , and of course the reef inhabitants: CORALS (PRIMARILY SOFTIES) ANEMONE, A CLEAN UP CREW JUST A FEW FISH AND A GOOD TEST KIT

I have the following items:
20 GAL LONG
CORALIFE 4 BULB 2 10K/ 2 ACTINIC
2 SETS OF 3 TRUELUMEN LED LIGHTBARS
45 GAL FLUVAL PROTEIN SKIMMER
REFRACTOMETER
2 WAVE MAKERS-1/425 GPH-1/850 GPH
30 GAL AQUA CLEAR HOB FILTER WITH MULTI MEDIA POUCHES + MARINELAND BO DED FILTER PAD
50 GAL CORALIFE SALT MIX
10 GAL QT TANK


Since the tank is going to be small I am going to be purchasing RO water from the local store for now and will hold off on the sump tank until next go around.

I would really really appreciate good advice on the initial cycle. How long my lights should be on during this process and should I have the 10k and the actinic on at the same time or should it be one or the other? I don'tanticipate a very extreme cycle as I do intend to use already cured live rock from my LFS. Please any feedbackwould be greatly aappreciated. I really hope that my patience this time around will pay off. Thank you in advance

[FAT REEFER]

This is the first time. I have ever posted a thread to a forum and I'm attempting to do it on my phone, so please excuse Any typos and the fact that the title states 25 Gal but it is actually 20 gallon. This is new and exciting me for and I can't wait to read your responses!!! Thank you again.

[OrQidz]

Sounds like you have a good plan in the works! We all make mistakes the first time around, so I'm glad you are back at it and ready to move forward. With the cycle, you just have to dive into setting up the tank and do your testing to see how it's progressing. I'm not sure how much the lights matter during the cycle - people probably have varying opinions. I've always left mine on a normal on/off cycle while cycling the tank, but more because I obsessively inspect the tank and that's hard to do with no light. One could make the argument that there could be less algae with the lights off, so it's up to you.

Hopefully you've researched the cycle process and you are prepared for that part and waiting until it's complete. I would add CUC and softies and a small fish - slowly! not all at once - once you are cycled. Wait for awhile (months) before adding the anemone; they need a mature tank.

Softies are a great choice for your tank. Which fish are you thinking of?

Good luck and have fun!!

[chueu]

Hob are not necessary.. and need very regular cleaning.. i ran one for a while and have stopped running it now

[FAT REEFER]

Thank you for your feedback!! I appreciate your positive rei for cement and suggestions. I am going to keep the fish load light. A pair of clowns... Preferably male/female if possible, but at least a pair that have paired up and seem bright and healthy. In addition I would like a shy hider fish that ocassionally pops out and graces us with his presence, but I'm going for the clowns' companionship and symbiotic relationship with an anemone (or possibly a soft coral until my tank is more matured...good advice) to be the primary focus and "feel" of the habitat. As for the hob, I have heard that they are unnecessary but I guess I feel like I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it....but I am sure you are probably right and I will end up removing it after I am more comfortable with my own abilities.

[FAT REEFER]

What is your take on vacuuming sand? I hear some people say to leave it alone as it becomes "live" over time, but I have heard of other people cleaning off the algae on the sand using this method. Do you condone or condemn this idea?