Lucas's 20g nano

Babydaull · 05/27/2016, 11:34 PM

My name is Lucas,
I just go into this hobby and I purchased my first tank on May 6th, 2016. I bought a 20 gallon nuvo fusion from marine depot. I am starting a thread to show my progress and discuss tank stuff. I'll post pictures frequently and hopefully we can get a good thread going!

joedodge · 05/28/2016, 05:49 AM

Awesome can't wait for pics!

Babydaull · 05/30/2016, 01:55 AM

Thanks for the reply joe! very busy week for me with memorial day. I have a lot of family events. Im looking a my tank tonight, looks like my peppermint shrimp is ready to molt soon! Hopefully I will find time to post pictures tomorrow!

Babydaull · 05/30/2016, 09:47 PM

Test photo

Babydaull · 05/30/2016, 10:21 PM

I chose pepper and salt live sand, I also chose dry rock and then got a few pieces live rock that you can see in the photo

Babydaull · 05/30/2016, 10:27 PM

This is my set-up, 20 gallon nuvo fusion from marinedepot. 15 pounds of salt and pepper live sand. 13.5 pounds of dry rock and a quarter pound of live rock.

Babydaull · 05/30/2016, 10:31 PM

My methods of water movement .
1.) My tanks return pump does 211 gallons per hour
2.) The photo with the flash on is a hydor 425 gallons per hour powerhead
2.) The photo with no flash is a hydor 240 gallons per hour powerhead.

Babydaull · 05/30/2016, 10:38 PM

My heater (picture 2) is an eheim jager 75 watt fully submersible heater.
Media reactor (picture 1) is an Innovative Marine desktop media reactor. This item was packaged with carbon on marinedepot. Once I finish the carbon, I will be running GFO in the media reactor and chemipure in my filter socks.

Babydaull · 05/30/2016, 10:51 PM

Picture one- The first livestock I put in my tank, peppermint shrimp. I bought the peppermint shrimp because I heard it was a hardy invertebrate to have during cycling. Once my tank is done cycling, I will probably give the shrimp back for a credit.

Picture two- This is a Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp. I have had this shrimp for 2-3 days. This shrimp is extremely cool. I have viewed it cleaning my one fish several times and I even had it crawl and clean my hand tonight which was pretty cool.

Babydaull · 05/30/2016, 10:56 PM

This is the arch I created in my dry rock structure, I want this to be the view point in my tank. Kind of the center of attention. In the back is my Blue Chromis, I bought it for cycling as well, because it is a hardy fish. My Chromis is super cool, it often swims in my powerhead streams and is very active.

Babydaull · 05/30/2016, 10:58 PM

I will be starting weekly tank notes tonight. I set up the tank May 13th, so this is the middle of week three.

Babydaull · 05/30/2016, 11:08 PM

This is a list of my cleaner crew.
1.) two Mexican Turbo Snails
2.) two Astraea Snails
3.) one Cerith Snail
4.) one blue hermit crab
5.) one Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
6.) one Peppermint Shrimp
7.) I am going to add 3-4 Nassaruis Snails
8.) I am going to add 1-2 Trochus Snails as well.
Let me know what you think of my selection and you own experiences with any of theses livestock options.

Babydaull · 05/30/2016, 11:24 PM

Everything is going great with my tank right now. My cleaner crew is doing awesome. I have had my cleaner crew for 3-4 days. I am almost on my 4th week of cycling. I take my water twice a week to local pet store to do a free water test. All my numbers look nice and my salinity is at 1.025. I am debating on what my next purchase should be for my tank. I have a blue Chromis right now and I think it would be cool to buy one or two more to have them school together. I would also like to have a tomato clown fish. I also ordered my AquaMaxx nemolight from Marine depot tonight. I have my first challenge for my tank. This challenge is me leaving June 3rd and coming back June 9th. My friend will be feeding my tank once in the morning and once in the evening. Based on how my tank condition is when I get back from vacation will determine my next purchase. I will also be doing my first 25% water change tomorrow after I get my water tested at petco.

Babydaull · 05/30/2016, 11:26 PM

Please feel free to offer any advice or opinions. Please also ask questions!
Thanks!

DustanT · 05/31/2016, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babydaull

This is a list of my cleaner crew.
1.) two Mexican Turbo Snails
2.) two Astraea Snails
3.) one Cerith Snail
4.) one blue hermit crab
5.) one Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
6.) one Peppermint Shrimp
7.) I am going to add 3-4 Nassaruis Snails
8.) I am going to add 1-2 Trochus Snails as well.
Let me know what you think of my selection and you own experiences with any of theses livestock options.

I think you'll have to much CUC unless you feed heavy. Astraea Snails can't flip themselves back over either. 2 Turbo Snails, 2 Trochus Snails and a few hermits should be enough but every tank varies. I'm supersized the 2 shrimp don't fight. If you add Nassaruis Snails I would keep a close eye on them and make sure one doesn't die in the sand, I lost one a few weeks ago (died somewhere) and I'm still seeing the havoc it caused on my parameters. I'm supersized I haven't lost anything with them being so high.

It looks like you used dry white rock, I used the same. It takes a while for it to turn into live and start looks better, mine is 3 months and its starting to get coralline algae spots.

I'd let your tank age before adding any more livestock, coral is ok if you have 0 ammonia and nitrites. Try to resist the urge to add, I know it's hard but having just went through the startup of my first tank going to fast makes things bad and frustrating. A wise man told me "It will look worse before it looks better".

Babydaull · 05/31/2016, 07:17 AM

Hey Dustin thanks for the response. I forgot to mention that when I add the Trochus snails I will giving the Astraea snails back. I will also be giving the peppermint shrimp back as well. I have heard the peppermint shrimp will eat snails. I have seen the peppermint picking at one Mexican Turbo snail. With that being said, when I go to local fish store to get Trochus and Nassaruis should I get one of each or 2 of each? I have saved an Astraea snail three times now with one being flipped over, which makes the Trochus snails seem more appealing. Thank you for your insight with CUC and cycling. If I add fish when I get back from vacation it will be my 4th completed week of cycling. I still might wait a tad longer.

ken1977 · 05/31/2016, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustanT

I think you'll have to much CUC unless you feed heavy. Astraea Snails can't flip themselves back over either. 2 Turbo Snails, 2 Trochus Snails and a few hermits should be enough but every tank varies. I'm supersized the 2 shrimp don't fight. If you add Nassaruis Snails I would keep a close eye on them and make sure one doesn't die in the sand, I lost one a few weeks ago (died somewhere) and I'm still seeing the havoc it caused on my parameters. I'm supersized I haven't lost anything with them being so high.

It looks like you used dry white rock, I used the same. It takes a while for it to turn into live and start looks better, mine is 3 months and its starting to get coralline algae spots.

I'd let your tank age before adding any more livestock, coral is ok if you have 0 ammonia and nitrites. Try to resist the urge to add, I know it's hard but having just went through the startup of my first tank going to fast makes things bad and frustrating. A wise man told me "It will look worse before it looks better".

I would get rid of snails and shrimp. Add one more hermit and your good for now. There isn't enough food in there for them to eat yet, they'll starve... Your tank is sweet! I'm hoping my will look as good when I set it up.

joedodge · 05/31/2016, 05:52 PM

Looks my really good man!

Babydaull · 05/31/2016, 06:21 PM

I did not think about it that way, with there not being enough food. Thanks for the advice. When do you plan on setting up your tank? what are you waiting on?

ReefWreak · 05/31/2016, 08:55 PM

Do not get a tomato clown unless it is the only fish you'll ever keep in the tank. They are remarkably aggressive and will fight and kill your other fishes, particularly in a nano.

Next purchase? If you're going to the lfs to get your water tested, buy either an api saltwater master kit, or some salifert test kits. You only need ammonia, nitrate, calcium, and alkalinity. Then buy a refractometer from eBay or wherever else they're only <$50.

Probably too many snails, particularly with the Mexican turbo snails. They get huge becasue they eat a lot, but your tank won't have a lot for them to eat.

The chromis, I would make sure you have a lid on your tank for them. I love them, and have had them before, but know that they'll pick each other to death slowly (they're not actually schooling fishes, they're hiding fishes, when left with nowhere to hide, they school, as they do in our aquariums, however they get angry and aggressive when kept like that and end up killing each other. They are damsels after all).

Sorry to be a Debbie downer, but just trying to save you from the headaches and heartaches that I've already been through (all except the snail one).

ken1977 · 06/01/2016, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babydaull

I did not think about it that way, with there not being enough food. Thanks for the advice. When do you plan on setting up your tank? what are you waiting on?

I'm cycling/mixing salt water tonight, I should have set up by tomorrow. I was going to get some water from my lfs but I decided not too. I'll post some pics.

Babydaull · 06/01/2016, 03:34 PM

Dang that is a bummer, I like pretty much all of the clown fish but the tomato clown fish stuck out to me as the coolest. Maybe a designer snowflake would be cool. I did not know that about chromis! I will have to change up my fish plan. Do you any advice on fish plan for nano?

Babydaull · 06/01/2016, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken1977

I'm cycling/mixing salt water tonight, I should have set up by tomorrow. I was going to get some water from my lfs but I decided not too. I'll post some pics.

How did salt mixing go? I brought pre made salt water from LFS. You have it set up yet?

ken1977 · 06/01/2016, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babydaull

I did not think about it that way, with there not being enough food. Thanks for the advice. When do you plan on setting up your tank? what are you waiting on?

Here she is... Nice iPhone light

Babydaull · 06/01/2016, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken1977

Here she is... Nice iPhone light

Looks great! Thats a choice on sand. Are you going to replace the return pump? if that is next to your bed it will be noisy

05/27/2016, 11:34 PM	#1
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	Lucas's 20g nano My name is Lucas, I just go into this hobby and I purchased my first tank on May 6th, 2016. I bought a 20 gallon nuvo fusion from marine depot. I am starting a thread to show my progress and discuss tank stuff. I'll post pictures frequently and hopefully we can get a good thread going!

05/30/2016, 01:55 AM	#3
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	20 gallon Thanks for the reply joe! very busy week for me with memorial day. I have a lot of family events. Im looking a my tank tonight, looks like my peppermint shrimp is ready to molt soon! Hopefully I will find time to post pictures tomorrow!

05/30/2016, 09:47 PM	#4
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	pictures Test photo

05/30/2016, 10:21 PM	#5
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	20 Gallon photos I chose pepper and salt live sand, I also chose dry rock and then got a few pieces live rock that you can see in the photo

05/30/2016, 10:27 PM	#6
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	Pictures This is my set-up, 20 gallon nuvo fusion from marinedepot. 15 pounds of salt and pepper live sand. 13.5 pounds of dry rock and a quarter pound of live rock.

05/28/2016, 05:49 AM	#2
joedodge Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: ST. Pete, FL Posts: 296	Awesome can't wait for pics!

05/30/2016, 10:31 PM	#7
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	Equipment My methods of water movement . 1.) My tanks return pump does 211 gallons per hour 2.) The photo with the flash on is a hydor 425 gallons per hour powerhead 2.) The photo with no flash is a hydor 240 gallons per hour powerhead.

05/30/2016, 10:38 PM	#8
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	Equipment picture My heater (picture 2) is an eheim jager 75 watt fully submersible heater. Media reactor (picture 1) is an Innovative Marine desktop media reactor. This item was packaged with carbon on marinedepot. Once I finish the carbon, I will be running GFO in the media reactor and chemipure in my filter socks.

05/30/2016, 10:51 PM	#9
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	Tank Invertebrates Picture one- The first livestock I put in my tank, peppermint shrimp. I bought the peppermint shrimp because I heard it was a hardy invertebrate to have during cycling. Once my tank is done cycling, I will probably give the shrimp back for a credit. Picture two- This is a Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp. I have had this shrimp for 2-3 days. This shrimp is extremely cool. I have viewed it cleaning my one fish several times and I even had it crawl and clean my hand tonight which was pretty cool.

05/30/2016, 10:56 PM	#10
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	Tank This is the arch I created in my dry rock structure, I want this to be the view point in my tank. Kind of the center of attention. In the back is my Blue Chromis, I bought it for cycling as well, because it is a hardy fish. My Chromis is super cool, it often swims in my powerhead streams and is very active.

05/30/2016, 10:58 PM	#11
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	I will be starting weekly tank notes tonight. I set up the tank May 13th, so this is the middle of week three.

05/30/2016, 11:08 PM	#12
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	cleaner crew This is a list of my cleaner crew. 1.) two Mexican Turbo Snails 2.) two Astraea Snails 3.) one Cerith Snail 4.) one blue hermit crab 5.) one Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp 6.) one Peppermint Shrimp 7.) I am going to add 3-4 Nassaruis Snails 8.) I am going to add 1-2 Trochus Snails as well. Let me know what you think of my selection and you own experiences with any of theses livestock options.

05/30/2016, 11:24 PM	#13
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	Week 3.5- Tanks notes Everything is going great with my tank right now. My cleaner crew is doing awesome. I have had my cleaner crew for 3-4 days. I am almost on my 4th week of cycling. I take my water twice a week to local pet store to do a free water test. All my numbers look nice and my salinity is at 1.025. I am debating on what my next purchase should be for my tank. I have a blue Chromis right now and I think it would be cool to buy one or two more to have them school together. I would also like to have a tomato clown fish. I also ordered my AquaMaxx nemolight from Marine depot tonight. I have my first challenge for my tank. This challenge is me leaving June 3rd and coming back June 9th. My friend will be feeding my tank once in the morning and once in the evening. Based on how my tank condition is when I get back from vacation will determine my next purchase. I will also be doing my first 25% water change tomorrow after I get my water tested at petco.

05/30/2016, 11:26 PM	#14
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	Followers Please feel free to offer any advice or opinions. Please also ask questions! Thanks!

05/31/2016, 07:17 AM	#16
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	Dustin T response Hey Dustin thanks for the response. I forgot to mention that when I add the Trochus snails I will giving the Astraea snails back. I will also be giving the peppermint shrimp back as well. I have heard the peppermint shrimp will eat snails. I have seen the peppermint picking at one Mexican Turbo snail. With that being said, when I go to local fish store to get Trochus and Nassaruis should I get one of each or 2 of each? I have saved an Astraea snail three times now with one being flipped over, which makes the Trochus snails seem more appealing. Thank you for your insight with CUC and cycling. If I add fish when I get back from vacation it will be my 4th completed week of cycling. I still might wait a tad longer.

05/31/2016, 05:52 PM	#18
joedodge Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: ST. Pete, FL Posts: 296	Looks my really good man!

05/31/2016, 06:21 PM	#19
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	Ken1977 Response I did not think about it that way, with there not being enough food. Thanks for the advice. When do you plan on setting up your tank? what are you waiting on?

05/31/2016, 08:55 PM	#20
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	Do not get a tomato clown unless it is the only fish you'll ever keep in the tank. They are remarkably aggressive and will fight and kill your other fishes, particularly in a nano. Next purchase? If you're going to the lfs to get your water tested, buy either an api saltwater master kit, or some salifert test kits. You only need ammonia, nitrate, calcium, and alkalinity. Then buy a refractometer from eBay or wherever else they're only <$50. Probably too many snails, particularly with the Mexican turbo snails. They get huge becasue they eat a lot, but your tank won't have a lot for them to eat. The chromis, I would make sure you have a lid on your tank for them. I love them, and have had them before, but know that they'll pick each other to death slowly (they're not actually schooling fishes, they're hiding fishes, when left with nowhere to hide, they school, as they do in our aquariums, however they get angry and aggressive when kept like that and end up killing each other. They are damsels after all). Sorry to be a Debbie downer, but just trying to save you from the headaches and heartaches that I've already been through (all except the snail one).

06/01/2016, 03:34 PM	#22
Babydaull Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 465	reefwreak response Dang that is a bummer, I like pretty much all of the clown fish but the tomato clown fish stuck out to me as the coolest. Maybe a designer snowflake would be cool. I did not know that about chromis! I will have to change up my fish plan. Do you any advice on fish plan for nano?