My 20G Nano Reef Build Thread

Bowels · 09/05/2011, 05:31 PM

Ok So I thought Id make a tank thread, and Ill try and keep pictures and schtuff on here.

So far:

-20G Aquarium
-Odyssea 250W DE HQI Bulb 15000K w/4 T5 4 blue LEDS
-30lbs of Live Rock
-Koralia 500
-Whisper 30 Filter
-About 3 weeks in

Life identified in the tank:

-Loads of Bristleworms
-Brittlestars + little blue sea stars
-Some Kind of Gorgonian
-A green/yellow Palythoa
-Red/green Blastimusso
-2x Pulsating Xenia
-A few little Yellow star polyps
-3x cool lookin mushrooms

Super Psyched to be doing this ridiculous Hobby, I feel like I have a coma patient being cared for in my living room haha

Here is Week 3 Picture:

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derrikd · 09/05/2011, 06:12 PM

Looking good so far

Bowels · 09/06/2011, 11:16 AM

Thanks

chgoblknazn · 09/06/2011, 01:54 PM

It's so fresh and so clean!! nice!!

Bowels · 09/06/2011, 03:00 PM

eeech I hope to keep it fresh and clean too! I guess I plan on letting the algea take over the back of the tank since its against a wall, and algea is good for it right? Takes care of some nitrites? I get fussy with my pets.

Bowels · 09/10/2011, 12:26 PM

9-10-11

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Here it is today... a bit of algea and a TON of pods everywhere! lol Im going to get more flow soon... but for now im leaving the algea.

Bowels · 09/10/2011, 12:30 PM

Xenia

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Bowels · 09/10/2011, 12:35 PM

Blastimusso

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A cool Mushroom

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Bowels · 09/10/2011, 12:38 PM

Star Polyps

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Also if anyone could give me an idea of what this is..it may be too soon to tell but it came with the rock

its been facinating watching him grow

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Bowels · 09/10/2011, 12:41 PM

Mushroom that came with the rock:

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Some Palys

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ecupcar · 09/10/2011, 01:04 PM

That is a pretty big algae bloom. How long are you running your lights? do you have a CUC? Is the MH bulb new?

Bowels · 09/10/2011, 01:09 PM

I have accidentally been running the lights too long i think... lol I have to get timers... yes the halide is brand new... and I run it for 3 hours no more than that.. but I have 4 t5's and I have had those on anywhere from 8-12 hrs a day. lol yeah I know too long. Everything seems very happy, life is blooming... algea too lol. I am going to get more flow and set the lights to a schedule.. prob 7 hrs on the t5s and 3 on the halide... unles syou suggest otherwise?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecupcar

That is a pretty big algae bloom. How long are you running your lights? do you have a CUC? Is the MH bulb new?

Bowels · 09/10/2011, 01:10 PM

oh and no CUC yet.. I have a few bristleworms and a ton of pods... but nothing else... def should get something else... what would you recommend?

ecupcar · 09/10/2011, 01:21 PM

8/3 sounds ok for starters, maybe back off the MH until the algae subsides. I just use Crabs and Snails from the LFS, not too picky about them. I do have 2 Mexican Turbo's though, they take care of most all the algae.

Bowels · 09/11/2011, 03:35 PM

Gorgonian ( I think hes ugly thats why I havent put a Pic up yet)

By bowels at 2011-09-11
My New Crocea Clam

sooo cool

By bowels at 2011-09-11
Frogspawn (not quite open yet)

By bowels at 2011-09-11

Bowels · 09/11/2011, 03:38 PM

I went to Saltwater Paradise- the staff was very nice and helpful (owned by a nice couple) You can tell they really care about their stuff. Also prices were really really good! I don't think ill go to A Reef Creation again for anything. I got the clam and the frogspawn and 4 turbo snails for 85$

Here are the snails I got... they have a lot of work to do.

By bowels at 2011-09-11

sedorusc · 09/11/2011, 04:19 PM

You must be from buffalo

Bowels · 09/11/2011, 05:08 PM

lol yup east aurora actually but yeah buffalo area

ange062 · 09/11/2011, 07:43 PM

Id say you really need to get the algae problem under control before any more adds! Looks good otherwise though.

Bowels · 09/12/2011, 11:02 AM

Yeah I know I do... any suggestions? I got 4 turbo snails. Im going to take the live rock out and scrub it with a toothbrush... I didnt know it was a problem algea so for the first week or so I saw it I just scraped it off the walls.... Obv that was not the right thing to do. lol any one I have talked to in person about it makes me feel better... like "oh youll be alright the snails will take care of it" but all you ppl online are FREAKIN ME OUT! lol people are saying they lost their tanks to this stuff!

john miller · 09/12/2011, 12:04 PM

Loosing a tank to it is possible and once it get a good stronghold then it's pretty tough to get rid and most people don't have the patients to wait it out. That algae needs two things to grow, light and nutrients. First thing is keep your lights off for three days. Your coral will be fine. Second, find the source of the excess nutrients (most likely phosphate).

Before every water change take a toothbrush to a small area. Over time you will start to get it under control.

Bowels · 09/12/2011, 01:11 PM

I have a clam tho... if I leave the lights off for 3 days wont that kill it?

john miller · 09/12/2011, 07:50 PM

Sorry, can't answer that. I've never owned one.

Bowels · 09/16/2011, 06:44 PM

Update on tank... algae seems to be growing more

By bowels at 2011-09-16
Soooo I got this little guy: Meet "Puff" as in puff the magic dragon yeah hes a reefer wanna fight about it? lol Sea Hare.

By bowels at 2011-09-16
Also updated Pic of Frogspawn now that hes out

By bowels at 2011-09-16

Bowels · 09/16/2011, 06:46 PM

I picked up this SPS... couldnt resist ugh

By bowels at 2011-09-16
Also this koralia 450 (I know no one cares about a picture of this But I put it up) whatever

By bowels at 2011-09-16
I also got a Zoanthid... Its Blue and pink the guy didnt want to sell me any but I convinced him $$$ lol Ill get pics once its awake, hope they do well they looked really sweet.

09/05/2011, 05:31 PM	#1
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	My 20G Nano Reef Build Thread Ok So I thought Id make a tank thread, and Ill try and keep pictures and schtuff on here. So far: -20G Aquarium -Odyssea 250W DE HQI Bulb 15000K w/4 T5 4 blue LEDS -30lbs of Live Rock -Koralia 500 -Whisper 30 Filter -About 3 weeks in Life identified in the tank: -Loads of Bristleworms -Brittlestars + little blue sea stars -Some Kind of Gorgonian -A green/yellow Palythoa -Red/green Blastimusso -2x Pulsating Xenia -A few little Yellow star polyps -3x cool lookin mushrooms Super Psyched to be doing this ridiculous Hobby, I feel like I have a coma patient being cared for in my living room haha Here is Week 3 Picture: Uploaded with ImageShack.us

09/11/2011, 03:35 PM	#15
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	Gorgonian ( I think hes ugly thats why I havent put a Pic up yet) By bowels at 2011-09-11 My New Crocea Clam sooo cool By bowels at 2011-09-11 Frogspawn (not quite open yet) By bowels at 2011-09-11 Last edited by Bowels; 09/11/2011 at 03:56 PM.

09/11/2011, 04:19 PM	#17
sedorusc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: auburn, NY Posts: 1,710	You must be from buffalo __________________ I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me. Current Tank Info: 10 gallon, ac70 fuge with nano-glo, 6 rb & 6 cw cree leds, 2x koralia nano

09/11/2011, 07:43 PM	#19
ange062 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 3,223	Id say you really need to get the algae problem under control before any more adds! Looks good otherwise though. __________________ JBJ NC28, Radion, MP10, HOB-1, Mini Arctica, 2LF Phosban 150's - MARSH May 2012 TOTM JBJ 3g Picotope, Panorama Pro, AC70 29g AGA Planted FW

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09/05/2011, 06:12 PM	#2
derrikd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 3,356	Looking good so far

09/06/2011, 11:16 AM	#3
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	Thanks

09/06/2011, 01:54 PM	#4
chgoblknazn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chicago - East Pilsen/UIC Area Posts: 642	It's so fresh and so clean!! nice!!

09/06/2011, 03:00 PM	#5
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	eeech I hope to keep it fresh and clean too! I guess I plan on letting the algea take over the back of the tank since its against a wall, and algea is good for it right? Takes care of some nitrites? I get fussy with my pets.

09/10/2011, 12:26 PM	#6
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	9-10-11 Uploaded with ImageShack.us Here it is today... a bit of algea and a TON of pods everywhere! lol Im going to get more flow soon... but for now im leaving the algea.

09/10/2011, 12:30 PM	#7
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	Xenia Uploaded with ImageShack.us

09/10/2011, 12:35 PM	#8
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	Blastimusso Uploaded with ImageShack.us A cool Mushroom Uploaded with ImageShack.us

09/10/2011, 12:38 PM	#9
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	Star Polyps Uploaded with ImageShack.us Also if anyone could give me an idea of what this is..it may be too soon to tell but it came with the rock its been facinating watching him grow Uploaded with ImageShack.us

09/10/2011, 12:41 PM	#10
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	Mushroom that came with the rock: Uploaded with ImageShack.us Some Palys Uploaded with ImageShack.us

09/10/2011, 01:04 PM	#11
ecupcar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Lenox, Il Posts: 174	That is a pretty big algae bloom. How long are you running your lights? do you have a CUC? Is the MH bulb new?

09/10/2011, 01:10 PM	#13
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	oh and no CUC yet.. I have a few bristleworms and a ton of pods... but nothing else... def should get something else... what would you recommend?

09/10/2011, 01:21 PM	#14
ecupcar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Lenox, Il Posts: 174	8/3 sounds ok for starters, maybe back off the MH until the algae subsides. I just use Crabs and Snails from the LFS, not too picky about them. I do have 2 Mexican Turbo's though, they take care of most all the algae.

09/11/2011, 03:38 PM	#16
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	I went to Saltwater Paradise- the staff was very nice and helpful (owned by a nice couple) You can tell they really care about their stuff. Also prices were really really good! I don't think ill go to A Reef Creation again for anything. I got the clam and the frogspawn and 4 turbo snails for 85$ Here are the snails I got... they have a lot of work to do. By bowels at 2011-09-11

09/11/2011, 05:08 PM	#18
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	lol yup east aurora actually but yeah buffalo area

09/12/2011, 11:02 AM	#20
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	Yeah I know I do... any suggestions? I got 4 turbo snails. Im going to take the live rock out and scrub it with a toothbrush... I didnt know it was a problem algea so for the first week or so I saw it I just scraped it off the walls.... Obv that was not the right thing to do. lol any one I have talked to in person about it makes me feel better... like "oh youll be alright the snails will take care of it" but all you ppl online are FREAKIN ME OUT! lol people are saying they lost their tanks to this stuff!

09/12/2011, 12:04 PM	#21
john miller Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: central KY Posts: 1,053	Loosing a tank to it is possible and once it get a good stronghold then it's pretty tough to get rid and most people don't have the patients to wait it out. That algae needs two things to grow, light and nutrients. First thing is keep your lights off for three days. Your coral will be fine. Second, find the source of the excess nutrients (most likely phosphate). Before every water change take a toothbrush to a small area. Over time you will start to get it under control.

09/12/2011, 01:11 PM	#22
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	I have a clam tho... if I leave the lights off for 3 days wont that kill it?

09/12/2011, 07:50 PM	#23
john miller Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: central KY Posts: 1,053	Sorry, can't answer that. I've never owned one.

09/16/2011, 06:44 PM	#24
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	Update on tank... algae seems to be growing more By bowels at 2011-09-16 Soooo I got this little guy: Meet "Puff" as in puff the magic dragon yeah hes a reefer wanna fight about it? lol Sea Hare. By bowels at 2011-09-16 Also updated Pic of Frogspawn now that hes out By bowels at 2011-09-16

09/16/2011, 06:46 PM	#25
Bowels Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 647	I picked up this SPS... couldnt resist ugh By bowels at 2011-09-16 Also this koralia 450 (I know no one cares about a picture of this But I put it up) whatever By bowels at 2011-09-16 I also got a Zoanthid... Its Blue and pink the guy didnt want to sell me any but I convinced him $$$ lol Ill get pics once its awake, hope they do well they looked really sweet.