30 Gallon Shallow Reef Build

[rq786]

Finally getting my tank build going, I have been lurking on rc for a while. This time I wanted to do a build so if any issues hopefully I get some help from fellow reefers.
Tank: 30 gallons 24L x 24W x 12H
Sump: Custom Built
Skimmer: Vertex Omega 130
Light: Ecotech Radion G1
MP10
For this tank my goal is to keep it simple as possible, spend least amount of time on maintenance and spend more time watch it. I am aiming toward a mixed reef with small islands. For filtration I will be using a skimmer and some media like Siporax and Cermedia. Going barebottom to minimize the detritus build up. Hoping to fill it with water today. Any comment or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks

[YoungREEFA]

Hows itgoing?

[joshky]

Nice tank, very clean build so far!

[rq786]

Thanks guys
So far fighting the phosphate which i suspect the pukani rock to be the cause. Hopefully i will be able to solve this problem in a week than i will start adding some corals.

[whiteshark]

Nice tank

[YoungREEFA]

is the skimmer fairing well for the water volume?

[YoungREEFA]

I too had the problem of rock leaching phosphate for some time. It may be only a few weeks, or can last much longer. It is probably ideal to set up a gfo reactor for the duration of the leaching period, that is if you are wanting corals sooner.

[rq786]

Originally Posted by YoungREEFA

I too had the problem of rock leaching phosphate for some time. It may be only a few weeks, or can last much longer. It is probably ideal to set up a gfo reactor for the duration of the leaching period, that is if you are wanting corals sooner.

Omega 130 is very finicky skimmer sometimes it overflows or sometimes the water inside skimmer is halfway down. Currently I am using Seachem phosguard to battle the phosphates gfo will be to expensive to fight such I high phos.

[R35Dan]

Nice tank. Looking forward to your build. I plan on getting me a shallow reef tank like this soon

[Freezzer]

In battling the phos, possibly look into carbon dosing vinegar. Will help, skimmer will pull out the gunk and might lessen your costs a little.

[rq786]

sorry guys I haven't looked at the thread lately. as far as phos goes I did a seaklear phosphate remover bath to my rock which solved all the phos problem. I started with some frags of zoos, lps, and some sps. Now the problem I have is with sps shading it self even though they are 2" frags but on the parts were they don't get direct light there are turning white. Try to solve this problem. Any advice will be appreciated.

[whiteshark]

Are you sure it's a light issue? A G1 in that tank should be enough. That said I have been much happier since switching to MH. When I had the Vega over my tank I just couldn't wash out the disco ball even with 4 t5s. And my SPS growth rates have jumped exponentially since the switch.

[rq786]

Originally Posted by whiteshark

Are you sure it's a light issue? A G1 in that tank should be enough. That said I have been much happier since switching to MH. When I had the Vega over my tank I just couldn't wash out the disco ball even with 4 t5s. And my SPS growth rates have jumped exponentially since the switch.

I will try to post pics later today to let you guys see what is going on maybe i haven't put the intensity high enough currently peaks at 20%

[rq786]

Sorry cellphone pics








SPS not doing so great not sure why

[rq786]

[rq786]

and need help on the brown stuff I have on the rock
what is it and the cure for it.

[Cdodge1]

Originally Posted by rq786

and need help on the brown stuff I have on the rock
what is it and the cure for it.

brown/gree stuff on the rock is just algae...perfectly normal as your tank matures. Snails, hermits, and many other creatures that eat algae can help.

[rq786]

tank is Bare Bottom, which cleanup crew creatures i can get which won't knock frags down.