p.tm Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Hi guys. Finally decided to jump in the bandwagon and start my own nano tank thread. I started a 2x1x1 tank about 7mths ago after I was seduced by this porcupine pufferfish. He was like a puppy in a fish tank, who could resist that cutiepie. Someone told me a 2feet tank was sufficient so I jumped headfirst into this sticky saltwater hobby and started a fowlr. Sadly, my puffer died in a freak accident last december and my tank ran literally empty for a few weeks. Then I saw these lime green/turqoise staghorn and blue montipora sps corals, and heck I was poisoned again. Therefore restarted this tank in January, with keeping thriving sps as my long term goal. I only wished I joined this forum much earlier, it would've saved me so much money and time. But then again, if I did I don't think I'll start a tank at all haha. My tank specs: Main tank 2.1.1ft DiY sump tank 1ft sq DIY overflow pvc pipes Lighting: 2x 36w Par38 Full Spectrum w/o lens on diy lightstand Skimmer: Bubble Magus NAC3.5 running with biopellets Chiller: Resun CL280 Wavemaker: Jebao wp10 + a small Boyu Water Parameters: Ammonia: 0ppm Nitrite: 0ppm Nitrate: 10ppm Phosphate: <0.03ppm pH: 8.2 Salinity: 1.025 This was my tank a month ago. Everything here except the maroon clown, goby and damsel, is dead. I was overseas for 2 weeks, during which my royal gramma died(I believe because it wasn't able to compete for food from the hungry clown and damsel), and caused the overflow to choke and fail. And the timer for my lights fused. Then mayhem! Nitrate spike, temp spike, clam died = ammonia spike, melting coral, algae bloom, cyano bloom . My beloved lyretail anthias who was feeding on TDO pellets died the day I touched down, along with the hidden fire shrimp. :cry2: Had been battling with cyanobacteria for a really long time even before my trip, they could take over my entire tank in a single night. Siphoning the sand and scrubbing rocks could possibly be the worst job. Found out from Mr. Henry from marinelife that phosphates and low flow was the problem. So I got the Goodbye!PO4 and started dosing that. The cyano receded for a while before coming back in full force during the 2week catastrophe. But thankfully, everything's back to normal now. And I've only begun adding corals this week. Mainly zoas and mushrooms, a GSP frag, and a gonio. Feeding rotifers and phytoplankton on alternate days. My nitrate was finally brought down to 10ppm, my API reads 20+ppm but the salifert says 10. I'd put my bet on the salifert. Latest phospates read 0ppm on the salifert test kit but I'm not so optimistic. I diyed most of the things that could be diyed(due to my budget constraints), including the lightstand. Which is actually a mix of the ikea lightstand and some clip-on e27 bulb holder. Quite ugly, with the pvc overflow as well, but gotta live with it since I'm still studying. Latest tank shot: Some nice zoa frags from Evolutionz. A very friendly guy. The blue abyss is my absolute favourite . Hope the pink cauliflower coral will grow and become like a tree in the background of my tank. Added this frag rack and the jebao wp10 just yesterday. Must say the wp10 is really worth it, really very powerful and undervalued for the price. Set the max speed at 50% still can create whirlpool in this tank. Going to remove the boyu soon. I intend to keep zoas and mushrooms on the left, and eventually sps on the top and right, in a few months' time. On the hunt for nice and cheap zoas right now. Also eyeing this teardrop clam in aquarist chamber but don't want to risk it yet. Will appreciate any advice on my equipment or scape! Thank you for reading!! :ThanxSmiley: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragoncube Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Love the zoos. Remember to share them when they grow. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote My Wish List - Black Ocellaris - Royal Grammar - Orchid Dottyback - Rose Anemone - Zoos (all kinds!) - Purple People Eater - Floridae Rics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member flo_reeftank Posted April 17, 2014 SRC Member Share Posted April 17, 2014 Nice zoas garden Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiraltian Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Keep working on your tank, u succeed one day and turn your tank into a successful Sps reef!! Quote Display Tank : 36" x 20" x 20" Herbie overflow box design, Sump : 36" x 21" x 17", Frag Tank : 16” x 20” x 16”, custom built by Tank Culture. Lightings : Ecotech Radion XR15 Pro x 2 for Main Display Tank, Inled R80 x 1 for Frag Tank. Chiller : Dalkin 1hp compressor with build-in drop coil. Skimmer : Skimz Octa SC205i Protein Skimmer. FR : H2Ocean FMR75 Fluidised Media Reactor with Hailea HX-2500 (Feeder Pump) running Rowaphos. CR : Skimz Monzter E Series CM122 Calcium Reactor. BPR: Marine Source Biopellet Reactor with Continuum Reef Biopellet Fuel. Main Return Pump : SICCE Syncra ADV 9.0 & Jebao ACQ-10000 Water Pump. Wavemaker : Jebao MOW-9 x2 for Main Display Tank & Jebao SLW-20M Sine Wave Pump for Frag Tank. Water Top Up: AutoAqua Smart ATO Lite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherman Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Your NO3 is still high . If you are going for SPS you will need a better test kit to measure you Phosphate Quote 6.5 * 2 * 2 + 3.75 * 1.5 *1.5,(Decomn on 14/9/08) 4*2*2 + 2.5*1.25*1.25 (Decomn on 1/8/09) 5*2*2 (Fully LED light system, 140 3 watt SSC leds with 60 degree lens)(Decomm) 2.5*2*2(Fully LED Light System,96 3 watt SSC leds with 60 degree lens)(Decomm) 5*2.5*2(LED only) Eheim return 1 * pump 1 HP Daikin compressor with cooling coil 2 Jebao OW40, 1 ecotech MP40, 1X6085 Tunze wm, 1 CURVE 7 Skimmer 1 DIY 80 led control by Bluefish mini 1 radion XR30W G2, 2 Radion XR15G3 Sump area lite by 5 ft T5 , 6 * SSC 3 watt red LED for refugium 1 Full spectrum E27 led light 1 CR control by bubble count Start No Water Change since 1st Dec 2016 Add new 2.5x2x 1.5 ft [/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member ASHWIN Posted April 18, 2014 SRC Member Share Posted April 18, 2014 Nice Zoas!..Welcome to Zoa Virus.."H1ZOA1" The can really poison! 1 Quote 300Gallons of Pure Goodness! >Dimensions 6x2x2 (Foot) 1: Maxspect 160 Watt qty-2 2: Vortech MP 40 Wes 3:Jaebao WP40 qty-2 3: Skimz Becket Skimmer/ Ehiem 1260 4: Dymax XC 900 Calcium Reactor 5: American Pinpoint PH Controller 6: Iwaki MD 55 And MD 70 (Return) 7: Hydra Aquatics FR45 Reactor 8:Hailea 10HP Chiller R2R forum->>>http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/photography-forum/154896-ashwins-reefing-photography.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.tm Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Love the zoos. Remember to share them when they grow. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Definitely will! Read your thread about coming back to reefing too, all the best to you! Nice zoas garden Cheers Thanks cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.tm Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Keep working on your tank, u succeed one day and turn your tank into a successful Sps reef!! Thank you for the kind words Admiral! Haha certainly hope one day I'll have a headache over overgrowing spses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.tm Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Your NO3 is still high . If you are going for SPS you will need a better test kit to measure you Phosphate Thanks for the advice. My latest nitrate reading is 5ppm, is that still too high for sps? What's a good level to maintain? And I'm currently using salifert to test for phosphate, is salifert inaccurate? What's a better test kit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.tm Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Nice Zoas!..Welcome to Zoa Virus.."H1ZOA1" The can really poison! Thanks bro for your contact! I will look for him when I decided to get more zoas!! And very true, zoas are really so beautiful and poisonous(literally) haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherman Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 For SPS try to be near 0 and for pO4 less then.03. PO4 use Hanna test more accurate Sent from my LG-D958 using Tapatalk Quote 6.5 * 2 * 2 + 3.75 * 1.5 *1.5,(Decomn on 14/9/08) 4*2*2 + 2.5*1.25*1.25 (Decomn on 1/8/09) 5*2*2 (Fully LED light system, 140 3 watt SSC leds with 60 degree lens)(Decomm) 2.5*2*2(Fully LED Light System,96 3 watt SSC leds with 60 degree lens)(Decomm) 5*2.5*2(LED only) Eheim return 1 * pump 1 HP Daikin compressor with cooling coil 2 Jebao OW40, 1 ecotech MP40, 1X6085 Tunze wm, 1 CURVE 7 Skimmer 1 DIY 80 led control by Bluefish mini 1 radion XR30W G2, 2 Radion XR15G3 Sump area lite by 5 ft T5 , 6 * SSC 3 watt red LED for refugium 1 Full spectrum E27 led light 1 CR control by bubble count Start No Water Change since 1st Dec 2016 Add new 2.5x2x 1.5 ft [/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tofubox Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Salifert will suffice, as long as u getting that nice clear transparent result. A tinge of blue means there is trace of phosphates. Salifert is significantly reliable, unless you really want pinpoint accuracy, than hanna will be useful, else don't waste the money, spend it on more important things, like phos remover to keep up with scheduled changes. If i really want a hanna test kit, personally, i did rather buy a nitrate hanna test kit over a phosphate one. Once u get phosphate low, and u keep up with the maintenance for phos remover. You can worry much lesser. Nitrate spikes happen more often. i.e Something died, overfeeding etc etc Quote I Love Stagsss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherman Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Hanna has no nitrate tester. Please take note Quote 6.5 * 2 * 2 + 3.75 * 1.5 *1.5,(Decomn on 14/9/08) 4*2*2 + 2.5*1.25*1.25 (Decomn on 1/8/09) 5*2*2 (Fully LED light system, 140 3 watt SSC leds with 60 degree lens)(Decomm) 2.5*2*2(Fully LED Light System,96 3 watt SSC leds with 60 degree lens)(Decomm) 5*2.5*2(LED only) Eheim return 1 * pump 1 HP Daikin compressor with cooling coil 2 Jebao OW40, 1 ecotech MP40, 1X6085 Tunze wm, 1 CURVE 7 Skimmer 1 DIY 80 led control by Bluefish mini 1 radion XR30W G2, 2 Radion XR15G3 Sump area lite by 5 ft T5 , 6 * SSC 3 watt red LED for refugium 1 Full spectrum E27 led light 1 CR control by bubble count Start No Water Change since 1st Dec 2016 Add new 2.5x2x 1.5 ft [/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tofubox Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Hanna has no nitrate tester. Please take note Thanks for the heads up. This was posted in 2010, i remembered reading it. So if there is no nitrate tester, their 2 months seems more like 4yrs https://reefbuilders.com/2010/08/10/hanna-checkers-ammonia-nitrate-ready-2-months/ Quote I Love Stagsss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.tm Posted April 19, 2014 Author Share Posted April 19, 2014 For SPS try to be near 0 and for pO4 less then.03. PO4 use Hanna test more accurate Sent from my LG-D958 using Tapatalk Noted, looks like I'll switch after my sailfert finishes Salifert will suffice, as long as u getting that nice clear transparent result. A tinge of blue means there is trace of phosphates. Salifert is significantly reliable, unless you really want pinpoint accuracy, than hanna will be useful, else don't waste the money, spend it on more important things, like phos remover to keep up with scheduled changes. If i really want a hanna test kit, personally, i did rather buy a nitrate hanna test kit over a phosphate one. Once u get phosphate low, and u keep up with the maintenance for phos remover. You can worry much lesser. Nitrate spikes happen more often. i.e Something died, overfeeding etc etc Thanks for the info I just tested for phosphates and got a really slight tinge of blue, it's almost transparent.. Can't capture the colour with my phone. I guess that's pretty safe if I continue with my po4 remover? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.tm Posted April 19, 2014 Author Share Posted April 19, 2014 A little update: I got a salifert Ca and Mg test kit yesterday. It's the titration type, kinda fun to do this out of my chem practical sessions. Will get a kh kit when the stock comes. Ca: 480ppm Mg: 1230ppm From what I gather on the internet, my calcium is too high and mg is too low. I'm currently not dosing anything but I've got some Reefmax ca, mg and kh additives. Any advice bros? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tofubox Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Noted, looks like I'll switch after my sailfert finishes Thanks for the info I just tested for phosphates and got a really slight tinge of blue, it's almost transparent.. Can't capture the colour with my phone. I guess that's pretty safe if I continue with my po4 remover? Yup, your phosphate is golden, just continue using the po4 remover, and change it as appropriate. I tend to change mine once a month. Dont have to dose CA, up your MG to 1350 and above. Quote I Love Stagsss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Evolutionz Posted April 19, 2014 SRC Member Share Posted April 19, 2014 5ppm is perfect for SPS. my nitrate range from 5 - 10ppm, i get lesser color when my nitrate drop to 2. tank's looking great!! Quote EvolutionZ's Floating Reef: (Decommed) EvolutionZ's 4ft shallow Mixed Reef Build : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admiraltian Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 5ppm is perfect for SPS. my nitrate range from 5 - 10ppm, i get lesser color when my nitrate drop to 2. tank's looking great!! Agreed with bro Evo, sps need a wee bit of nutrients to strive as well. Quote Display Tank : 36" x 20" x 20" Herbie overflow box design, Sump : 36" x 21" x 17", Frag Tank : 16” x 20” x 16”, custom built by Tank Culture. Lightings : Ecotech Radion XR15 Pro x 2 for Main Display Tank, Inled R80 x 1 for Frag Tank. Chiller : Dalkin 1hp compressor with build-in drop coil. Skimmer : Skimz Octa SC205i Protein Skimmer. FR : H2Ocean FMR75 Fluidised Media Reactor with Hailea HX-2500 (Feeder Pump) running Rowaphos. CR : Skimz Monzter E Series CM122 Calcium Reactor. BPR: Marine Source Biopellet Reactor with Continuum Reef Biopellet Fuel. Main Return Pump : SICCE Syncra ADV 9.0 & Jebao ACQ-10000 Water Pump. Wavemaker : Jebao MOW-9 x2 for Main Display Tank & Jebao SLW-20M Sine Wave Pump for Frag Tank. Water Top Up: AutoAqua Smart ATO Lite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.tm Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 Yup, your phosphate is golden, just continue using the po4 remover, and change it as appropriate. I tend to change mine once a month. Dont have to dose CA, up your MG to 1350 and above. Thanks for the tip! Dosed the mg last night, will check parameters tonight and update again! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.tm Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 5ppm is perfect for SPS. my nitrate range from 5 - 10ppm, i get lesser color when my nitrate drop to 2. tank's looking great!! Thanks bro! Will try to maintain the nitrates at 5-10ppm. Doesn't look as good as your shallow reef man, love your mini school of dispars Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.tm Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 Agreed with bro Evo, sps need a wee bit of nutrients to strive as well. Thanks, noted! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.tm Posted April 21, 2014 Author Share Posted April 21, 2014 Another tiny update: Mg: 1170ppm Already added the magnesium additive last night, didn't really expect a drop. This hobby is full of surprises. Just added magnesium again, will check again tomorrow night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planted Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 Indeed man needs a lot to replicate nature! I'm seeing all the knowledge in this thread alone. Enough to keep me "wahhhhh, $$$$ ". That's a nice clean tank! diy skill also very high. Believe the effort will bring forth a nice tank in near future to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p.tm Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share Posted May 14, 2014 Indeed man needs a lot to replicate nature! I'm seeing all the knowledge in this thread alone. Enough to keep me "wahhhhh, $$$$ ". That's a nice clean tank! diy skill also very high. Believe the effort will bring forth a nice tank in near future to come. I don't dare to say I'm replicating nature, more like taking a piece of it for my personal sadistic viewing pleasure. Thanks for the nice words though! Yes a lot of $$$$ spent, quite gek sim when I think about it haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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