12G Nano Reef Marine Tanks Journey - starting from 15-sept-2020 - Part 2

[Mr. Tay]

 

This is a new thread to continue from my original thread as per the following URL, since the previous thread is now in the archived status. 

https://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/topic/176955-nano-reef-marine-tanks-journey-starting-from-15-sept-2020/

 

I am pleased to share the following video on my planning for the next stage of the tank - Stocking the Tank, while I am waiting for the tank to complete the cycling process which is looking at 4 -6 weeks time.

 

[Mr. Tay]

After doing much of online readings, I kind of decided on the stocking plan for the 12G Nano Reef Tank when the tank completes the cycling process.

I must mention that all photos shown in the video (with the exception of the 12G Nano Tank) are owned by various owners that I found online. I am just referring to the photos in the video for me to share my stocking plan for the 12G Nano Reef Tank after the completion of the cycling process.

The stocking process will be a slow process (which will takes weeks and months) from what I have learned and I really hope that I can achieve a nice Display Tank.

I have included 3 of my Dream Tanks (beautiful display Nano Tanks) that I found online as a motivation for the next stage (stocking) of my 12G Nano Reef Tank

 

 

[Mr. Tay]

Just to update on the test kits / station that I am using and results of my 1st test while the tank is still cycling.

Test kits / station that I setup for water parameters testing:

 

1st test result on Ammonia

 

1st test result on Nitrite

 

1st test result on Nitrate

[Mr. Tay]

I would like to share the info in the video below from BRS 5-Minute Guide is useful and helpful in the my stocking plan:

 

 

[Harlequinmania]

What is your new tank size ?

Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app

[Mr. Tay]

12 hours ago, he said:

What is your new tank size ?

Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app
 

A small nano tank of 12G

[Mr. Tay]

While the tank is currently going through the cycling process, it gives me time to do more reading regards the following topics in order to be more prepared after the completion of the cycling process:

1. Stocking up of the tank 
2. Proper water change preparation as well as how to change to a diff brand of salt if needed
3. Lighting schedule
4. Dipping for newly acquired Coral and Fish
5. Regular maintenance works to be carried out :
   • Cleaning the tank 
   • Water change
   • Dosing / Top-up of additives to the desire of water Parameters 
   • Dosing / Top-up of Trace Elements
   • Feeding for the fishes and corals
   • Washing of Skimmer
   • Change of filter pack
   • etc.

The key message that I got from all the reading is to keep the water parameters stable and to ensure pristine water condition.

At the same time, I have upgraded to a proper chiller Hailea HK-150 in order to achieve and maintain the water temperature at 25C.

This reefing hobby is definitely a journey of learning !

[Otaku Reefer]

While the tank is currently going through the cycling process, it gives me time to do more reading regards the following topics in order to be more prepared after the completion of the cycling process:

1. Stocking up of the tank 
2. Proper water change preparation as well as how to change to a diff brand of salt if needed
3. Lighting schedule
4. Dipping for newly acquired Coral and Fish
5. Regular maintenance works to be carried out :
   • Cleaning the tank 
   • Water change
   • Dosing / Top-up of additives to the desire of water Parameters 
   • Dosing / Top-up of Trace Elements
   • Feeding for the fishes and corals
   • Washing of Skimmer
   • Change of filter pack
   • etc.

The key message that I got from all the reading is to keep the water parameters stable and to ensure pristine water condition.

At the same time, I have upgraded to a proper chiller Hailea HK-150 in order to achieve and maintain the water temperature at 25C.

This reefing hobby is definitely a journey of learning !

Nanotank dosing will be easier to screw up just like me lol, water change should be suffice. Sometimes less is more! Just sharing, cheers!


Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app

[Mr. Tay]

3 hours ago, Otaku Reefer said:

 

Nanotank dosing will be easier to screw up just like me lol, water change should be suffice. Sometimes less is more! Just sharing, cheers!


Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app

 

Noted with thanks for sharing on your experience

[Mr. Tay]

Following is the latest test result which shows good progress of the cycling where Ammonia is depleting and both Nitrite and Nitrate is edging up.

Looking forward to achieve the following to be consider as completion of the cycling process:

1. Ammonia < 0.2 ppm or 0

2. Nitrite < 0.2 ppm or 0

Above to be the desire result one day after 2 ppm ammonia  is added

Will then do a 50% of water change and monitor for another week before add two clown fish to the cycled tank.

[Alfredphua]

Nitrate is still really high


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[Mr. Tay]

3 hours ago, Alfredphua said:

Nitrate is still really high


Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app

Thanks for highlighting. Will be doing water change in the next 1-2 day

[Nicholas Wong]

Having had a nano tank and then upgrading, what I learnt was the smaller the tank, the harder to achieve success in maintaining stability. Your tank is looking good, all the best!


Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app

[Mr. Tay]

1 hour ago, Nicholas Wong said:

Having had a nano tank and then upgrading, what I learnt was the smaller the tank, the harder to achieve success in maintaining stability. Your tank is looking good, all the best!


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Thanks

i have done lots of reading about settling up and maintaining a Nano Reef Tank and there is always new knowledge to learn about.

I really looking forward for my 1st Nano Reef tank setup journey! 

[Mr. Tay]

After a long wait of 6-8 weeks, the 12G Nano Reef finally has completed the cycling process.

I am lucky enough to buy a pair of snowflake clown fish to be introduced to the Tank.

Next stocking will be cleaner crews in 2-3 weeks time.

 

[Mr. Tay]

Unfortunately my 1st introduction of clown fish was not successful and did not make it after the 3rd day even that all my water parameters was ok

I have then decided to change my landscaping using CaribSea Rock (as per the following video) and hope for the best this time round. Hopefully will take shorter time for the 2nd Cycling Process !

[Mr. Tay]

Finally, I have managed to find out the root cause of my tank problem due to using very old sea salt mixed. I had the old sea salt for many years (at least 5 years) and kept in the storeroom.

After 100% water changing to new sea salt mixed, I have these two happy clown fishes swimming in the tank.

I am now all ready to my next stocking - Cleaner Crews and will also need to make sure maintaining good water quality with weekly water change.

 

[Mr. Tay]

My first Coral (Green and Orange Yuma) introduced on 28 Dec 2020 !

 

[Mr. Tay]

This is a complete picture of all the Green & Orange Yuma after after settling down for a few days. 

I am really happen for being able to find such beautiful Yuma as my 1st introduction to my tank.

Perhaps, I should have more white light to take a better photo. Still learning to take nice photo

[Guest]

I wrote this!

https://www.sgreefclub.com/home/reef-photography-tips-tricks/

Hope it can help you.

Wish to see your full tank shot!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mr. Tay]

On 1/3/2021 at 6:01 AM, Willy Guccivera Yap said:

I wrote this!

https://www.sgreefclub.com/home/reef-photography-tips-tricks/

Hope it can help you.

Wish to see your full tank shot!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for sharing.

Will learn and hope to take more nice photos of the setup and corals

[Mr. Tay]

The tank has been running for about 1.5months after fully cycled.

Attached are a few photos taken to share on what I have so far for the tank. I am still trying to learn about taking nice photos for a reef tank and hope will be able to take nicer photos in my next update.

 

[Mr. Tay]

Just to add that I am feeding the Corals with Red Sea AB+ and do observe the grow of Zoas with more polyps which is a good sign.

I do about 10% of water and filter wool change on a weekend weekly basis.

 

[Mr. Tay]

After keeping the system for the past 3 over months, I would like to share some of my learning as following:

Downsides

1. I have overfed the tank (be it for Fishes, Corals and the Cleaner Crews). As a result, had an outbreak for the algae

2. I think I had started dosing the All-In-One too early which I should wait longer for the tank to be more mature.

3. I used wrong flow rate for the Chiller as a result the Chiller overwork and water is not properly chill  

4. I had stop running Chiller for the tank for about 2 -3 days and resulted lost of some corals  

5. Position of the Corals in too low as a result to far from the lighting  

6. Personally I find that the IOS compartments is not big enough to provide enough water volume for filter media and thus not able to keep water in great condition and stable parameters. 

 

Upsides

1. I like the function of ATO which works very well to keep the water senility stable.

2. I like the used of a Wave maker which has WiFi function for ease of control and operation setting.

3. Lessons learned from the downsides stated above.  

 

Moving Forward

I have decided to decom the existing 12G tank and to re-setup a new system as following:

1. A total water volume of 24G where 12G as Display Tank and 12G as filtration with more filter media.

2. Upgrading my existing lighting system from 27W to 90W to ensure good lighting.

3. All Corals will be at a higher position to ensure good lighting reaching for all Corals.

4. To ensure proper flow rate for the chiller

5. Continue to use UV, Wave Maker, ATO and Skimmer

 

Will provide photos for the new system when the system is fully ready in my next update  

[Mr. Tay]

Following is the new tank setup without Chiller and Lighting for the time being during the cycling stage :