My Dymax IQ5 Pico

[Rukas]

Hi

This is my New Pico Tank

Model: Dymax IQ5

Power Head: Stock 200h/l

Lighting: Stock DYMAX LED

Skimmer: Skimmer for IQ5(DYMAX)

Filtration: Stock

Cooling: Dymax Vortex Cooler Fan

LS: 1 Clownfish + 1 Blue leg Hermit crab + Mushroom coral

Tank Cycling: 3 Weeks

Temperature: 26-27 degree Celcius

Feeding : 3 pellets , twice daily(Spectrum for Marine)

Salinity : 1.020

Water top up: 2 days once, boiled and cooled water

Water change plan, Weekly 20% Sea water purchase from Shop

Few things i want to check with fellow brothers

1. My Skimmer doesnt seems to produce any foam, is this because there is not enough protein yet?

2. Would like to hear some suggestion if i can add any coral to this tank, if yes , some suggestion would be great

3. Fish i am planning only to have max 2, probably will get a sexy shrimp

4. Any other suggestion and advice, since i am new to this, i did do alot of reading but heard the best advice comes from this forum so sticking my head here

Thanks

I have posted some pictures of my tank

[tunicate]

1. Brand new skimmer needs days or weeks to break in before there's a layer of slime coating in inner surface.

2. You tank has yet to mature. Avoid adding LS at the moment.

3. Same and (2) above. At adult size, clown fish would out grow your tank. So plan for tank upgrade or put up clown for adoption in the future.

Lastly, your salinity seems a little low. Should be around 1.023. Don't use boiled water for top-up. Get bottled distilled water from NTUC if you don't have a DI/RO setup at home.

[Rukas]

1. Brand new skimmer needs days or weeks to break in before there's a layer of slime coating in inner surface.

2. You tank has yet to mature. Avoid adding LS at the moment.

3. Same and (2) above. At adult size, clown fish would out grow your tank. So plan for tank upgrade or put up clown for adoption in the future.

Lastly, your salinity seems a little low. Should be around 1.023. Don't use boiled water for top-up. Get bottled distilled water from NTUC if you don't have a DI/RO setup at home.

Hey Bro Thanks for the advice

I will wait for the tank to mature

For the clown fish, i am planning to setup another tank in the future, will definately work on a upgrade

For the salinity, thats the same reading i am getting from the Salt water i bought from the shop, is there something else i should do?

[peacemaker]

The ammonia indicator that you are hanging on the left is pretty useless, so you can get rid of it. You might wanna consider removing the lid on really hot days to help reduce heat build up. If you plan to keep other corals, do note that the stock light might not be sufficient to keep more light demanding corals.

It is a nice start, just learn along your reefing journey. Cheers!

[Rukas]

The ammonia indicator that you are hanging on the left is pretty useless, so you can get rid of it. You might wanna consider removing the lid on really hot days to help reduce heat build up. If you plan to keep other corals, do note that the stock light might not be sufficient to keep more light demanding corals.

It is a nice start, just learn along your reefing journey. Cheers!

Thanks Bro

Ok i was told the seachem ammonia indicator is pretty accurate, i guess another selling scheme by the LFS. I will get rid of it and get a proper test kit

For the lighting, can you help me suggest something? i will definately wait for my tank to Mature before i purchase anything but just want to plan it correctly

Another thing bro, i am actually adding bacteria everytime i change my water, is this always necessary? and should i change my filter material to Chemi-pure or something else or just leave the stock filter material

Thanks for the encouraging response

[finind]

nice liverock

cannot find something like this when i was looking for liverock at ah beng shop

where did you get your true perc?

[peacemaker]

I was told the same thing when I first started this hobby... I must admit I was attracted to the colours. Salifert is a reliable brand of test kits, and many reefers have been using it around the world, so you can give it a try.

You might wanna consider LEDs with higher output. PAR30s should be sufficient for your tank size.

Once the beneficial bacteria have been established, it is not necessary to dose bacteria.

I'm not sure what the stock filtration consists of, but ChemiPure is like a form of carbon, so it serves as a chemical filtration. Different purpose. For a tank this small, it may be more beneficial compared to the stock filtration.

[Rukas]

nice liverock

cannot find something like this when i was looking for liverock at ah beng shop

where did you get your true perc?

Thanks

I got my live rock, water, sand bed, True Perc all from a shop in Pasir Ris Farm Way, i dont think that shop has a name, Right opposite the entrance of Aquaempire, there is a Happy Prawning sign board, as you go in the second block on the left, with wet floors.

Where is this Ah Beng Shop? maybe its the same shop haha

[Rukas]

I was told the same thing when I first started this hobby... I must admit I was attracted to the colours. Salifert is a reliable brand of test kits, and many reefers have been using it around the world, so you can give it a try.

You might wanna consider LEDs with higher output. PAR30s should be sufficient for your tank size.

Once the beneficial bacteria have been established, it is not necessary to dose bacteria.

I'm not sure what the stock filtration consists of, but ChemiPure is like a form of carbon, so it serves as a chemical filtration. Different purpose. For a tank this small, it may be more beneficial compared to the stock filtration.

Thanks for the great Advice

[Rukas]

Quick Question:

My Blue legged Hermit crab just molted, should i just leave the molting in the tank?

[finind]

Thanks

I got my live rock, water, sand bed, True Perc all from a shop in Pasir Ris Farm Way, i dont think that shop has a name, Right opposite the entrance of Aquaempire, there is a Happy Prawning sign board, as you go in the second block on the left, with wet floors.

Where is this Ah Beng Shop? maybe its the same shop haha

aquaempire

the lot where ah beng shop is has a big fake arowana at the entrance

[finind]

Thanks

I got my live rock, water, sand bed, True Perc all from a shop in Pasir Ris Farm Way, i dont think that shop has a name, Right opposite the entrance of Aquaempire, there is a Happy Prawning sign board, as you go in the second block on the left, with wet floors.

Where is this Ah Beng Shop? maybe its the same shop haha

double post

[tunicate]

Just scoop it out. No issue.

[Rukas]

I was told the same thing when I first started this hobby... I must admit I was attracted to the colours. Salifert is a reliable brand of test kits, and many reefers have been using it around the world, so you can give it a try.

You might wanna consider LEDs with higher output. PAR30s should be sufficient for your tank size.

Once the beneficial bacteria have been established, it is not necessary to dose bacteria.

I'm not sure what the stock filtration consists of, but ChemiPure is like a form of carbon, so it serves as a chemical filtration. Different purpose. For a tank this small, it may be more beneficial compared to the stock filtration.

Ok went to Aqua empire, Followed your advice and bought Salifert and bought the nitrate test kit

Followed Instructions, 1 ml water, added both the powders and stirred and let it to rest for 3 minutes

From the top the reading is White, from the side the reading is at 2ppm, so i must divide by 10, thus my Nitrate level is 0.2 ppm right?

i have not done my weekly water change yet. How long more must i wait before i can add more LS?

Thanks

[peacemaker]

I would wait for a month of so more before adding livestock. Let your tank stabilize. Use this time to do research on the type of fish suitable for pico tanks. You probably have room for only one more fish, so choose wisely.

[finind]

what fish recommended for nano/pico tank?

Bangaii Cardinals?

[Rukas]

I buy my sea water from Ah Beng shop, i still get my salinity at 1.020.

I am using a floating hydrometer( DYMAX ) its a glass tube together with thermometer

What should i do next? get another Hydrometer or mix my own saltwater?

Thanks

[tunicate]

Below is a quote from Deep_end at aerofanatics.com

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77883

"Many LFS set the salinity of their holding tanks to about 1.020 or even as low as 1.018. There are reasons for this, and it's not just to save the cost of salt. At lowered salinities,

a) More oxygen stays dissolved in the water.

External parasites like white spot, velvet usually cannot survive for long. In fact, hyposalinity to as low as 1.010 is sometimes used to treat white spot.

c) pH is slightly lower, so NH3 becomes less of a problem.

Disadvantages:

a) Fish colours will fade

Corals don't do as well in the lowered mineral levels

c) Even though NH3 is not so dangerous, NO2- becomes more dangerous."

[resser]

Rukas,

Hi, may I know where you bought the skimmer/ cover/ fans for the IQ5? I didn't know IQ5 comes with those.

[Rukas]

Below is a quote from Deep_end at aerofanatics.com

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77883

"Many LFS set the salinity of their holding tanks to about 1.020 or even as low as 1.018. There are reasons for this, and it's not just to save the cost of salt. At lowered salinities,

a) More oxygen stays dissolved in the water.

External parasites like white spot, velvet usually cannot survive for long. In fact, hyposalinity to as low as 1.010 is sometimes used to treat white spot.

c) pH is slightly lower, so NH3 becomes less of a problem.

Disadvantages:

a) Fish colours will fade

Corals don't do as well in the lowered mineral levels

c) Even though NH3 is not so dangerous, NO2- becomes more dangerous."

Great Information

Thanks Bro.

So this means if i want to keep Coral and prevent a NO2 issue, i must increase my salinity

What would be your advice? add salt to the salt water i buy or do it from the scrath( DI/RO + Salt )

[Rukas]

Rukas,

Hi, may I know where you bought the skimmer/ cover/ fans for the IQ5? I didn't know IQ5 comes with those.

Hi Bro

Name is Ruban , rukas is just a nick

I bought the IQ5 and the accessories from Aquaempire

They are just located opposite the entrance to Ah beng shop, you cant see from main road, have to go in and follow the direction sign

Aquaempire keeps tropical fish, but its the same owner( manufacturer) as DYMAX(. The owner and his people are very friendly and helpful.

If you have trouble finding the place, let me know, i am quite regular there,we can meet and i can bring you there

[Rukas]

Rukas,

Hi, may I know where you bought the skimmer/ cover/ fans for the IQ5? I didn't know IQ5 comes with those.

Hi Bro

Name is Ruban , rukas is just a nick

I bought the IQ5 and the accessories from Aquaempire

They are just located opposite the entrance to Ah beng shop, you cant see from main road, have to go in and follow the direction sign

Aquaempire keeps tropical fish, but its the same owner( manufacturer) as DYMAX(. The owner and his people are very friendly and helpful.

If you have trouble finding the place, let me know, i am quite regular there,we can meet and i can bring you there

[resser]

Hi Bro

Name is Ruban , rukas is just a nick

I bought the IQ5 and the accessories from Aquaempire

They are just located opposite the entrance to Ah beng shop, you cant see from main road, have to go in and follow the direction sign

Aquaempire keeps tropical fish, but its the same owner( manufacturer) as DYMAX(. The owner and his people are very friendly and helpful.

If you have trouble finding the place, let me know, i am quite regular there,we can meet and i can bring you there

Thanks Ruban, I'll just wander around until I find it, it'll just be odd to go into every road (is it road 1 2 or 3) and ask "Are you Ah Beng?", and then walk out to the opposite shop. Hahaha, kidding. Thanks again.

[Rukas]

Thanks Ruban, I'll just wander around until I find it, it'll just be odd to go into every road (is it road 1 2 or 3) and ask "Are you Ah Beng?", and then walk out to the opposite shop. Hahaha, kidding. Thanks again.

Haha

Sorry bro for assuming you would know Ah beng

ok the address for aquaempire is

8 PASIR RIS FARMWAY 2

SINGAPORE

If you are familiar with Pasir ris farm way, as you pass OTF( on the right)and come to a corner, pass the pet dog centre, further up you will see on your right a fake arowana on the entrance with a signboard on the right "happy Prawning" that is the entrance to Ah beng Shop, if you dont turn right into the Fake arowana entrance and make a left turn, that is the entrance to Aquaempire( you got to follow the sign to get there)

Hope didnt confuse you

[resser]

Haha

Sorry bro for assuming you would know Ah beng

ok the address for aquaempire is

8 PASIR RIS FARMWAY 2

SINGAPORE

If you are familiar with Pasir ris farm way, as you pass OTF( on the right)and come to a corner, pass the pet dog centre, further up you will see on your right a fake arowana on the entrance with a signboard on the right "happy Prawning" that is the entrance to Ah beng Shop, if you dont turn right into the Fake arowana entrance and make a left turn, that is the entrance to Aquaempire( you got to follow the sign to get there)

Hope didnt confuse you

Bro, very concise instructioos, thanks very much!