305reefer's 20 long

Discussion in 'Show Off Your Fish Tanks!' started by 305ReeFer, Sep 28, 2012.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. 305ReeFer

    305ReeFer Plankton

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2012
    Messages:
    12
    Location:
    Muggy Miami
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1348878993.805339.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1348879021.407761.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1348879045.995476.jpg

    Hello and welcome to my 20 gallon long mixed reef tank build! Compared to most I've seen, my tank is on the boring side (as today makes its 20th day up and running) but patience has been the most stressed fact of the hobby since I began researching so patience is what I have. Included is a pic of the mostly bare tank and a couple pics of my first frag ever (zoas). The tank cycled in record time and has maintained stable params since the end of the cycle aside from creeping nitrates. (Haven't done a water change). Tomorrow ill be adding another frag and completing a water change so ill post exact numbers after for anyone that may find it useful in the future. I'll also include some better pictures. Now for some tech talk.
    This is my first reef tank and the equipment list below is only my starting point. I know I will change preferences as myself and the tank mature however I am happy so far with the result. Aside from my not trusting my API salt master kit and the separately purchased calcium and KH...

    Tank:
    20 Gallon long 30x12x12 (not drilled)
    Black crushed coral substrate
    21lbs mixed LR (I'm getting a lot of blue coralline. I pray it continues to thrive)
    RODI water w/ IO Reef crystal for salt

    HOB stuff:
    Aqueon10 filter
    Rio Nano skimmer/filter combo
    Small Breeding box w/ LS (hoping to grow a couple bonsai mangroves inside)

    Lighting:

    Combo fixture w/
    1x 250w 15k MH
    4x 24w(I think) actinics
    8x unknown watt moonlight LEDs
    All in all more watts than I need at the moment from what I've read...

    Circulation

    x2 korallia nano 425s
    --hydor smart wave controlled at 10 second intervals.
    (Ill most likely upgrade one or both for +1000 gph flow)

    Livestock: (basically my cycle squad)
    10 (grand theft shelling) blue leg hermits
    1 snail I have yet to attempt IDing
    3 Nessarius snails
    2 blue/green chromis
    1 yellow tail damsel
    Small zoa frag

    That's all I can think of at the moment. Thanks for stopping by and happy reefing!
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. 305ReeFer

    305ReeFer Plankton

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2012
    Messages:
    12
    Location:
    Muggy Miami
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1350441157.003725.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1350441177.786827.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1350441199.345435.jpg

    Here are a few updated pics. Added a hammer coral and ricordea frag not too long ago. Tank is having some algae problems. I'm blaming my overfeeding and extensive light exposure to the tank as the cause and have cut back heavily on light and bi-daily small feedings. Growth is starting to die back a bit.