12G Peninsula (ReefCasa)

[Petey Pirate]

Hello!
I wanted to share with all of you my 1st build progression. I know I am still new to this hobby and probably made some mistakes already with a small system but wanted to see if I can commit to this long journey and maybe upgrade to a bigger tank in the future.

I may ask some questions along the way and your suggestions are welcome and I may make some changes.

1st question for my aquascape for aesthetic purposes. Should I add more rock? Currently in the picture below is roughly 7lbs of rock. On saltwateraquarium .com recommend 1-2lbs per G. I put the specs of my tank in their calculator and estimate is 12lbs (Min rock Aquascape 9lbs & max is 18lbs). Regardless their site provided the recommendations buts stated “put as much rock as desired to make it look good.” Now I do plan to add 1-2 fishes after my cycle finishes. And eventually put some corals as well. I want to make sure I have plenty of room for fishes and inverts to dwell. I especially do not want to overcrowd the tank the with rock especially with the amount of real estate I’m working with. I would like to have it start cycling by the end of the week since. Would like another set of eyes to see the layout. All of the rock is not bonded yet. Thanks in advance!

Tank: 12G Peninsula 18Lx14Wx11H

 

[lil sumpin]

Welcome to R2R Pete! I dont see any mistakes made, small systems are totally doable for beginners so long as you are attentive and take your time building it up. The best things you can do IMO, develop and maintain a consistent husbandry and water change regimen. With those things under your belt you can watch your reef come to life in no time. Since you're a bit concerned with the amount of rock you have, I think you should consider getting some ocean live rock to better help create the setting in which your future live stock will live in. Good luck with the build, looking forward to following along

 

[Devaji]

I was looking at those tanks the other day!
love peninsula tanks. there the best.

what type of rock did you use?
have you looked up NSA style aquascaping? might look in to that. you can make more interesting rock scape if you break up the rock and glue it back together.

slow and study wins the race in reefing.
good luck!

 

[Petey Pirate]

I was looking at those tanks the other day!
love peninsula tanks. there the best.

what type of rock did you use?
have you looked up NSA style aquascaping? might look in to that. you can make more interesting rock scape if you break up the rock and glue it back together.

slow and study wins the race in reefing.
good luck!

Originally I ordered 10 lbs of the white stackable rock from Reefcasa with my kit now that I am not planning to use it since recently one of my friends had some unused Caribsea Life rock leftover from his build. He was kind of enough to provide me 4 huge ones. Two are in the tank now and I broke one down this morning.

 

[Petey Pirate]

Update:

Closing out 4th week of fish-less cycling. Made a couple of changes: Changed of the rock work /layout since my initial post. Switched out the stock pump to the AI Axis 20, and upgrade from single flow to dual random flow generator. Bought a 6-stage 150GPD RODI System. Thought this was a good investment since I have a 10-gallon freshwater tank with guppies and getting into the reef hobby. I have the feeling I’ll upgrade to a bigger tank eventually. I have to admit that I should have gone with a bigger tank but I have to start somewhere and get the ball rolling. I am looking to get new lighting. (Either Illumagic Pixel Balance Reef or AI Grow LED.) OR a power-head Nero 3 for more flow. I know….I have not even bought fish yet. Still undecided whether to go with traditional or designer clowns. Plan to have a pair and wonder if I’m pushing it with a Yasha goby with shrimp after a month or two once I get my clowns. Possibly to start with GSP 1st and look into other beginner corals (they will be slowly added once I read more into them).

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Should I]

what bacteria did you add to the tank if you added fritz turbo start 9000 you could probs add 1 fish now

 

[Petey Pirate]

what bacteria did you add to the tank if you added fritz turbo start 9000 you could probs add 1 fish now

I bought the ReefCasa AIO saltwater aquarium kit that had the right amount of dosage for Ammonia Chloride and Bacteria to start my cycle. My Ammonia lvls are at 0 now and waiting for my Nitrites to go down it is currently at 2ppm. Almost there with some patience

 

[Should I]

I bought the ReefCasa AIO saltwater aquarium kit that had the right amount of dosage for Ammonia Chloride and Bacteria to start my cycle. My Ammonia lvls are at 0 now and waiting for my Nitrites to go down it is currently at 2ppm. Almost there with some patience

nitrites don't matter you can add fish now nitrites only matter in freshwater not salt