First-Time Saltwater, 14.26 gal Nano Tank Journey

[Tulahascookies]

Hello!

So many places referenced R2R as an amazing resource, so I decided to join and document my journey with my first saltwater tank! I have two successful small freshwater planted aquariums and I'm looking forward to seeing what new challenges this will bring. I first set up this tank on July 25th, 2024.

Details:

• Tank: Lifeguard Crystal AIO 14.26 gal peninsula tank
• Substrate: CaribSea AragAlive Reef Sand (approx 15lbs I'd guess)
• Water: pre-mixed from LFS
• Rock: dried live rock and a couple pieces of CaribSea LifeRock (all rock was scrubbed lightly and rinsed before adding to the tank)
• Light: Currently a temporary fluval plant light for freshwater while I wait for my reef light to arrive in the mail.

Initial thoughts:

The pump supplied with this tank has extremely low flow output. Even pointing the nozzle at the surface, I get minimal agitation. I have already ordered a new pump that is more powerful, it should arrive in 2 days. I have also ordered a lid. Day 1 I added some FritzZyme 9 and some aquavitro seed as recommended by my lfs. Day 2 I decided to go and get the Fritz TurboStart 900 and dose that along with the Dr. Tims ammonium chloride solution, adding enough to get to roughly 2ppm. Today on day 3 I tested the water for the first time and read 2.0ppm ammonia, 0.25ppm nitrites, 0 nitrates.

I look forward to learning from all of you reefers and hopefully have a fairly successful first tank! My initial stocking ideas include a goby and pistol shrimp pair, maybe a clown or firefish, a peppermint shrimp, trochus snails, and nassarius snail. I love the idea of the sexy shrimp, but am unsure about them currently. I do want to have some soft corals, but my knowledge is not that grand yet to make educated decisions. As any beginner, I love the pulsating xenias purely by look.

 

[Nano_Man]

First of all welcome to r2r
Your reef looks good in the picture it looked like little flow at the surface but as I read on you have this covered, Let your tank cycle fully and when ready stock very slowly are you going to set up a qt for your fish???

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Hello! Sounds like you're on the right track.

 

[Tulahascookies]

First of all welcome to r2r
Your reef looks good in the picture it looked like little flow at the surface but as I read on you have this covered, Let your tank cycle fully and when ready stock very slowly are you going to set up a qt for your fish???

Thank you!

Currently not planning on setting up a qt, though I do have a spare tank if I would happen to need to set up a rapid hospital tank in the future. I'm planning on adding a second media bag or a simple sponge filter in the back of this tank so that it can seed and be taken out if the need arises.

I know that not having a qt is a risk, but I'm currently willing to take it with this first tank.

 

[dschuffert]

Hello and welcome. It looks like you are off to a good start!

 

[TheMetalReefs]

If you can i would set up your second tank, at least as an observation tank for incoming livestock. I dont qt due to lack of space and have lost fish due to that. Its not mandatory but definitley recommended.

 

[jeffmr4]

Looks great!

 

[Tulahascookies]

Day 4

First day seeing some nitrates, more nitrites than yesterday, but the ammonia has stayed at around 2.0ppm(same as yesterday).

 

[jeffmr4]

Looks like a lot of ammonia and nitrites. I wouldn't dose any more of the ammonia. You might want to do a water change (or maybe more depending on how much nitrite the first change takes out) to reduce nitrite so the cycle doesn't last longer than it needs too. Too much nitrite can kill the bacteria that is made to convert ammonia to nitrite, prolonging the cycle. You've got stuff happening though, that's good!

 

[1ocean]

All looks typical of new tank... Let it do its thing...Just replace any evaporation with RODI water...using tap water could increase PO4 and other numbers...Plus if tap water is loaded with chlorine could cause issues with cycle and bacteria...

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[MDAquatics]

Looks like a good start. Keep at it!

 

[Nano_Man]

Thank you!

Currently not planning on setting up a qt, though I do have a spare tank if I would happen to need to set up a rapid hospital tank in the future. I'm planning on adding a second media bag or a simple sponge filter in the back of this tank so that it can seed and be taken out if the need arises.

I know that not having a qt is a risk, but I'm currently willing to take it with this first tank.

Good luck my friend every success on your journey

 

[Kermit123]

Lovely tank, what pump did your order?

 

[Tulahascookies]

Lovely tank, what pump did your order?

I ordered this knifel 200gph pump on Amazon! It has much better flow, though I may still need a wavemaker/power head of some sort that is small. With how new this is, I can't tell how much movement there is throughout the tank.

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

welcome. on the right track. don't rush and don't get discouraged when it starts to get ugly.

 

[Tulahascookies]

Update!

She has finished her initial cycle and has begun getting her diatom spots. Last week I added a few corals and a peppermint shrimp!

And then today since everything has been doing well, I added a yasha goby, Randall's pistol shrimp, purple firefish, and 3 small nassarius snails! (And some live copepods)

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Looking good!

 

[Tulahascookies]

I am now just over 2 months into my saltwater journey!!! My yasha goby and pistol shrimp are probably my favorite as it is so cool to occasionally hear the shrimp and watch their symbiotic relationship!

 

[Flameback Pair]

@Tulahascookies tank looking great. Subscribed

-Mitchell.