Hi fellow aquarists!
In September I purchased my first tank, 15gal, intended for clownfish. I purchased Aqueon's frameless aquarium, tested for leaks and originally set it up with Pacific Ocean Water. Using classic gravel and the QuietFlow20 I had initial issues with ammonia while I waited for my nano skimmer. In November I purchased Pongo, a bullethole clownfish, and he has been doing so well. He is now fully adjusted and has no problem telling me when he doesnt like something.
No air stones, wavemakers or crewmembers. I'm considering getting a wavemaker in a month or so to prep for adding an anemone. Still a few months until the tank will be ready for that though.
Products I used to start-up include Nite-Out, Trace Elements, Reef Buffer, and the API Saltwater master testing kit. I started using copepods and zooplankton weekly to maintain healthy and diverse bacteria in early November. Had to remove some seashells after the hardness was testing high, as well as some decor when I realized he was overcrowded.
Using distilled water I prep his water change about 3gal (10-20% each week) with Instant Ocean and Reef Buffer. I use a sweater bin thats BPA free with a QuietFlow10 and 15W flat heater to prep overnight under my sink.
After getting Pongo I started using Clarity about once/week, and bought some Stress Zyme more recently to replace the bacteria boost since Nite-out was getting pricey for such a small bottle. The fish pretty much only likes his pellet food or mysis shrimp. He wont touch algae sheets at all, but he does maintain the brown stuff that grows on his house.
In September I purchased my first tank, 15gal, intended for clownfish. I purchased Aqueon's frameless aquarium, tested for leaks and originally set it up with Pacific Ocean Water. Using classic gravel and the QuietFlow20 I had initial issues with ammonia while I waited for my nano skimmer. In November I purchased Pongo, a bullethole clownfish, and he has been doing so well. He is now fully adjusted and has no problem telling me when he doesnt like something.
No air stones, wavemakers or crewmembers. I'm considering getting a wavemaker in a month or so to prep for adding an anemone. Still a few months until the tank will be ready for that though.
Products I used to start-up include Nite-Out, Trace Elements, Reef Buffer, and the API Saltwater master testing kit. I started using copepods and zooplankton weekly to maintain healthy and diverse bacteria in early November. Had to remove some seashells after the hardness was testing high, as well as some decor when I realized he was overcrowded.
Using distilled water I prep his water change about 3gal (10-20% each week) with Instant Ocean and Reef Buffer. I use a sweater bin thats BPA free with a QuietFlow10 and 15W flat heater to prep overnight under my sink.
After getting Pongo I started using Clarity about once/week, and bought some Stress Zyme more recently to replace the bacteria boost since Nite-out was getting pricey for such a small bottle. The fish pretty much only likes his pellet food or mysis shrimp. He wont touch algae sheets at all, but he does maintain the brown stuff that grows on his house.