My current 25 gallon Build

[Raym50]

Hey. Just joined and thought to share my build and progress and welcome any and all comments. I am very new to this but working slowly and carefully and hopefully will see success:

Equipment
1. AIO Tank is made by lifeguard aquatics.
2. Pump - I immediately switched to a synced silent pump and it seems to be pretty good.
3. Dry Rock - about 25 pounds. I also have ceramic media balls in the back.
4. I have the included sponge in the back also and a heater. I forget the brand.
5. Hugger wave maker HG 951. I hope that’s enough for flow. Let’s see.
6. I have an Aito top off system going also because I noticed evap is heavy every few days.
7. I have an auto feeder but haven’t started using it yet. I just want to be ready for those out of town situations.
8. I have an old ink t5 light. One white and one blue bulb. I need to upgrade asap. Recommendations sub $200 always welcome.
9. I have a rack for one of the compartments which is empty for now. I will add filter floss and aqua pure when it’s time. I think now is the time based on what I added today.

My Cycling Process

1. I went with the Dr Tim’s fishless approsch and it worked well. I was fully cycled (I hope) after 2 weeks.
2. I then added one clown fish and a second clown a week later.
3. I let them go for 4 weeks and all is good. I am now 8 weeks in.

Now What
1. today I added a fire fish. 4 bumble bee snails and 4 snails that bury in the sand.
2. I also added a bunch of corals: pom pom Xenia. zoa. GSP. Candy cane. Mini torch. Flavia. Goni. And something named sampoa? I couldn’t make it out really from the dude at the lfs. I didn’t glue anything down and just placed carefully in the nooks of my rocks. Hi this way I can adjust.

I def would welcome thoughts and comments across the board especially about the coral choices and placement. Clearly the corals do not yet fill the rock work but I will add and also hope they will grow in and fill up.

pics attached. Thoughts?

 

[blaxsun]

What's the tank in the back - your RO reservoir?

 

[Raym50]

Yes exactly. Good idea, no?

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Great start! As far as the lights go, there are a ton of great options under $200, but to cover the span of your tank I would recommend the nicrew hypereef 100 watt, basic but solid light at a fair price. Everybody will have different suggestions and tell you x light is terrible and y light is the only valid one, just keep in mind that there is no one right option.

 

[Raym50]

Thanks. I’ll check out those lights. Any thoughts on the corals so far. Does anyone know what that sampoa reference is about?

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Thanks. I’ll check out those lights. Any thoughts on the corals so far. Does anyone know what that sampoa reference is about?

You got some of my favorites in there! Do you have a pic of the coral opened up? can’t really ID it when closed.

 

[happyhourhero]

Coral looks like cyphastrea to me.

Great start! I suggest getting a Hanna phosphate checker and a bottle of NeoPhos and check your phosphate every couple of days to make sure it’s not 0. You are asking for Dino’s if you do not.

 

[Raym50]

Great start! As far as the lights go, there are a ton of great options under $200, but to cover the span of your tank I would recommend the nicrew hypereef 100 watt, basic but solid light at a fair price. Everybody will have different suggestions and tell you x light is terrible and y light is the only valid one, just keep in mind that there is no one right option.

Thanks again for this advice. I ordered the nicrew 100w just now and will have it on a WiFi timer. Seems like it’s perfect for my setup.

 

[Raym50]

Coral looks like cyphastrea to me.

Great start! I suggest getting a Hanna phosphate checker and a bottle of NeoPhos and check your phosphate every couple of days to make sure it’s not 0. You are asking for Dino’s if you do not.

Thanks. I’ll get the phosphate checker now and stay on top of this level. That coral didn’t open yet but I’ll share pics when they do. Any and all comments contribute to be welcomed! For example do I start now with chemipure or do I have time for that?

 

[Raym50]

Coral looks like cyphastrea to me.

Great start! I suggest getting a Hanna phosphate checker and a bottle of NeoPhos and check your phosphate every couple of days to make sure it’s not 0. You are asking for Dino’s if you do not.

Do I want the regular Hanna phosphate checker with a range of 0-2.5; or the ultra low range that goes from 0-0.9? What readings am I looking for?

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Do I want the regular Hanna phosphate checker with a range of 0-2.5; or the ultra low range that goes from 0-0.9? What readings am I looking for?

Most people go with the ulr, phosphate in a reef tank really shouldn’t go that high at all, and supposably the ulr will provide more accurate readings.

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Thanks again for this advice. I ordered the nicrew 100w just now and will have it on a WiFi timer. Seems like it’s perfect for my setup.

I use two 50 watts on a 22g long and love them. Just make sure not to use a nicrew dimming switch, those things kill the higher wattage lights instantly, kinda sad how many people make that mistake! ( almost including me! )

 

[Raym50]

Thanks. I am going to use a regular WiFi timer switch. Separately, my second clownfish died today out of nowhere. My parameters are all in check. It did come in more yellow than orange. Could it be it came sick from the Lfs? Or do I have an issue brewing for you think?

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Thanks. I am going to use a regular WiFi timer switch. Separately, my second clownfish died today out of nowhere. My parameters are all in check. It did come in more yellow than orange. Could it be it came sick from the Lfs? Or do I have an issue brewing for you think?

Do you see anything abnormal about the deceased body? Any wounds, parasites, or really anything out of the ordinary?

These things happen just from stress etc, so our main concern would be a parasite that could affect other fish.

 

[Raym50]

Do you see anything abnormal about the deceased body? Any wounds, parasites, or really anything out of the ordinary?

These things happen just from stress etc, so our main concern would be a parasite that could affect other fish.

Thanks. The fish is more yellow than orange to start with. The body looked like it had fuzzy lint-like hairs all around it. Does that tell you anything? The other two fish in the tank seem to be doing fine. It’s a clown and fire fish. Order of entry was first the clown that is still alive today. Then the clown that died went in a week later. Then the fire fish and corals went in a week after that.

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

Thanks. The fish is more yellow than orange to start with. The body looked like it had fuzzy lint-like hairs all around it. Does that tell you anything? The other two fish in the tank seem to be doing fine. It’s a clown and fire fish. Order of entry was first the clown that is still alive today. Then the clown that died went in a week later. Then the fire fish and corals went in a week after that.

the fuzzy hairs seem strange, let me call in a couple experts @Jay Hemdal @fishguy242

Another potential issue is that the clown who was introduced first already had its territory and was aggressive towards the newer clown leading to more stress and eventually death.

 

[fishguy242]

#fishmedic