Aqueon Evolve 8

[Kentech5]

First post: Just the basic equipment on my new nano reef. Don't have room for a regular saltwater tank and I have quite a bit of small scale freshwater experience. I've been reading through my book on nano reefs constantly and checking here a lot so I though it was time to post.
Aqueon Evolve 8 Tank
Stock pump powering custom filter floss & activated carbon filter
Marineland Single Bright LED lighting system
Blue & White 60mW LEDS. 300 lumens
Oceanic Biocube Protein Skimmer - powered by whisper 10 air pump
Marineland Maxi-Jet 400 for circulation

5 lbs Live rock from LFS
2 lbs base rock
Live sand (Nature's Ocean brand)
Nutri-seawater

I'm planning on getting a cleanup crew from reefcleaners but I'm not sure how I should get my corals. I've seen "nano reef coral sets" sold before but im not sure if those are a good idea. I would like to have a single clownfish (oscellaris) as well with an anemome surrogate.

 

[Kentech5]

Not quite sure how to edit that post. I've pulled the maxi-jet. Too strong for this little tank.

 

[TL1000RSquid]

I don't think the single bright is going to support many if any corals. My coworker runs a korelia nano 240 in his evolve 8.

 

[Kentech5]

Any ideas on a light to supplement/replace my singlebright that will fit on an evolve 8? Or suggestions for things that do well in low lighting?

Any thoughts on the innovative marine skkye light?

My biggest problem seems to be finding a light small enough.

So it looks like I'm going to go with the beamworks reef ultra bright LED light 11".

And now I have a new concern. I'm starting to think that I have two aptasia growing on my live rock. Will post a pic soon.

 

[Kentech5]

 

[Kentech5]

 

[OrQidz]

looks like aiptasia to me....kill 'em now while you've got the chance!

should be a fun little tank. I think mushroom corals are good place to start and they don't need a lot of light. I would get everything all cycled and the aiptasia gone first though.

 

[Kentech5]

Any suggestions on the best way to kill off the aiptasia. I've read quite a few suggestions but I'm still not sure. I put the maxi jet back in just now. Just reconfigured it for a lower flow. About 100gph.


First water quality test:
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 1-2ppm


Did a 1 gallon water change just after taking these readings.

Here's the tank with the maxi jet back in. The pump looks ugly but it's what I can afford right now.

 

[TL1000RSquid]

I'd try to get a koralia nano when you get the chance they're like $25 alot smaller.

Injecting the aiptasia with lemon juice works well, since your still cycling the tank you could burn them as well, little butane torch works quite well but you want to make sure you've completely turned them into a crispy critter.

The skky light I guess you mean the the little 6 or 8w clip on? I've read mixed reviews on it, my friend is running a par38 bulb over his and has a few softies and lps doing quite well.

 

[keh9qd]

With a tank that small, pull the rocks out and chip them off with a flat head screw driver and a hammer. Just do a tiny chunk of rock under them to insure they are gone.

 

[Kentech5]

I think I'll try the lemon juice first. The Koralia nano looks like it could be a good idea. I really like the looks of the beamswork led clip on. Looks like I'm gonna end up with some spare equipment after the new purchases but that's ok. Once the tank is cycled and I have the beamswork light should I still stick with mushroom corals? I'm still hoping this tank can support one clown when it's done but I've read conflicting opinions.

I'm still not sure if coral, the CUC, or the fish should go first once I start stocking. I'm also wondering how long this tank will need to cycle for with he live sand, live rock, and nutri seawater. Finally, I'm not sure if my protein skimmer is working correctly. I can see foam in the tube but it isn't quite reaching the collection cup.

Thanks to everyone for their time.

 

[MrDonkey]

Just set up the evolve8 as well. Finished about 15 minutes ago. In the process of looking for a skimmer now. Let me know how yours works. Are you thinking about replacing the stock pump? Right now, I am undecided...

 

[Kentech5]

I feel like the stock pump has been working well for me so far. The skimmer I have now has a lot of mixed reviews. When I first put it in it was foaming like crazy but now the foam isn't reaching the collection cup. My main issue has been picking the right lighting bi should have done more research because now I'm going to be buying my second light for this tank.

 

[MrDonkey]

I picked up a Deep Blue Professional - SolarFlare 115 5x3W Clamp on LED. I like the design of it but had to get a different AC wall adapter. The stock one does not put out enough power.

 

[Kentech5]

Are you using any heater. I have mine in but the tank seems to be maintaining 78 degrees without it.

 

[MrDonkey]

I have a 50W heater. I keep the house kind of cold so it is needed.

 

[Kentech5]

Plans for corals/fish?

 

[MrDonkey]

Nothing for certain. Leaning toward mushrooms/richorida. Haven't made up my mind if I want any fish. Still back and forth...

 

[Kentech5]

I know what fish I would like to have but still no idea on corals. Something somewhat hardy.

 

[TL1000RSquid]

I've seen people online keeping a clown in them, personally I think its to small, if I were to do fish in one I'd probably do something like a clown goby, some type of pistol pairing goby, or barnacle blenny.

I'm thinking about buying an evolve of my own but will probably do coral and invert's would like to do something like a maxi mini anemone, a few sexy shrimp, porcelein crab, pom pom crab.