c_man7 first saltwater

[C_man7]

I've been wanting to do a saltwater tank for a while now, so after selling some of my overstock in my Mbuna Cichlid tank I had a little extra money. So when petco had there $1.00 a gallon sale this month I picked up a 20l. This will probably be a slow build so bear with me. I plan to set it up as an easy all in one kit after seeing a few different people with some. I would like to keep some of the easier corals like softies and maybe lps but that's not till later. I

Equipment:
20l
Protein Skimmer-Aquatic Life 115
Return Pump-MaxiJet 900
Live Rock-25lb
Substrate-Caribsea Arga-Alive 20lb
Filtration-Chemipure Elite
-Filter Floss
-Purigen
Circulation Pump-Jebao WP-10
Light-Current USA Orbit Marine LED 24"x36"
Heater-Hydro 100w
Misc.-Saltwater test kit, Hydrometer.

Livestock:
Pair of Ocellaris clownfish
Maybe some type bottom dweller. Like a watchman goby.
Would this be a big bioload? maybe another small fish?

Bought the tank a few supplies that were on sale.



I started off with a basic design.



Did a couple test mock ups.




Got the wall glued in. Cutting the acrylic wasn't as easy as I thought it would be but not too bad for what it is.





Test fit all the equipment. The suction cups wouldn't stick on the dry tank.





I'm going to add lr, live sand, and water today. Add vinyl to the back wall as well as the front portion of the filtration. Then just run the pumps for a couple days. I need to order my saltwater test kit, Dr. tims one and only and ammonia to do a fishless cycle.

 

[sixpackgarage]

you're going to have to block some of the inlet slots for your filter section, otherwise it looks like your water level is going to be way too low. Cool project.. can't wait to see progress.

 

[C_man7]

you're going to have to block some of the inlet slots for your filter section, otherwise it looks like your water level is going to be way too low. Cool project.. can't wait to see progress.

I didn't cut the slots in the bottom. Only the top water runs pretty level between the tank and chambers

 

[C_man7]

Went and got my live rock. I found a LFS about 20-30min from my house they were awesome. Had cured live rock for $6.00lb. Guy sold me 25lb for the price of 20lb. I got 2 5 gallon buckets filled them with the rock and saltwater brought it home friday night while I waited for the silicone to dry. Had the rock in a rubbermaid with heater and pump. Monday night I set the tank up.







While waiting for my light to come in and moving the live rock I found 3 small bristle stars, a few nassarius snails, and 2 electric blue hermits.

Got my light and a couple more snails yesterday and did a water test and I'm showing some ammonia which is good. I ordered some Dr. Tims one and only which will come in friday. So monday morning I plan to add it then monday night get a watchman goby.

 

[Rx79394]

I'm thinking you can add another small fish, if you really wanted too. That would be pushing it for me.

Not a big deal, but how is Nitrite lower then where you are supposed to start the test at...

 

[C_man7]

I'm thinking you can add another small fish, if you really wanted too. That would be pushing it for me.

Not a big deal, but how is Nitrite lower then where you are supposed to start the test at...

What do you mean?

 

[Rx79394]

I think that you can possibly add another fish... there are many tanks that do worse. I think 3 fish, is where I would be comfortable at my self, but 4 doesn't seem crazy.

The instructions for API test kits says to fill vials up with 5mL of water, which is where the white line is at - then add regents, shake, etc...

Therefore; how can you have a test result that has a water level that is lower then what you were supposed to start with? Having a water level higher makes sense... you start at 5ml and add Xml additional. However, at no point do you remove water -- you shouldn't have lower then 5ml (below white line) at any point of testing..

 

[C_man7]

I think that you can possibly add another fish... there are many tanks that do worse. I think 3 fish, is where I would be comfortable at my self, but 4 doesn't seem crazy.

The instructions for API test kits says to fill vials up with 5mL of water, which is where the white line is at - then add regents, shake, etc...

Therefore; how can you have a test result that has a water level that is lower then what you were supposed to start with? Having a water level higher makes sense... you start at 5ml and add Xml additional. However, at no point do you remove water -- you shouldn't have lower then 5ml (below white line) at any point of testing..

I'll retest nitrite but it was from when I shook the vial some fell out be cause I didn't have it tight enough.

 

[Rx79394]

I'll retest nitrite but it was from when I shook the vial some fell out be cause I didn't have it tight enough.

I wouldn't worry about it... it looks like you still have a little bit of ammonia...

I just wanted to make sure that you didn't have a re-occurring (user issue) in the future when testing.