Second attempt 20 Gallon SPS...

[mooch1982]

Due to work had to shut down my last 20 gallons SPS tank. As it turned out, I did not have too, but am glad I did. I revamped my equipment list and decided to do this tank differently. So before I ramble, here is the equipment list:

20 Gallon high tank, with 10 gallon sump
SRO 1000 skimmer
Ecotech Radion with upgraded lenses (cant wait for the pro upgrade for uv!)
Ecotech MP 10Wes
Neptune Apex controller with WXM for variable flow
BRS Delux reactor for GFO
Eheim 1250 return pump
Eheim 100 watt heater

Live stock:

15 lbs of Pukani rock (Did LC treatment before adding to tank)
Special grade reef sand

I did LC treatment on the rock for the last week, and got the leaching phosphates down to .03 ppm. Added the rock and sand in the tank last night at registered .01 phosphates this morning. Good start so far.

Will post some pics of rock work and tank tomorrow!!

 

[plyle02]

Sounds like a well thought out plan, looking forward to seeing it in action... Good luck with the project!

 

[mooch1982]

Ok guys,

so posted a few pictures right now that came out absolutely horrible on my point and shoot because of the intense blue light. I am only running the radion with blue light right now to avoid algae during the cycle and to promote coraline. Tank is also a bit cloudy right now as it is going through a bacterial bloom.

A couple of pictures below look almost black and white, but I did that on purpose so you could a feel for the rock work.

I will be looking to start stocking the tank in the next 3-4 weeks as the cycle completes. Cant wait!!

 

[mooch1982]

Sounds like a well thought out plan, looking forward to seeing it in action... Good luck with the project!

Thank you my friend

 

[Garrett11]

looks really good, nice rock work

 

[mooch1982]

looks really good, nice rock work

Thank you. I am kinda anal about rock work and usually end up changing it a few times before I settle. With the Pukani however, I was able to get it to my liking from the start. Excellent rock that is very easy to work with!!

 

[petere1989]

pretty cool build! My 20 gallon sps is cycling now too. can't wait to see what you do with yours.

 

[rchavez]

Nice setup.

 

[mooch1982]

pretty cool build! My 20 gallon sps is cycling now too. can't wait to see what you do with yours.

Cool, do you have a link to your build?

 

[petere1989]

Cool, do you have a link to your build?

here ya go
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2217457

 

[mooch1982]

So the tank is going through its cycle:

Ammonia at .50
Nitrates at .02
Nitrite at ??
PH at 8.87
Phosphate at 0.0 (Wohoo!)

I may add a small piece of live rock later this week to help the cycle move along faster!

 

[Garrett11]

Thank you. I am kinda anal about rock work and usually end up changing it a few times before I settle. With the Pukani however, I was able to get it to my liking from the start. Excellent rock that is very easy to work with!!

Im the same way, I had to change mine several times before i got it how i liked and even still i tweak it adding here and there, and it looks like it would lock together really easily

 

[robs fish]

looks really good

 

[mooch1982]

Hey guys,

So I am trying to decide on my stocking list for this tank and have come up with:

Coral Beauty Angelfish
Firefish, Helfrichi
Red Firefish
Yellow Prawn Goby

The plan would be to introduce the Yellow Goby first, and then the two firefish and Coral Beauty together once the tank has been up and running for a few weeks.

What do you guys think about the stocking list here? I realize Dwarf Angelfish are known to be coral nippers sometimes, but they are hit or miss and im willing to take the chance.

 

[mooch1982]

Any input on the fish guys?

After thinking about it, I have revised my plan. So I first plan to add the Yellow watchman goby along with a clean up crew of snails, and inverts.

1 or 2 weeks later I plan to introduce the Firefish.

Finally, another week or 2 later, I plan to introduce the Coral Beauty angelfish

Does this sound like a decent plan? Of course I will monitor levels (ammonia, nitrates, etc) after each addition.

Opinions would be great!

Thanks.

 

[Hzuiel]

I only know what i read, the coral beauty supposedly nips at corals frequently, and you said this is gonna be an sps tank.

 

[mooch1982]

I only know what i read, the coral beauty supposedly nips at corals frequently, and you said this is gonna be an sps tank.

Yes, full out SPS. I ahve read the same, but have also read that they can be non-nippers if fed properly. The plan is to keep him well fed. I have the skimmer to support the extra bioload so im assuming I should be okay.

 

[jacob.morgan78]

hey! nice tank! I have a similar build starting up so I'll get a lot from this! Once I start a thread, I'll try to remember to point you that way. Thanks for sharing!

How do you like your skimmer?

 

[mooch1982]

Skimmer is great so far. It is pulling a nice amount of skimate from just the rock alone!!

Can't wait to see what it pulls after adding a nice bioload.....

 

[mooch1982]

Hey guys,

So took a few more pics today. The first set of pics show some other stuff in the sump which could not be seen in my last set of pictures. The following pictures show the BRS reactor and BRS doser mounting. I also mounted a small platform on the return pipe so I could place a Ehiem feeder there. I travel weekly for work, so this was a must:

And some more tank shots: