Newbie Reefer for my 5yo - Lakewood/Cerritos

[JohnBRZ]

@JohnBRZ your tank looks awesome!

What do you think about me adding weeping willow toad stool like yours?

just keep in mind it'll grow larger and will shade other coral underneath. I prefer to have it attached to a rock that I could move around and remove from the tank when it's time to frag

 

[JohnBRZ]

xenia will release floater once the rock is full so you'll want to remove the floater before it attached to your main rock structure.

 

[Jimbo327]

I just remembered the shorter xenias are called pom pom xenias.

 

[Zoaspun]

Exactly the reason I got back into reefing was because of my son , if ever you want to try your hand at easy sps, I got a lot of forest fire digi mini colonies and frags , I can spare a small frag from one father to another .

 

[Inkuruptibles]

@Zoaspun I appreciate that. I'll let you know if I venture into the SPS realm.

 

[Inkuruptibles]

I just added a small dc fan to a friend's nano, but I forget the brand. It comes with a mount so you can attach to the back glass and it keeps the tank nice and cool. I think it's the Hygger chiller fan? Also, any Tunze ATO is the way to go. I would probably just leave the middle/second chamber clear for now. You can use some filter floss or mechanical filtration in the overflow section, but having a maintenance routine is key to nano success. Keep it simple and don't try to add too much coral, which is a problem for all of us.

Do you you have a photo on how you attached the fan? I have a hood on mine and not open top.

 

[drexel]

Do you you have a photo on how you attached the fan? I have a hood on mine and not open top.

 

[JohnBRZ]

View attachment 135536

I’m using the same skimmer on my nano. Does yours also cause micro bubble in the display?

 

[Jimbo327]

I appreciate that! Since I'm new to all this I'll wait a bit since I'm not advanced enough on doing the dipping and all. I would be afraid to do it wrong. I would take some frags from you in a heartbeat if otherwise.

If you are going to be in the area and I'm available, I can definitely can hook you up with some free starter corals.

 

[drexel]

I’m using the same skimmer on my nano. Does yours also cause micro bubble in the display?

Not that I’m aware of? This is my friend’s clients tank that I help him maintain. I also think these skimmers don’t do that much, but at this size, it may be enough?

 

[JohnBRZ]

Not that I’m aware of? This is my friend’s clients tank that I help him maintain. I also think these skimmers don’t do that much, but at this size, it may be enough?

seem to be doing a decent job on my 15g. I'm using it to help polish and oxygenate the water since I don't run carbon or fine filter.

 

[Inkuruptibles]

Would anyone recommend that I get a wave maker?

 

[JohnBRZ]

I wouldn't for that size tank. on my 15g I upgraded to a more powerful return DC pump from Innovative Marine and attached a flex series random flow generator nozzle from VCA. the pump is silence and even have a feed mode that turn off the pump for like 10 minutes I think. Nero 3 from AI is good if you do want to add a wave maker.

 

[Inkuruptibles]

Update:

Just added:
Neon Green Toad Stool
Neon Green Hammer
Green Frogspawn

I switched the layout a bit by adding the hammers and frogspawn on the bottom right so they won't sting anyone.

**I tried to add a wave maker since I feel like my back rocks where my Duncan is gets very little water movement. However, even on the lowest setting on the Hygger HG222 it feels like wayyyy too much flow so I turned it off.

I was thinking of increasing the flow on my Sicce 1.0 pump. Any ideas on how to get some more flow back there? Move my nozzles? Other placement for the wave maker?

Starting to get some more algae on the glass on the right hand side. Would you guys recommend I get more snails? If so, which kind?

 

[Jimbo327]

I prefer Trochus snails.

 

[thresher]

I prefer Trochus snails.

2nd that motion, they right themselves better and put up a twisting fight motion when bothered. Not that effective but interesting to see and hear. However mine did partake in a couple Diddy parties and left infants and didn't clean up the cloudy water they left behind.

 

[laverda]

Most of the corals you have in there now are pretty mistake friendly! As for recomendations that depends a lot on your flow, lighting, and tank stability/testing. I really like this guys content. I will usually pop one of his videos on in my commute.

Also, I should have mentioned if you don't want to spend the $130 for that ATO there is a low tech way which is a gravity ATO. Something like this. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JFH9DJ4?ref=clp_hp_h_pc

Those are simple, don't tank up a lot of room and you can find decent 1 quart sized bottles to fit them .

 

[Inkuruptibles]

I've seen that alot of people add a Media Basket to the Rear Middle Chamber. I just ordered one but not sure what to add to the 2nd and 3rd shelf. 1st Shelf I'm adding filter floss.

Any recommendations? Or should I just leave them empty?

***Update:
I also just changed out my Sicce 1.0 pump since its just so hard to adjust the flow. Ending up getting the AI Axis 40 Pump and running it at 50%.

 

[Inkuruptibles]

@Jimbo327 would like to take you up on that offer DM’ing you

 

[Inkuruptibles]

Another question, I’ve noticed that I have a lot of tiny micro bubbles floating around my tank and can’t figure out why. At first I thought it was my goby and shrimp kicking up debris.

I shut off my pump and then I noticed they floated to the top and disappeared.

My AI Axis 40 is fully submerged and running at 50% and also have a Y nozzle.

Do you think it’s too much water agitation?