Finished upgrading 10 gallon w/pics

HumanIMDB · #1 10/11/2006, 10:24 PM

I finally finished all of the upgrades to the Aquarium. Here is a list of what was done:

Added AquaClear 20 Powerhead

Bought new 10 gallon tank and painted the back black

Replaced crushed coral with CaribSea Aragamax Sugar Sand

Added 15lbs of live rock

Built a Refugium using an AquaClear Power Filter 70

Added Chaetomorpha macro algae to the refugium

Lit the refugium using a desk lamp and a 6500K "Daylight" bulb

Replaced incandescent light using two Coralife 50/50 Compact Fluorescents with a Coralife AquaLight Deluxe 96W 50/50 Quad Power Compact fixture

Here is the finished product:

Before:

This weekend my girlfriend and I will be adding:

Two Clowns (Most likely True Percs)

A Yellow Goby and/or a Purple/Red Fire Fish

Then, in the weeks to follow, more coral to go with the Blue Mushrooms we already have:

Green Torch

Yellow Colony Polyp

Kenya Tree

Something Red?

FLricordia · #2 10/11/2006, 10:38 PM

That's going to be an awesome set-up but you really should consider letting it cycle for at least 4 weeks if not longer before adding any livestock, especially a nano. I let mine cycle 6 weeks and it paid off. There really IS NO WAY AROUND IT. You are asking for major problems if you don't.There are no exceptions when it comes to nano reefs. You will have major diatom blooms and die-offs guaranteed. If you go ahead with it remember this message in 2 weeks time when you are combating major diatom and struggling to keep your livestock alive. Get some more LR also.
The 70 AC and 96wt are going to make your tank a fantastic reef. Good choises.

vanmo92 · #3 10/11/2006, 10:44 PM

that's an awesome tank!!! Great work.

MarineGirl411 · #4 10/12/2006, 12:48 AM

I have a dumb question, if you use ro di water will you have as many diatom blooms? Or any? I've heard you won't. I just wanted to see what you all thought. Thank you. Nice start to the 10 gallon. =)

FLricordia · #5 10/12/2006, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MarineGirl411
I have a dumb question, if you use ro di water will you have as many diatom blooms? Or any? I've heard you won't. I just wanted to see what you all thought. Thank you. Nice start to the 10 gallon. =)

You would regret not using purified water (RO/DI) and be fighting a loosing battle against diatom and other unwanted algae.

HumanIMDB · #6 10/12/2006, 06:45 AM

The tank has been running since May 2006 and we did the upgrades gradually over the last two weeks. Also, the live rock I added was well cured at the LFS.

I've had a Green Clown Goby in there since June. We added the livestock too early then as we lost the two clowns and the yellow goby in June and July.

If you really think I need to wait another 4 weeks, let me know but I feel confident that we can add livestock now without too much of an issue.

How much more live rock do you think we need?

InvaderJim · #7 10/12/2006, 10:14 AM

That looks fantastic. I hope mine turns out that good. Don't add anymore rock.

slowECUdiver · #8 10/12/2006, 02:28 PM

more rock is up to you. i think it looks good and has a lot of potential for some nice corals to be added. if it was my tank, i would add a few small pieces of LR as mounts for future corals ...
as for the stocking of new fish, i'd say go with one to start. in 2 weeks, if it's still healthy, go ahead and add the 2 clownfish.

Henry22 · #9 10/12/2006, 04:29 PM

Your safe to add livestock, but I would stay at 2 clowns. You might get away with 2 clowns and a small goby like a clown goby, but add the clown goby first, then wait a few weeks(2+) and then get the clowns. 2 clowns and a firefish is way too much for a 10, even with a HOB fuge. Otherwise looks like a good setup, I have the 96 watt over my 15 and like it alot.

Scott523 · #10 10/12/2006, 08:00 PM

Is the 96 watt Coralife loud or is anything that you regret about it?

I am planning on getting one'

Where did youu get yours?

HumanIMDB · #11 10/12/2006, 08:04 PM

No, not loud at all. I had read reviews saying that it was loud but unless you have your head right above the light, you can't hear it at all.

So far I love the light and so do my mushrooms!

I got it online from J&L Aquatics.

Vanquishxxxx · #12 10/12/2006, 10:11 PM

You might want to get rid of that apstasia in there, but looks great

HumanIMDB · #13 10/12/2006, 10:28 PM

Added a Peppermint Shrimp yesterday...fingers firmly crossed.

jcarnahan12 · #14 10/13/2006, 01:21 AM

Be careful adding more than one fish at a time. The more you increase the bioload in one shot, the bigger the amonia/nitrate spike (mini cycle).

As for rock, it is personal preference. I for one like a lot of rock.

Looks great though

HumanIMDB · #15 10/13/2006, 06:27 AM

Thanks, I will keep a closer eye on the water parameters this time.

I don't think I could add more rock without adversely affecting my aquascaping. Plus, as I add coral, I will be getting smaller pieces of rock.

If I go ahead with adding a sump, I will have a lot more live rock in there.