Yet another 20 long nano :)

[dwaynenterprise]

Hi guys, I recently started up my first salt water tank. Here are the so-far parameters. 4 months old.

PH: 8.1-ish;
Ammonia: 0;
SG: 1.23;
Nitrites: 0;
Nitrates: 20; *Could be less, been 1 week with Chaeto*
Phosphates: 0;
Temp: 78 +- 2 depending on time of day;
Lighting: 165w full-spectrum dimmable LED;
Tank Mates: 1 tiny watchman goby/pistol shrimp, 1 small Scooter Blenny, 1 medium Skunk Cleaner and 1 acid rain green rose anemone
QT: 1 B/W Sebae, 1 B/W Clarkii (Don't ask, it was a mistake by the LFS to have a Sebae in their Clarkii however they are getting along very nicely :) )

TANK PRICING
Tank 20 long: Petco $20
Aquaclear 70: LFS $40
Aquatop 50 W Heater: Amazon $12
2x Hydor Nano 425 GPH: Amazon ~$25
Small Magfloat: Amazon $~10
Chinese 165w Full Spectrum Dimmable: Amazon ~$120

And for the live rock/sand i got at LFS
Rock: $4.95 a lb I got to hand pick about $60 worth of good looking rock! (Filler rock I got from a local reefer on craigslist) for about $2.00 a lb. $20 worth.
Sand: 20lb ~20 bucks.

I modded my AC70 into a refugium using these steps, however I added a sponge from an AC 30, which fit perfectly between the intake and my acryllic.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...hreadid=601201

As for my overflow skimmer, I got the parts at Orchard Supply Hardware for about $5 for all of the PVC fittings. I bought 1/2" PVC and a 1/2" to 3/4" inch fitting that fit PERFECTLY into my AC70 intake. It has been working fantastic! I'm glad the owner of the LFS swore by AC70 for HOB filters, and cut me a deal for the 70 when I was going to purchase the AC30 for 35!
Here are pictures of the tank so far.

Acid Rain Green Rose *Reef Lounge*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5108_zps0d9549d1.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5108_zps0d9549d1.jpg.html)

Scooter Blenny (Benny) *Petco*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5134_zps858d78e4.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5134_zps858d78e4.jpg.html)

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp *Reef Lounge*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5133_zps358503da.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5133_zps358503da.jpg.html)

Red Montipora *Local Reefer*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5131_zpsac8c5e9a.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5131_zpsac8c5e9a.jpg.html)

Green Star Polyp *Local Reefer*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5130_zps8fbc5ab8.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5130_zps8fbc5ab8.jpg.html)

Blue Branching Lobophyllia *eBay auction*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5129_zps167d65f3.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5129_zps167d65f3.jpg.html)

Green Starburst Favia *eBay auction*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5128_zps8f8182b5.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5128_zps8f8182b5.jpg.html)

Purple Eye Favia
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5127_zpse03e539d.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5127_zpse03e539d.jpg.html)

[dwaynenterprise]

Spawn of Unfortunate Overflow'd Carpet Anemone *LFS*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5126_zpsf15e6945.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5126_zpsf15e6945.jpg.html)

UNSURE *Can anybody help identify? Acan?* Local Reefer
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5125_zpsd10c50c1.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5125_zpsd10c50c1.jpg.html)

Green Ricordia *Local Reefer*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5124_zpsa2d646e7.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5124_zpsa2d646e7.jpg.html)

Green Candy Cane *Local Reefer*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5123_zps9ec8a638.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5123_zps9ec8a638.jpg.html)

Hammer Coral? *Reef Lounge*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5120_zpsffd48b30.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5120_zpsffd48b30.jpg.html)

Yellow Watchman Goby that lost it's flare *Petco*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5119_zps52870cbe.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5119_zps52870cbe.jpg.html)

Green Frogspawn w/ Purple Tips *Local SCR Reefer*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5118_zps492deed1.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5118_zps492deed1.jpg.html)

UNKNOWN *Kenya Tree?* Brea Tropical
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5117_zps12ef2105.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5117_zps12ef2105.jpg.html)

Neon Green Toadstool *SCR Local Reefer*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5116_zpsc13f42d6.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5116_zpsc13f42d6.jpg.html)

[dwaynenterprise]

Nother Angle of Nem
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5115_zps0d220cab.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5115_zps0d220cab.jpg.html)

ID PLEASE? Some kind of Zoa *Local Reefer*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5114_zps41a63ec5.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5114_zps41a63ec5.jpg.html)

AC70 DIY Refugium w/ Chaeto, LR, and Bio Pellets
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5142_zps5b959954.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5142_zps5b959954.jpg.html)
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5141_zps2cda6bf1.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5141_zps2cda6bf1.jpg.html)

Macro Algae. Forgot name. Tank View of Refugium *SCR Local Reefer*
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5140_zps5afa348b.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5140_zps5afa348b.jpg.html)

And Finally!! *NOTE: The purple on sand is not algae or diatoms, it's super purple in the picture, but sand is clear as ever after invested in the skimmer*
DIY Surface Skimmer on AC70 w/ AC30 impellor
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5113_zpsa6b0d73d.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5113_zpsa6b0d73d.jpg.html)

[dwaynenterprise]

Oh, and here are the Clowns

B/W A. Clarkii
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5139_zps798a2352.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5139_zps798a2352.jpg.html)

B/W A. Sebae
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_5138_zpsd16dd078.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_5138_zpsd16dd078.jpg.html)

[G_Sanab922]

Sub!
I like the 20 longs, they are nice.
Good choice in corals!
I want to do something similar with my aquaclear.

[dwaynenterprise]

Sub!
I like the 20 longs, they are nice.
Good choice in corals!
I want to do something similar with my aquaclear.

It actually was the quickest and easiest mod ever, on top of that it's one of the things that I like the most about my tank haha.

It looks like you have an AC50 right? What do you run in there right now?

[G_Sanab922]

Yea I do. I'm running the standard stuff. Carbon , Gfo, sponge. Want to switch it though. Rubble rock and chaeto.

[dwaynenterprise]

Yea I do. I'm running the standard stuff. Carbon , Gfo, sponge. Want to switch it though. Rubble rock and chaeto.

Hows the Gfo working for you? I'm pretty new to this, I don't know what it really does. Will it work in a fuge modded AC? I thought it needed a reactor !

BTW, make the switch! do it, do it, do it!! :D

[G_Sanab922]

It's good. I really want to switch to the fuge though...
GFO is a phosphate remover. Phosphates contribute to algae and can make your water green, in extreme cases.
Never really thought if it can go into the modded fuge. You can either do reactor or bagged gfo. But the one I have is a little bag and it goes inside the filter.
Yes you can do a reactor as well, but it might cost you lol..

[dwaynenterprise]

Ohh, I didn't know that you could get it bagged haha.. I was thinking about chemipure elite but as of right now, i'm happy with how everything is!

Do you have a problem with Algae in your tank & do you have a skimmer?

By the way,
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1625418

I've seen a couple sweet reactors on here for cheap ;)

[G_Sanab922]

No not really. The only problem I have with algae is because of my window...
:headwally:
When I see the algae growing a bit more, I put my lights on for less time. In the morning it's very minimal, but in the evening you can see it starts to grow only in the front part of the sandbed where the light hits. It's annoying but the only place I could've put the tank at the time. Either way it's not really that bad, I just don't like algae at all.
I do have a skimmer. And a super cheap one lol. I figured I would buy it and try it out. It works really good lol. In the beginning, it wasn't collecting anything. But after a day or two it collects a good amount. The cup gets dirty and I have to wipe it clean often.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C2DBFX4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I could've made it myself but it wouldn't have been as pleasing to look at as the one I bought. very simple concept, but gets the job done. I recommend it , especially if you don't want to pay over $100.

And lol!! I love that thread! I always check it out to see what's new

[dwaynenterprise]

Hahahah! G, are you... me!?

I had to scoot my tank over a little bit further into my dresser so it's next to my desk more becuase it's original place was by a window... Now my QT tank is sitting to the left of my display, but it doesn't get hit as bad cause my blinds are always shut. Algae/Red Slime has stopped almost completely after the skimmer was added.. so crazy

I have that same skimmer, I was going to suggest it to you haha. It fits perfectly inside my AC70 with just enmough room for some chaeto, but it didn't work as well as it does outside, so it's back out.

The water next to my skimmer is so much cleaner that my xenia there stand no chance... It was thriving like CRAZY before I got the skimmer. I had to move my mother colony down to the sand bed before it melted like my other colonies and it revived, but the 4 stalks near the skimmer are not looking as good.

[G_Sanab922]

Lol wow. It fits inside the AC70?? I might really consider that then lol. I hate how it's out and everything.

[dwaynenterprise]

Lol wow. It fits inside the AC70?? I might really consider that then lol. I hate how it's out and everything.

Heheh, yeah it's quite the awesome fit.. I don't get how people have the clip on the outside of the AC 70 though, my water level isn't high enough to produce the skimmate.. Maybe I need to take Protein Skimmer 101.

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_4867_zps4103def1.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_4867_zps4103def1.jpg.html)

the only picture I really have when I ran it like that, but you can kind of see the protein skimmer wedged in the back right corner with the heater infront of it.

Heres a more recent picture of where it actually is.
http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/cdoan/IMG_4844_zpsf02bbd43.jpg (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/cdoan/media/IMG_4844_zpsf02bbd43.jpg.html)

[G_Sanab922]

Oh ok cool lol thanks. Is that yellow gorgonian I see??

[dwaynenterprise]

Oh ok cool lol thanks. Is that yellow gorgonian I see??

Hehe, yeah.. Good catch! I also have a purple sea whip right next to it... I have no idea what they do but I got it for like 2 bucks each haha.

Oh btw, a nice DIY that you should actually consider is the surface skimmer mod shown in one of my pics for your AC50. It works so great! *And prevents anemones from being sucked up in the intake* :angryfire:

[G_Sanab922]

What?? That's super cheap! Btw you have to feed them a few times a week. Look it up if you haven't already. I want to get one soon.
And thanks, I'll look into it

[dwaynenterprise]

I've been super slacking on the spot feeding, however I do feed with marine snow every couple days. I haven't been able to monitor them recently since I moved it to the back of my tank behind a rock since I was making room for my ever so curious anemone....
Last I saw I don't remember their polyps extended :[ I hope I didn't starve it.. I didn't know it was that critical to feed them... oops! Hopefully i can bring it back to life.. heh

Dang, now I have two more things to worry about :(

[G_Sanab922]

Lol sorry. From what I've read their polyps mostly come out during the night(lights out), so I doubt you will see it most of the time when the lights are on.
Marine snow is good, you should be fine.
The reason why it's critical is because they are non photosynthetic. So their only source of food is through the spot feeding.

[dwaynenterprise]

I should probably move it back to the other side of my tank now that my anemone has settled.. where my water is nice and dirty haha.. Now I wish it was that easy moving my Xenia stalks away from the skimmer zone!

[G_Sanab922]

Cool. Xenia are hardy, move that sucker! Haha

[dwaynenterprise]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/20/byzede7y.jpg

Candy cane splitting !

[dwaynenterprise]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/20/qa7a6ajy.jpg yellow grogorian after feeding marine snow

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/20/gu2ajapa.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/20/hyvumyvu.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/20/jyheqyte.jpg

Pardon the algae, not sure why it's all of a sudden exploding! I've switched salt water to using store bought since it costs so damn much to run my RO during the summers in drought land CA, I don't believe their ROdi unit is working as advertised :/ I've been getting those pineapple things in random places as well -_-

Just some quick tank updates!

[710Reefer]

Nice, starting my 20L today. Im almost running the same setup as you at the moment. Did you use the carbon and biomax that came with the aquaclear?

[PaleHorse]

Do not use lfs water unless they have a tds meter hooked up to show you readings and only if they are using high quality salt.

Looks like you need better flow and a clean up crew. Looks like you need a better skimmer.

[dwaynenterprise]

I used the bio pellets and carbon for the first 3 months then I removed the bio pellets and replaced both with chemipure elite and modded the fuge !

Pale horse, It was fine before the store water, it's just so expensive to run the RO, my warer bill went up 50 a month since. I wanted to test with store water. Guess I shall suck it up now .