Pico 20g - First tank / new experience. - Page 2

Berlibee · 11/06/2015, 07:01 PM

Thank you, I hope that frag will be fine. I'm running my MP10 Vortech at 80% Reef MODE now. Kind of very strong flow. I'm thinking maybe to get one more MP10 with APEX later so I can sync them together, one each side of the tank and program them alternately pump longer impulses to create a nice wave inside. Do you think guys it could improve alkalinity and calcium consumption?

ReefWreak · 11/07/2015, 08:53 AM

I run my single vortech at ~80% (I always say 70 because it is 3 lights from the end, but I think there are 12 lights) and my corals seem to like it. I'm always toying with the idea of adding a second to get more flow and get more mixed flow in the tank. It can't hurt if you just feel like spending money, but honestly in a tank that size, it's not necessary to add a second pump.

It will not likely increase alkalinity and calcium consumption. Growth does that, and having one vortech at a relatively high flow rate should be plenty of nutrient transport and respiration that you won't improve those by increasing flow. I don't think, but I'm not a coral doctor.

Keys to growth:
Stability
Appropriate parameters (including slightly increased alkalinity and calcium, though it's debatable)
Plenty of light
Plenty of flow
Lack of pests
Plenty of food (whether it be fish poop, direct feeding, elevated nitrate/phosphate levels, etc.)
I think with those you'll be maximizing growth opportunity.

Berlibee · 11/07/2015, 08:57 AM

Thank you very much!

Interesting reading.

Berlibee · 11/16/2015, 09:44 AM

Little anemone decided to change place tonight hehehe, this is very funny that they're moving around. I don't know what kind of anemone it is it was just growing on the new rocks. It's super small at this moment around 1" but growing fast. I hope it's a good one, during the day it's looks like on the photo:

liverock · 11/16/2015, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berlibee

Little anemone decided to change place tonight hehehe, this is very funny that they're moving around. I don't know what kind of anemone it is it was just growing on the new rocks. It's super small at this moment around 1" but growing fast. I hope it's a good one, during the day it's looks like on the photo:

It is a bulb anemone.....Juvenal ...will color up with bands as it grows...

Berlibee · 11/16/2015, 09:56 AM

Awesome! Thank you.

Berlibee · 11/16/2015, 12:09 PM

This is funny anemone just moved back hehehe ....

bitwise · 11/16/2015, 02:47 PM

Your tank looks great. I really dig the photography too.

You have significantly more coralline growth than me.

How long did you have your tank running until you started to see significant coralline growth on the back bulkhead?

Also, what are your nitrate levels like?

I'm just starting to see some small patches of purple on my back bulkhead. My tank is over 18 months old. Up until about a month ago I think I was just running my tank way too clean.

Berlibee · 11/16/2015, 02:59 PM

Thank you man, I think it's started around 5 months old. Nitrates around 10 at this moment but I need to test again.

bitwise · 11/16/2015, 03:29 PM

Thanks for the info. My nitrates are <1 ppm. I feed frozen almost every day, but usually only once per day. I'm skimming about 6 of 7 days a week. I might try feeding more.

Berlibee · 11/16/2015, 03:58 PM

i started to feed frozen only as well.

Berlibee · 11/17/2015, 06:31 AM

Decided to go with CAD Lights PLS-50 Elite Nano Pipeless Protein skimmer after all. Can't wait to get it after December 7th.

KafudaFish · 11/17/2015, 07:31 AM

If you search for Tron's thread in the nano forum he had the same skimmer and discusses it.

It may give you advice regarding set up.

Good luck.

bitwise · 11/17/2015, 07:37 AM

I have an earlier generation of the same skimmer. It has worked well for me. The bubble height can be a little tricky to dial in because of sensitivity. I've heard adjusting the height of the surrounding water compared to the skimmer body can help tone down the sensitivity. An ATO certainly helps maintain the height of the surrounding water.

Don't be surprised if it takes 2 - 3 days of skimming before it breaks in and you start to see brown gunk.

Berlibee · 11/17/2015, 07:39 AM

Thank you guys, I was choosing from that list:

Innovative Marine AUQA Gadget Ghost Protein Skimmer
CAD Lights PLS-50 Elite Nano Pipeless Protein skimmer
Tunze Comline DOC Protein Skimmer 9004
Innovative Marine AUQA Gadget SkimMate Protein Skimmer

But looks like CAD did a really good job with the new version, so I did my choise.

lifeoffaith · 11/17/2015, 08:01 AM

Your tank looks awesome! Loving the new rock. From what I understand Anthias need larger systems and also need to be fed a few times daily. I love them, but won't get any due to the size of my 24 gallon. I may try a trio in my 120 if I ever get it up and running, but I may shy away from them even then. Your corals are looking healthy and so are your fish, keep up the good work.

Berlibee · 11/17/2015, 08:04 AM

Thank you! I didn't know that and I've noticed that Anthias is really hungry all the time and I'm feeding only once a day with frozen food. I'm not sure maybe I should bring it back to the LFS, I don't want to hurt that little guy.

lifeoffaith · 11/17/2015, 11:09 AM

Yeah, check out LiveAquaria and see what you think after reading up on them a little bit. They are definitely beautiful fish.

Berlibee · 11/17/2015, 12:13 PM

Will do thanks

MBC2012 · 11/18/2015, 12:46 PM

Great looking tank. I have the same tank and was thinking about buying some rock from TB. Did you have much "bad" stuff on the rocks? Did you put them right into the system or let them go through a cycle in another tank?

Berlibee · 11/18/2015, 01:33 PM

Hi, thank you! Rocks are really nice man, I've got 4 crabs with the rocks that I found but they're very very tiny and I can't catch them yet even with traps. I'm not sure I think I've one Porcelain crab, one Stone Crab and two Gorilla crabs. Last three are bad crabs, but they're so small that at this moment it's not a problem. I like to run the system with large amount of hermits, I've around 12 of them in the tank, small one. So every time I try to catch these guys with a trap, all what I'm getting it's a bunch of hermits.

You don't need to do anything with the rocks, just put it in your system. These are real live rocks.

Good luck!

Berlibee · 11/20/2015, 06:14 AM

BRS and Marine Depot - waited for Black Friday and got only 14$ discount from 1100 in the cart

boooo ......

ReefWreak · 11/20/2015, 08:17 AM

You haven't waited. I know, I got the emails too, but none of those are the sales you're looking for. Most of the expensive aquarium goods are controlled under MAP pricing (minimum advertised pricing) set by the manufacturer, which is why ecotech, neptune, etc never have good sales apply to their products. The WILL do something for Black Friday, as they have done every year, but they allow retailers to lower their prices only for the actual weekend, and not these week or two before sales.

You'll see. They'll likely release the prices Thanksgiving day or something.

Berlibee · 11/20/2015, 08:26 AM

Super ! Can't wait to see them. I have a question guys also. If my goal for an upgrade is a CAD Lights Artisan II 70G. Do you think it worth it now to buy a nano skimmer and nano reactor now hmmm ....

Or second option Deluxe CPR Continuous Siphon Overflows and get a sump for my 20G.

ReefWreak · 11/20/2015, 08:37 AM

If you're planning on upgrading in the next few months, don't buy a skimmer now. Actually, I wouldn't buy anything that won't be applicable to your next tank.

I'm hoping to upgrade in 1.5-3 years, and was going to get a Vortech MP40qdw anticipating that. I got overruled by the wife because she thinks it'll be too big for the current tank, but I always buy for the future whenever possible. I guess I'll just have to save the nano setup for a clownfish breeding/anemone tank and/or frag tank.

11/06/2015, 07:01 PM	#26
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Thank you, I hope that frag will be fine. I'm running my MP10 Vortech at 80% Reef MODE now. Kind of very strong flow. I'm thinking maybe to get one more MP10 with APEX later so I can sync them together, one each side of the tank and program them alternately pump longer impulses to create a nice wave inside. Do you think guys it could improve alkalinity and calcium consumption? __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/07/2015, 08:57 AM	#28
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Thank you very much! Interesting reading. __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/16/2015, 09:44 AM	#29
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Little anemone decided to change place tonight hehehe, this is very funny that they're moving around. I don't know what kind of anemone it is it was just growing on the new rocks. It's super small at this moment around 1" but growing fast. I hope it's a good one, during the day it's looks like on the photo: __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/16/2015, 09:56 AM	#31
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Awesome! Thank you. __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/16/2015, 12:09 PM	#32
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	This is funny anemone just moved back hehehe .... __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/07/2015, 08:53 AM	#27
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	I run my single vortech at ~80% (I always say 70 because it is 3 lights from the end, but I think there are 12 lights) and my corals seem to like it. I'm always toying with the idea of adding a second to get more flow and get more mixed flow in the tank. It can't hurt if you just feel like spending money, but honestly in a tank that size, it's not necessary to add a second pump. It will not likely increase alkalinity and calcium consumption. Growth does that, and having one vortech at a relatively high flow rate should be plenty of nutrient transport and respiration that you won't improve those by increasing flow. I don't think, but I'm not a coral doctor. Keys to growth: Stability Appropriate parameters (including slightly increased alkalinity and calcium, though it's debatable) Plenty of light Plenty of flow Lack of pests Plenty of food (whether it be fish poop, direct feeding, elevated nitrate/phosphate levels, etc.) I think with those you'll be maximizing growth opportunity.

11/16/2015, 02:47 PM	#33
bitwise Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: CT Posts: 316	Your tank looks great. I really dig the photography too. You have significantly more coralline growth than me. How long did you have your tank running until you started to see significant coralline growth on the back bulkhead? Also, what are your nitrate levels like? I'm just starting to see some small patches of purple on my back bulkhead. My tank is over 18 months old. Up until about a month ago I think I was just running my tank way too clean. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 170 - SPS focus http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2583520

11/16/2015, 02:59 PM	#34
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Thank you man, I think it's started around 5 months old. Nitrates around 10 at this moment but I need to test again. __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/16/2015, 03:29 PM	#35
bitwise Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: CT Posts: 316	Thanks for the info. My nitrates are <1 ppm. I feed frozen almost every day, but usually only once per day. I'm skimming about 6 of 7 days a week. I might try feeding more. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 170 - SPS focus http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2583520

11/16/2015, 03:58 PM	#36
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	i started to feed frozen only as well. __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/17/2015, 06:31 AM	#37
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Decided to go with CAD Lights PLS-50 Elite Nano Pipeless Protein skimmer after all. Can't wait to get it after December 7th. __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/17/2015, 07:31 AM	#38
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	If you search for Tron's thread in the nano forum he had the same skimmer and discusses it. It may give you advice regarding set up. Good luck.

11/17/2015, 07:37 AM	#39
bitwise Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: CT Posts: 316	I have an earlier generation of the same skimmer. It has worked well for me. The bubble height can be a little tricky to dial in because of sensitivity. I've heard adjusting the height of the surrounding water compared to the skimmer body can help tone down the sensitivity. An ATO certainly helps maintain the height of the surrounding water. Don't be surprised if it takes 2 - 3 days of skimming before it breaks in and you start to see brown gunk. __________________ Red Sea Reefer 170 - SPS focus http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2583520

11/17/2015, 07:39 AM	#40
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Thank you guys, I was choosing from that list: Innovative Marine AUQA Gadget Ghost Protein Skimmer CAD Lights PLS-50 Elite Nano Pipeless Protein skimmer Tunze Comline DOC Protein Skimmer 9004 Innovative Marine AUQA Gadget SkimMate Protein Skimmer But looks like CAD did a really good job with the new version, so I did my choise. __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/17/2015, 08:01 AM	#41
lifeoffaith Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Grand Rapids MI area Posts: 737	Your tank looks awesome! Loving the new rock. From what I understand Anthias need larger systems and also need to be fed a few times daily. I love them, but won't get any due to the size of my 24 gallon. I may try a trio in my 120 if I ever get it up and running, but I may shy away from them even then. Your corals are looking healthy and so are your fish, keep up the good work.

11/17/2015, 08:04 AM	#42
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Thank you! I didn't know that and I've noticed that Anthias is really hungry all the time and I'm feeding only once a day with frozen food. I'm not sure maybe I should bring it back to the LFS, I don't want to hurt that little guy. __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/17/2015, 11:09 AM	#43
lifeoffaith Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Grand Rapids MI area Posts: 737	Yeah, check out LiveAquaria and see what you think after reading up on them a little bit. They are definitely beautiful fish.

11/17/2015, 12:13 PM	#44
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Will do thanks __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/18/2015, 12:46 PM	#45
MBC2012 life gets better daily Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 836	Great looking tank. I have the same tank and was thinking about buying some rock from TB. Did you have much "bad" stuff on the rocks? Did you put them right into the system or let them go through a cycle in another tank?

11/18/2015, 01:33 PM	#46
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Hi, thank you! Rocks are really nice man, I've got 4 crabs with the rocks that I found but they're very very tiny and I can't catch them yet even with traps. I'm not sure I think I've one Porcelain crab, one Stone Crab and two Gorilla crabs. Last three are bad crabs, but they're so small that at this moment it's not a problem. I like to run the system with large amount of hermits, I've around 12 of them in the tank, small one. So every time I try to catch these guys with a trap, all what I'm getting it's a bunch of hermits. You don't need to do anything with the rocks, just put it in your system. These are real live rocks. Good luck! __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/20/2015, 06:14 AM	#47
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	BRS and Marine Depot - waited for Black Friday and got only 14$ discount from 1100 in the cart boooo ...... __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/20/2015, 08:17 AM	#48
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	You haven't waited. I know, I got the emails too, but none of those are the sales you're looking for. Most of the expensive aquarium goods are controlled under MAP pricing (minimum advertised pricing) set by the manufacturer, which is why ecotech, neptune, etc never have good sales apply to their products. The WILL do something for Black Friday, as they have done every year, but they allow retailers to lower their prices only for the actual weekend, and not these week or two before sales. You'll see. They'll likely release the prices Thanksgiving day or something.

11/20/2015, 08:26 AM	#49
Berlibee Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Raleigh Posts: 70	Super ! Can't wait to see them. I have a question guys also. If my goal for an upgrade is a CAD Lights Artisan II 70G. Do you think it worth it now to buy a nano skimmer and nano reactor now hmmm .... Or second option Deluxe CPR Continuous Siphon Overflows and get a sump for my 20G. __________________ ReefHacks Team

11/20/2015, 08:37 AM	#50
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	If you're planning on upgrading in the next few months, don't buy a skimmer now. Actually, I wouldn't buy anything that won't be applicable to your next tank. I'm hoping to upgrade in 1.5-3 years, and was going to get a Vortech MP40qdw anticipating that. I got overruled by the wife because she thinks it'll be too big for the current tank, but I always buy for the future whenever possible. I guess I'll just have to save the nano setup for a clownfish breeding/anemone tank and/or frag tank.