My 10 gallon journal

[Fibinotchi]

I have decided to document my nano on this forum. Although my progress may be slow, I plan on doing everything as well as possible the first time. I would like to hear suggestions although I will most likely end up getting things based on availability since I am a ways away from an aquarium supply and livestock stores. I set it up about the last week of December 2009 with water and 20 lbs of Fiji pink sand from drsfostersmith.com which is where I have gotten most of my supplies. Right now I am using distilled water until I can purchase a RO/DI unit. I built a custom light fixture from 2 satellite fixtures I had from previous planted FW. I still have a planted FW 55 gallon, 5 gallon, and 29 gallon. They are expensive too and that is why I am going to keep a small reef tank. Saturday, Jan. 15 I purchased 2 pounds of live sand from a store about 3 hours away and about 13 pounds of live rock which I thought was Tongan, but I know it was something that started with a T. 3 days in and I have a nice diatom bloom so things are moving along rapidly. ammonia was .5, nitrite 1, nitrate between 10 and 20, ph about 8, sp. gravity about 1.023 according to a flaky hydrometer which will soon be replaced with a refractometer. Right now, the temp is holding steady at about 77 degrees with both lights on and no glass cover but I am getting a lot of evaporation as well as what is coming out of the skimmer. Skimmer is a bak pak 2r and a small HOB filter with nothing in it at the moment. Hydor pico 600 powerhead and another moving power-head for a wave maker.
It will most likely be a couple weeks to a month or so before I add a cleanup crew which I am not sure what it will consist of. Here are some pictures.

[Fibinotchi]

More Pictures

[Fibinotchi]

I had bad microbubbles at first but after a few days they are basically gone. I really like the skimmer, it is picking up stuff pretty good and is pretty quiet in the hood I have it in.

[Fibinotchi]

I just got my Canon T1i today so the pictures from here on out should get better as I learn how to use it, most of these pictures were taken from a dinosaur that I don't know how to use. Thank you for looking. I will probably update every other week unless I get something new.

[The Fat Panther]

Looks, good so far, have you considered a sump?

BTW I like your rockwork.

[Fibinotchi]

Yes, but the stand I am using doesn't have enough room unless it was smaller than 5 gallons so other than the refugium it wouldn't add much water to the set up so I was hoping to get by without one for a while.

[The Fat Panther]

Originally Posted by Fibinotchi

Yes, but the stand I am using doesn't have enough room unless it was smaller than 5 gallons so other than the refugium it wouldn't add much water to the set up so I was hoping to get by without one for a while.

Yeah I completely understand your space restrictions, I've been there too. I don't use mine for added water capacity, (although that is a nice side effect) I use it more because it hides all of my maintenance equipment (heater, skimmer, ATO unit, I also put my thermometer, hydrometer and some live rock in there too). It seems a little busy around the back of your tank.

However, I have seen some beautiful tanks with equipment in the back. You just need to learn how to hide them with corals, rocks, etc... Also when your tank matures corraline algae will grow in too, which will really blend it in.

Don't take my post as an attack or an insult, I'm just making some suggestions.

But that's good progress it looks like you've got a good set up there.

[Fibinotchi]

I agree, it is a bit busy, thank you for the suggestions, that is something I will take a hard look at, even though it is small I probably wont have it at full capacity for almost a year.

[ucantmakeme]

i really like the stand and hood tho.

[Fibinotchi]

Originally Posted by ucantmakeme

i really like the stand and hood tho.

Thank you, it really makes the 10 gallon seem bigger in the room, I can't wait to see it full.

[Fibinotchi]

One week in to adding the live rock and the cycle appears to be done. I also had nitrate drop 5 to 10 ppm overnight and I am not sure why. My sand bad is only about 2.5 inches deep so I doubt it is that. Could it be the diatoms?

[RoganTerrance]

look nice

[cherubfish pair]

Don't get ripped off with your cuc. Nuisance algae is very normal and it doesn't hurt anything. I've seen a lot of people overdue it with cuc's and once the algae is gone, the cuc's die off.

[Fibinotchi]

I'm thinking five small snails and 2 small hermits, is that reasonable?

[XtremeFromHell]

looks good! cant wait to fill mine up

[cherubfish pair]

Originally Posted by Fibinotchi

I'm thinking five small snails and 2 small hermits, is that reasonable?

I wouldn't add any more than that. You can always buy more if you need them.

[Fibinotchi]

Update on pictures. I re-scaped the rock work and am enjoying watching all the life in the tank for hours at a time. Ammonia and Nitrite are zero, Nitrate less than 5. Noticing some very very small amounts of hair algae but I am trying to keep on top of it. PH 8.3 phosphate 0.