My New Nano 14g

[RNicorvo]

Ok here is my first attempt at a Salt Water Tank, so I'm open for lots of feedback and ideas.

I received a wonderful gift certificate for mother's day and headed over to Big Al's this week. By Wednesday, I got the cube set up with live rock, salt water and live sand.

Visited again today to get the water tested and the salt content was 1.030 - so, Ill have to wait a while it finishes cycling. No problem, since there is a lot of things to learn.
PH - 8.1 (low)
Nitrate is high on the normal side
Nitrita .25 high but considered normal

I took three of the bio balls out and added a Aqua Clear biomax bag.
I also added a Rio Aqua Pump with a Hydor flo deflector.

Oh, and I bought a test kit to monitor the water elements.

I read a lot on this website and feel that I had a lot of questions answered in setting up the tank. I want to start with a good foundation first, before adding any "creatures".

I plan to start with fish first, then crab or shrimp and get to the coral later on when things are a little more established.

Since, I haven't killed anything yet.....lol ...would like to hear your thoughts.

Robin

[RNicorvo]

Originally Posted by RNicorvo

Ok here is my first attempt at a Salt Water Tank, so I'm open for lots of feedback and ideas.

I received a wonderful gift certificate for mother's day and headed over to Big Al's this week. By Wednesday, I got the cube set up with live rock, salt water and live sand.

Visited again today to get the water tested and the salt content was 1.030 - so, Ill have to wait a while it finishes cycling. No problem, since there is a lot of things to learn.
PH - 8.1 (low)
Nitrate is high on the normal side
Nitrita .25 high but considered normal

I took three of the bio balls out and added a Aqua Clear biomax bag.
I also added a Rio Aqua Pump with a Hydor flo deflector.

Oh, and I bought a test kit to monitor the water elements.

I read a lot on this website and feel that I had a lot of questions answered in setting up the tank. I want to start with a good foundation first, before adding any "creatures".

I plan to start with fish first, then crab or shrimp and get to the coral later on when things are a little more established.

Since, I haven't killed anything yet.....lol ...would like to hear your thoughts.

Robin

[Woodstock]

Looks good!
Take your time and be sure NOT to overstock it with too many fish.
Make sure it is fully cycled (zero ammonia & nitrItes) before adding anything.
If you plan on keeping corals, keep the nitrAtes at 10ppm or less.
Research/ask about things you want to add first

[Dentoid]

[RNicorvo]

Ready for some pictures??????

I have my tank for approx 7 weeks now? Nothing spectacular right now, but wait....... have my cleaner crew in place, two fish watchman goby named Aurora and a clown named BOBO - two shrimp - 1 peppermint called CC and a skunk cleaner named Stripe. I'll probably add just one more snail (turbo) in approx 2 weeks, and I have three tiny hermit crabs. That will be it!
Two were added at least a week and a half a apart.

I'm reading up on corals - nano of course, but I won't even think of putting anything in until I have 3 full months under my belt. Still learning a lot of reef chemistry and such and of course, reading this site almost every day!

Best Fishes, Robin

[sambrinar]

Looks good. I like the scape

I was going to get a turbo snail, but the LFS I went to said it was too big for my tank 12.5 gal. so you might want to check on that

[Gina]

Turbos can get pretty big. The have a tendency to knock over rock work too.
With a nano tank, I would probably look into getting a couple of cerith and a few trochus snails.

[TheSaltwaterKid]

I would get rid of those bio-balls in the rear chamber...they are a Nitrate factory. Since you've already got it full of water just take a few out at a time until they are all gone so you don't mess up the water quality.

[reefsurf]

good stuff....i'll watch your progress as i'm building a 12 gal cube.....looks great so far!

[RNicorvo]

I Took the Plunge !

Well, after losing my 2nd clown...sniff...sniff....more research done. It seems that clowns are not as hearty in nano tanks. I had the 2nd clown for 3 weeks which she seemed fine except she stopped eating for two days and stayed in the back of the tank. Last Thursday she was on the ground. Everyone else in the tank was fine.

So, out to the store I went and took the plunge and purchased some cool coral. Green candy cane, purple hammer, blue mushroom and a metallic green galaxia (my favorite, so far).

Oh, this time I added a royal gramma (Prince). I just love the way he brightens up the tank, and he seems to like the live rock set up.

So, here are some recent pics. Please ignore the algae, it's getting under control with the cleaner crew. By next week it should look much better.

Best Fishes and feedback is always welcome.

Oh, I did get rid of 1/2 the bio balls, and have a Bio Max bag in the back and purchased a protein skimmer. So, things are looking better. Thanks for all the advice!

Robin

[AndtheBonus]

Nice work! Keep us updated on how your tank progresses!

[BigJay]

so do you know exactly what did the clown in? I hadn't heard they aren't for nano's.

[BigJay]

btw I like your rock structure too.

[Royalscott]

I see clowns in nanos all the time, in fact we have one in my sons 29 gl and I might put one in my 14 gl.