7.5 Mr.Aqua Bow build

[itsbobbyz]

*** UPDATED WITH PICTURES***

some of my items that i ordered came in. now just waiting on the tank... back order FTL

13849 my aqua clear 70 (started silicone to make it into a fuge), subcurrent to skim the surface and for flow, maxijet just in case
13850 digital thermometer and 50w hydor heater
13851 refractometer
13852 dry fuji rock
13853 dry pukani rock

Hi ive been lurking around plenty of forums doing research and planning things in my head
Ive keeping fresh water for about 2 years and now wanna make the transition to sw reefing
Ive decided to start off small. i know that might now be a good idea but im good at paying attention
To my tanks and keeping up with maintenece

Im goin on a similar build i saw online because it really caught my eye
Iam gonna be starting a reef tank
7.5 mr aqua bow front
Par38 bulb
AC 70 fuge mod
Subcurrent Internal surface skimming filter
Brs pukani rock 9-10 lbs
50 watt heater
And some white sand

I wanna keep mostly coral
Possibly add a goby and shrimp pair

Ive got an idea of what i want it to llok like but
I need help with the starting process

What corals would be good for a beginner like me?
How long i should take before i add anything?
Which test kit i need to purchase?
Anr maybe some pointers of where i should begin

Thanks bobby

[Mike]

Welcome to MAAST- good group of people on here with a lot of knowledge and experience.

I certainly am not an expert but I do have some suggestions and questions for your set up.

Is the AC 70 fuge a hang on back filter? Are you intending it to use the standard insert filters or just rubble? What type of light is the PAR38? That will have a lot on difference in the corals you are going to keep. You will probably need more flow than just the filter return, so you may need to consider some small power head. Most gobys are known jumpers. Are you going to have a top or keep it open?

One of the issues with such a small tank is that any little change can have a huge impact on its stability including temperature, salinity, and water quality. Small frequent water changes are needed. Bigger tanks can be more forgiving simply due to the larger volume of water. It can be helpful to cycle your tank using a small bit of sand from an established tank.

We started with a ten gallon, so it can be done. hth

Anyway, welcome to the club.

[Europhyllia]

I started with a 15 gallon too but bigger is more stable like Mike said. I am sure the reason people start with nanos is more related to expense than ease of maintaining.

[avilamillar]

I do like the other's recommend you a bigger tank, I started with those all in one cubes. It was pretty interesting and not too expensive.

I would start with some zoanthids, they are really colorful and easy to take care of.

Get ammonia and nitrates test first, and you can start adding corals when they are both zero.

If you are going to start with this small tank you wont need to add calcium, magnesium, carbonates, etc. the water changes will take care of it.

Use RO/DI water with 0 TDS. It will help you not to have algae. You might have some at the beginning though.

If you'r gonna use dry rock add at least one live rock from an established tank. I did the same.

Welcome to MAAST :)

[itsbobbyz]

For the aquaclear 70
Im gonna he running some filter padding and sone chaeto with a clip on led on reverse cycle
To help with ph

My par 38 is from led wholesalers
Its dimmable so its really nice
I also have a subcurrent usa inyernal surface skmming filter that i might use

For a cover ill prob make something out of eggcrate or plexi

Im also gonna run a gravity fed auto top off for saltinity issues

Im in san antonio located by utsa if anyone would like to help thatd be awesome

[itsbobbyz]

Quick question
What kind of clean up crew should i get
I would like a crab if possible :)

[itsbobbyz]

To get a better idea of coral
Where are some good places in SA to go shopping around
Is it better to jus buy frags privately or from a lfs

[betiuminside]

You can get very cool frags from other members but I would go with Louis at Elegant Reef if you are NCentral or NW, I don't know about NE or other side of town.

[itsbobbyz]

yea i checked that place out a couple of months ago plan on going back there when i get my tank up and ready.
SHIPPING TAKES FORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEE EEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!
im getting antsy waiting for all my stuff to come in :]

anyone else that has any tips or pointers for
purchasing coral (personal or lfs)
types of coral to purchase
clean up crew recommendations (at least one crab :])
or anything else that you would personally think help a beginner like me chime in PLEASE :]

thank you you all for helping me out already

[alton]

Since you are just starting after a couple months go with softies like kenyan tree(usually given away here on MAAST) maybe some shrooms. As far as crabs I like Scarlets. If you are going to do the shrimp goby thing make sure you use enough and a type of substrate that they require. Also make sure you place your rocks on the bottom and fill in substrate around. After a few months you can start replacing the kenyan trees and shrooms with LPS and and cheap frag of green birds nest or some other easy SPS.

[FireWater]

I would do as Alton suggested and start with what is considered easier to keep coral. You can always upgrade later on once you are more comfortable. Local fish stores are a good source for coral if you don't like the waiting game of shipping and so you can see the general health before purchase. There are always people on here that are selling frags as well.

As for a crab - are we talking hermit? If not a hermit I would go with a porcelain crab because they can add interest and are generally really reef safe.

It sounds like you have been doing research and have a general plan in place. Good for you. The modifications to the Aquaclear sound good and helpful. The Par38 I am not too familiar with. but most of the Par38s I have seen should be able to grow just about anything under them in a tank that size.

[allan]

Going to the LFS for frags is a good bit of advice. You can look at what they have and make a decision on what you like/afford.when you go to someone's house to pick up a frag you're typically buying what they are selling... and really helps when you start identifying the individual corals that you've been looking for. Also, it's hard to walk away from a sale that you've agreed on once you're there in the event the coral offered isn't what you were thinking it was.Which brings me up to the frag swap. A bunch of like minded folks getting together to eat/talk/swap/buy coral. Not sure if we do two a year or just one. But it seems to be a huge success and I've always looked forward to it. I think you'd like it as well. You can get with the individual seller to determine the lighting/flow requirements to determine if your system is 'right' for that piece.If you've a mind for kenya, i think I have a frag lying about in my daughter's tank that you are welcome to. I also have to pull up some pulsing xenia that is threatening my blue ridge coral. I'd be more than willing to give it to you when I do if you'd like to give it a try.

[itsbobbyz]

Thank you all so much for the info and tips
Im not too sure of what substrate i need for the goby shrimp pair
Can u please explain.
Wht are the best lfs to go buy coral for the best price

And thank you allan ill keep in touch and pick up those corals when my tanks
Established

[rrasco]

Best is subjective, but I really like Elegant Reef and that's a pretty collective feeling around here.

[itsbobbyz]

Thank you rrasco

[itsbobbyz]

thought id post up some pictures of my par 38 bulb

13854 with whites only
13855 with blues only
13856
13857
13858

[itsbobbyz]

whats a good test kit to buy

[Monica25]

I've always liked API saltwater master kit or there is also reef master kit. Easy to read and accurate in my opinion.

[txg8gxp]

what par38 bulb is that? I didn't know they had any were you could run whites/blue seperate from each other

[itsbobbyz]

the par 38 bulb from
http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/

[itsbobbyz]

13985

TANK ARRIVED will be wet this weekend!

[Big_Pun]

My G/F Emily lives in college park and she also has a tank im usually over there and she has some easy to care for frags shoot me a pm when your ready i should have some stuff out of my tank to let you "cut your teeth" on

[itsbobbyz]

DUDE THANK YOU SO MUCH!
tank should be wet tonight just finishing up my aquascape and cleaning my sand

[itsbobbyz]

14043
14044
14045

got water in my tank today
the cycling now beings.

[Big_Pun]

looking good!!! how did modding the AC go. looking at this tank makes want to start another pico tank!!! equipment is so much better now for small tanks

[itsbobbyz]

Well the fuge mod went well.
i changed the impeller from a ac30 i had to slow down flow but i might buy a ac50
Impeller to get some more.
I still need to get some chaeto from somewhere
Just bought a shrimp and put it in my tank

[itsbobbyz]

Well the fuge mod went well.
i changed the impeller from a ac30 i had to slow down flow but i might buy a ac50
Impeller to get some more.
I still need to get some chaeto from somewhere
Just bought a shrimp and put it in my tank

[itsbobbyz]

Forzen shrimp to help the cycle

[itsbobbyz]

what is a good container that they sell at walmart
to store salt water

[FireWater]

I use a 33 gallon brute trash can. Obviously that would be over kill for you, but I did see a smaller brute style can at Lowes that would work for you. If not I would just buy a new 5 gallon bucket and tap a drain in the bottom side for easy access.

[itsbobbyz]

i wanted to hold at least like 10 - 15 gallons of salt water so i wouldnt have to mix all the time.
so will any container with a lid do?

also for my aquaclear 70 fuge
i have my heater in there and the temp in there is at 83
while the tank temp is 81 is there any way to fix this?

[FireWater]

Sounds simple but, can you adjust the temp on the heater?

As for the container I would think just about any clean plastic one will work.

[itsbobbyz]

yea i can adjust the temp on the heater im shooting for a steady temp of
80 in my tank
but i have to turn up the heater to 83 to get i tthere

[FireWater]

On my 120 my sump is running at 83 and the display is running pretty steady at 77.5 in the morning to 78.5 at end of day. The temp will fluctuate between what the heater is and the tank is.

[Ms_Big_Pun]

Just wanted to say Hi...I'm Emily, Chris's (Big_pun) Gf over in College Park. I have TONS of Chaeto in my sump and very ready to clear some out right now. I have two types. You're more than welcome to get some if you would like.
Good luck with the build. It's a nice little tank. I'm going to be setting up a small tank here soon too. Can't wait!

[itsbobbyz]

aww thanks. yea im still trying to get my tank cycled ill let you know as soon as im ready :]

[Ms_Big_Pun]

The Chaeto should help it out with cycling.

[itsbobbyz]

oh really???

[Big_Pun]

oh really???

yup it will have some bacteria and other goodies on it to seed your tank.

[txg8gxp]

I added chaeto into my aquaclear/fuge on my nano tank and it has helped alot, between that and the canister filter the tank stays nice and clean. The chaeto is also growing like crazy, I started with a 1" ball about 2 weeks ago and will need to pull some out next week, the aquaclear is full already.

[itsbobbyz]

hmm alright ill give it a go
when can i pick the chaeto up?

[itsbobbyz]

so i checked my water parameters today with the API saltwater master test kit
and it seems like my ammonia nitrite and nitrate are really high
i thought it was supposed to be ammonia high then every other
is this right?

[Ms_Big_Pun]

Sorry I'm just now getting to see this. I am in Austin until Sunday afternoon. If you want to meetup in the evening, that might work. Monday would be perfect too.

[itsbobbyz]

are you talking bout next sunday?
im still waiting for my fuge light to come so i guess that works out :]

[Ms_Big_Pun]

No, I'm talking about today. I guess I posted that after midnight. Just let me or Big_Pun (who is on here waaaaay more than I am) know when you want some.

[FireWater]

so i checked my water parameters today with the API saltwater master test kit
and it seems like my ammonia nitrite and nitrate are really high
i thought it was supposed to be ammonia high then every other
is this right?

Just keep monitoring it. If you see no changes then I would worry or try another kit.

[itsbobbyz]

well i have been monitoring it everything looked as it should then ammonia stayed high then nitrites went high and nitrates are all high

[FireWater]

LOL. Just give it some time. How long have the readings all been high? In all the tanks I have set up the cycles have been a little different. There is no magic time frame of when ammonia changes over to nitrites and then to nitrates. I have seen them all run together before.

Have you done a water change at all yet? What did you start the ammonia cycle with?

[itsbobbyz]

they have been high for about 2 days. i have top off the tank and that is about it. i started it with a shrimp from heb

[FireWater]

I know you have heard it before, but be patient. Remind me, do you have any inhabitants in there now? Just keep an eye on the parameters and they should change in a day or so.

[itsbobbyz]

nothing yet. but im dying here wanting to shove stuff in the tank! yea will do. and i am being patient

[FireWater]

It's all good. I know it is a struggle. Just think that the patience now will pay off later.
Good luck an ask away if there is anything else.

[itsbobbyz]

I think i see the first forms of life in my tank.
I see some coraline algae forming from what i believe.
Reddish dots on my dry rock forming
And also some green patches growing on some parts of the rock as well.
And on silicone it starting to turn brownish

[itsbobbyz]

How do u guys store your salt?? I have mine in the bag and it keeps clumping up

[FireWater]

I store mine in an inside closet of the house in the bag. I always try to get the excess air out of the bag before I seal it.

[itsbobbyz]

plannin to buy a rodi unit and a ato
which one would you purchase first

[FireWater]

I would buy the RODI. Top off ain't much good when you don't have water to put in it. Also will save you from having to make trips for water.

[itsbobbyz]

ammonia is at 0 for a couple of days
but my nitrite and nitrate are not going down at all.
do you think that some chaeto will speed that up?

[itsbobbyz]

and is there anywhere in SA that sells hi fin red banded gobies?

[itsbobbyz]

just picked up some chaeto for my fuge from ms_stangchris
thank you very much!

[Big_Pun]

it was nice meeting you, good luck with tank.

[itsbobbyz]

whats the highest temp my tank should be at?
my thermometer is reading 81 degrees

[Big_Pun]

I've had tanks at that high but it would be better at around 78-79. what's kind of light and pumps are you running, do you have a heater??

[itsbobbyz]

i have a par 38 bulb almost a ft over my tank
covered with some plexi glass
aquaclear 70 and a subcurrent surface skimming filter
and a hydor 50 in the aquaclear fuge

[Big_Pun]

turn down or take out the heater, just going to have to fine tune your tank till you find it's sweet spot.

[itsbobbyz]

turned it down till 72
temp seems to be dropping a bit
but fuge light is on 24 hours on the ac
and im still at 80

[itsbobbyz]

im thinking bout getting rid of my subcurrent filter cuz its taking up so much room. do you think a koralia nano 240gph will do?

[itsbobbyz]

leak in my tank :[
whats the best way to establish a temp tank
untill i can getsomething new

[reefreak]

If you can spare 7 dollars frontier pet has 10 gallons for that much

[itsbobbyz]

im gonna be upgrading to another tank. but i just need a way to keep everything in order till i get it

[Big_Pun]

I have a 10g you can use. just use as much of your current tanks water and transfer it with new water, take rocks and livestock. use your current filter.

[itsbobbyz]

borrowed a 10g from Big_Pun and and almost done moving everything to their temp home
thanks so much for your help and advice man

[itsbobbyz]

stopped by elegant reef today and picked up my first batch of corals
i guess we will see how this goes.
got 2 rics
pulsing xenia
brain
star polyps
and a colony of zoas

[itsbobbyz]

im looking for some cheap hardy coral frags let me know what everyone has

[itsbobbyz]

oh and also how does the frag exchange work

[itsbobbyz]

14795
14796
14797
14798
14799

[Scutterborn]

That's a really pretty ric.

[itsbobbyz]

so i just bought a clown on sat and he looks like he has ich now.
i dont know what i should do to get rid of it.
been reading about it and people say i need a qt tank
but i dont have one set up.
he still eats
but ever since i put him in the tank he just hangs around my internal surface skimming filter
and kinda get sucked a little.
i turned it off so that wont happen.
i have some pellets that have garlic in them i read that they seem to help

[polarbear]

I wouldnt worry as long as he is still eating. The same thing happended to me when I added my baby clown into my biocube. It didnt have ich at the store but when i added it to the tank it started to show signs. I asked around and members here advised that as long as he continued to eat it would be fine. Sure enough after a couple of days the ich was gone. I believe it develops becuase of the stress related to tank moves. Just keep feeding it and as long as it eats everything should be fine.

[itsbobbyz]

yea i woke up today and almost all of it was gone.
thats weird haha.
but he still hangs out by the filter hopefully he gets more active and moves around.

[polarbear]

is it a baby clown? If so give it some time to adjust. Mine still hangs out by the return nozzle on the biocube. He does come out more often but when I first put him in there he always stayed back there.

[itsbobbyz]

yea its a baby clown like an inch or so