Collin's 12long

[xilez]

Hi all! First let me start off with a mini-introduction. I have been a lurker for a few years, started my first tank about 5 years ago in college and have been obsessed with nano sized tanks ever since. Due to a culmination of things, I had to take the tank down. But now I am settled and ready to begin another! Currently working as a Graphic Designer living in Buckhead/Brookhaven. (Willing to trade design work for frags or store credit! :yes: )

I have been planning my next build over the past couple of months, and will be finally getting it wet next weekend.

Here is a bit more detail on the setup:

<u><span style="color: Purple;">Equipment</span></u>
Tank: Mr Aqua 12 long
Sump: https://oceanboxdesigns.com/product/nano-revo-pob-sump/">Oceanbox Designs POB Sump/Refugium w/ Refugium light</a>
[B]Lighting:[/B] Orbit Marine LED sitting on [IMG]https://oceanboxdesigns.com/product/lightmaxx-stands-current-orbit-marinepro-led/">Oceanbox Design Lightmaxx </a>risers
[B]Pump:[/B] Eheim Compact 600
[B]Circ:[/B] Jebao RW-4
[B]ATO:[/B] AutoAqua Smart ATO Micro
[B]Heater:[/B] Jaeger 75W


Custom stand from Grouper_Therapy - quality and craftsmanship are top notch. Big thanks to everyone who recommended him and bigger thanks to Grouper as well.

Pics below! Should have a real camera soon when the tank actually starts making progress. For now, just pics of the setup. Rock scape still a work in progress, I like the right side, trying to figure out what to do with the left

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[xilez]

Picked up some Black Vinyl from a sign shop in my building... Will be using it to black out the tank tonight or tomorrow.

 

[xilez]

Applied the black vinyl tonight and it came out ok. Looks a little funky from the other side, hoping its just water that needs to evaporate and not dust on the vinyl. If so, I might peel it off and try window tint instead. I'll give it overnight to see if that's what is causing the splotchyness.

 

[dapperjman]

Very clean, it looks nice! &#128077;

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[xilez]

Tank is wet! Will post some more later as water clears.

https://vimeo.com/179661733">https://vimeo.com/179661733</a>

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[xilez]

how do i embed that video link?

 

[bobz]

very nice setup! Looking forward to see how it progresses. Bob

 

[xilez]

On day 2 of the cycle!

Tank holding steady temp at 80 degrees, gonna try to get it down to 79 but I'm ok with it a bit warmer for bacteria growth.

Salinity is stable at 1.023 - is this fine? Or should I try to get it up to 1.025?

ATO working as intended, super quiet.

Water cleared up so here is a pic under the white lights

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Here is a picture of the inside of the cabinet. Milk Crates from container store make great shelves

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[nancymatthews]

That's going to be a nice looking tank.

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[bcavalli]

Great looking setup. I look forward to seeing your progress!

 

[mike_chisel]

Been very exited to see how this turn out ever since you fist posted it I'm exited by such a interesting tank size

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[picoreefguy]

this tank looks sweet. cant wait to see it full

 

[xilez]

Thanks guys!

Hoping the cycle on this is a bit faster (First time trying the Dr Tims method) but I will still be patient with it.

Once cycled, I will end up adding the CuC first for a week or so before fish/corals... Does anyone have any recommendations on the best LFS for this? (assortment of snails and hermits). Otherwise, I'll just end up ordering from ReefCleaners

 

[xilez]

Dosed some more ammonia last night, will be testing the next two days to see how the ammonia/nitrate levels look.

Been thinking of what fish I want, I think i've settled on a Clown breed

2x SnowFlake
1x Midas Blenny

And I'd like to another fish...would a juvenile Coral Beauty be bad for this tank? I am not really a fan of Fire Fish and want something that would swim about.

Where is the best place in the area to look for a good selection of SnowFlake Clwnws?

Thanks

 

[xilez]

Tested parameters again today, ammonia and nitrite present, its low though. Starting to see a little nitrates. Continuing the Dr Tims plans and dosed 2ppm again and from here on out its a daily test and dose if need be sort of thing. Comforting to the know the cycle is actually in motion!

I have been doing the cycle with lights off, so no algae or diatom bloom. Will I eventually see a diatom bloom with the lights off? (some sunlight bleeds into the room as well)


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[xilez]

Still cycling.

My 5g jug I use for ATO takes just over 2 weeks to empty, which works out very well because now I can plan my trips to a LFS every 2 weeks, which is the same weeks I get paid on! :shades::shades::shades:

 

[ricky5415]

Maybe a shrimp or 2 will be nice

 

[ricky5415]

I like those anemone sexy shrimp since they stay small and fun to watch

 

[xilez]

I definitely plan to have a cleaner shrimp or two, they are fun to watch!

 

[xilez]

Tank cycling complete.

Planning to do big water change and add CuC this Saturday.

I have heard it's typically 1 CuC member per gallon. Since I did my cycle with the lights off I dont have much algae, so want to stick to omnimvores/carnis.

With it being a 12 gallon DT, how does this sound:

3 Hermits (blue or red) - will feed every couple of days
5 Cerith
4 Nass