J’s 20G Peninsula Reef

[thebookshark]

Howdy everyone! This is the journal for my new 20G peninsula reef. I’ve been in the hobby for nearly 20 years and have to say this is my dream tank . It is an upgrade from my smaller 10G UNS peninsula and with the new light I will be able to stock some great SPS which I’m super excited about.

See below for equipment and stocking info; thanks for tagging along!

-J


Tank: UNS 90LA Rimless AIO
Lighting: Kessil AP9X; 10” above surface running Tuna Blue program
Filtration: UNS Media Tower running Purigen & ChemiPure Elite
Heating: 100W Aquatop submersible
Return: TMC Reef Pump Compact 1500L/396GPH
Water: Aquatic Life 4-Stage RO Buddie
Salt: AquaVitro Salinity
Biological Filtration: 25lbs. cured rock; 30 lbs. dry rinsed CoraLife Fiji Pink
Nutrient Export: Mini Refugium LED grow light with chaeto
Testing & Measurement: Red Sea Saltwater Test Kits, Salifert for Mg and Ca; TropicMarin Hydrometer for SG; basic mercury floating thermometer

Stocking:

-2 banggai cardinals
-8 RFA’s
-10 sexy shrimp
-1 fire shrimp
-Porcelain crab
-LPS: blastomussa, favia, acanthastrea, hammer
-Softies: star polyps, assorted mushrooms
-SPS: red & green monti plates, assorted acropora

FTS: 1/24

 

[thebookshark]

Well, some sad news and some happy news, gang.

One of my banggai’s bullied one of the smaller ones to death and (we think) startled/attacked my mandarin while she was doing her weird night float at the surface and we found her dead on the counter yesterday morning. I know it’s just fish but I’m so sad. I loved my mandarin so much, she was the reason for the upgrade, and I am just devastated. As far as the other banggai goes, I realized he was getting bullied and quarantined him in a separate container in the tank with holes so he could eat and rest but he only lasted 24 hours after that. The remaining two banggais seem okay but honestly this experience has really put me off the species. I talked to the LFS and they agreed to take the two back for store credit, but I don’t know what to get. I considered another mandarin but I’m not sure. Firefish would look nice but they are known jumpers and it’s open on top (hence the mandarin’s tragic counter-surf). What do y’all think: a couple blue-green chromis, maybe? I don’t want a clown and I can’t really do a wrasse because of the sexy shrimp. I thought about a Tanaka wrasse perhaps. Anything that wants to cruise/perch on the rocks is a no-go because of the nems, I think. But drop a comment with suggestions please!

Now for the good news: sticks are in! Picked up some nice montis and acros and everything is doing great, fantastic polyp extension and no signs of stress. Couple pics for ya:

 

[aquaworld75]

Sorry to hear about the fish loss. Great aquascaping with the rocks. I recently started a 14g Biocube (w/ stock hood lid) and got a firefish goby and a tailspot blenny (likes to perch on rocks and explore). Other options could be yellow watchman goby / sand dwelling gobies. Hang in there tank looks great!!

 

[thebookshark]

I did order a DIY screen top kit so that should expand my stocking options a bit. I’m considering a red firefish and a two spot blenny, they’re so spunky and always look startled

 

[project1004]

Your tank looks amazing and looks way bigger than a 20Gal. X.X It’s really cool. Great selections on coals too.

Possum wrasse would be a nice fish addition. They are more docile than other wrasses.

Sand shifting goby’s are great. I just got be a sleeper goby. They do kick up some sand dust but fun to watch.

I have open top rimless tank. Only had few jumping (1or 2 I think) in last 3.5yrs. Currently have 9 fish in a 48G and 2 in a 24G.

 

[thebookshark]

Thanks! I think I’ve decided on a royal gramma, a red firefish, and another Biota blue mandarin. Once the mesh top is in place I can’t bear the thought of anymore escapees!