Introduction
So, what to put?
I've kept fish in one guise or another for most of my life, it was my aunt that first got me interested in the hobby with a small cold water set-up.
Since meeting my wife we have always talked about getting a Marine set-up, and about a year ago we bit the bullet and haven't looked back since. It's been a bit of a steep learning curve but loved every minute of it.
I think the major thing with Marine seems to be the desire to love it, no matter what. I've heard so many people tell me stories of others closing a tank down because they simple lost the love. So far this doesn't seem to be me ... keep the figures crossed.
I've kept fish in one guise or another for most of my life, it was my aunt that first got me interested in the hobby with a small cold water set-up.
Since meeting my wife we have always talked about getting a Marine set-up, and about a year ago we bit the bullet and haven't looked back since. It's been a bit of a steep learning curve but loved every minute of it.
I think the major thing with Marine seems to be the desire to love it, no matter what. I've heard so many people tell me stories of others closing a tank down because they simple lost the love. So far this doesn't seem to be me ... keep the figures crossed.
Filtration
At the moment I've got the TMC V2 300 hang on skimmer and it seems to do a good job (When it's skimming) but doesn't always skim, you have to keep a bit on an eye on it.
My thank has a kind of sump on the back of it, as per a lot of the nano tanks out there, and so I've got rid of all the default kit that comes with that part. Instead I've got some crushed coral in 2 net bags and some polyfilter in there. This seems to work well and means I can keep track of the condition of the polyfilter visually and keep it hidden.
I recently added a reactor (Well, TMC's fluidized sand bed, and replaced the sand bed with Rowaphos) and that has really helped keep things in check and consistant. Very happy with it at the moment.
My thank has a kind of sump on the back of it, as per a lot of the nano tanks out there, and so I've got rid of all the default kit that comes with that part. Instead I've got some crushed coral in 2 net bags and some polyfilter in there. This seems to work well and means I can keep track of the condition of the polyfilter visually and keep it hidden.
I recently added a reactor (Well, TMC's fluidized sand bed, and replaced the sand bed with Rowaphos) and that has really helped keep things in check and consistant. Very happy with it at the moment.
Lighting
Currently I have a lovely TMC V2 iLuminaire 600 that I love. Prior to that my little cube had a built in Metal Halide, I know some love them, I'm not one. The TMC produces very little shadow and the colour is lovely.
Flow
When I first got the tank, I went with the theory of it was designed to be an all in one solution and as such I'd stick with just the return pump and two outlets that came with it.
These were great but didn't really produce a good flow level and I had a lot of detritus on the sand bed, so I've now upgraded the return pump and invested in a little Jebaeo power head.
The power head is on it's lowest setting and due to the size of the tank it's placement is not ideal, but it has helped to keep the sand bed a lot nicer and it now seems to stay clean.
These were great but didn't really produce a good flow level and I had a lot of detritus on the sand bed, so I've now upgraded the return pump and invested in a little Jebaeo power head.
The power head is on it's lowest setting and due to the size of the tank it's placement is not ideal, but it has helped to keep the sand bed a lot nicer and it now seems to stay clean.
Salinity
Temperature
Ammonia
Calcium
pH
Phosphate
Nitrite
Nitrate
68 Coral
6 Fish
9 Invertebrate
Equipment
Additive
Aquarium
AutoTopOff
Cleaning
Net
Siphon & Tube
Lighting
TMC iLumenAir 600
Media
Powerhead
Reactor
TMC V2 Bio React 500
Refractometer
Salt
Skimmer
TMC V2Skim 300 Skimmer
Stand
JBJ 28G Nano Cabinet Stand
Substrate
TestKit
Had a bit of a rocky start with maintaining the parameters but seem to have got it all under control. Still currently recovering from a bit of a crash over the summer (See the regrets post I made), so I've got an unhappy Duncans ATM.
I will be upgrading the tank over the next month to a 250l corner model, so I'm hoping to try and maintain my current situation with the tank move.
I will be upgrading the tank over the next month to a 250l corner model, so I'm hoping to try and maintain my current situation with the tank move.
Dosing See more
NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml · NoPox 3 ml
At the moment I'm dosing between 2ml and 3 ml of NoPox on the tank to support the coral, etc.
I am considering looking into other bit's and bobs for dosing but I'm rubbish at remembering to do it, so I may also think about getting a little odsing pump at some point.
I am considering looking into other bit's and bobs for dosing but I'm rubbish at remembering to do it, so I may also think about getting a little odsing pump at some point.
Feeding See more
Fed Flake 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 tabs · Fed Flake 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 tabs · Fed Flake 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 tabs · Fed Flake 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 tabs · Fed Flake 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 tabs · Fed Flake 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 tabs · Fed Flake 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 tabs · Fed Flake 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 tabs · Fed Flake 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 tabs · Fed Flake 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 tabs · Fed Flake 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 g · Fed Flake Food Mix 2 g · Fed Flake Food Mix 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 g · Fed Flake Food Mix 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 g · Fed Flake Food Mix 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrimp Various 2 g · Fed Flake Food Mix 2 g · Fed Frozen Shrip Various 2 tabs · Fed Flake Food Mix 2 g
At the moment I'm going with the theory of twice daily feeding.
In the morning the tank gets some mixed flake, this seems to keep everything happy for the day. I've not weighed the amount I give, but at a very rough guess it's about 1g - 2g ish.
The evening is frozen, I tend to give them a bit of a mix of different types but it's a little tricky. They eat more than 1 cube, but not completely 2, I have a feeling I'm over feeding a little, adding the the load on the filter. Hmm.
In the morning the tank gets some mixed flake, this seems to keep everything happy for the day. I've not weighed the amount I give, but at a very rough guess it's about 1g - 2g ish.
The evening is frozen, I tend to give them a bit of a mix of different types but it's a little tricky. They eat more than 1 cube, but not completely 2, I have a feeling I'm over feeding a little, adding the the load on the filter. Hmm.
On average you perform a 23.8% water change every 14 days.
0% total water change in 2024-11-28T10:34:43.181740Z[GMT].
Inspiration & Goals
This being my first tank my goals are quite simple ... don't kill much.
it's been a very steep learning curve and that has been half the challenge / fun.
it's been a very steep learning curve and that has been half the challenge / fun.
Disasters & Regrets
Went on Holiday this summer (2015), my Mother In Law was looking after the tank for the 10 days. Got back to find the tank filtration / sump run dry and a massive algae problem.
Since then I've had 2 corals die and another very unwell still.
Lesson leart - teach mpother in law about the auto top up.
Since then I've had 2 corals die and another very unwell still.
Lesson leart - teach mpother in law about the auto top up.