20G Reef Build/Journal

[alyxandria]

Ok here's the pH test today after the second water change with reef salts.





I think I was reading it under the wrong light because the colours never matched up right. But I held it right under a light and this is what I got.

 

[alyxandria]

So today's parameters are:

pH: 7.5-8.0
NH3: 0
NO2: 0
NO3: 20
Ca: 380 (went up by 65)
KH: 16.8 (went up by 1.4) (??)
Mg: 1120 (went down by 240) (??)
PO4: 0.08

Not sure why my KH is going up or why my Mg is falling. But gonna keep doing water changes with the reef salts. I hope it all evens itself out?

 

[alyxandria]

Ok so I decided to just rinse and scrub the dry rock since it's the reef saver rock and there really shouldn't be anything harmful to my tank. (Hopefully) Im still playing around with the arrangement. Here's a couple photos I took not too long ago. Any suggestions?

FTS



Tried to do caves of some sort..



My cute little clownfish totally confused by all the new rock lol



A picture I thought was kinda cool. Would be nicer on a camera rather than my iPhone lol.

 

[alyxandria]

Couple better pictures from this morning now that the tank has cleared up.

FTS

 

[NyReefer]

I like the scape! Good job


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[alyxandria]

I like the scape! Good job


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

Thanks! It was my first attempt so I'm sure it'll be playing with it for a while lol.

 

[jgranata13]

It looks really nice! My suggestion is (I don't even know if this is the case or not in your tank cause I can't really tell from the pictures) move the rocks if they're leaning up against the glass because it lets water circulate better and there's less of a chance of the tank breaking

But really nice scape!


Joseph Granata

 

[alyxandria]

It looks really nice! My suggestion is (I don't even know if this is the case or not in your tank cause I can't really tell from the pictures) move the rocks if they're leaning up against the glass because it lets water circulate better and there's less of a chance of the tank breaking

But really nice scape!


Joseph Granata

Thanks!! I was planning on fixing that either tomorrow or Monday. Would rather they not be against the glass either but didn't think about it until after.

Will post pics when I finally get something I like. But everything in this tank will be moving to a 30G with a 10G sump setup soon anyway. Maybe around or after New Years. Still a lot of work to do on that tank to get it ready.

 

[alyxandria]

Finally got myself an RODI!! It's 50GPD which is great by me.

I bought it used but the lady I got it from said that she just replaced the cartridges and I should be good for quite some time. So, fingers crossed.





Tried it out - not even sure if I've got it set up right. I think I do. Runs through the sediment filter on the left, then the carbon in the middle then the RO above, then through the DI part on the right. Water from tap goes in through yellow, waste out the red, and blue is my RODI line.

I have one question though - the last canister... The DI one (I assume) should that be filled while it's running? It's staying pretty low and I'm concerned something's not right. I do get the instruction book tomorrow (lady I bought it from misplaced it until today) but figured I'd check here.

Cheers and Happy New Years to you all!!

 

[alyxandria]

Would a 165W dimmable light be ok for a 29G tank instead of a 120W? They're the same price so I figure if it's too bright I can just turn it down - and if I want to upgrade again later I've got the light for it already.

 

[alyxandria]

I also got two blue reef chromis as long as five astrea snails, two blue legs, another emerald crab, and two shaving brush.

 

[Mattyfelts]

looks good, id call you stocked if not overstocked now. but very nice, i love the bush haha

 

[alyxandria]

looks good, id call you stocked if not overstocked now. but very nice, i love the bush haha

Thanks! Im in the process of moving it over to a 29G (I think) or maybe something larger. I have the stand built for the 29G and the tank but haven't filled it yet or I would have passed on the chromis. Things have been busy with my first semester of college starting lol. I'm hmm'ing and haww'ing over going larger.

 

[nanoreefz]

What is the bush for?


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[Mattyfelts]

eats nutrients


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[alyxandria]

Its a macro algae

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3468+490+1478&pcatid=1478