Camescu's Edge Reef

[Camescu]

So after dragging my feet for a year I have finally decided to take the plunge and join the salty side.

After shutting down the shrimp tank I have decided to start a nano reef in a 23L edge. Its a slow project (as it should be) so updates as they happen.

For now I have the live rock cycling.

 

[Camescu]

So. I'm early into the cycle and have noticed a few hitchhikers. A few feather dusters (v small) some opaque looking tentacles and a snail.

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[Camescu]

Snail

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[Camescu]

Incidentally, is this the right subforum for advise or is the getting started one better for feedback? I haven't ventured from the freshwater sections too much so still a noob over here.

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[bribo12]

What kinda advise/feedback you looking for? It seems like a good start and that is a stomatella snail.


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[Camescu]

Thanks for the id. Advice wise, anything really. I'm new to salt and starting with an ambitious project (being so small).

Next steps as I see it

* get testing kit. Looking at Red Sea Reef kit.

* making a mod to the ac20 filter turning it into a nano refugium.

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[mr_X]

I love those fluval edge tanks. I was always afraid of nanos however. A small mishap is big in a tiny tank.
Are you looking to add corals down the road?

 

[Camescu]

Yeah. Atm I am starting to research lighting including wavelengths etc. I'll probs look at Zoa and mushrooms.

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[Camescu]

And yeah. I know I could screw up v easily. But if I can master nano I can do anything.

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[Camescu]

First play around with the refractometer last night. Got a reading of 1:012 if memory serves me right.

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[mr_X]

That's terribly low. shoot for 1.025

 

[Camescu]

Sorry. That was a typo. It was 1.022 not .012

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[Camescu]

A couple of weeks in and I have nitrates. WCs to bring them down.

A couple of questions though.

Of all the hitchhikers (and there are plenty) I am u able to identify a bug or two

1. A small black and white bug that was too fast to photo. Looked like it had a single pod shape. About a cm in length

2. Loads of tiny tiny white/opaque critters running over the heater and glass. 1mm Max.

Any ideas?

Also, am I the only person who struggles to differentiate between colours on the red sea pH test?

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[Camescu]

Anyone?


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[Mattyfelts]

probably just pods, lets see some pictures!

 

[Camescu]

I'd love to but after the Mrs put my phone on a 40c wash my new handset is a shocker for pics. It won't capture them sadly.


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[Camescu]

Testing update

Ammonia trace amounts and nitrates are high. I assume water changes are the way to go to reduce those though.

Could do with raising pH a bit. It's coming in at 7.6

Whilst waiting for the cycle to complete, I'm researching lights and wavelength for softies.

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[BigRedsReefs10]

Increase your surface agitation and that should raise your ph a little.

 

[Camescu]

Thanks. Will do. Got an aquaclear 20 running.


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[Camescu]

I've been doing some research around light spectrum and zoas/mushrooms. If I'm not mistaken I'm looking for some blue spectrum at circa 450nm.

I plan on keeping just softies so can anyone recommend nano lighting units for this purpose. Something on the Limey side of the pond would be appreciated if poss


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