CCXGT
Aquarium Advice Addict
RIGHT THEN
Decided to start a thread, mostly to document and receive feedback for my newbie self.
After 3 months of research, I'm finally ready to get this build going.
First things first, an equipment list:
Machinery stuff:
Tank: 9.3G (35l) Marina 35, (my first ever tank, sitting empty, gathering dust in the garage, might as well utilise it).
Filter: Marina S10 HoB + Chemi-Pure Elite, (the filter that came with the tank, picked up a new pump for it, will be using purely for chemical filtration).
Heater: Marina 50w, (the heater that came with the filter and tank... Obviously).
Lights: 165w Dimmable Tile + Brightsky 24" Aquarium Suspension Kit, (it's a cheap Chinese knock-off, but a good one. It's also gigantic and I'm preparing for any future growth)
Powerhead: Hydor Koralia 425G/h (160/h), (yet again, went big for growth possibilities)
Testing stuff:
Refractometer: The One Off Amazon (told to avoid Hydrometers.. So I did)
Liquid Testing: API Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and High PH + Salifert Alkalinity Test, (I've had the API stuff for ages, just recently went to get Alk for my Africans, guess it's handy)
Thermometer: LCD Standard Stick On Glass + LCD Digital Probe Thermometer, (two thermometers, no idea why)
Water:
Salt Mix: Red Sea Coral Pro, (for the time-being I'll be using pre-mixed water from my LFS until I get into the swing of things, then I'll be using LFS RO water and start mixing my own)
Hardscape stuff:
Sand: Caribsea Fiji Pink Live Aragonite 20lb, (I know some people think it's pointless but I got it cheap with a deal for the rock)
Rock: Pukani Dry Rock 3kg (6.6lb) + maybe some Live Rock if it needs it, (I'm hoping this is enough rock, I'm told it should be enough)
Stocking:
Clean-Up-Crew: Nano Critter Pack from Charterhouse Aquatics, (5 Snails, 3 Hermits and 3 Replacement Hermit Shells)
Fish: 1/2 True Percula Clownfish, (I'M SO SORRY, I know it's wrong and I know I shouldn't but the sheer amount of people who run successful Nano Reefs with Clowns have convinced me. If it's any consolation, I WILL be trading them in once they outgrow the tank)
Corals: No idea yet, (my LFS has a gorgeous Red and Green Frogspawn that I've been eyeing up, I've also seen some Neon Green Zoa's, I'm VERY interested in Star Polyp's as well)
So that's that.
Now, cycling.
I'll be cycling by dosing Kleen Off, it's a cleaning product that IS safe for Ammonia dosage. It is 9.5% Ammonia and I've worked out that a 1ml dose will get the Ammonia to 3ppm.
After that I'm gonna follow CyberAquarists cycle plan which got him through in 20 days total. Basically dosing Ammonia repeatedly until the BB can take it down in 12 hours.
I'll be testing every 2 days or so and will be keeping a graph of the cycle's progress.
I'll be getting my rock and sand on Thursday or Friday (which just happen to be the two days I'm off college ;-P) and I'll pop right down to the LFS for the water.
20G of water in the back of my Punto... The poor thing...
LET'S GO
Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice
Decided to start a thread, mostly to document and receive feedback for my newbie self.
After 3 months of research, I'm finally ready to get this build going.
First things first, an equipment list:
Machinery stuff:
Tank: 9.3G (35l) Marina 35, (my first ever tank, sitting empty, gathering dust in the garage, might as well utilise it).
Filter: Marina S10 HoB + Chemi-Pure Elite, (the filter that came with the tank, picked up a new pump for it, will be using purely for chemical filtration).
Heater: Marina 50w, (the heater that came with the filter and tank... Obviously).
Lights: 165w Dimmable Tile + Brightsky 24" Aquarium Suspension Kit, (it's a cheap Chinese knock-off, but a good one. It's also gigantic and I'm preparing for any future growth)
Powerhead: Hydor Koralia 425G/h (160/h), (yet again, went big for growth possibilities)
Testing stuff:
Refractometer: The One Off Amazon (told to avoid Hydrometers.. So I did)
Liquid Testing: API Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and High PH + Salifert Alkalinity Test, (I've had the API stuff for ages, just recently went to get Alk for my Africans, guess it's handy)
Thermometer: LCD Standard Stick On Glass + LCD Digital Probe Thermometer, (two thermometers, no idea why)
Water:
Salt Mix: Red Sea Coral Pro, (for the time-being I'll be using pre-mixed water from my LFS until I get into the swing of things, then I'll be using LFS RO water and start mixing my own)
Hardscape stuff:
Sand: Caribsea Fiji Pink Live Aragonite 20lb, (I know some people think it's pointless but I got it cheap with a deal for the rock)
Rock: Pukani Dry Rock 3kg (6.6lb) + maybe some Live Rock if it needs it, (I'm hoping this is enough rock, I'm told it should be enough)
Stocking:
Clean-Up-Crew: Nano Critter Pack from Charterhouse Aquatics, (5 Snails, 3 Hermits and 3 Replacement Hermit Shells)
Fish: 1/2 True Percula Clownfish, (I'M SO SORRY, I know it's wrong and I know I shouldn't but the sheer amount of people who run successful Nano Reefs with Clowns have convinced me. If it's any consolation, I WILL be trading them in once they outgrow the tank)
Corals: No idea yet, (my LFS has a gorgeous Red and Green Frogspawn that I've been eyeing up, I've also seen some Neon Green Zoa's, I'm VERY interested in Star Polyp's as well)
So that's that.
Now, cycling.
I'll be cycling by dosing Kleen Off, it's a cleaning product that IS safe for Ammonia dosage. It is 9.5% Ammonia and I've worked out that a 1ml dose will get the Ammonia to 3ppm.
After that I'm gonna follow CyberAquarists cycle plan which got him through in 20 days total. Basically dosing Ammonia repeatedly until the BB can take it down in 12 hours.
I'll be testing every 2 days or so and will be keeping a graph of the cycle's progress.
I'll be getting my rock and sand on Thursday or Friday (which just happen to be the two days I'm off college ;-P) and I'll pop right down to the LFS for the water.
20G of water in the back of my Punto... The poor thing...
LET'S GO
Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice
