Dave's 55 Reef (Updated Pics, see last page)

ok since mine will be a 55 setup as well I have to add a few questions here - I went to a 55 knowing it would cost more for the initial setup but having in mind that the extra gallons over a nano would make it easier to care for as my first marine tank. So I'm a little surprised by what you said CG, not saying you're wrong but you're the first I've heard say that while I've heard many say that a nano is not the way to start. Care to elaborate on your reasoning?

 

I've heard and read the same thing, that a 55 is actually a good size to start out with because it allows more room for error. I've read 'The New Marine Aquarium' by Michael Paletta and he says that this size is ideal for a new, first tank. I am curious if CG has a reason for their opinion. I would like to know so I could potentially watch out for any pitfalls in my new set up.

 

Back to my tank. It has been up and running for about 2 weeks now. I've done some initial testing and here are my parameters.

salinity- 1.024
ph - 8.3
ammonia- 0 ppm
nitrites - .25 ppm
nitrates - 25 ppm
alkalinity - normal, about 2.5 mili equivalents (sorry for this one, the test I have only gives a range or low, normal or high, normal falls between 1.7 and 2.8 mili equaivalents per liter. By the color, I judged it to be just about 2.5 mili eq./liter

I'm not testing for calcium, phosphate or magensium yet because my tanks still cycling, when everything calms down, I will start testing for these and adjust the parameters as necessary. Any suggestions or opinions are gladly welcomed as always.

 

I guess I should mention this too. I have not seen any ammonia yet and my nitrites were at 1 ppm and have gone down to .25 ppm. My nitrates peaked at about 40 ppm. As I have mentioned in earlier posts, I have used pre cured lr and live sand

 

I think a nano would be easier(on the wallet too) for a beginner, because it is easier to do a 1/2 gallon water change that it is to do a 10. The eq is WAY cheaper! You can't pack as much stuff into one, which should help make it easier to keep your levels in line. This next thing is for beginners......You won't pack 10 fish in a 4 gal. nano, which any who has done this for some time knows, add too many and it runs you into a lot of problems. I just know that after beginning a salt water 55, I think I would have gone smaller for my first tank. The maintanence issues seem to be easier to handle on a nano. just IMO

 

ohh, i thought you were saying you would have gone bigger, sorry for the confusion, I see your point now.

 

Ok, I believe my tank has finished cycling. I tested the water today and found the following...
salinity - 1.024
ph - 8.2
ammonia - 0 ppm
nitrite - 0 ppm
nitrate - 20 ppm

I know my nitrates are high, I have already ordered a RO/DI unit and will use that to lower the nitrates slowly. (I know, i didn't start with RO water) I never detected any ammonia and my nitrites dropped from 1 ppm to .25 ppm to 0 today. I am going to wait a week to let things settle and make sure everything is ok. Then I plan on adding two clowns to my quarantine tank and observing them for a few weeks. Ill post some pics when I get the new additions.

 

I just got my RO/DI unit today from airwaterice, really fast shipping. Already got it going. I ended up getting the mity mite, about 50 gpd. I already have it going, can't wait to start changing out my water. Tomorrow I should get my reef test kits and refractometer. Hopefully this weekend, when my quarantine tank gets filled, I will get my next two addittions, two clowns and maybe even my first coral, a mushroom. I will keep this thread updated.

 

I have now just received my refractometer and reef test kit today. I still don't have a magnesium test kit, but Im working on that. My parameters are now as follows...

salinity- 1.025
phosphate- 0 ppm
ammonia- 0 ppm
nitrite - 0 ppm
alkalinity- 10dkh
calcium- 460-480
Im still in the process of using the RO water to lower my nitrates, so Im not sure what they are yet. Everything looks good to me so Im thinking of getting my next two additions, two clowns, and my first coral, a mushroom, this weekend. I just finished filling my quarantine tank with RO water and have my heater and filter running in it. Any input would be greatly appreciated, pics will follow soon.

 

Got back from the lfs yesterday with a few new additions. I bought two ocellaris clown fish, Leo and Fender, my first coral, a pink button polyp, and two hermits and two snails. Here are some pics. My clowns are in the quarantine tank but are tank raised, so should be good to go, but I will wait and see.