20 gallon Build

[Lemonpeel]

Its been a while since I've been on this forum, but I've been working on putting a 20 gallon SPS tank together. here are some pictures.


Tank with the False Wall Template


My false wall


Painted with Krylon Fusion paint, reef safe as ling as it cures for 7 days, this has been curing for 3 weeks.


Everything being glues together with aquarium Silicone


Tank is where I want it on my night stand


Sand in the tank


I get my Live rock tomorrow then I can fill it up and start my cycle.

[SaltyDawg]

Cool! Keep the updates coming.

[CarmieJo]

Nice picture documentation of your build! Please keep them coming!

Did you get water in it yet? If not a good tip is to cover the sand with a clean trash bag, put a plate in the middle and a bowl on the plate and pour the water into the bowl. When the tank is about 2/3 full take out the bag, plate and bowl, then put the LR in and then finish filling it with water. This will help prevent a sandstorm.

[Lemonpeel]

I've already got it full. Wish I would have read this sooner... I'm still waiting for everything to settle. Its getting better, but it can't settle fast enough.

[SaltyDawg]

What kind of critters are you going to keep? What kind of lights?

[Lemonpeel]

Finally cleared up enough to get a good shot.

Here it is, wet and cycling.



I'm planning on putting 3 Lemon Damsels, 1 Black Cap Basslet, and 1 Pearly Jawfish. Lighting will be 96 watts of T-5.
Its going to be an SPS dominated tank.

[Stevej72]

Looks good. I like the aqua scape

[Lemonpeel]

Will the 98 watts of T-5 enough lighting for SPS?

[Lemonpeel]

Here's another pic. its cleared up quite a bit in the last few days.

[CarmieJo]

I like the aquascape! It looks like you have a diatom bloom going on which is a normal part of the cycle. Watch out for those damsels, they can be mean.

[Lemonpeel]

I've switched the lemons in my list to talbots. Ilike them and they aren't as aggressive. I actually went to get my params tested and my ammonia is at 0 Trites .5 Trates 5 my alk is 8. I figured since I used water out of my established tank, I'll be alright for a "soft cycle" and I added 3 Talbot's damsels.

[CarmieJo]

Keep testing and watch the fish, the nitrites are hard on them. I'd have water ready to do a water change if they show signs of distress.

[Lemonpeel]

So far so good, they are eating fine and show no signs of stress.

[Lemonpeel]

Just tested my water again. Ammonia 0 Trites 0 my Trates are a little high my Ph is perefect and my Alk is at 9

[CarmieJo]

Nitrates will come down as anaerobic activity increases. I would hold off on adding anything else until you see it begin to decline.

[Lemonpeel]

Will do, I'm gonna get it tested Gin tomorrow.