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nickq nickq
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  • Posted on: 11/11/2006 19:18
My First Nano Update #1
Here's the tank: http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/myalbum0/photo.php?lid=1685

All doing well, the nitrates have never been measured above 10 mg/l Amonia and Nitrite always 0. Had a brown algae bloom in week 2 but it's gone now (1 week later).

We have 2 clowns, 2 Turbo snails, 2 Nassarius snails and 2 Hermit Crabs. The Hermits are moving about again and seem to be fine.
There are also 2 blood shrimps which can be seen cowering here:
http://www.fishkeeping.co.uk/modules/myalbum0/photo.php?lid=1684

There are quite a few feather duster worms in the rock, we've seen a few small brittle stars and mini shrimp-like things. There is a white "pistacio" clam thing and a black one too, not to mention the "pasty" clam living under the "brain" rock


I did away with the ocean rock as it was so dense it was a waste of water space. There is about 13Kg of live rock in there but some of it is very porous and light, there are small bits in the submerged part of the trickle filter as advised by TDL. The substrate is also a mixture of live sand and reef base.

The water quality seems great although the PH seems to fall to 7.9

We do a 7% water change weekly.
Water tests were daily but will now be every few days.

Nick.
Goldy Goldy
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  • Posted on: 11/11/2006 19:49
flameangel flameangel
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  • Posted on: 11/11/2006 21:19
Re: My First Nano Update #3
yes it looks good! Our pH drops every few weeks. We keep a tub of Ph buffer which is easy to use. Mix the amount of powder required for your water volume (for your tank may be as little as half a teaspoon, then pour it in!)
What is your SG normally?
nickq nickq
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  • Posted on: 11/11/2006 21:32
Re: My First Nano Update #4
SG is normally 1.022
flameangel flameangel
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  • Posted on: 11/11/2006 21:55
Re: My First Nano Update #5
that's ok, mine is normally that, or a little bit higher eg 1.023-24. Just checking. With th PH buffer I have, it buffers up to 8.3 and is safe ie it won't go over 8.3 even if you accidentally overdosed. Dont wack a big dose in though, do a bit at a time, over the day, so as not to shock the tank inhabitants. A sudden pH change can shock the same as a sudden change in any parameter.
TheDragonLord TheDragonLord
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  • Posted on: 12/11/2006 17:35
Re: My First Nano Update #6
personally i'd check the calcium levels (i take it your checking this) and magnesium levels as these can alter the pH greatly
There are no experts, mearly beginners who know more than others.

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flameangel flameangel
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  • Posted on: 12/11/2006 19:45
Re: My First Nano Update #7
Good point DL, forgot about that ,as my calcium is always high I forget to tell others to check theirs!
nickq nickq
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  • Posted on: 12/11/2006 20:55
Re: My First Nano Update #8
Calcium is always 400-420mg/l
I add red sea buff and Calcium +3 with the water changes.
voycey voycey
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  • Posted on: 13/11/2006 13:21
Re: My First Nano Update #9
nice, looks good!

I have so much coraline algae growing on my glass, I have scraped the front but am undecided about the other sides yet :)

What are your tank dimensions?
nickq nickq
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  • Posted on: 13/11/2006 14:16
Re: My First Nano Update #10
Thanks.
It's a 90l tank, dimensions are 62x52x41cm
I think there is about 80l in there of actual water due to the rock etc.

Just found out aquaone do the blue and white compact bulbs so I'm going to upgrade the current pink and green. They are still only 18W each, not sure what that equates to in light output though as normally a 7W fluorescent bulb equates to 40W tungsten etc...

Only problems I see with the tank so far -
1. No room for protein skimmer without cutting up the trickle filter box.
2. I think it could do with double the amount of ventilation holes above the lights. This will probably be an issue in the summer.

There is an 80cm wide version too, I nearly got it but as it sits in an alcove I wouldn't have been able to reach around the back at all. Unless I was suspended from the ceiling on wires

Nick.