new frag tank

[Starfire]

I had a 60l experimental tank with some sand and rubble rock running for 2 months now with a normal t5 4 bulb light and a normal internal sponge filter and heater to see if it will run like that with some small frags and it had no problems.

Now I have two bullied fish and a bullied shrimp and some frags hanging around in my main tank. So I had a slightly bigger tank built with normal HOB filter with carbon and floss that has a surface skimmer. heater and I fixed my 60W LED and I moved everything from the experiment tank to new one and voila.

All the bullied occupants are very happy now

 

[RiaanP]

For what is the little basket on the right?

 

[Starfire]

For what is the little basket on the right?

It was my diy refugium in the TL550 that I hanged inside on the sump wall. Was thinking of using it as a diy overflow with a pump inside and then pumping to a diy over head sump. Not sure if that will be necessary as the 10% weekly water changes seem to be doing fine. Found some egg crate for sale at wild on and will be making a frag rack soon. But this was mostly setup for the bullied fish and they seem happy.

 

[Starfire]

Its been a while but with surprise I can honestly say that I am very surprised and happy with the result that started with an empty tank with old sand in that used to be a freshwater tank. All I did one day was poured old water from a water change in the empty tank because I was lazy and in a few days I saw pods in the water so I switched on the sponge filter and the heater and added some more water and some frags and after a month there was more life with no light and no fancy equipment or filters and skimmers or even a sump. So my experiment grew into this 5 months later.... well I had to get a light eventualy.

This is what happens when you feed them by hand... you have to ask them to leave to take some pictures

Currently I have multiple zoa's and some paly's, xenia two pin frags and some mushrooms. Fish is two ocellaris clowns a bicolour blenny and a damsel that I have never seen before. 2 blue legged hermit crabs one red legged hermit(they like to dig), a pyramid snail, emerald crab and skunk cleaner shrimp.
The 70 litre tank has only a HOB filter with surface strainer and I modified the filter cartridge so I can change the sponge and I add some carbon and phosguard monthly. There is no sump and no skimmer!!!

I do a 5 litre water change weekly and change the sponge every second week. The filter is a Atman HF-0600 I bought it for the surface strainer works very well. I do a manual top up every 2nd day with RO. It uses about 3 to 4 litres a week.
This small system surpassed my expectations completely and is so much fun to look after especially for a noob like me. It can be done...

Will try to add a refugium later. Got a nice idea from one of our members..
Later

 

[mala1610]

Nice little setup ... Have you added your refugium yet ?

 

[RiaanP]

well.
Consider your experiment a success!

It looks awesome.

 

[Bristlebasher]

Cant see images ?

 

[viper357]

Cant see images ?

fixed

 

[Bristlebasher]

and a damsel that I have never seen before.

It is a Bowtie damselfish (Neogliphidodon melas),they tend to eat soft coral and anemones. Aggressive and territorial.

Link to more info here https://reefapp.net/en/lex/details/neoglyphidodon-melas

Adult below:

fixed

Thanks

 

[Bristlebasher]

BTW . Nice experiment.