Hi all. So I've decided to start a 12 gallon tank, FOWLR (or beginner's reef) hopefully in the end- and here's the basics.
Its a Marineland Eclipse 12 Gallon aquarium, came as a "Instant Ocean Marine" kit with salt and a heater. It has bright 50/50 lighting, a built in filter, and a fitted canopy. I also bought a Koriala Nano powerhead, which I like very much, and have yet to find a protein skimmer that is decent and fits the tank. I've been told by other hobbyists I just need to keep up my water changes in a tank this small- but any recommendations and opinions would be great.
Here is a pic on it day one once I added a few pieces of live rock:
Not very impressive, I know. But, its a start right!
And here's a pic from yesterday, once I added some base rock:
I plan on updating pics on here as well as my blog which you can find HERE
Tech specs at the moment:
-Salt is a little low, I need to go get more RO water today and mix up some salt water. I've been adding fresh FO water every day to compensate for evaporation, but apparently by just a little too much.
-just got my SW test kit in the mail yesterday- I'm sure everything is all screwy with the cycling.
-Temp has been a bit high, sitting around at 82. I'm leaving the canopy propped open today with the AC on in the house, will see if it helps. Also the heater is set to 75.
Questions so far:
-Any recommendations for skimmers or should I just keep up water changes? Also, should I keep the built in filter running as is? I've heard some people say it would be a good idea to take out the filter pad and replace it with something else- but what?
-Does the rock wall look ok?? I fiddled around with it for awhile, and wanted to leave room for stuff to grow on it later.
-Daily/regular water changes on a cycling aquarium- a yes or a no? I've heard both. So far I haven't done one in the past 6 days, but again getting more water to mix up some salt today.
-Any other recommendations would be great.
Anyways I'll be updating on here and the blog with pics, so be sure to check back! Thanks in advance all!
Its a Marineland Eclipse 12 Gallon aquarium, came as a "Instant Ocean Marine" kit with salt and a heater. It has bright 50/50 lighting, a built in filter, and a fitted canopy. I also bought a Koriala Nano powerhead, which I like very much, and have yet to find a protein skimmer that is decent and fits the tank. I've been told by other hobbyists I just need to keep up my water changes in a tank this small- but any recommendations and opinions would be great.
Here is a pic on it day one once I added a few pieces of live rock:
Not very impressive, I know. But, its a start right!
And here's a pic from yesterday, once I added some base rock:
I plan on updating pics on here as well as my blog which you can find HERE
Tech specs at the moment:
-Salt is a little low, I need to go get more RO water today and mix up some salt water. I've been adding fresh FO water every day to compensate for evaporation, but apparently by just a little too much.
-just got my SW test kit in the mail yesterday- I'm sure everything is all screwy with the cycling.
-Temp has been a bit high, sitting around at 82. I'm leaving the canopy propped open today with the AC on in the house, will see if it helps. Also the heater is set to 75.
Questions so far:
-Any recommendations for skimmers or should I just keep up water changes? Also, should I keep the built in filter running as is? I've heard some people say it would be a good idea to take out the filter pad and replace it with something else- but what?
-Does the rock wall look ok?? I fiddled around with it for awhile, and wanted to leave room for stuff to grow on it later.
-Daily/regular water changes on a cycling aquarium- a yes or a no? I've heard both. So far I haven't done one in the past 6 days, but again getting more water to mix up some salt today.
-Any other recommendations would be great.
Anyways I'll be updating on here and the blog with pics, so be sure to check back! Thanks in advance all!