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12 Gallon Eclipse tank "pictodiary" (with questions!)

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12 gallon
5K views 8 replies 3 participants last post by  thatg33kgirl 
#1 ·
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. :D

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!
 
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#2 ·
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? replace it with floss if you need to and remove daily other wise run a sack of carbon in it and thats all...with this size tank i have read often that weekly partial water changes are all you need

-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.LOVE the rock work it looks great!!

-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. DO NOT do any changes as your tank matures after the diatom bloom then a 20-50% change and only then...

-Any other recommendations would be great. read this link http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/...-filtration-101-how-differs-freshwater-31955/

Anyways I'll be updating on here and the blog with pics, so be sure to check back! Thanks in advance all!
WELCOME and nive set up!!!!!!!!!!
 
#4 ·
i do not mean to talk to you as if you are a child so if i do please forgive me.. when mixing your water you have a power head in there and possibly a heater to bring it up to tank temp as to reduce shock ..correct??? if not you may want to do this (it really does help)
most LFS sell filter floss in the section with or near filters for those who either make their own filters or use the parts to replace stuff in canister filters...

at the bottom of the saltwater section on the main page is a section for various articles from members here all of them are great to read and we have a number of very knowledgeable fish keepers here who are always happy to help (even if it takes a day or two for them to come on LOL)... just remember the most important thing here is that if you question anything any one says continue to ask and make a greatly informed decision.... just because something works for one does not mean it will work for all and some times the revers is true as well... i have more than made my share of mistakes.. i think it is why i love this addiction uhmmm adventure...nope oh yeah hobby LOL
 
#5 ·
No problem bear- not talking down at all! I actually keep an old air pump hooked up to my bucket -o- water, haven't used a powerhead but I'm sure it would agitate the water better- I'll have to try it out! Haven't used a thermometer yet, but it is summer here in Ohio so no need haha.

I'll have to look into the floss. I'm sure my LFS has them I just didn't pay attention when I was there last.

And I've been "totally not stalking" the forums and articles on here for awhile. I also ordered more books, I'll let ya know what I think. Thanks again- more pic updates soon!!
 
#6 ·
dont use filter floss, it will trape nitrites and turn em into nitrates, and nitrates are bad. use a bag of carbon that you buy at a fish store. for skimmer, if you want you can use a aqua C nano remora, around $130. this is not necesary until you get around 40 gallons though. if i was you, my next investment would be a new light so you can house nicer corals. you could also make a skimmer, there are a bunch of ways out there.
 
#8 ·
yes teddy you are correct. but only because i left out the most imprtant part if you use Floss you must change it daily or every two days at the most.. or this will in fact happen and yes again teddy you are correct carbon is the better option if you want to drop it in and forget about it.. thank you for correcting my error.. i should not have responded so unclrearly....

tank looks good!!!!
 
#7 ·
Nothing really new or exciting in the tank the past few days, but I have noticed some stuff growing on the live rock that wasn't there before- I'm guessing red algae and probably (sniff!) hair algae! But, at least there is growth!! MUAH HAHAHAHAHA... erm... yes, excellent :D


Oh yay, little patches of red, and purple? and orange!


Another look at things growing, and dying. Poor little sponge, but he's got some stuff growing near him, maybe!!

Let me know if you see anything in there. :D
 
#9 ·
Thanks!!

I actually noticed some growth on the orange branch things... corals? Well, whatever they are, they have little feelers... they are white in the middle tho so I hope they survive!!! (ok I notice that sentence doesn't make sense, will take pics tomorrow)

tested the water today... salinity is right in range. :D
Ammonia is high but is down from 2 days ago already
nitrites still registering
nitrates not registering
temp is staying 79 degrees F, down from 82 a few days ago until I took the cover off the hood.
 
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