Hello all, this is my first BAR journal entry all about my 20 gallon long tank. I am new to the hobby, so this will be a simple system with stability in mind. This is a mixed reef with fish and inverts, I’m trying to gain experience with as many different corals and creatures as possible (in a 20gal). I won’t be pushing any boundaries in this system, so this will likely be a boring tank to some, but thanks for checking it out anyways!
Overall:
20 gal long tank
AquaClear 30 HOB filter
Koralia 3G (with diy cover)
Hygger Simple LED light
Top Fin (100W?) Heater
(Second heater on stby)
Fed Frozen mysis daily
Assorted dry foods (algae waifers, reef pellets, + a couple name brand) once or twice a week
Glass top (helps slow evaporation as I don't have ATO yet but I worry a little about gas exchange, will likely get a HOB skimmer soon)
2025:
Jan 24 -The tank starts with three live rocks, water, and some dead corals (for temp decoration) from Islander Corals in Fairfield, and live sand from Petco. I got the tank, heater, thermometer, and bubbler for free off Craigslist. The tank originally had a plastic rim around the top, which I removed (glass now bows ~1/8” at center). I started the cycle with some Fritz turbostart I also got from Islander Corals, and ghost fed the tank every day or so. The second photo with all the diatoms is on Jan 31st.
Feb 2 - 5 GAL WC. I really wanted something to look at but didn’t like the idea of a fish in cycle. Test (with a test strip at this point) showed low levels of ammonia, so I figured a 5 gal water change and an emerald crab would be ok.
Feb 11 - My first (presumed dead) coral had visibly recovered quite a bit.
Feb 19 - My first (at home) water test, using API master reef kit, API ammonia and API 5-1 test strips for nitrite (more on this later).
Water Test 2/19/25
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite (test strip) - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - ~0.20 ppm
Calcium - 18-20 drops (360-400 ppm)
KH - 7.5 drops (~133 ppm)
Tank looks cycled! Will bring a water sample to the lfs soon to check.
Feb 21- First fish added! Two oc. Clowns and a green brittle starfish, and a hermit and trochus snail. LFS confirmed the cycles complete. I drip acclimated them all and they adapted to the tank rather well. This was also the day I got my powerhead, replacing the bubbler. I got a Hydor Koralia 3g on marketplace as it was the cheapest I could find, but it was over powered for my tank. I did try it in the tank with the two clowns, but they seemed pushed into the corner. I’m sure this was partly them acclimating still, but the powermaker was definitely a bit too strong. To fix this I used some extra carbon filter material and made a “anemone guard/flow restrictor”. (During some research for this I noticed several people suggested covering the back suction side of the ph, but I know restricting suction is how you cause cavitation on pumps, not sure if anyone has had this issue or not though. I covered only the front half). This cover has been changed a couple times for better flow, it is ok for now but I plan to upgrade to something I can program.
Feb 24 - Rose BTA added, acquired from a purely anemone tank. Drip acclimated and scooped in to avoid foreign water (as I’ve done with each addition). I understand this is a no go for some, but I’ve wanted anemones from the beginning. I’m dedicating the top rock for anemones and will intervene if any wander too far. (Update from 4/16 - I now have 4 rose bta and they have settled in on the top rock without much issue).
Feb 25 - Second home test.
Water Test 2/25/25
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite (TS) - ~20 ppm
Nitrate - 0 ppm
Phosphate - ~0.25 ppm
Calcium - 19 drops (380 ppm)
KH - ~7.5 drops (~133 ppm)
Things and fish are looking good. First sign of nitrite although I don’t fully trust the test strip.
March 13 - Hermit Crab changed shells on 3/10
Third water test
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite (TS) - ~20-40 ppm
Nitrate - 0 ppm
Phosphate - 0.25 ppm
Calcium - 19 drops (380 ppm)
KH - ~7.5 drops (~133 ppm)
I went to the lfs around 3/05 and had them check nitrite with a Hanna, read below 10 ppm. Definitely don’t trust the test strips now but they were out of nitrite test kits.
Thats all for this entry. I add several corals on 3/15 and will talk about that, and everything to date, in the next post. I’m definitely using this as a dump for all my thoughts for future reference, and this one is extra long. Photos should be chronological.
Overall:
20 gal long tank
AquaClear 30 HOB filter
Koralia 3G (with diy cover)
Hygger Simple LED light
Top Fin (100W?) Heater
(Second heater on stby)
Fed Frozen mysis daily
Assorted dry foods (algae waifers, reef pellets, + a couple name brand) once or twice a week
Glass top (helps slow evaporation as I don't have ATO yet but I worry a little about gas exchange, will likely get a HOB skimmer soon)
2025:
Jan 24 -The tank starts with three live rocks, water, and some dead corals (for temp decoration) from Islander Corals in Fairfield, and live sand from Petco. I got the tank, heater, thermometer, and bubbler for free off Craigslist. The tank originally had a plastic rim around the top, which I removed (glass now bows ~1/8” at center). I started the cycle with some Fritz turbostart I also got from Islander Corals, and ghost fed the tank every day or so. The second photo with all the diatoms is on Jan 31st.
Feb 2 - 5 GAL WC. I really wanted something to look at but didn’t like the idea of a fish in cycle. Test (with a test strip at this point) showed low levels of ammonia, so I figured a 5 gal water change and an emerald crab would be ok.
Feb 11 - My first (presumed dead) coral had visibly recovered quite a bit.
Feb 19 - My first (at home) water test, using API master reef kit, API ammonia and API 5-1 test strips for nitrite (more on this later).
Water Test 2/19/25
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite (test strip) - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - ~0.20 ppm
Calcium - 18-20 drops (360-400 ppm)
KH - 7.5 drops (~133 ppm)
Tank looks cycled! Will bring a water sample to the lfs soon to check.
Feb 21- First fish added! Two oc. Clowns and a green brittle starfish, and a hermit and trochus snail. LFS confirmed the cycles complete. I drip acclimated them all and they adapted to the tank rather well. This was also the day I got my powerhead, replacing the bubbler. I got a Hydor Koralia 3g on marketplace as it was the cheapest I could find, but it was over powered for my tank. I did try it in the tank with the two clowns, but they seemed pushed into the corner. I’m sure this was partly them acclimating still, but the powermaker was definitely a bit too strong. To fix this I used some extra carbon filter material and made a “anemone guard/flow restrictor”. (During some research for this I noticed several people suggested covering the back suction side of the ph, but I know restricting suction is how you cause cavitation on pumps, not sure if anyone has had this issue or not though. I covered only the front half). This cover has been changed a couple times for better flow, it is ok for now but I plan to upgrade to something I can program.
Feb 24 - Rose BTA added, acquired from a purely anemone tank. Drip acclimated and scooped in to avoid foreign water (as I’ve done with each addition). I understand this is a no go for some, but I’ve wanted anemones from the beginning. I’m dedicating the top rock for anemones and will intervene if any wander too far. (Update from 4/16 - I now have 4 rose bta and they have settled in on the top rock without much issue).
Feb 25 - Second home test.
Water Test 2/25/25
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite (TS) - ~20 ppm
Nitrate - 0 ppm
Phosphate - ~0.25 ppm
Calcium - 19 drops (380 ppm)
KH - ~7.5 drops (~133 ppm)
Things and fish are looking good. First sign of nitrite although I don’t fully trust the test strip.
March 13 - Hermit Crab changed shells on 3/10
Third water test
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite (TS) - ~20-40 ppm
Nitrate - 0 ppm
Phosphate - 0.25 ppm
Calcium - 19 drops (380 ppm)
KH - ~7.5 drops (~133 ppm)
I went to the lfs around 3/05 and had them check nitrite with a Hanna, read below 10 ppm. Definitely don’t trust the test strips now but they were out of nitrite test kits.
Thats all for this entry. I add several corals on 3/15 and will talk about that, and everything to date, in the next post. I’m definitely using this as a dump for all my thoughts for future reference, and this one is extra long. Photos should be chronological.
