Newbie with a Nano

[AdamsB]

Welcome to the addiction. Sounds like a nice setup. I know the early stages of a new setup are my favourite. Particularly with new live rock, never know what goodies (and baddies) you may get.

As for protein skimmers, I've had the aqua c remora and enjoyed it. But if you add the surface skimmer/micro bubble trap inside the tank it turns out looking like a shaw box in your fish tank. Check J&L online. Free shipping over 100 bucks and their prices are hard to beat. Shoot them an email even an let them know what it is you want/need.

Also post a few pictures, everyone loves pics!

[Jessie]

Thank you for the great welcome! Here is a couple pics of the tank, they're not the greatest since it's just from my iphone.

My Tank1.JPG

My Tank2.JPG

AHHH, THIS hobby is NOT for the faint at heart! I have gross, gross worms crawling out of tiny holes on one of my live rocks. Bleh. Obviously night time creatures. I don't know if it's 2 or 3 or 4 or 1 with 3 heads??? lol. What ever that is it better get the heck back in the rock cause it's ugly. Well, I think all worms are ugly so this isn't especially ugly with legs or tentacles or anything. I still don't like it though. I bought this rock "used" from someone else's aquarium they were taking down, the sand is from that aquarium too. And apparently, so are the critters I hope that is the end of the surprises.

[Azzkr]

Sounds like you have a bristle worm living in the rocks.

[newsaltfan]

Being that you are using a canister you may want to invesigate this little contraptions. now i've never used one but these allow skimming from the surface as well as intake from the bottom. maybe other can give opinions if they are worth trying. i think they are like $20 if that.

[ponokareefer]

Canister filters tend to cause a lot of problems unless you clean them every other day. They aren't recommended for salt water. Your live rock will act as a filter for you, and a skimmer will do the rest.

As for the aiptasia, I'd get the rock that has it out of the tank. You might be able to get rid of it, but you might not. I wouldn't take the risk since you are just starting out. They can become a nightmare, and that's the last thing you want just starting out.

Good luck!

[mike31154]

Looking good with the LED light fixture! Something I'd recommend is getting some additional water movement in there asap in the form of a powerhead or two. I purchased my whole system used years ago & it took many years to purge the live rock & sand of nutrients. Hair algae was a problem for quite a while in my tank. The previous owner only had a couple of tiny, inadequate power heads in the tank when I went to pick it up. There was a lot of detritus in the sand & rockwork. Even if you don't have hard corals or other livestock other than hitchhikers in your system now, the sooner you get some good flow in there, the better.

Best of luck with your start up, this forum is a great resource. I wish I had found it before making my leap into the hobby. I had 0 experience with any type of aquarium as well, but with plenty of research, I've managed to muddle my way through.

[Sunee]

Welcome!!

[Madreefer]

Welcome to canreef
I say this to all who run with a canister filter. Take out all the sponge filters and media in it and fill it with liverock rubble. It's the best thing thing filtration you can use in a canister filter. When you do clean it just use water from your water change to rinse the rubble. You can also put a nylon sack full of carbon in one if the compartments to polish your water. As for peppermint shrimps, go to a reputable LFS as quite often stores sell camelback shrimps as peppermint. You can put a chunk of prawn in a piece of pantyhose to catch bristle worms if you would like to thin them out.

[Dearth]

Yes water changes weekly

HoB skimmers are good investments everybody has their own personal choices I ran an Aqua C remora HoB on my small tank till I upgraded tanks and I never had issues with it.