Scubagal's 50g breakdown, 10gal startup. Wish me luck!

Hi everyone! I have had my 50 gallon going great for about a year now. Since I'm graduating soon and moving, I decided its best to shrink down to a move-able size tank (10g). I'm keeping only my favorite corals (frogspawn, hammer, GSP) under compact florescent and selling the new nem (which eat my yellow clown goby) .

Facts on system right now:

10 gallon glass tank from Good-Will $10

Started water Monday 7/5: used 5gallons of water from other tank, added 5 new saltwater
added live rock and sand from 50 gallon on 7/6
Filter: emperor marineland 280 filter for up to 50 gallons, let media soak in other tank for a few days to get some bacteria
Skimmer: Aquatic Life Internal Mini Protein Skimmer 115
Flow: one koralia #1, and tons of flow from the filter
Light: will be getting a 24" Current USA CF soon from my sister, right now freshwater bulbs

parameters looking pretty good!

QUESTION: Since I used everything from the existing system, do I need to let it "cycle"?
QUESTION2: One of the pics shows a burgundy mass forming over the sand bed, what is it?

Thanks & stay tuned for livestock additions

Originally Posted by scubagal

QUESTION: Since I used everything from the existing system, do I need to let it "cycle"?
QUESTION2: One of the pics shows a burgundy mass forming over the sand bed, what is it?

1) My guess is you may see a "small" and/or "short" cycle depending on if there is any die off. I am sure someone with more experience on here can give a better answer. This was my experience.

2) Looks like diatoms?

I'd let it cycle some. The stuff growing looks like cyno to me. I have some from time to time in my tank. It's a problem that you need to find the reason for. Can you post up your levels?

If you used all old live rock right out of the 55g i doubt you will see much if any of a cycle.

Looks like cyano to me too. Just suck it out when ever you see it and it will slowly go away. What every you do dont blow it around or it will just spread.

Originally Posted by rgrking

I'd let it cycle some. The stuff growing looks like cyno to me. I have some from time to time in my tank. It's a problem that you need to find the reason for. Can you post up your levels?

I use tap water which is very clean in WA but sometimes fluctuates and could lead to algae.

here are my 4 tests, I don't have any other test kits
ph 8.2
ammonia slightly above 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0

Thanks!

I agree, just swap it over and you should barely see a cycle at all.

I need some stocking help. I plan on keeping most of my old coral from the 50 gallon.
Have now but not in 10 g yet:

1 Frogspawn
2 hammers
3 kenya trees
green mushrooms
toadstools
anthelia (not my choice, its everywhere)
green star polyps

Fish I have now:
1 nemo 4" and evil
1 six line 3"
2 hermits
few snails

I know I cant have both in just a 10 gallon (no sump/refug) but which of the two would be best to keep alone in the tank or is it too small for either?

I would get rid of the sixline, Kenya Tree's and as much of the Anthelia as you possibly can. The Clown should be fine.

Originally Posted by skinz78

I would get rid of the sixline, Kenya Tree's and as much of the Anthelia as you possibly can. The Clown should be fine.

......and I would also not add the green star polyps (they spread like crazy)...only add a couple mushrooms (they also spread like crazy) and probably just add 1 of the 3 hammers....all of the corals will grow and you'll want room for that!

Good luck on the new set up.

scubagal??? .......have you done anything with this? ....I'm so looking forward to seeing this tear down/build!

Originally Posted by Barbara

scubagal??? .......have you done anything with this? ....I'm so looking forward to seeing this tear down/build!

man i have been a busy bee trying to orchestrate breaking down selling off, keeping and building all at the same time. I finally have the 50 gallon shut down. Awaiting last bit of rock and sand pic up from a craigslist buyer tomorrow! Most of the equipment I will end up keeping.

Here are some pics of the 10 gallon

I just got some ric frags today for free kinda. I needed to find a home for my sixline wrasse so i traded her for a shell with one med ric and behind it in the pic are two baby rics!

Hows the tank doing?

Weve never done a nano. We do have an 29 aquapod but since its plumbed into the other tanks its not really a nano

heh, i'm always late to the party...

it's cyano, the tank should be cycled within days, I think you can keep both fish, GSP will eventually be the only coral you have in the tank... it spreads way to fast and aggressively for a nano (this is personal experience with a 12 cube)... I think I touched base on all the questions!

Tank looks great btw, I think you'll have a great lookign nano in a few months!

its true, sometimes less is more, looks very neat and easy, now how about some bigger pictures lol

Love the clown,, looks like it is saying ,, "YEA SO WHAT ABOUT IT"!!

+1

WOW! I really really like the looks of this nano! ....sweet rock set up - lots of spots for more corals too! .......rics looks good (nice trade too) and I just love sharky! so is he the only fish you're keeping then? any new pieces that have been added?

hello scubagal! ......I'm assuming you've been nutso busy these past few weeks...but was hoping for an update on this sweet nano...it should be close to being cycled isn't it? did the cyano go away? when you get a chance we'd love to hear and see how it's all working out for 'ya!

Originally Posted by Barbara

hello scubagal! ......I'm assuming you've been nutso busy these past few weeks...but was hoping for an update on this sweet nano...it should be close to being cycled isn't it? did the cyano go away? when you get a chance we'd love to hear and see how it's all working out for 'ya!

LOL sorry about that barb! Life has been crazy. I graduated, moved back home, started my first real world 9-6pm job and planning to move again into my own place. My nano successfully moved, no fatalities!!! Now its adjusting perfectly. The cyano never did go away but it doesnt really bother me. I am getting a ton of algae growth because I have a large light on the ten gallon. In October I will be relocating again and plan to build a 20gallon DT and 10 G sump out of the current display tank.

so stay tuned. LOL

well hello there ms. professional/real worlder!!!
LOTS of stuff happening the past few months with you eh?! new job, moved twice and moving again soon .... that would drive me nuts! it's the one thing I hated about college - packing up; unpacking; packing..... ...so where's your next move? apartment? house? and moving up the tank scale too!!! looking forward to following your progress!