Moogled's 5 Gallon Fluval Spec V

[Moogled]

Hey folks, I've been out of the game for a while....but the bug bit me again and now here I am!!

Gonna try my best to update this thread as I progress with my Fluval V build.

A huge thanks to Evan (UBOMW). He generously gave me a bucket of seeded rubble LR for my build!

Equipment:

- Fluval Spec V - 5 gallon
- Hydor Koralia Nano 245 (may switch this out for an MP10 if I can get my hands on a used one....I prefer having the wire outside as the Spec V lid gets in the way).
- Current USA Marine Orbit LED 18w fixture (72 LED's @ 0.25w each)
- Stock return pump (some opt to swap it out to an Aqueon 600 and only use that pump)


Filtration:
- Filter floss (top)
- Chemi-pure Elite (middle)
- Purigen (bottom)
- 1" Arag-Alive Reef Sand
- 5lb live rock

I also picked up some Chemi-pure Blue which combines Elite + Purigen in one bag. Will consider running this so I have some extra room in the filtration chamber.


Pending budget:
- Biocube Nano skimmer
- ATO system for nanos


Planned livestock:
- 1 (2 max) nano gobies. Was thinking a Yellow Clown Goby as they seem to be a good pico fit.
- Small CUC
- Softies and maybe LPS.

I plan to keep my bioload relatively low to minimize water changes.



Day 1:
All parameters at zero.

Day 2:
All parameters at zero.

Day 3:
All parameters still at zero. I started thinking that the LR must have minimal to no die-off. I added some fish food in a micro-bag and hung it inside for a couple days.

Day 4 and 5:
Finally, an ammonia spike of 0.33! Added some bottled bacteria to help the cycle along.