New mini reef photo's (Need some ID on stuff)

[biowheel]

Hi all,
My tank is doing well . Did my first water change. I could have went to the moon easier . Heaters and air stones,buckets and salt . Well you all know .
Coming up on 12 weeks running . 15g minireef ,15lb rock .No fish ,18" 50/50 light 15W . I know I'm way low on lighting .Tank is crystal clear .
My question is . What are the white dougnuts on the glass and rock ? I also have little bugs running around . Weeks back I added a bottle of Tigger pods for my favorite fish (Mandarin) . Yeh he died. Could the things running around be copa pods ? I tried to take photo's of them but they are tough to see .Take a look at the photo's and let me know what everyone thinks

[wolfe4372]

you have some cute little orange zoas!

some of the other stuff i have no idea i cant really see them.

[biowheel]

The white circles are on the glass and rock . Tiny little things . Hows everything else look ? Based on the growth does it look healthy ?

[Fat Tony]

The lil white donuts are harmless, I can't think of the name off hand, but they are harmless. They will eventually go away on their own

The lil bugs running around are indeed Copepods...

This is a good site for ID's:
http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm

[biowheel]

On the health of the tank . Other than the water perimeters does my tank rock look like it's doing what it's supposed to .Ya know running 11 + weeks . The tank obviously needs lights but I'm on the fence on buying a new tank . I really want to leave it alone but I'm guessing I'll need a skimmer and lights soon ??

[Fat Tony]

Looks like it's doing fine to me, but water parameters are the best way to tell

[biowheel]

What's your thought's on a skimmer for the tank ? Does a 15 need one ? The tank will eventually be frags and maybe 3 fish . gobbies or clowns . What would be a good stocking stuffer skimmer !

[Kakalakasha]

You don't need a skimmer.
Most people that run nanos don't have them, I think.
Maybe half of them don't?
Not sure, but I do know that you can be fine without a skimmer.
You can keep your tank healthier and maybe see better coloration/growth with a skimmer?

I know that I don't have one on my 20g nano and I'm doing just fine!


Also, 3 fish sounds like a lot for a 15.
I think you should stick with 2 unless you get very small fish.
But I might not be right, wait for others to pipe in.


In my 20 I'm prolly gunna get a max of 3 fish

[jenglish]

most skimmers that will work in a nano are not worth it from what I hear. I would stick with a fish or 2 unless they stay really small. If you change your water every week you should be ok. I hear Purigen is good for nanos as well.

[fox2589]

with three fish i would get a skimmer...unless ur gonna siphon off ur sand with each weekly 20 percent water change...its just a lot of poop in such a little tank..i think its easier with a skimmer...can u do without..certainly..but do u want to?

[fox2589]

one more thing the above comments right..skimmers for nanos generally suck..get the remora or a cpr backpack!

[wolfe4372]

i have a skimmer. its the skimmer actually made for the biocube by the same company.

i think it works fine. im doing better this tank around then i was.
sorry i ahd to insert a cheesy pun.

[jenajet]

You can run it without a skimmer. Just keep up with weekly water changes and once you do get fish, don't over feed them. None of my nano's have ever had skimmers. Now I only keep softies and lps, if I ever do add sps then I will probably add a skimmer.

[aquawolf]

Nice pictures of the rock. Do you have a FTS you can share?

[biowheel]

FTS ? Sorry dont follow .