Innovative Marine Fusion 20 Aquascape And Cycle

[@andy2798100]

Great video. Nice and clearly explained what processes you go through setting up a small reef tank. Looking forward to your next videos.

[@ReeferGil]

Much appreciated Andy!

[@Reefgrrl]

Lots of great start-up tips Gil! It’s always so exciting to start a new tank. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@ReeferGil]

Isn't it though, love sparking off life right in my livingroom.

[@OceanLife6977]

Hey brother, great video man. I just restarted my 20g high saltwater reef tank which I posted not long ago, and I did sand first. I just basically push the base rocks securely and softly into the sand until I carefully feel the bottom of the aquarium, and then I put the rest of the rocks in place to the desire aquascape. It has worked for me for many years, and I haven't had any mishaps. Great work by the way, the tank looks beautiful!

[@ReeferGil]

Thanks OceanLife, I did the same for my 75 that ran for 5 years with zero issues with the rock work.

[@jay10playz73]

I like your saltwater videos aquariums they teach me a lot about the saltwater Hobby

[@ReeferGil]

Jay, thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts.

[@sjyavo]

This video could have been titled "How to set up a nano..." Awesome vid 😎

[@ReeferGil]

Ha, thank you very much Yavo, I'll put that title as one of my video tags.

[@DeeFromBrooklyn]

You're a good speaker. Sounds professional

[@ReeferGil]

Hey Dee really appreciate the encouraging words sir!

[@tylercahoon1972]

Excellent job! Look forward to the next video.

[@ReeferGil]

Thanks Tyler, you da man!

[@katehalle407]

Sand first!! Super informative! Thanks!

[@ReeferGil]

Thank you very much for the post Kate!

[@ryanmonaghan8020]

Love these updates Gil can’t wait to see coral

[@ReeferGil]

It'll be a while, but I'm looking forward to it!

[@therutreaper6075]

Sand first always, then scape and then slowly add water, drastically shortens the time it takes to clear up the water!

[@ReeferGil]

Yup, great tip. Thanks Reaper!

[@briansfishtanks]

Sweet looking nano.

[@ReeferGil]

We shall see how it turns out. Such a small tank, I'm a little nervous.

[@gilbery007]

Hello ReeferGil, awesome video, really informative ;) I have just started up this same aquarium using real reef rock and I've decided to go bare bottom. I filled the aquarium and then introduced ATM Colony and have added a single Picasso Clown, my fish wish list is a pair of Picasso Clowns, Tailspot Blenny and Royal Gramma. Oohh almost forgot to say, i've been waiting for this video.

[@gilbery007]

Rock first

[@ReeferGil]

Hey Paul, very cool fish list you have. Royal Gramma is a beauty. Thanks for the support!

[@trureef2319]

I do sand first myself because when that rock fell on you I was trying to reach through the screen to catch it haha.. pretty cool

[@ReeferGil]

LMAO, thanks for having my back Tru!

[@ScottM]

Really looking great Gil. I love Dr. Tim's and used it in both my builds. I would love to see a nice pair of designer clowns but besides that it's wide open. The rest of the fish I adore would be too big for the nano, remember I do love tangs..lol

[@ReeferGil]

I'm on board with you on that Scott, thank you!

[@KreefAquariumhobby]

Always happy to see your video's!

[@ReeferGil]

Thank you very much K

[@MarioGonzalez-sk2ko]

could you please recommend an excellent heater for this tank in 2024? Appreciate your video !!!!!

[@joevasquez1776]

Just tape off a square on that table and move that tank out of the way. And maybe put a towel down on the table too.

[@jaemesL]

hi, i have the same tank but upgraded my pump to a single sicce 1.5 (357GPH) ive tried running both 2 rotating nozzles, and the stock nozzle but i feel as though there isnt enough flow in my tank... am i mistaken ? because it seems you have used a smaller pump then i have with no powerhead or anything.

[@ReeferGil]

Hey James, I had to break this tank down. I just couldn't give it the same amount of attention as my main system. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

[@915Mang]

Looking good Gil! I’m glad you like those Balls too, lol 😂. That’s 20g I mean 15g is awesome

[@ReeferGil]

Haha, false advertising right?

[@therutreaper6075]

Just set up the same tank for a small grow out set up, going to have 2 chromis, 2 clowns and a possum wrasse!

[@ReeferGil]

Nice, exciting time.

[@therutreaper6075]

Yeah, I've had larger reef's but getting ready to move so I broke down my 120 so I didn't have to scramble when we move and its been a few months and I have the itch for a tank and figured this would be easy haha

[@NYCityCichlids]

Nice.

[@ReeferGil]

Thanks NY!

[@scott019870]

What size nozzle an connect did you use

[@AmericanReefing]

Great update on the nano Gil! Oh and does this mean I get a double dose of Gil this weekend?..... Forget I said that lol

[@ReeferGil]

Ha, you better believe it! Thanks for all the support man!

[@frednixonlawncare3175]

Rock first

[@ReeferGil]

Nice! Thanks for sharing Fred.

[@molvera1432]

When you first start your tank, do you begin running your filter media right away?? Or wait till its cycled to add it? Also do you run your lights during the cycle period or do a blackout?

[@ReeferGil]

I do run my media, especially gfo. Yes, lights out for months. You dont need light till you get corals.

[@coltonnorris9048]

How much did you fill up the water in the back. I have the exact same tank and it's super loud I don't know if I have it filled up all the way or not.

[@ReeferGil]

I filled till water was about center of overflow teeth. If it's loud, try wiggling the return pump.

[@plootsa]

Another good video

[@ReeferGil]

Thank you!

[@BagelSchlagel]

im brand new and want this tank how long after you added the One and Only til its ready for fish? or just keep testing water and thats when its ready. I thought you needed a clown (hardy fish) to help the cycle Thanks!

[@ReeferGil]

After I used bacteria in a bottle, I used ammonium to feed the bacteria. Adding hardy fish is a method that also works, but it's no longer considered humane. By adding the ammonium (ammonia) in a bottle, it accomplishes the same as having added a hardy fish. I cycled my tank in about 4 weeks with this method, although that may vary with different systems. Just keep testing, like you mentioned. Fishless cycles are the way to go nowadays. Good luck and thanks for the post.

[@PRFishGirl]

on the 75 i did rock first ...haha its funny watching the video after watching your instagram posts it's like deja vu lol...let the cycling commence!

[@ReeferGil]

Haha, the videos make the Instagram posts come to life!

[@SCReefer]

Love the little nano tank. I actually used tape on the floor for the length and width of the tank and then scaped and glued the rocks together and then places them in the tank and then sand. I guess theirs no right or wrong way to do it as long as you don't crack the glass. Will you be at reef a palozza in Orlando next week?

[@ReeferGil]

Thats a really great technique. Thanks for sharing SC. Unfortunately I can't make it to FL, I'm planning on MACNA though.

[@yuyiboy]

I do my aquascape outside the tank with a piece of cardboard the size of the bottom. 👌🏽

[@ReeferGil]

Hey Gene, I should have mentioned this in the video. Since this was a smaller tank than I'm used to, I just went for it inside the tank. Typically I would have pre planned on cardboard outside the tank.

[@thepassionreef]

Nice Scape....i am on my day 14 of cycling my IM50..i see a hint of ammonia 0.25 this tells me i am at the end of the cycle....following along.

[@ReeferGil]

Congrats Ash, exciting stuff!

[@andy2798100]

Sand first, then rock. Sand supports the rock.

[@ReeferGil]

My thoughts exactly!

[@ryanmonaghan8020]

Sand first for sure

[@ReeferGil]

I agree, thanks!

[@marcelosimon4972]

Fritz pro rpm mixes clean and fast

[@ReeferGil]

Man this stuff is soooo dirty when mixing, but I've had good success with it in the past. I'm too chicken to switch salts right now. Thanks for sharing!

[@2019freddie]

sand first then work the rocks into the sand.

[@regentsaquariums5692]

get the rockwork done outside no either sand nor rock first :p

[@ReeferGil]

Totally agree and a point I failed to mention in the video. I would typically do rock work outside of the tank, but since this tank is so small, I just went for it.

[@Selahsmuzik]

I wish I knew about saltwater aquariums to just to have fun and to participate in the challenge.

[@drewslagoon]

Subscribed(:

[@ReeferGil]

Thank you sir!

[@pelphrey]

For you mathematically challenged people..: that’s 15 gallons! Hahahaha nice update sir!

[@ReeferGil]

LOL, the comment was directed more at myself. Thanks for stopping in Pelphrey!

[@mrkleinreef]

No clowns, candy basslet pair. Do it.

[@ReeferGil]

Klein, what's up! Where or where have you been! I'm a sucker for clownfish.

[@WCorbin182]

Sand first (oh I’m FIRST) lol #notificationsquad

[@ReeferGil]

DEEEECEEEE, what's up! Thanks man.

[@Deon0026yickadee]

Lagoon squad and innovative marine! Live sand first too

[@Davelembo]

Rock first, then sand, then rescape lol

[@ReeferGil]

Then rescape again and again! LOL, thanks Dave!

[@jboh2112]

Sand First

[@ReeferGil]

AGREE!!! Thanks!

[@jboh2112]

I just started a IM20 as well and was terrified about breaking the bottom with rock first. Excited to see what happens with yours! Good luck!

[@michigancarp]

Sand first here

[@ReeferGil]

Good man, thanks for sharing!

[@benwafford9104]

Sand first

[@ReeferGil]

Right on Ben, thanks!

[@Deon0026yickadee]

Hmmm the 5 fish? 2 clowns 6 line wrasse Flame angel Royal gramma

[@ReeferGil]

Not sure I'll do 5, might scale it back, lol