First Nano Effort...

JeffDubya

JeffDubya

New Member
So one of the things I am thinking to myself is that since acrylic will scratch, and I didn't want acrylic when I began this process, changing my mind on that particular feature shouldn't be an option. I think I am trying to talk myself into something that is completely integrated, because it's an "easy" solution.

In my experience, these easy solutions tend to be inadequate over the long haul and harder to upgrade.

so I am back to looking at these: http://www.all-glass.com/products/featu ... icmission/ and the reef ready aquariums at http://www.oceanicsystems.com/ although I think they may be more money that I will ever want to spend - Oceanic Systems looks pretty high end.

Does everyone here use a sump? And would it be a correct assumption that a sump would contain extra water for overflow and auto top off... not to mention increasing the volume of the tank and potential bio load? Would a biological filter be placed here as well?

Thanks... recovering slowly...
 
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sadielynn

New Member
oceanic tanks are a good tank , as for the furniture quality what about contractin a highschool wood shop to build one ? Usually they will do a good job at a cost of just materials and be graded on it :mrgreen:
 
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sadielynn

New Member
Jeff
I think that maybe I misread . I am not saying that their quality is poor (although all glass has poor customer service at best) oceanic tanks are good quailty and the stands are nice but pricey , I was recommending the wood shop as a cheaper alternative to the already mades. You could probably take in the picture give them the dementions and ask them to build it , then they get graded on it . Our local schools do wood building projects like that all the time and there is no labor cost :mrgreen:
 
skipm

skipm

Moderator
Staff member
Another similar option would be a technical college that teaches cabinetry.
I have to agree with Sadie, it seems like most commercially built stands are pretty pricey. That plus the fact that a good deal of the time they do not use the best materials to build with adds up to make me look for better alternatives. HTH, Skip
 
JeffDubya

JeffDubya

New Member
Hello all... I have returned! I saved some money after my last financial debacle and I am happy to announce that I purchased a 29 gallon setup today! Details to follow... but I am stoked!
 
JeffDubya

JeffDubya

New Member
I purchased a Fluval 205 cannister filter, which is 180 GPH. Not quite the 290 GPH (10xVolume) as Skip suggested back in the day, but I am also adding 2 power heads for water movement that will put me over the recommended amount.

I am getting the 30" Coralife Lunar Aqualights Compact Fluorescent Strip Lights.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 2004&Nty=1

I have laid down a layer of base rock and coarse sand, live rock goes in tomorrow.

Anyone know where I can get more hose for the Fluval 205? Don't ask...

I am SO EXCITED! :D
 
JeffDubya

JeffDubya

New Member
The power heads are catalina CA-200 which are 180 GPH. So... between the 180 GPH fluval and 2 180 GPH power heads, we have 540 GPH of movement in a 29 gallon tank. Anyone approve? Am I doing good so far? Lemme know...
 
skipm

skipm

Moderator
Staff member
Flow rate is great, you have some good lighting coming for most corals, and you are off to a great start. If you are using a sponge or bio-media in the Fluval that may cause some nitrate problems a bit later, the sponge could be taken out and thoroughly rinsed at least once a week but it would be a pain to do. You could either replace tghe bio-media with things like Chemipure, carbon, Phosban, etc. or you could also replace it with LR rubble. Keep us posted and feel free to ask any questions you have.
BTW, the 10x turnover rate is a minimum, rule of thumb. Corals like SPSs like more flow and are quite happy in tanks with 40-50x turnover rate.
 
JeffDubya

JeffDubya

New Member
I am thinking that I may upgrade the power heads to something larger. While they move the water around, I really don't "feel" it much.

Question... the bagged sand / coral... should that be rinsed first? (I think I know the answer to this.) It sure is making a mess that takes a long time to clear in the tank.

I'm wishing I had just a bit more rock, so it's probablt off to the pet store for me today!

Skip... I'm glad you're still here! Back last year you were always great to me, and re-reading your old posts has really given me quite a bit of info to work with, even now. Can you tell I was paying attention? :lol:
 
JeffDubya

JeffDubya

New Member
(And I am planning primarily on SPS and softies.) I'm hoping to seed with a handful of frags and let nature do the rest. Recommendtions on species aren't too early at this point!

I'm assuming you'd be cool with my powerhead strategy...
 
TimSchmidt

TimSchmidt

New Member
If you want SPS I think a wave maker and several more powerheads would be a wise investment. I don't have any experience with SPS, I'm just going off what I've read on this site.
 
JeffDubya

JeffDubya

New Member
I swapped the two 180 GPH powerheads for much nicer 270 GPH units. Whooooo what a difference. I can really see the current moving around in there. So now, we're looking at 720 GPH, which is about 18.5 x the size of the tank, which puts me pretty close to the middle of the turnover rates that Skip provided.

Added Bio-Spira yesterday, and today the tank has its' first fishy inhabitants. I know the debate on aging a tank with fish, but for now that is the route I have chosen. Please, no flames. I have a couple green chromis damsels, 2 domino damsels, 1 yellow tail damsel and one damsel called a "fiji devil" which was a mistake... the price was right and I mistook it for a Stark's Damsel.

I plan on probably trading in all the damsels when I am ready to begin adding the really cool stuff in a month or so.

Oh, and the guy who sold me the tank gave me 8 little hermit crabs, too. He said to go ahead and put them in now. Not sure about that one, but I guess we shall see.

We have a population! Whee!
 
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Salty Dog

New Member
I have a 24 gallon nano. I set it up a month a go. My 2 biggest complaints are: Lack of slots for wires from heater skimmer and extra power heads. And the over flow box does not attach to the tank it uses the flow of water to hold it. What is that all about. Other wise my anemoe and zoos are doing wery well under the light. I will say i started my tank with rock, sand, and h2o from my swim tank which has been established for 3 years.
 
skipm

skipm

Moderator
Staff member
I would say that you have been reading. On the sand rinsing, if you buy bagged livesand then you add it liquid part and all without rinsing, otherwise rinsing is up to the individual. Some people rinse to rid the tank of some of the cloud causing stuff and others don't saying the fine particles add to the sandbed. Either way is fine, the dust storm settles after several days or you don't have one.
Your plan to trade the damsels is a good one, in the meantime watch them to make sure they aren't bullying the chromis.
Keep us posted on your progress.
 
JeffDubya

JeffDubya

New Member
skipm said:
BTW, the 10x turnover rate is a minimum, rule of thumb. Corals like SPSs like more flow and are quite happy in tanks with 40-50x turnover rate.
Click to expand...
TimSchmidt said:
If you want SPS I think a wave maker and several more powerheads would be a wise investment. I don't have any experience with SPS, I'm just going off what I've read on this site.
Click to expand...
OK guys... I added that wavemaker.

I now have a Fluval 205 cannister filter (180 GPH), Two Aqua Clear 50 Power Heads (270 GPH ea) and a Zoo Med Powersweep 226 Wave Maker (190 GPH) for a total exchange of 910 gallons per hour.

I am still trying to keep a fish alive for more than 24 hours. After acclimating a little domino damsel for about 2 hours yesterday, I dropped him in there and the poor little dude really struggled with the current.

Is it possible to have TOO MUCH current?
 
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