Nanoguy's 5.5g reef tank....

[nanoguy]

Howdy folks. After looking at all of the cool pico tanks around, I decided to dust off an old 5.5g in the shop and try to start a reef tank using only stuff I had or really budget minded stuff. Keep in mind this is my first try at a reef tank.So far the list is as follows:

5.5g All glass tank (had)
ViaAqua 36w light, 18w-12,000K Blue and 18w-7,000K White (had)
7w light for fuge (had)
Skilter for fuge (had)
50w heater (have like 5)
Other misc. items (thermometer, etc.)

I bought some black acylic off ebay to make an overflow and just bought some Agralive live sand. Just painted the back of the tank black and now have to wait on the acrylic to show up. Plan is to use the Skilter to hold rubble and for flow, I tested it and probably have to add a small powerhead to help.

Here is where I need some advice. Once the tank is cycled can someone give me a few ideas on some easy beginner corals? I don't know if the tank will have any livestock besides a cleanup crew but possibly a firefish goby. Perhaps a few sexy shrimp. Any other ideas on what you would like to see? I will get a few pics of the process as I can. Thanks, Ty

 

[drty811]

welocme to nanotank :mrgreen:

as for beginner corals, i would check out:

pulsating zenia(pom-pom or silver stalk),Button Polyp, Yellow Colony Polyp, zoanthids,Mushrooms, there are some easier soft corals like kenya tree, toadstool leather, ect.

i use www.liveaquaria.com as a reference all the time and order most my livestock from them too.

HTH

 

[nanoguy]

Thanks for the tips!

Got a few pics of the equipment.

Paint prep

Painted, it ain't winning no awards but it'll work.

36w light from ViaAqua.

50w heater.

Live sand to be divided between 5.5g and 12g Nanocube (when my ballast comes in).

Fuge light, 7w from a cheap 1g tank.

Skilter, soon to be cleaned and rebuilt as fuge.

That's it for now, have to wait for my acrylic to come in from ebay for my overflow. When I get it the work will continue. As always I'm open for suggestions. Ty

 

[drty811]

looks good, lookin forward to progress pics. keep us updated

 

[reefman23]

:welcome to nanotank.com!

I too look forward to seeing this tank progress. Keep us updated!

Jesse

 

[aquemeni5110]

Nice setup. Can't wait to see it in action. If you do plan to do an overflow for the skilter/fuge, try and build it big enough so that you don't have to top of so often. i did an overflow with an AC fuge and I have top off everyday. That's my .02 for ya but good luck and have fun with it. :mrgreen:

:welcome to Nanotank!

 

[skipm]

:welcome to the board!
Use some caution with the Skilter, they are built out of fairly thin plastic that is easy to crack.

 

[nanoguy]

Thanks skipm, I noticed that the skilter sucks. If you look at the over flow of the one in the pic you can see it's already cracked. Fortunately I have another one that I am probably going to use. If I wasn't so cheap I would just go buy an AC filter......who knows, by the time my acrylic gets here I might go buy one anyways.

 

[jay]

:welcome to Nanotank.com

Looks like you are off to a great start!
Can't wait to see more pics with your progress. :soldiers

Cheers,
Jay

 

[nanoguy]

It's murder waiting on the acrylic. I wish I could of found some local but it was all clear. On another note, I think I have the wife talked into a pico for her classroom. Probably start building when I get this tank going.