The Kapenta Kid
New Member
Hi,
I have been keeping FW fish for several years and have decided to try a nanoreef.
I have a spare 15gal tank, actually nearer 17 gal since it is 24" long by 12" wide by 14" high (it is a metric tank). This is the tank I will use.
I have been lurking here and on other sites trying to learn as much about beginning nano-reefkeeping as possible.
Here are my plans, based on what I have read. Nothing is purchased yet. I would like to get some input from experienced people first.
Bio-material:
20 lbs live sand (Aragalive)
22 lbs live rock (probably Fiji prime, cured)
Lighting:
Nova Extreme T5 HO Canopy, 4 tubes 50/50 96W, plus Moonlight.
Filtration:
I had intended using a HOB converted to fuge, but I have seen the CPR HOB Aqua-fuge which has a capacity of 3.6 gals. I think it might be better to use this fuge as a HOB. IMO it is rather pricey for what it is, just a box with some baffles, pump, and plumbing, but it looks like a good idea to use it as a HOB rather than the other way round. If the pump, not specified, is too small I can use another power head in it. Put some floss and carbon in it for mech/chemical and perhaps live mud and/or rock. Eventually macro algae.
Agitation:
Probably a couple of Maxi-Jet PH or even two Mini-Jet PH because of the size saving. The Maxi-Jet has a footprint of 7 sq in, the Mini is only 54% of this. Two of the latter would give 300 gph which added to whatever I get from the Fuge pump should be adequate. The Micro-Jet has only 37% of the Maxi footprint, but two of them would only give 230 gph.
I want turbulence. The Hydor FLO is inexpensive but it looks a bit clunky to hide in a small tank and it probably has a gph penalty too, so I will go for the Natural Wave Timer which has three programmable outlets to plug pumps into.
That seems about it apart from odds and ends like heater, timers etc.
I'd really appreciate any comments on my plans and one the alternatives suggested in them, or others that you may think better.
I have been keeping FW fish for several years and have decided to try a nanoreef.
I have a spare 15gal tank, actually nearer 17 gal since it is 24" long by 12" wide by 14" high (it is a metric tank). This is the tank I will use.
I have been lurking here and on other sites trying to learn as much about beginning nano-reefkeeping as possible.
Here are my plans, based on what I have read. Nothing is purchased yet. I would like to get some input from experienced people first.
Bio-material:
20 lbs live sand (Aragalive)
22 lbs live rock (probably Fiji prime, cured)
Lighting:
Nova Extreme T5 HO Canopy, 4 tubes 50/50 96W, plus Moonlight.
Filtration:
I had intended using a HOB converted to fuge, but I have seen the CPR HOB Aqua-fuge which has a capacity of 3.6 gals. I think it might be better to use this fuge as a HOB. IMO it is rather pricey for what it is, just a box with some baffles, pump, and plumbing, but it looks like a good idea to use it as a HOB rather than the other way round. If the pump, not specified, is too small I can use another power head in it. Put some floss and carbon in it for mech/chemical and perhaps live mud and/or rock. Eventually macro algae.
Agitation:
Probably a couple of Maxi-Jet PH or even two Mini-Jet PH because of the size saving. The Maxi-Jet has a footprint of 7 sq in, the Mini is only 54% of this. Two of the latter would give 300 gph which added to whatever I get from the Fuge pump should be adequate. The Micro-Jet has only 37% of the Maxi footprint, but two of them would only give 230 gph.
I want turbulence. The Hydor FLO is inexpensive but it looks a bit clunky to hide in a small tank and it probably has a gph penalty too, so I will go for the Natural Wave Timer which has three programmable outlets to plug pumps into.
That seems about it apart from odds and ends like heater, timers etc.
I'd really appreciate any comments on my plans and one the alternatives suggested in them, or others that you may think better.
