10 Gal. Start up with pic links...

[D-Captain]

Hey all...I've been a silent observer of the forums for over a year. I've had 10 gal, 29 gal, and 75 gal setups in the past. I had to tear down the 75 when a promotion at work caused neglect--not to worry, all the inhabitants found good homes.

I just couldn't stay away though, and now have some spare time. So I set up a 10 gal in my son's room (pics to follow, just click the links...).

Equipment:

10 gal AGA with "custom" stand and canopy (not my best work)
AC 70 HOB/with live rock/carbon/phosban--200 gph
Power sweep PH--160 gph
18"Coralife PC 96W quad
50W heater
~10 lbs. life rock
~10 lbs. life sand

Livestock:

1 yellowtail blue damsel
1 firefish
5 mini blue leg hermits
1 scarlet hermit
6 astea snails
2 nasarius snails

1 frogspawn
2 green/pink riccordia
4 types of zoos
1 tiny torch
1 kenya tree

What do you all think? Thanks...Craig

 

[kkyyllee]

how long has it been set up?

 

[D-Captain]

kkyyllee,

I started it 4 weeks ago today. Having a diatom bloom as we speak. I'm hoping things settle down a little soon. H20 Params:

pH 8.1
dkh 11.0
Ca 370
Mg 1360
1026
78 deg
0 ammonia
0 P04
0 Nitrite/trate


Thanks...Craig

 

[1pix4c]

looks great so far

 

[duhfactor]

Dude,
I like the hood, any larger pics of the hood? Looks great!!!

D

 

[D-Captain]

Quick update...

Quick update...

I went to the lfs today and picked up some more live rock. I'm guessing there's around 15 lbs. in the tank now. I also picked up a new coral. I'm pretty sure it's a montipora digitata. The tank is coming along--not going too fast with the stocking though. I'm trying to decide on one more small fish--possibly a sixline wrass. Here a couple of new pix. Enjoy...Craig

 

[D-Captain]

Added gravity auto top-off...

Added gravity auto top-off...

I was looking for a relatively inexpensive top-off for my 10-gal and came across "The Sun Tea Jar" method in the Nano DIY forum. I decided to make my own out of acrylic. It holds approx. 1 gal of makeup RO H2O. Pics to follow...

The construction was simple--I used standard woodworking tools to cut the acrylic to size and Weld-On 3 and 4 with a needle applicator for the glue up. I drilled and tapped the vessel for the fittings, added the 2" stopper and tested its operation. It worked great. It's on the tank now and working very well. I'm hoping to get at least 3-4 days of top-off water per fill. Also, I'll be adding my supplements to the top-off. Should be really stable...What do you all think? Craig

 

[StunnaShadez]

looks good

 

[duhfactor]

C,
That top off looks great in the pics, is it working still as expected?

D

 

[Absinthe]

Very nice