1st Nano reef Idea

[Ragman Jones]

1-2 month from now I plan on making my first nano reef

Until then, Im going to learn whatever I can in keeping and maintaining a nano reef.

Instead of typing my ideas, I made a picture:

I don't have the money to get a T5 light or, But I am getting a dual strip hood and making some modifications to it;
Like putting a polished aluminum reflector in it.

I Also don't have money for a RO/DI unit, So Im going to use distilled water (If distilled is ok, that is).

Right now,
Im Leaning heavily towards Vs1 with the alternate pluming (tubing).

Forgot to add That the egg crate will be pressed up against and silicone (marine safe silicone) to acrylic.

What do you guys think?

Tips and Constructive criticism wanted.

 

[Savas]

Nice picture and good thoughts on both. I think VS2 would be easier and cleaner.

You may consider buying an Aquapod or similar tank that has all of this built in. The cost is higher than building it yourself, but it is done for you. You may want to consider a used nano tank as well.

 

[Ragman Jones]

I have just about all materials needed for this (except Epoxy and Marine goop) and I've done things like this with freshwater tanks, So I know what Im doing and how to do it (I hope. lol).

Forgot to mention this will be in a 10 gallon.

Might get a small power head to add some current.

Would placing an activated carbon pouch in the sump area be a good idea? Just to give some added clarity to the water.

 

[Savas]

I always thinks activated carbon helps.

 

[jkrentz2515]

If you are going to use distilled then you might as well buy ro/di from the LFS.

 

[Ragman Jones]

Do they sell ro/di'd water? If you're talking about the units, then thats going to be later down the road. The cheapest one at the lfs is $200

 

[KarlBob]

Many LFS sell both RO/DI water and pre-mixed saltwater.

 

[Ragman Jones]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14497548#post14497548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by KarlBob
Many LFS sell both RO/DI water and pre-mixed saltwater.

Thats good to know

Im thinking about putting a Coral or neon blue goby/Pistol shrimp pair and a Fridmani Pseudochromis. Obviously im not going to put them in right away. I'm going to wait a month so everything can get acclimated and stabilized. during that month a clean up crew is going in.

Would that be an ok choice for fish?

 

[jkrentz2515]

I'd go with version 2 for more viewing angles, but I would move the pump to the far left and add another divider so the fuge algae doesn't get sucked up.

 

[IslandCrow]

Don't put a cleanup crew in your tank right away either. If you haven't already, check out the information in the top of this forum on cycling a tank. Generally, you're not going to have any livestock in your tank for at least the first couple of weeks, and more likely not until it's been up and running a month or more.

 

[Ragman Jones]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14498047#post14498047 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IslandCrow
Don't put a cleanup crew in your tank right away either. If you haven't already, check out the information in the top of this forum on cycling a tank. Generally, you're not going to have any livestock in your tank for at least the first couple of weeks, and more likely not until it's been up and running a month or more.

I've pretty much read every stickie here and googel'd a bit. lol

Heres what Im going to do:

Cut arcylic and marine goop in into place. While its drying, cut the egg crate to desired size and tie live fock pieces to it. Then great-stuff everything on place.

Once dry, Mix up marine safe epoxy and cover the now dry foam with a coat. While Epoxy is dry, cover it with crushed coral or sand.

Once dry, marine goop in to the acrylic that was gooped in earlier.

Let it cure for a day or two.

Mix up the RO/DI Water and salt (roughly 1/2 sea salt per gallon)

Add That aragonite sand, and life rock I have left (lfs here sells natural Caribbean aragonite), and slowly add water.

Let it sit for 3-5 weeks to cycle (while performing regular tests). Add clean up crew after 3-5 weeks.
Let sit another couple weeks (still testing).

If all looks good a few weeks after lean up crew, add fisheis.


Thats what I managed to make out of the "newbies guide" thing stickied here.

If I left something out or misinterpreted something, please let me know.

 

[Ragman Jones]

I just read (through a google search about cycling tips) the smaller tank have a much shorter cycling time than larger. Makes sense, but is there any truth to that?