FishMachine
New member
good luck. i cant wait to see the extra lights. thats 8 more watts.
bennerkla's 5.5 AGA Nano Reef Diary (Lots of PICS!!!)
- Thread starter bennerkla
- Start date
Philby
New member
bennerkla said:
Just thought I'd let you know I've been following and very interested because I'm going to be setting up a 5.5 in about a month!!! It'll be my first SW tank - so I'm sure I'll have many questions for you. I am already planning on usting the same light setup - although I might not add the extra lights you did - we'll see. I'm also hoping to DIY a little skimmer to fit in the HOB filter. I'd like to find a filter with 2 chambers - one on either side so I can have a skimmer on one side and a fuge on the other. I'm also planning on going BB since it'll give me a little more space (important in a nano) and because my GF is a neat freak - and dirty sand will drive her bonkers (as this nano is "for her" and will be sitting in her office at home - its important to keep her happy).
I've already gotten some ideas from you and I'm sure I'll get more as you start putting some life in your nano!
great job so far - thanks for documenting your setup so thoroughly!
No problem at all, glad your interested.
I chose to have my salt mix take care of my skimmer. With weekly water changes, I should be able to keep my perameters at bay.
I'm at a friends house right now, but my chaeto SHOULD be at my house right now, so I'm going to go check and drop it down in my fuge. I was thinking of installing a piece of wood that came off the back of my canopy to house my refugium light. IDN though, as that would be a PITA and maybe unnessesary.
I really should water test, I'll do that today as well.
Cya guys,
Ben
I chose to have my salt mix take care of my skimmer. With weekly water changes, I should be able to keep my perameters at bay.
I'm at a friends house right now, but my chaeto SHOULD be at my house right now, so I'm going to go check and drop it down in my fuge. I was thinking of installing a piece of wood that came off the back of my canopy to house my refugium light. IDN though, as that would be a PITA and maybe unnessesary.
I really should water test, I'll do that today as well.
Cya guys,
Ben
impur-I thought about painting the inside white, but once I remembered doing it the lights were already drilled. It would be hard to paint it now. That is another reason why I got the 2 20 watt screw ins, so I wouldn't have to worry about lighting as an issue. Whether I paint the inside or not, I should be able to keep all the corals I want to keep. Good thought though.
Ninjafish Thanks, I too can't believe how far I've taken this. I wanted it just to be a quick little room project, but it has turned into much, much more.
My chaeto didn't come!!!!! It's rediculous, but I'll just wait until tomorrow.
Cya guys,
Ben
Ninjafish Thanks, I too can't believe how far I've taken this. I wanted it just to be a quick little room project, but it has turned into much, much more.
My chaeto didn't come!!!!! It's rediculous, but I'll just wait until tomorrow.
Cya guys,
Ben
*Laugh* My $150 budget has gone completely downhill. I will outline my expenses here...
(Prices are approximated)
-5.5 AGA tank - $12
-Carib-Sea reef sand - $20
-50 watt heater - $12
-New 50 watt heater becuase old one sucked - $19
-Background - $7
-Live rock - $33 (GREAT deal here, could've easily been upper 80's)
-79 GPH powerhead (have yet to decide if needed) - $12
-AC Mini - $20
-AC 300 - $40
-Silicone, plexiglass, 13w light, chaeto for fuge, mini impeller - $44
-3 pack carbon for AC mini - $7
-2 x 18 watt lights - $43
-2 x 20 watt Mini PC - $28
-Fan w/ power supply - $10
-Auto top off relay w/ power supply - Free (lucky)
-Float switch - $9
-2 5-Gallon buckets and 1 2-Gallon bucket - $8
-Powerhead for auto top off - $10
-Sockets and cord for new screw in lights - $10
-Canopy/Base - Free DIY (VERY LUCKY, this could have cost about 80+ bucks.)
-Moonlights - $20
-2 55 gallon bags of IO salt - $20 (buy one, get one free)
-Test kit/ hydrometer - Used from previous system
-1/8" glass - $5
I think that's all, but I am almost sure I missed some stuff. Let me get out the calculator here and add this up...
Total - $389
Hmmm, well, screw it, close enough
oh, I forgot the Master Card ending...
Having a coral reef in your room - Priceless
(Prices are approximated)
-5.5 AGA tank - $12
-Carib-Sea reef sand - $20
-50 watt heater - $12
-New 50 watt heater becuase old one sucked - $19
-Background - $7
-Live rock - $33 (GREAT deal here, could've easily been upper 80's)
-79 GPH powerhead (have yet to decide if needed) - $12
-AC Mini - $20
-AC 300 - $40
-Silicone, plexiglass, 13w light, chaeto for fuge, mini impeller - $44
-3 pack carbon for AC mini - $7
-2 x 18 watt lights - $43
-2 x 20 watt Mini PC - $28
-Fan w/ power supply - $10
-Auto top off relay w/ power supply - Free (lucky)
-Float switch - $9
-2 5-Gallon buckets and 1 2-Gallon bucket - $8
-Powerhead for auto top off - $10
-Sockets and cord for new screw in lights - $10
-Canopy/Base - Free DIY (VERY LUCKY, this could have cost about 80+ bucks.)
-Moonlights - $20
-2 55 gallon bags of IO salt - $20 (buy one, get one free)
-Test kit/ hydrometer - Used from previous system
-1/8" glass - $5
I think that's all, but I am almost sure I missed some stuff. Let me get out the calculator here and add this up...
Total - $389
Hmmm, well, screw it, close enough
oh, I forgot the Master Card ending...Having a coral reef in your room - Priceless
impur
New member
bennerkla said:
Did you coat it with anything? Sealer? Varnish? Not sure about the effect of saltwater on untreated wood but i'm sure it can't be good. Just driving down the coast here in Oregon most of the wood houses need to be resided every couple years. I imagine the same effect would happen inside your hood.
FishMachine
New member
i meant 8 more watts per gallon
FishMachine
New member
i meant 8 more watts per gallon
Update 6-22-05
All right, I got my chaeto today, but I've encountered some minor problems. First off, the chaeto looks great I think. It'll definately be a nice addition. I added some sand to the bottom of the AC for pods. The only problem I've come in to is the lights. Well, first here are some pics.
You see how I have my top-off tube set up? Well, I like it there, becuase it gives the water a chance to mix a bit before the main tank. Also it is out of the way and seems to be okay. The light, However, doesn't really fit too well on top of it. So this is my plan...
This is just a quick sketch, so shut up. I'm going to extend a piece of wood off the back of my canopy to house the 13 watt light so it is clear of the auto top off tube and my heater. Will this idea work?
Well, I g2g to the pool now, but I'll post more once I get back. Comments welcome.
Cya guys,
Ben
All right, I got my chaeto today, but I've encountered some minor problems. First off, the chaeto looks great I think. It'll definately be a nice addition. I added some sand to the bottom of the AC for pods. The only problem I've come in to is the lights. Well, first here are some pics.
You see how I have my top-off tube set up? Well, I like it there, becuase it gives the water a chance to mix a bit before the main tank. Also it is out of the way and seems to be okay. The light, However, doesn't really fit too well on top of it. So this is my plan...
This is just a quick sketch, so shut up. I'm going to extend a piece of wood off the back of my canopy to house the 13 watt light so it is clear of the auto top off tube and my heater. Will this idea work?
Well, I g2g to the pool now, but I'll post more once I get back. Comments welcome.
Cya guys,
Ben
Hey guys. Well, since you were all to busy to comment on my plan ( 
) I decided to just go for it. So far it is working out much better than the previous one, and it looks much better IMO. Notice how I took Sugar Mongolia's advice and added the Emperor 1000 filter in the fuge. There are a couple things I wanted to ask...
1- Is the light okay with the acrylic splash guard? There will not be any water splashing up into the light as I see it. And if it does, the ballast is out of the way. Is this to worry about?
2-Is it okay to bring in my new freshwater into my refugium? Will that hurt my chaeto at all?
Thanks guys, enjoy the pictures, and I'll keep you all updated! I leave for Europe this Saturday and I won't be back until about July 8th, but once I get back my tank should be about done cycling.
Cya guys,
Ben
) I decided to just go for it. So far it is working out much better than the previous one, and it looks much better IMO. Notice how I took Sugar Mongolia's advice and added the Emperor 1000 filter in the fuge. There are a couple things I wanted to ask...1- Is the light okay with the acrylic splash guard? There will not be any water splashing up into the light as I see it. And if it does, the ballast is out of the way. Is this to worry about?
2-Is it okay to bring in my new freshwater into my refugium? Will that hurt my chaeto at all?
Thanks guys, enjoy the pictures, and I'll keep you all updated! I leave for Europe this Saturday and I won't be back until about July 8th, but once I get back my tank should be about done cycling.
Cya guys,
Ben
clown fanatic
New member
i would think that your ballast and everything should be ok as long as it has the splash guard. your chaeto should be ok i think, i dont see what the problem could be by adding freshwater through your fuge.
thats awesome that your going to europe! i would like to visit there and see how diffrent things are from here in the USA. i didnt comment earlier on your lighting design because i wasnt sure what it was that you were showing me . o well, it looks great BTW. hey when are you going to get some shots up of the new light you just added. im anxious to see how they will fit, and what i was going to say is that if they dont fit too good you could use them to light your fuge more.
thats awesome that your going to europe! i would like to visit there and see how diffrent things are from here in the USA. i didnt comment earlier on your lighting design because i wasnt sure what it was that you were showing me
. o well, it looks great BTW. hey when are you going to get some shots up of the new light you just added. im anxious to see how they will fit, and what i was going to say is that if they dont fit too good you could use them to light your fuge more.Thanks guys!! I'm very excited about the trip, I can't wait to share pictures when I get back.
The ballast should be okay, but the light has no splash guard. Will the light and connecting cords be okay?
Clown- I think I'll get my 20 watt bulbs tomorrow; don't have them yet. You can bet your last dollar that I'll post pics like crazy when I get them up. You can count on me, I take pics of everything!
The ballast should be okay, but the light has no splash guard. Will the light and connecting cords be okay?
Clown- I think I'll get my 20 watt bulbs tomorrow; don't have them yet. You can bet your last dollar that I'll post pics like crazy when I get them up. You can count on me, I take pics of everything!
