bennerkla's 5.5 AGA Nano Reef Diary (Lots of PICS!!!)

Cool. I'm going to have the mini to start, and I just called my uncle and we are going to build a canopy sometime this summer. Once I get the canopy, I'll upgrade to the refugium.

My moonlights still haven't come in :(

My live rock should be here in about 4 days, once it comes in my tank will be set up!!! I'm very excited.

Any comments, questions, concerns?
 
doesn't AGA make an 8 gallon tank? it may fit your lights better if you don't want to go the canopy route
 
I don't really mind going the canopy route.

I bought a new Aqua Clear 300 filter today, so can anyone direct me towards the DIY aqua clear 300 refugium? I've searched the boards but can't find what i'm looking for. Moonlights still haven't come in but my liverock is ordered!

Thanks.
 
Here are pics of my ac500, the ac300 would be the same just with a smaller return area. Its not hard, just cut the baffle from some acrylic, silicon it in, let dry and your good to go.

The baffle is 6" high.
PA060015.jpg
 
The light is from one of the Viaqua betta .75g tanks. Has the tiny filter and light. The auto topoff was very simple. A 1gal rubbermade jar from walmart, battery powered airpump, float switch, and some air tubing. I drilled 2 holes in the jar, put a piece of hard tubing down to within an inch of the bottom of the jar, the other hole had some tuping sticking in about an inch. When the float turned the pump on, it pumps air into the jar thru the tubing that only sticks in 1 inch, and water comes out thru the stiff length up to flex airtubing to the tank.
 
Ben, your PM box is full. I'm DIYing another AC 300 and will have a thread with pics up either tomorrow or Monday. (One more piece to silicone in and I'll do that today.)
 
Ben,
Your setup is looking awesome! As for the lights, you might be able to build a moulding or frame that sits on the front and sides of your tank. You could make it to custom fit the stance of your mounting legs and it would also raise the fixture up a bit so it isn't on your ac.
Or, you could scrap the ac and use a modded cannister filter with a chaeto fuge instead. That's what I would do... er, did. :p
Whatever you do, this tank is gonna be nice.

- Chad
 
Ninjafish- Thanks for the kind comment. My live rock will be here sometime next week, so I'm trying to get that into my tank and cycled before I worry about my lights. I'm thinking I'm going to build a canopy, though. They don't look that difficult to build, just some wood and some precise measurements looks to do it. It's too late to scrap the AQ, I bought it yesterday and am following sugar's thread about building it into a refugium. I have a question though, I'll also have an AC mini running sponge and carbon, should I run the carbon while it's cycling? If so, how long? How long to use once it is cycled?

Thanks, my damn moonlights haven't come in yet!!!! Oh well, hopefully Monday.

Cya guys.
 
Cool cool. Lately I have been thinking about adding a moonlight to my tank so I am looking forward to seeing how it works for you.

- Chad
 
Thanks Chad. Anyone have any ideas on my carbon during cycling question?

Update 5/29/05

I think I've compiled a list of livestock that I want. Please help me alter it and see how it is.

Fish:
-None

Inverts:
-2 Sexy Shrimp
-4 Nassarius Snails
-2 Creith Snails
-3 Astrea Snails

Corals:
-Pulsing Xenia
-Finger Leather(small frag)
-Zooanthid colony
-Feather Duster
-Blue Stripped Mushrooms

Others:
-LS from tank and 10 lbs Fiji Premium LR
-Chaeto in fuge

What do you think?
 
For your lights leg problems, you could probably just fab up your own legs out of some 1/4" plexiglass, if you think you have the skill for it. Just would have to design the shape, and cut out 4 equal pieces.
 
Ben,
I don't know what the right answer is but I personally wouldn't run carbon while cycling. If the water is too clean it might prolong the process. I would stick with water changes until you have cycled and then once you have livestock, run carbon if you want/need. I am using it in my system because I like how it makes the water nice and clear. I am not concerned about removing nitrates or anything because my system stays pretty clean already.

- Chad
 
Alright, but should I run the sponge only in the aqua clear mini? My liverock will be in the tank before my refugium is set up. So it will be curing with only a sponge in the filter (with a powerhead and lights on). Is that okay?
 
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