I want to do it right the first time, this time!

[elmatth1]

I'll be downsizing from a 75gallon down to a nano style tank in the near future and don't want to have to buy things two or three times trying to get it right like I did with my 75 gallon. This time I want to do it right the first time. I've been doing alot of research on here and think i've found some quality products that will give me something I can be proud of. I'll be mainly interested in keeping LPS, Softies, some Ricordeas, mushrooms, and zoo's. Of course, who knows how long it will be before I get bit by the SPS bug again, so i'd like to have some margin of error in case I decide to go that route in the future. So, anyway, here's what's on my shopping list, so please give me some feedback on how you think it'll work for me.

Cadlights 25g 150wHQI http://www.cadlights.com/product_info.php?products_id=89&osCsid=f918fca667ba6d434ef7506c19a5b7fd

Sapphire Skimmer http://www.sapphireaquatics.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4

Reefkeeper 2 http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info.php?products_id=215

JBJ Auto Top Off System http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info.php?cPath=36&products_id=83

One or two Maxi-jet 900 or 1200's used with the wavemaker feature of the Reefkeeper 2. I'll probably buy some Hydor Flo's for the Maxi-jet's for more random flow.

Let me know what you think. Is there anything you would change or add to this list?

 

[YellowDesmo998]

If you do a 20%-25% weekly water change (which is real easy for a 25g) there really isn't a need for a skimmer. It's nice to have and may give you a buffer for error but not necessary IMO.

Go with the MJ1200's. You can always add an elbow or a small ball valve to reduce flow, but you can't go the other way without upgrading the pump.

The rest looks good. I assume you'll transfer your existing LR to the nano. I wouldn't transfer the LS but would start with fresh sand and seed it with some LS from your existing tank. My reasoning behind this is by stirring up enough LS to fill the nano, you'll inevitably start a mini cycle that could cascade to your LR and kill some of the good stuff off. By using new sand and fully cured LR you shouldn’t have a cycle at all because there isn’t anything being stirred up or to die off. I'm sure others will chime in on this.

 

[mahalamata]

pretty much what idid with my "downsize" project.opted for CaribSea live sand and the LR from my old tank with most of the water comming from there also.i experienced hardly any cycling at all.ao dont see why it wont work for you.Good luck!!!!

 

[elmatth1]

Thanks for the input, that is exactly what I was going to do with the sand. I figure a cup of the existing live sand should be plenty. I was also looking at dosing kalk or two-part or something but was really wanting to automate it without going to a CA reactor... any ideas on that? Maybe something that the Reefkeeper could control?

 

[elmatth1]

YellowDesmo, I see you're into sport bike racing. I just got rid of my Suzuki TL-R v-twin this summer. My one year old daughter takes up alot of my time so i figured it was either the bike or the aquarium, and the aquarium won. Although, I am downsizing, so it looks like my daughter won in the competition for my time! Just the way I would want it though!

 

[mahalamata]

hehehe,just what i am after too.once ive got some more cash i want to buy a top of system.the ones with the float switches cotrolling a pump in a RO/DI resevoir for topping off evaporated water.what i am planing is this...
i use Seachem powders to control Alk and Cal in the water.so once i have established the alk consumption rate the following formula should give you the amount of aditive to add to your top off tank:
m=0.08va
(m= grams to add to top off water,
v=volume of tank in liters,
a=amount alk needs to be raised by in meq/L)
same principle for Calcium but the formula is:
m=vc/400
(m= grams to add to top off water,
c=amount calcium needs to be raised by in mg/L,
v=volume of tank in liters)
no this work for Seachem additives(in theory...)the bonus here is that you can add all sorts to your top off water like marine snow,iodine,magnesium etc etc
i have been told that ESV B-Ionic is a superb 2-part additive

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_additives_esv_b-ionic.asp?CartId=

i have never used kalk dosing but i have read that if you get it wrong ph can sky rocket(or drop alot.. either way can muck things up)and since i have a nano too, i havent got alot of water volume for it to be forgiving.....
this is the top of im thinking of getting

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=280060188863&rd=1&rd=1

hope thi little "essay" makes sence to you and helps you in your choice! keep us up to date with your progress!

hope this is some help with your choice

 

[elmatth1]

Well, I sold off most of the equipment from my 75 gallon and have all of my livestock in a 10 gallon for the time being. So I went ahead and bought the CAD Lights 25 gallon, Sapphire skimmer, Reefkeeper 2 and JBJ ATO. Supposed to be here either tomorrow or early next week.

I held off on the Maxi-jet's until I see how hot the MH lights make the tank. I will probably end up with two MJ900's on Hydor flo's to help keep the temp down some as they are about 1/2 the watts of the 1200. I'm looking for a way to mount the two Maxi-jets so only the Hydor flo's are exposed on the inside of the tank. I know I could do what yellowdesmo did on his, but I want mine more toward the sides of the tank. Any idea's on how to do that?