britreefer
New member
yeah 2.5 is a tad small. what size you going to upgrade to? I saw you dont have much room to play with so will be cool to see what you come up with.
Kasey's Kube
- Thread starter kaserpick
- Start date
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Right now, I'm toying with the idea of a 5.5g; it's really the only factory tank I can purchase that'll fit in the stand, unless I get expensive. Otherwise, I'd have to custom make it or have it custom made, and I really don't want to go that route.
I'm currently working on 2 in-sump reactors. These will be designed to be much more aggressive than just placing media in a filter bag; on the other hand, I don't believe they'll be quite as aggressive as a conventional reactor. With such a small system, I'm trying to be careful that I don't make the filtering system too aggressive. It has to have a balance. Once everything ships in, I'll be posting pics and explaining the design.
The ATO is a float valve, simple yet reliable. I'll be using this for Kalkwasser. Despite the tank size, I'm not afraid to dose this system with super-saturated solution. Although at first, I will start with a half solution and monitor my KH. I doubt the system would take in the amount of carbonates that would be supplied in S-S solution.
Lastly, the final improvement I'm making is a drain box. This will keep the sump from producing a ton of salt creep and help keep micro bubbles out of circulation (I'm also using baffles to help with that as well). There will be no filter socks or sponges. I want this to be simple.
I'm currently working on 2 in-sump reactors. These will be designed to be much more aggressive than just placing media in a filter bag; on the other hand, I don't believe they'll be quite as aggressive as a conventional reactor. With such a small system, I'm trying to be careful that I don't make the filtering system too aggressive. It has to have a balance. Once everything ships in, I'll be posting pics and explaining the design.
The ATO is a float valve, simple yet reliable. I'll be using this for Kalkwasser. Despite the tank size, I'm not afraid to dose this system with super-saturated solution. Although at first, I will start with a half solution and monitor my KH. I doubt the system would take in the amount of carbonates that would be supplied in S-S solution.
Lastly, the final improvement I'm making is a drain box. This will keep the sump from producing a ton of salt creep and help keep micro bubbles out of circulation (I'm also using baffles to help with that as well). There will be no filter socks or sponges. I want this to be simple.
Charley Diesing
New member
Updateee?
Hey!
We can all see the circle is green.
We can all see the circle is green.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Well the tank has taken a slightly better course. Due to Dino issues, I lost pretty much everything. With that in mind, I scrapped all of the rock and sand; that means the bonsai aquascape was abandoned. The newfound sadness I felt, almost caused me to leave the hobby. But, instead I decided to take a new approach to this tank. I ended up buying 25 pounds of Marco Rocks and 5 pounds of live rock. Currently, the system houses the 5 pounds of live rock in the sump and 15 pounds of Marco in the display. Using cement and acrylic rods, I designed an aquascape that some would call bonsai, but I don't think it utilizes enough empty space to be considered minimalist, which might mean it's not bonsai, either. 
I also exchanged the crushed coral for dry aragonite sand. My MP20 has moved onto the bottom of the tank. I'm not quite satisfied with how it's hidden, but I like the results. I have an MP40 controller; once I buy the corresponding power supply, I'll upgrade it to an MP40. This is simply planning for the future. If the tank is successful, I'm going to need more flow later down the road.
Currently, there are 2 Ocellaris clowns and 3 'Blue Eyed' Cardinals (I don't know the species, but they're not Threadfin's). Clownfish are super common, but I can't escape the joy of watching them swim.
The cardinals group together and are a great addition to this tank. The only coral is an approx. 4" Fungia, purple rimmed.
Lastly, I tiled the top of the stand for fun. My wife and I moved to a different apartment during the holidays. This offered me a chance to rearrange things. Tiling just seemed like a great idea, and I love the look.
The tanks been running for 2 months. For mechanical filtration, I'm using a BRS reactor with RowaPhos and left over KZ carbon. The LED's have been running with whites @ 55% and blues @ 65%; I ramped them up slowly for the Fungia. They currently run for 10.5 hours a day. I've been trying to get some algae growth. Finally, there is a small amount of diatoms. But, the tank house 10 nerites and about 20 dwarf ceriths, so the algae might be eaten as fast as it's grown. First WC is planned for this weekend. No water tests yet...just salinity.
I'll try to take pics...you guys know how that goes.
Hey Perry! Good to see you still around, too.
I also exchanged the crushed coral for dry aragonite sand. My MP20 has moved onto the bottom of the tank. I'm not quite satisfied with how it's hidden, but I like the results. I have an MP40 controller; once I buy the corresponding power supply, I'll upgrade it to an MP40. This is simply planning for the future. If the tank is successful, I'm going to need more flow later down the road.
Currently, there are 2 Ocellaris clowns and 3 'Blue Eyed' Cardinals (I don't know the species, but they're not Threadfin's). Clownfish are super common, but I can't escape the joy of watching them swim.
The cardinals group together and are a great addition to this tank. The only coral is an approx. 4" Fungia, purple rimmed.Lastly, I tiled the top of the stand for fun. My wife and I moved to a different apartment during the holidays. This offered me a chance to rearrange things. Tiling just seemed like a great idea, and I love the look.
The tanks been running for 2 months. For mechanical filtration, I'm using a BRS reactor with RowaPhos and left over KZ carbon. The LED's have been running with whites @ 55% and blues @ 65%; I ramped them up slowly for the Fungia. They currently run for 10.5 hours a day. I've been trying to get some algae growth. Finally, there is a small amount of diatoms. But, the tank house 10 nerites and about 20 dwarf ceriths, so the algae might be eaten as fast as it's grown. First WC is planned for this weekend. No water tests yet...just salinity.
I'll try to take pics...you guys know how that goes.
Hey Perry! Good to see you still around, too.
Fsurocks99
New member
Looks great Kasey!
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Looks great Kasey. Dinos made me feel like leaving the hobby too. But only a small feeling. No way would I leave the hobby that easy. I've restarted with Marco Key Largo rocks.
Your new scaping looks great. What are your plans for stocking with corals - both timeframe and selection of corals?
Your new scaping looks great. What are your plans for stocking with corals - both timeframe and selection of corals?
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Thanks Jack!
Thanks Sahin!
Here's my simple coral list:
Acropora Millepora, Green
Acropora Solitaryensis, Blue
Seriatopora Hystrix, Pink
Stylophora Pistillata, Purple
Montipora Digitata, Orange
These 5 corals with a nice T. Maxima, Neon Green Wall Hammer, and my Purple Rimmed Fungia will be the focus of the tank. I'm trying to go back to my roots in this hobby, when I didn't buy something because it was rare or fancy-named but because I loved the look of it. These are all pretty simple and common, but they're some of my favorites. I want to enjoy this hobby again.
As far as the timeframe goes, since I don't have access to nice stores where I live, I'll just be slowly acquiring them as I go. The Green Mille is coming soon though.
As some extra info, I'm toying with the idea of upgrading the guts in my LED fixture. I like the light, but I wish the color had more diversity. I'm looking to incorporate UV, green, and red.
Thanks Sahin!
Here's my simple coral list:
Acropora Millepora, Green
Acropora Solitaryensis, Blue
Seriatopora Hystrix, Pink
Stylophora Pistillata, Purple
Montipora Digitata, Orange
These 5 corals with a nice T. Maxima, Neon Green Wall Hammer, and my Purple Rimmed Fungia will be the focus of the tank. I'm trying to go back to my roots in this hobby, when I didn't buy something because it was rare or fancy-named but because I loved the look of it. These are all pretty simple and common, but they're some of my favorites.
I want to enjoy this hobby again.As far as the timeframe goes, since I don't have access to nice stores where I live, I'll just be slowly acquiring them as I go. The Green Mille is coming soon though.
As some extra info, I'm toying with the idea of upgrading the guts in my LED fixture. I like the light, but I wish the color had more diversity. I'm looking to incorporate UV, green, and red.
Last edited:
sahin
Ultimate Reefer
Thanks Jack!
Thanks Sahin!
Here's my simple coral list:
Acropora Millepora, Green
Acropora Solitaryensis, Blue
Seriatopora Hystrix, Pink
Stylophora Pistillata, Purple
Montipora Digitata, Orange
These 5 corals with a nice T. Maxima, Neon Green Wall Hammer, and my Purple Rimmed Fungia will be the focus of the tank. I'm trying to go back to my roots in this hobby, when I didn't buy something because it was rare or fancy-named but because I loved the look of it. These are all pretty simple and common, but they're some of my favorites.
As far as the timeframe goes, since I don't have access to nice stores where I live, I'll just be slowly acquiring them as I go. The Green Mille is coming soon though.
As some extra info, I'm toying with the idea of upgrading the guts in my LED fixture. I like the light, but I wish the color had more diversity. I'm looking to incorporate UV, green, and red.
I dont care for lineage etc (no such thing in the UK anyway), but some of the named corals I like them for the colours, not because its the latest "in thing" to have or brag about.
I really like the ORA Pearlberry and the Icefire Echinata (the green body with blue tips). If I were in the USA I'd get my hands on those two.
I managed to get hold of the Aussie Echinata and the Strawberry Shortcake. Again, not because I can show off to my reefing buddies, but because they are very pretty corals that I like.
As for the LED unit, If you can pull it with the ability to dim the red and green LED's then adding them will be useful IMO. As for UV...I'd skip those. I'd add the new 420nm true 03 actinic LED's (which is still in the visible spectrum and useful for coral growth as well as that actinic pop when on by themselves). You can get them from LED group buy dot com. I dont think UV leds will do much for your corals - at least visibly nothing.
Look forward to your tank progressing.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Oh I definitely agree; there are some gorgeous named corals, and I love the colors of many of them. I'm just speaking judgment on myself; I have a problem being satisfied. I see something different or the latest new coral, and I find myself buying it. If I keep it simple, I'll be less tempted to buy the latest and/or greatest. In the past, I've spent way too much money in this hobby. This is an attempt at keeping myself under control.
plyle02
Active member
Oh I definitely agree; there are some gorgeous named corals, and I love the colors of many of them. I'm just speaking judgment on myself; I have a problem being satisfied. I see something different or the latest new coral, and I find myself buying it. If I keep it simple, I'll be less tempted to buy the latest and/or greatest. In the past, I've spent way too much money in this hobby. This is an attempt at keeping myself under control.
Ha, Ha...Kasey, I am right here with you man, my last tank and all I spent, bells and whistles, high end corals, names, best skimmers, best this and best that all summed up to a break in the hobby... I am too am back, giving a 34 solana all in one a try. I was already planning on a skimmer upgrade, but why, the stock skimmer is pulling a crazy amount of stuff, and the standard 150 halide seems to more than aquequately support any life I can think of adding... So my point to myself this time around is just to go as basic as I can and lean on testing and water changes. I find the stock AIO Solana to be a challenge in my husbandry and maintenace skills, if somewhere down the line I deem it necessary to provide upgrades, I shall do so, until then, I want to enjoy the hobby slowly and certainly more cost effective, or at least make sure each upgrade is one that will show its return on investment
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Ha, Ha...Kasey, I am right here with you man, my last tank and all I spent, bells and whistles, high end corals, names, best skimmers, best this and best that all summed up to a break in the hobby... I am too am back, giving a 34 solana all in one a try. I was already planning on a skimmer upgrade, but why, the stock skimmer is pulling a crazy amount of stuff, and the standard 150 halide seems to more than aquequately support any life I can think of adding... So my point to myself this time around is just to go as basic as I can and lean on testing and water changes. I find the stock AIO Solana to be a challenge in my husbandry and maintenace skills, if somewhere down the line I deem it necessary to provide upgrades, I shall do so, until then, I want to enjoy the hobby slowly and certainly more cost effective, or at least make sure each upgrade is one that will show its return on investment
Exactly, Perry! Every time I bought something there was always something 'better'. Of course, I had to have it. This tank is modest.
There are some things I would like to do for convenience sake later down the road, not until I prove to be diligent with my husbandry, though. ...rehab for a reef-aholic. :lmao:
Thanks for the encouraging words, Steve. They mean a lot coming from someone with such a high quality tank build.
Well welcome back.
