Light Recs for Office Nano (and other ??'s)

[Jgoal55]

I'm going to set up an 18g rimless nano in my office and was wondering what a good (affordable) LED light would be for the tank. I think the tank is about 24" wide and about 12" tall. Looking to just keep a few softies and zoo's. Nothing crazy and obviously need this tank to be as low maintenance as possible. A nice, cheap clip-on LED would probably work fine. Only feature I would really want is the ability to operate blues and whites separately.

As for questions about the rest of the tank:

1) what filter should I use? Are penguin hang-ons still a good option (sans bio wheel)? Or is there something better out there?

2) to bare bottom or not to bare bottom? That is the question

3) ATO necessary or can I get away with manual top offs? I ask because Im on the road a lot so I don't always go to office but I do at least twice a week.

4) powerhead for flow...Yes or no?

Think that's it for now. Thanks for the help.

 

[rovster]

I used an aquaclear filter on mine. Seems popular with the nano crowd and I tank makes media baskets for them for extra customization. If it's open top I'd consider an ato. For the office you want it as low maintenance as possible. You can get a used tunze nano ATO for not too much. Bare bottom is a personal preference. I prefer sand but keep in mind the sand will look like crap for 6 months.

 

[G_Sanab922]

I agree with rovster, aqua clear is the way to go. Even consider converting it to a Refugium (google it).
As for light , the eBay LED grow light seems like a good option for you.

 

[knukles55]

Ocean revive t247 built in timers and affordable my tank is 24x24x12

 

[Jgoal55]

Thanks guys. AquaClear it is. Very cool that inTank makes media baskets for them. Will do ATO too. That way I don't have to worry on the occasional week I don't go into office.

As for the OceanRevive light, they're awesome, but a bit too large and more than I'm looking for. But thanks for suggestion (great tank size by the way).

A clip-on would be ideal. That way I don't have to deal with mounting, etc.

What about a powerhead? Think it's necessary? Or will flow from AquaClear be enough?

And lastly, I've always used RODI water, but not going to have an RODI system in office and I really don't feel like lugging buckets to and fro.

I don't mind doing first fill with RODI, but after that, will distilled work for top-off?

 

[rovster]

I'd add a small power head. The aquaclear flow might be enough but it's a weird pattern. Also don't get the aquaclear that coincides to the tank size, go bigger. I think I have the AC 70 on my 30 gal, but could have gone bigger too. This will give you more flexibility with what to do with the space (fuge, media, combo, etc...)

 

[dadummy]

A power head is necessary, two forms of flow in case one stops, of course on your week off. I have an aquaclear 50 and a cheapo sunsun powerhead( magnet mount, suction cups no good) on a 20g. Been going well for a couple years, tank has a few lps, mainly used to QT SPS. I think an ATO is overkill and potential to overfill the tank is a possibility, once again on vacation. I top off the 20g every few days when sps are in,to help with stability. Other than that it water level has been known to drop a couple inches before being topped off.

I would go with about an inch of sand, otherwise you will be syphoning out detritus, plus the sand help to keep frags from blowing around on the glass bottom. Plus I think sand looks better than BB.

Buy some distilled or spring water gallons and stick a tds meter in see which one is lowest, or fill up an empty jug with rodi, either way you still have to carry it in.

As for a light, beats me what's best. However, I do like the look of those slim Current fixtures, low profile on top of tank, colors seem pretty good at the LFS.

whatever you decide on will be fine, have fun with it, and keep it simple

 

[Jgoal55]

Thanks. I'll add the powerhead. I think I have an old Koralia nano lying around somewhere. Maybe even an AquaClear 10.

Is your 20 open top? This one will be which is why I'm considering ATO but yeah, without a double switch, it's risky.

Feel the same about sand, but have been wanting to try BB. But don't think this is the tank to do it with.

 

[dadummy]

yea, 20 has no canopy, open top, with led in old halide pendant,

just a thought
why not go with a biocube?, little evap, chambers in back for filtration, , not too muck to gut canopy and slap in some led

 

[Rogger Castells]

i had a Tunze comline filter, they are cheap but super high quality and provide plenty of filtration and easy to clean.

 

[sonic]

Make sure your office building doesn't turn off the AC at nights and weekends.

 

[Jgoal55]

just a thought

why not go with a biocube?, little evap, chambers in back for filtration, , not too muck to gut canopy and slap in some led

This would be too easy....lol.

Also, because I already have the tank so figured I'd use it. You're right though, bio cube is simplest solution by far.

i had a Tunze comline filter, they are cheap but super high quality and provide plenty of filtration and easy to clean.

Thanks Roger. Like you, I love Tunze. This might be a great option.

Make sure your office building doesn't turn off the AC at nights and weekends.

Good call! I'll double check.