My 8 Oceanic Nano..So it begins.....

[davidhughes85]

This is my first nano to do. I have broken down my 55 and used the proceeds to fund this venture. I chose the 8 gallon because I want this thing to fit on my desk when I get a Real Job (hopefully not too far away) This is opening the box with tons of excitement and visions of wonderful tiny reefs dancing through my head.

I took out the bioballs and not knowing how to do any mods to this model I left it as is (if you have any suggestions let me know!) the water level was too low in the first and second chambers for me to put the heater in there so I had to put it outside.

I wasnt happy with this rock formation because of that huge rock on the bottom left was really fat and was taking up too much real estate, and since nanos have such little space i took a hammer to it, and broke it into a billion pieces because coral rock is very fragile and im an idiot. So now i have this

well the new formation sucks, I do like the bottom, a couple nice caves and a little overhang there in the middle but i need some larger pieces to replace those funky ones on top..Any aquascaping tips here or opinions are great! By the way I used all cured live rock straight from my other tank and half old sand and water from the old tank also so I wouldnt cycle. Anyways opinions, suggestions, rantings are all appreciated!!!!

 

[chill105]

I've posted mods and progress of my BC8 over on those "other" nano forums (mods include fuge light, improved flow, auto water changer).

You can check it out here:
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=97202

 

[pitbullpooch]

i think the aquascaping looks better in the second pic. i dont like the nanos with big rocks so the second pic after you broke it up looks more natural to me.

 

[TellyFish]

break them up more

 

[Raibaru]

Looks nice. I need to setup a nano tank to put my damsel in since I was an idiot and didn't listen to advice.

Trying to decide on one of these all in one systems or just picking up a little 5.5g somewhere.

5.5g is much cheaper, but these all in ones look so much nicer. What made you decide on the 8g BioCube over the 6g NanoCube, AquaPod, Eclipse and the like?

 

[rjwilson37]

Looking good, can't wait to see some more.

I like the new Oceanic and it looks like a sweet setup, but the price is still way up there. You can get an Aquapod 24g right now for $169, and that is the same price as your 8g Oceanic cube. The 14g Oceanic cube is like $249 and you can get a 12g Aquapod for $129 which that price difference is your LR and then some.

 

[davidhughes85]

I chose the oceanic because it just seemed so much better built and solid. Also this one has two water intakes one on the bottom and one on the top. The one on the top has the teeth like a surface skimmer so u dont have to buy one of those accessories. Yea the price is steep but i paid for it with my 55 i broke down and got credit (which they really cheat you dont do it, at least my lfs)

 

[davidhughes85]

update 9-19 nitrates are high so I went and bought some Chemi Pure to put in the second chamber..anyone use this stuff?

 

[davidhughes85]

ok try number three on aquascaping broke up some rock whatda think?

 

[pitbullpooch]

the aqauscaping looks great. i am making my new 2.5 kinda like that with a little tunnel in the middle. you probably wont need anymore rock since you will be getting more with frags that you buy so it should fill in nicely as you add the frags. i messed up alot of times by adding to much then would have to remove some to add the frags but you can always add leftover rock to your fuge in the back. well good luck

 

[ppht]

3 looks good to me, where did you get that nano?

 

[ppht]

chill105
I checked out your nano very nice setup.. That Autochangeover is genius!

 

[davidhughes85]

Thanx pitbull

I got it at my lfs for about 150 sumthin

 

[davidhughes85]

chill105 ive taken your ideo and ran with it all for about 18 bucks...solid wood enclosure, will show pics tomm

 

[GobyJohnKenobi]

If you want to raise the water level in the last compartment, just add more water to the tank. The level will stay wherever you set it.

That's what I did with my BC8. I didn't widen the opening from the first chamber like others are doing.

I was able to put my heater in the third compartment with the pump so its thermostat will also register the heat given off by the pump. I placed the thermometer sensor in the first compartment to register the temp from the tank.

Sorry I didn't mention this earlier, great aquascaping there!

 

[CPT. MURPHY]

Nice!

CPT.

 

[davidhughes85]

thanks guys and thanx for the tip about the water level goby...I have a bag of chemi pure in the second compartment is this enough that i can take out the filter cartridge? And if so what catches the big stuff?

 

[Laura Senchuk]

I cut a piece of poly filter for mine. I have the chemi in there also.

 

[davidhughes85]

I did it!!!! refugium mod heres the pics in total cost me 18 dollars


First, I took a razor blade to the back panel

Then I took some tack nails and some light wood and made a simple box and used wood filler for any cracks.

Then I went and bought a 9 watt undercabinet florescent light fixture made by FEIT from LOWES.I took velcro and attached the light inside the box and then used thin strips of velcro to mount on the back of the cube

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!

 

[davidhughes85]

Prob will be painting black at some point