My Nanocube

[Fishtails]

So hey guys, got a nice tank from DMBillies. It's a 24G Nanocube. I started it up on the 8th of this month and it's been running fine for the past few days.

Specs so far.
#30 of LR mixed with some "lava rock".
#25 of livesand mixed in with some black sand.
Hydor Nano & MJ1200 mod
Media consist of filter floss, Matrix media and Seagel by Seachem. I use tapwater and I know phosphates in it are teribble. I want to avoid cyano or any type of nasty algae bloom as much as possible. I just placed some type of algae in main system and will throw in sump area when light arrives.

As for future plans for this tank is strictly soft mixed with hardies LPS coral since I've opted for the PC's over MH unit. I prefer the closed hood look and color of the PCs. Fish wise I want a pair of True Percs, Flameback or Cherub angel, watchman goby/pistol shrimp and a six line or some type of smaller wrasse. I think that's all for now. I'm super excited, it's been close to 4 years since I last had a tank going. This one is a work in progress but I will try to keep you all updated as well as upgrade my camera. This one on my cell will have to suffice for now.

 

[eyebedam]

Looks good

 

[supertech99]

nice cave execution! Its gonna look real nice with when you get some corals grown in there. I bet you that if you put a cleaner shrimp in there he will totally hang out upside down in that cave front and center!

 

[Fishtails]

Thanks guys. My aim was to have the cave with overhang approach. I like how it turned out. Tested my water today and it seems like the cycle has begun. Ammonia test 0.5, Trates 0 and Trites were 1.0 I believe. I'm going to add a few members of my CUC as soon as the levels drop and I get some diatoms. Also saw my first fews pods today scavenging the rockwork. Supertech99, see your in the Boro, always good to see some folks nearby. I'm over near campus.

 

[hobbyfish]

That looks nice man! I have a 14g nano and I love it. The 24 should give you plenty of room to play with. I'll be looking forward to future pics.

 

[sandalscout]

Yep, I like it!

 

[gannmann9876]

i love the cave very nice

 

[supertech99]

There are lots of us here in the boro!.......we are everywhere!

 

[Fishtails]

Thanks for the compliments guys. Quick question. I'm using some regular ol' filter floss in the sump. How often should I change it out?

 

[NeveSSL]

Looks good!

Personally, I change filter floss in my nano (pillow stuffing from walmart ) about every 2 to 3 days. Its usually quite nasty by then. It amazes me the stuff it catches.

If you're up for it, a media rack will fit well in that first chamber. I had a friend help me build mine and it didn't take very long and works great. The first shelf is shallow and holds the filter floss, the second shelf is larger and holds a bag of Chemi-Pure Elite and the third shelf is smaller and holds a bit of Purigen. Works really well!

Brandon

 

[Fishtails]

Looks good!

Personally, I change filter floss in my nano (pillow stuffing from walmart ) about every 2 to 3 days. Its usually quite nasty by then. It amazes me the stuff it catches.

If you're up for it, a media rack will fit well in that first chamber. I had a friend help me build mine and it didn't take very long and works great. The first shelf is shallow and holds the filter floss, the second shelf is larger and holds a bag of Chemi-Pure Elite and the third shelf is smaller and holds a bit of Purigen. Works really well!

Brandon

Sounds like a DIY project I wouldn't mind doing. I'll have to look into that. Also NeveSSL noticed your NC on NR.com, looks great. You're local as well. I'd love to meet up with you guys sometime and check out some tanks and well just converse.

Also noticing a lot of diatoms beginning to collect on my LR. Has yet to get on the glass. I'm happy of course. Hopefully this ugly stage doesn't last too long. Been since lots of pods over the rocks as well.

 

[NeveSSL]

Its not bad at all.

Glad you saw my tank! It is really doing very well. I'm really happy with it and I'm definitely ready to A) get a bigger tank and B) redo the one I have at home.

Yeah, we should definitely all get together some time. There are a bunch of people out this way. I'm hoping to make it over to Spring Hill to hang out with those guys one day, too.

Brandon

 

[Fishtails]

OK. So today is the first week anniversary for my tank and I was greeted by a nice diatom bloom. Took a water sample to my job and tested, levels are as follows. Amm-0.25, Trite 0.5 and Trates are around 20. Cycle is still going on. I decided to stop by Fins and Fur and check them out, ended up picking up some blue legs and some magarita snails. Acclimated and added to the tank. They all immediately went to work on the algae on the rock and sandbed. I'm satisfied, however I am sure I paid wayyy to much for 8 CUC members total. I'll be ordering the rest of my CUC from reefcleaners, great prices and all I've been reading is good reviews. I'll figure I'll get some pictures soon, but really need to get myself a decent camera and maybe wait for this ugly stage to pass. So far my re-emergence to the hobby has proven to be pretty fun. It's a lot easier having better access to funds and sites like here.

 

[Fishtails]

If you're up for it, a media rack will fit well in that first chamber. I had a friend help me build mine and it didn't take very long and works great. The first shelf is shallow and holds the filter floss, the second shelf is larger and holds a bag of Chemi-Pure Elite and the third shelf is smaller and holds a bit of Purigen. Works really well!

Brandon

When you made your DIY rack did you follow someone's guidelines or did you happen to make yours according to your plans? I ask because I've checked around for DIY projects, haven't found many and I've found a site that sells em but for the price I think a DIY would be a lot cheaper.

 

[NeveSSL]

I just kind of winged it. Its a very simple concept and I agree, the media racks for sale are just too expensive.

I took some measurements of the compartment on my tank, looked at the ones for sale, cut the pieces for it, and glued it together. I made little eggcrate shelves to hold each item I was putting in it. Worked out really well and probably only cost about $10 or $15 overall. Granted, I was using someone else's table saw and bummed some glue off of them, but it worked none the less.

Brandon

 

[Fishtails]

Update today on 2/17/10. No new pictures, it's still as ugly as ever with the diatom bloom in full blast. I can honestly say that within a matter of hours it has noticeably covered my glass and rocks. It's all over the macros as well but they seem to be growing ALOT. I've been noticing tons of hitchikers as well. I went by the AC to see how my water tested. PH and ALK were low and my salinity is high. They had some True Percs I really liked. Am I correct when I think there is a local breeder for those guys? The pair was actually really affordable but they only had one left. I'm going to give my tank a few more days before I add anything other than some CUC that I am ordering for reefcleaners.

 

[NeveSSL]

Somewhat local. Its Sustainable Aquatics in East TN. Absolutely AWESOME fish! They are actually the second largest breeder in the world, right behind ORA.

Brandon

 

[Fishtails]

February 21 update: Tank will be 3 weeks young tomorrow. Yay! Went by AC yesterday and saw a nice McCosker's Flasher Wrasse. I've been testing my water every other day and still didn't have any readings of the Big 3. All other levels tested fine. This was from my and AC test results. I had to gave him. Introduced him yesterday with a slow acclimation and the guy was pretty calm the whole time. The second I put him in he went into the cavework. However I wanted to see this guy come out. Gave him a good 30 minutes or so and put some cyclo-peeze in there. He darted out from the rocks and readily ate! I went to work last night at Petsmart and bought some frozen foods. Tried feeding him after work with frozen brine, he didn't bite. So this morning I cut on the lights and offer a small amount of cyclo-peeze and he comes out again, eating away. I'm about to head to work and sitting in front of the tank as I type. He's out and about now. Very beautiful fish. I've owned sixline's in the past but they temperament steered me away this time. I think he'll make a good addition as I've read they're peaceful fish.

Other updates include my addition of another piece of liverock. I think I am done now. I really, really love the scape. When I get a good camera I'll post pictures. The algae bloom has receded greatly, however I am expecting a CUC sometime this week from reefcleaners. The rocks and glass still have some diatoms and hair algae but the current CUC members are doing minimal work. My macro algae is growing pretty fast. I have it in the main system until I can get a light for the rear chamber.

I believe that's all for now. I'll get some pictures tonight when I get in from work. Until then happy reefing!

 

[Fishtails]

March 3, 2010 update: It's been a good while since a update. Tank reached the month mark this past Monday!:dance: Anyhow, I decided to add a second tank inhabitant, a nice yellow watchman goby from AC. Was shy the first couple days but now he hangs in the column pretty much all day. I plan on adding a pistol shrimp whenever I can find a small enough companion for him. My McCosker's seems to get along fine with him. Also went home this past Monday and stopped at the local store, Bremuda Triangle. Store is awesome since the last time I've been. If anyone ever goes down to Chattanooga be sure to stop by. I got me a nice frag of pink "Pom Pom" Xenia. It made the trip back fine and is looking good in the tank.

The algae has died down tremendously. I don't know if it's got anything to do with me running my lights shorter, the CUC, or just the lack of nutrients for the algae to feed off. I think it's a combo of all three. All water parameters are looking good. I am going to do my first WC this week. What would you guys recommend, 15%, 25%, or 30%? This will be my first. Anything else I'll need to replace or you'd recommend adding?

Future additions, probably in the next 2 weeks will be my True Percs I found back home with excellent markings and lastly either a Cherub or Flameback angel. That'll be sometime down the road. I'm gonna just start adding some softies for now and let the tank do its thing.

Here some crappy updated shots, even got a "so-so" shot of that fast guy the wrasse.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Nice progress, The fact that your Algae problem has subsided gives me Hope as I am going through the same Diatom outbreak right now. Can't wait for It to hit the road Jack so to speak.
Your tank Is coming along nicely, Good job!
Bill