Nate's Elos Mini Build Thread

[natedogg]

So I've been in and out of the hobby since 2003. Im back in now. This time I wanted to do everything right and automate as much as possible. I quickly found out that's not cheap, but I did it anyways. Ha.

My Equipment:

Tank: Elos Mini 20g (17" cube)
Elos Stand
Elos Sump
ATO: Elos Osmo Digital
Skimmer: Elos NS100 Skimmer
Flow: Vortech Mp10
Controller: ReefKeeper Lite
Dosing: 2x Drews Dosers
Cooling: Azoo Dual Cooling Fan
Heating: Azoo 100w Titanium Heater
Lighting: AI Sol Blue w/ Controller

Media:
Chemipure Elite
Purigen
Phosban
B-Ionic 2 Part

Marco Rocks for aquascape

That's all for now... I'll give you some of the display later this week. It's still in the making. Also still need to make my DIY light stand.

Feel free to ask questions or comments. Thanks for looking!

 

[phyber]

i like! major props for squeezing so much in a small cabinet

 

[natedogg]

Ya, I still don't know where I'll put my 2-part containers..

 

[HandOfGod]

You seem very prepared, kudos. can't wait to see it progress!

 

[paal]

Ya, I still don't know where I'll put my 2-part containers..

I have just enough room for 3x 1.5 litre containers (balling +) under the sump together with a mess off wires. It looks like you could do something similar if you placed your "œreef-toolbox" somewhere else?

Outdated pic, but it shows the containers:

 

[natedogg]

Good idea Paal. That's what I was thinking. Ill move the toolbox elsewhere and find some containers to put underneath.

 

[natedogg]

I rearranged the sump and built the DIY stand for my AI Sol. This light is amazing. Ill post new pics soon!

 

[Yedgy]

natedogg, your setup looks beautiful! Please post some updates! And for both natedogg and and paal, how about a tour of your wonderful cabinets?

 

[6Speed]

Does your black door on the front have some odd or wavy looking areas that appear to be made into the door? Like maybe there was some issue in manufacturing with the laminate or glue?

I got my black door months and months ago and it had these wavy like markings that you can see in the reflection of the black on the front. I talked with Jesse at ElosUSA and he said that all of the black doors he's been getting in have had the issue and he's waiting on Elos to sort it out.

Reason I specifically ask you is because you're the only other person I've seen with the black door.

BTW, your setup looks great. What skimmer is that? It looks bigger than the stock one. I see you also rerouted your plumping so that it goes into the bio and mech chambers before the return. How is that working out as far as microbubbles go?

Just noticed that the big skimmer I see is someone elses setup. I am still curious, though, about how that is working out for paal?

 

[natedogg]

Ill try and post an update tonight, I just bought a bunch of SPS.

@6Speed... YES it does. It bothers me a lot. Jesse said he'll replace it. I haven't heard from him lately though...

 

[curlykid]

wow. can't wait for the first inhabitants.

 

[Robbie Reefer]

your sump looks so clean, im excited to see the build.

 

[paal]

BTW, your setup looks great. What skimmer is that? It looks bigger than the stock one. I see you also rerouted your plumping so that it goes into the bio and mech chambers before the return. How is that working out as far as microbubbles go?

Just noticed that the big skimmer I see is someone elses setup. I am still curious, though, about how that is working out for paal?

I did not have big problems with the smaller NS100, but I just came across a very good deal on a used NS500. The pic above was just when I got it and still ran it with the old skimmer's pump. This is no longer the case, and the new bigger pump is placed in the "œbig chamber".

I was worried that the neck of the skimmer would be too big for such a light bioload but it works just fine. I do prefer this one over the NS100 even for such a small tank.
Microbubbles are not an issue as long as I use a filter sock.

I have a thread in the Elos-forums if you have any more questions. Sorry for the "œspam" natedogg "“ looking forward to new pics

 

[natedogg]

Anybody have any tips on how to take a good picture with an iPhone 4?? The LEDs are not picture friendly...

 

[6Speed]

If the LED's are causing the rest of the picture to be underexposed, meaning everything is dark except for the LED's, then touch on the iphone screen on the stand door or on the tank. The iphone will adjust exposure for that part of the photo.

paal: thanks, I'm trying to find a new skimmer for my mini. The ns100 just doesn't produce much for me.

 

[natedogg]

Update !

Update !

Sorry for the crappy quality, my friends DSLR was on the wrong setting....

 

[mavjoy]

Looks great Nate! Nice scape and very clean.

 

[natedogg]

Tank today:

Temp: 79.0
Sg: 1.026
Alk: 7.5
Ca: 400
Mg: 1250
Ph: 8.0
Lighting: wh %30 bl %40 rb %40 for 10 hours.


SPS colors aren't holding up as nice as they should. I just ordered a Hanna Phosphate checker.

 

[nemesis7]

Very nice tank .The force is definitely with you.

 

[natedogg]

Just got my Hanna phosphate checker. It read 0.00. I did it twice just to be sure and again it said 0.00. I have been running ChemiPure Elite.
Some of my SPS are becoming pale and others are browning. Nothing dramatic, but still, I can see a change. So Im not sure whats going on... Maybe they're still trying to adjust to LEDs?