New tank setup.......

[newreefbishop]

Ok guys I had a couple questions. I am re-building my old 29 gallon miniture cichlid tank into a nano tank. I have an idea as far as stocking but need some help with actual equipment. I am using an old Eclipse 3 (29 gal) for my base. I was wondering if I should scrap the hood and go open top with a "custom" light rig or use the T-8's that are in it? I think she only wants to stock softies, in it and a couple shrimp and one or two small fish no more than that. And of course your regular clean up crew probably 10 snails, various species, 10 hermits, and a small bristle star. Will two 18watt T-8's be enough for that? when I say softies I mean shrooms, ric's, Xenia, and maybe some green star polyps.

If I dont have to do away with the built in light, filter setup that would be cool, as I would prefer not to, but would like some ideas on if I should build a sump. If I can I would like to, but dont know how to work an overflow into the mix. Let me know what you think. I would like to start tomorrow if possible, as far as cleaning the old tank, filling it and gettin some sand and rock in it, to begin the curing process.

One last thing, if I do get rid of the built in filter/lights, what are my options?

 

[AnimaliA]

I actually did the same project a little over a year ago. I have a 29g and tried adding another light under the hood...it melted.... I ended up scrapping the hood and filter and built a DIY hood (175 mh 20k) and am using a fluval 404 with the surface skimmer attachment for filtration. I actually like the size of the tank...even though I am using it for a zoa garden good luck

 

[newreefbishop]

cool, so my best bet would be to plan for another hood. Can I see pic of your setup please? Does anyone have any other ideas?

 

[illal]

if you go softies youll need more light

 

[ek9vboi]

You can use the stock eclipse hood, i've been doing it for a year and some odd months. i am planning to sell my hood along with 2 x 65w retro-fits.

t8s i would say is an overkill IMO if ur just doing softies and so on. most of the corals u are looking to keep dont require a crazy amount of lighting.

 

[newreefbishop]

Your selling your hood?
I will tell the wife....this is her setup anyway.....

Can you tell me how you set up your overlfow? I want to do a 10-15 gallon sump/fuge.....but really dont want to drill the tank......

 

[newreefbishop]

Oh just for the sake of telling her, how much for the hood?

 

[scubasteve247]

i put a 96 power quad in a eclipse 20. no probs what so ever. and i keep softies lps and a few monti's in there with awesome growth!

 

[mar-y-sol]

I would go with definetly scrap the hood and go with something like 2x65watt pc. For a filter I would go with a wet/dry but a hang on back would work, I'm getting rid of my hob if you are interested has some polyps growing on it.

 

[newreefbishop]

So I cleaned the tank today. My wife wanted a speckeled substrate so I got two bags of sand, one pure black and one speckeled.....an i spelling that right? so far so good. In any case I am getting mixed information. I have seen Erics thread on his setup and he has awesome growth and its fairly simple.

I can go either way at this point and believe the easiest thing to do would be to get rid of the hood. However astetics are also important as my wife is a hair stylist and it will be in our home salon. The hood will help keep junk out. Anyway....Eric let me know how you mounted that overflow.....If I can get that mounted safely I will have space for a skimmer and othe rmaterials.

 

[AnimaliA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9442066#post9442066 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by newreefbishop
cool, so my best bet would be to plan for another hood. Can I see pic of your setup please? Does anyone have any other ideas?

I dont have any pics handy...actually, I am scrapping it (it only fits one 150 mh right now) and rebuilding it to handle 110w of pc also. Once I have the plan together, I will upload the plans. Hopefully I will get to it in the afternoon (lunch-time...the "reefer fix" hour).

As for filtration, I have a fluval 404 and that is it. I am only keeping some fish and zoas..nothing too demanding, and nothing water changes can't handle.

 

[newreefbishop]

I think PC's will be the best bet......I may also do away with the hood, it creates more options.....I will keep you posted.....Once I get back from dallas (business trip) I will post pics.....its filled right now and plann on getting som rock to begin the cycle once I get back.......Probably doing 35 pounds of rock......anyway....I will keep you posted.....