WSI's New NPS tank Build

WSI2406

New member
Hello All,

Here is my story and tank build for a NPS tank. Here is the story before I get into all of the details. I had a small nano (10 gallon) tank and it was 100% NPS. I had several species in the tank, such as Rhizo, Dendro, Balano, Sun corals(several species), Aussie Spider Sponge, Chili Sponge. I had a very light clean up crew only a few crabs, and my biggest cleaner of all my Orange spotted Goby. I had this tank running for about 1 year and 100% NPS for about 6-7 months. I was doing 10% water changes weekly to help with the nutrient export, as I did not run a skimmer. I sold my house and I moved my tank to the in laws for the month while awaiting my new house closing date. When I was moving my tank, my wife suggested I clean the tank one more time before I set it up and of course it dropped and cracked. I had a pico handy and put all of my corals in the pico. After a day I realized that I could not keep all of my corals, so I did the worst thing"¦I sold them super cheap to ensure they survive to a local reefer. I could have bought a new tank, but I did not want to make a mess in my in laws house. This gave me some time to research more into the setup I wanted. I was able to let me LR dry in the sun for a several weeks before I built my aquascape. I was going to use foam, however, I was not sure if I would be happy with the results, so I used epoxy(Aquastik) to construct my dream aquascape. I wanted to build an Island design, and I wanted to ensure I made it interesting. My goal was to ensure the least amount of the rock would be buried in the sand. I used a total of about 50 lbs of LR(35 lbs was in my nano). Once my LR was built, it sat curing for several more weeks, I focused my attention on my tank and return pump. I wanted a peninsula tank and picked up a 30 Gallon Breeder (36x18x12) drilled as a peninsula design. I also was designing my sump and wanted something to ensure if I lost power I would be safe and have no water on the floor. I went with a 20 gallon high glass tank, and got 6mm polished glass from my local glass store. I then built my stand, I built it slightly higher to reduce bending.

Old Tank Pics
http://s890.photobucket.com/albums/ac101/Timeless1483/


Here are the details of Equipment::celeb3:
30 Gallon Breeder 36x18x12- peninsula-Herbie Design overflow
20 Gallon High sump
Quite one 3000 return pump-780 GHP @ 0' head pressure
Bubble Magus-NAC6A-a bit over kill for the tank.
2-Tunze Nanostream 6045
24" HOT5 48watts-mounted 20" above tank-fiji purple, actinic
40 LBs of LS


Now for the corals I would like to stock:
Rhizo
Balano
Dendro
Archohelia Redivia
Dendrophyilla SP.
Aussie Spider sponge
Chili Sponge
Assorted sponges
Sun Corals-variety of Species
Spiral wire coral


Tank inhabitants:
Not sure if I want to have a predator or not?

Painted Angler???
Sleeper Goby-Depends on if I get a predator
Clean-up crew: several species of snails
2-Cleaner shrimps
1-Camel shrimp-Fuge bound
Small school of Chromis-depends on if I get a predator?


I will start to post some pics of my build shortly. I'm open to any comments, or concerns.
 
Here are some pics of the new tank, water still needs to clear up. Once the water is cleared up I will upload some more pics.

http://s890.photobucket.com/albums/ac101/Timeless1483/New%20NPS%20Tank/

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I just test the water and still not ready for anything. My PO4 is high 69, and my nitrates are high too. My ammonia is 0ppm. I hope to do a water change and retest. I don't want to rush, but it is hard to wait. I want to see some life in the tank.
 
So my levels are good. I added some inhabitants.

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And here is my new Dendro Colonies-10-14 heads on both.
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They were just added about 1 hour ago and already opening up nicely.
 
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Nice shots. I bet it will not be long and the tissue that has receded will grow back. Dendros are one of my favorites.
 
Here are a few updates. I have added 3 new Rhizo's and few more colonies of Dendro, and a rescue Balanophyilla(with a few babies)

Rhizo
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Balano
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Small baby
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Tunicate Hitchhiker
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Can't wait to add a tube sponge, sun corals, blue sponge, and a few more. I hope to add some more Rhizo's.
 
Thanks. I can't wait to sttart ading the caranation, and a few more corla next week. I'll post some pics when I get them.
 
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