5g reef

2quills

Well-Known Member
Nice score on the rhodactis. I picked up a orange one a couple of months ago with some great color. Wouldn't mind having some green ones like that to go with it.
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Thanks Cory and Richard. Yeah, I took some time off away from here and time off from the hobby. My new job gives me a little more economic freedom to do what I love.

I don't know if I am really going to post anywhere else on the forums for now. Just keeping a low profile.

I am really enjoying this 5g pico tank. I love the rimless look. I don't think I'll have another tank that isn't rimless. One day I hope to get a larger tank, but this is it for now.

I'm going to hold out on getting three or four more corals... Maybe a couple different colors of montipora capricornis and digitata and then I'll be done adding corals for a long time.

I'm thinking about taking that colony of green star polyps that I have and try to flatten it out a little, cut it up into small chunks and glue it all the way around the bare bottom of the tank. I might do that later today if I can find some more super glue.

Anyways, I'm on a three week. Christmas vacation starting Tuesday next week. But I'll be working in the taxidermy shop that whole time to make some extra money. In part, for the tank and other stuff. Tis the season.

I'm glad to be back on here with old friends.
 

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
I hear ya. Extra $$ in the holiday season isn't nice, so much as necessary, these days! :) Especially with little kids in the mix.

Will you be going to MACNA for 2017? I've just about convinced myself to go....it's in your neck of the woods so it's not too bad a trip. Maybe I'll bring you a frag of something from South FLorida if we meet up.

I'm always on the fence about the rimless look. On the one hand, I do think it looks beautiful and clean. On the other hand, I really love the "completed" look of a classic canopied tank (as long as the canopy is well built). Best of both worlds is a floating canopy, but that still doesn't solve the problem of light shining in your eyes when you're sitting down and looking slightly up at the aquarium. Richard Back just put in a large custom rimless tank and I must admit, it's a thing of beauty.
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I've been following Richard Back on Facebook. He does have a beautiful tank.

I definitely will be going to MACNA 2017. I hope to see a few friends there!
 

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
There's a very very good chance that RB and I will be there. Maybe we can snag some other oldsters (figuratively speaking) as well and have dinner. Florida Joe is still around, yeah?
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Looking online for black sand that I can live with. Nothing yet.

I'm carefully selecting three or four more frags for the tank and I'm trying to be picky. Anyone have suggestions?
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Australian Big Polyp Blastomussa, would look great, I have them and love them. Don’t want to keep hammering you on this my friend BUT, black bottom. Ok is there a possibility you take out enough water get some help move your tank and put a sheet of high gloss black paper on the stand and then put the tank on top of it.
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Lol!

The tank sits on four points. The bottom doesn't even sit in the counter. I guess I could slip something under it but it's not really a big deal to me.

I'm thinking about adding a snail, a peppermint shrimp and a cleaner shrimp. I know adding inverts will increase the bioload but I think I can keep up with water changes. ;)

If I end up with a little extra money, I may add some black sand over the Christmas break. We will see.
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
personalty i would add a blood instead of the peppermint, remember you will have to make sure depending on your corals that they get their share of food with the shrimp. OH and about the water changes. And keeping up with them:D they can be a bitch in the tank your size. OK call me crazy what if you get sand. its the size you want. you buy acrylic black pant and yes i am going to say it paint the sand the shade of black you like. i said you can call me crazy
 
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2quills

Well-Known Member
Joe did you just say paint the sand?

I remember dying sand with food coloring once for a school project when I was a youngster. You can pretty much make whatever color you want.

No idea how long it would hold up for though before it fades.
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Yes the fading may be a problem. I have seen people paint the inside of their tank with acrylic paint. The small amount of sand he needs may make it worth the try. Pore a little paint in a small bowl and stir until the sand gets coated and put it in the oven and stir it every few minutes until dry. This is something I have never heard done or tried myself. I’m just throwing it out there. he may even be able to spray paint a think layer of sand
 

2quills

Well-Known Member
I don't know bud. Seems like it would be difficult prevent it all from clumping together when the paint dries.

I just painted the exterior of my tank with some left over epoxy paint I had. But you could probably use just about any paint for that.

Not sure why anyone would paint the ********. Water based acrylic paints aren't terribly durable. Think I'd definitely use epoxy for that. Might be asking for trouble if you ever have to do some aggressive cleaning in the tank.
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I'm not that fond of sand beds anyways, especially in these small tanks. The ease of maintenance siphoning out the crud on the bottom with every water change can not be surpassed.

I've added that seachem fuel 1mL two times this week and I'm starting to see some hair algae growth. I'm considering cutting back on my lighting schedule a little too and adding a snail.

I might also have to move around some of the larger mushrooms. Now that they have expanded to their full size, I can tell that one of them will need a lot more room.


Just a few ideas.
 
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