E
eric b 125
Guest
How's it going so far?
Snake's 20g Nano Build thread
- Thread starter snakeblitz33
- Start date
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Pretty good. Most of my livestock made it through the night. My montipora bleached a little bit - but I think that's because when I moved it to the new system, the water was about 5F cooler than the old system water. I'm sure once everything settles down it will color back up a little bit. The fish made it alright!! The painted flat bottom actually looks pretty good. I am pleased. I put all of the equipment from the old system on the new and even had a pump left over. I'm using it temporarily to add additional flow to my tank... an extra 300gph turnover.
I have about 200gph coming from my return pump. I have a koralia nano 240 (240gph) coming from that, and then I have that PH300 which is 300gph. So, that's... 740gph turnover rate in a 20g tank and my fish seem just fine. 37x turnover per hour. My fish seem happier though, they are swimming into and out of the flow.
lol
There is some sand that was left over from the move that has settled on the bottom of the tank. I plan on siphoning as much as I can out in the next water change. I am really liking the painted flat white barebottom look. I guess I just got tired of sand. lol.
I had a scare last night - one of my clownfishes got extremely stressed out and I guess you could say he was "petrified" because when I put him in the tank he didn't swim or anything and got caught by the teeth of the overflow box. I peeled him off and he swam behind the overflow box and spent the night. This morning I checked on him and he was still alive. This morning he's awake and playing with his mate. Also - I can't find my cleaner shrimp. I'm sure he's in there adjusting to his new home,...
When I mixed up the saltwater, I checked it with a hydrometer and it said 1.028. So, I lowered it down to 1.026. So, I saved some of my old systems water to add to the new water to make the move a little easier on the livestock. Well, after I got the new system all set up, my salinity dropped from 1.026 to 1.022. So, apparently, my salinity was WAY low in my other tank. I'm going to be saving up for a refractometer soon to make sure I have the absolute correct salinity. It's going to take a little while... because I'm also wanting to save up for a couple of bulkheads and a glass drill bit so that I can modify that 10g tank that I have into an algae scrubber.
I have about 200gph coming from my return pump. I have a koralia nano 240 (240gph) coming from that, and then I have that PH300 which is 300gph. So, that's... 740gph turnover rate in a 20g tank and my fish seem just fine. 37x turnover per hour. My fish seem happier though, they are swimming into and out of the flow.
lolThere is some sand that was left over from the move that has settled on the bottom of the tank. I plan on siphoning as much as I can out in the next water change. I am really liking the painted flat white barebottom look. I guess I just got tired of sand. lol.
I had a scare last night - one of my clownfishes got extremely stressed out and I guess you could say he was "petrified" because when I put him in the tank he didn't swim or anything and got caught by the teeth of the overflow box. I peeled him off and he swam behind the overflow box and spent the night. This morning I checked on him and he was still alive. This morning he's awake and playing with his mate. Also - I can't find my cleaner shrimp. I'm sure he's in there adjusting to his new home,...
When I mixed up the saltwater, I checked it with a hydrometer and it said 1.028. So, I lowered it down to 1.026. So, I saved some of my old systems water to add to the new water to make the move a little easier on the livestock. Well, after I got the new system all set up, my salinity dropped from 1.026 to 1.022. So, apparently, my salinity was WAY low in my other tank. I'm going to be saving up for a refractometer soon to make sure I have the absolute correct salinity. It's going to take a little while... because I'm also wanting to save up for a couple of bulkheads and a glass drill bit so that I can modify that 10g tank that I have into an algae scrubber.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I know for a FACT that I want to get an MP10 powerhead. (my wife wants to upgrade to a 70 - 90g aquarium next year! lol) So, I'm looking at MAYBE saving up for an MP40 right off the bat. Since it's adjustable for smaller aquariums, I might just go ahead and get the more expensive powerhead so I can use it on a much larger system in the future. Just makes sense. I'm not going to have the 20g tank going forever, so I mise well get the equipment that it will take to run a much larger system.
That's why I am going with a modified algae scrubber for now until I can figure out what protein skimmer I want to add to the system. All the protein skimmers right now are way out of my budget, not to mention they are too large for such a small system. I might just end up using an algae scrubber and some chaeto and some cheapo protein skimmer for the time being. I really am looking into those SC protein skimmers. They seem to do a decent job. I might just get the SC65 model for $80 and use it for a year or so until I upgrade to a bigger system. I think that might be worth the cash.
The following pics are very "grainy" I have no idea why my iPhone is taking such grainy pics. I think it might have to do with the lens being dirty.
I guess I'll take pics with my actual camera from now on.
That's why I am going with a modified algae scrubber for now until I can figure out what protein skimmer I want to add to the system. All the protein skimmers right now are way out of my budget, not to mention they are too large for such a small system. I might just end up using an algae scrubber and some chaeto and some cheapo protein skimmer for the time being. I really am looking into those SC protein skimmers. They seem to do a decent job. I might just get the SC65 model for $80 and use it for a year or so until I upgrade to a bigger system. I think that might be worth the cash.
The following pics are very "grainy" I have no idea why my iPhone is taking such grainy pics. I think it might have to do with the lens being dirty.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Prepping the area that the tank is going to go on. Mixing saltwater for the move.
Taking everything out of the old stand and prepping it for the move. The fish got temporarily ousted to the sump. The algae scrubber was allowed to keep running, and I added a powerhead and kept the heater going in the sump while the livestock was in there.
I took the tank outside and painted it with flat white spray paint... Krylon brand... and let it dry. Only took 30 minutes or so.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
The flat white bottom doesn't look that bad at all! I don't like the way the RO resevoire looks beside the tank, but I'm sure once I get the side cabinets built, it will look much better.
Filling it up!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Filled up, return pump going.
even more junk
Scrubber!
Don't worry about all the cords, I'm going to organize it and take care of all of it.
Zip ties work wonders. XD
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
The colors look washed out.
My camera on my phone sucks.And it's just going to keep getting better from here!
I hate that powerhead stuck in the middle, but that's the way it will have to be until I can buy an MP40.
So... My next two purchases:
SC65 cone skimmer
MP40
E
eric b 125
Guest
Lookin good man!
travelerjp98
Active Member
It looks really good. I wasn't sure if I was gonna like the painted bottom vs sand, but I like the way it turned out.
And, with the crazy amount of flow you have in the tank, I don't think that you'll ever have to worry 'bout siphoning crap off the bottom!
And, with the crazy amount of flow you have in the tank, I don't think that you'll ever have to worry 'bout siphoning crap off the bottom!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Thanks guys.
Looks like my monti cap didn't like the move. It's starting to jelly in places.... Maybe I won't loose the whole thing. There's still a chance that it will pull through.
I'm hoping that by putting saltwater in my RO resevoir I'll be able to get my salinity up in the next couple of weeks to where it needs to be and hopefully that will help the monti cap a bit. Since I basically did a 50% water change on my system, I'm not worried about nitrate and phosphate for the time being - especially with the scrubber going full force. I'm going to try to get a protein skimmer soon to help out with the montiporas recovery.
Once the monti does well and the system starts to settle again, I'll start adding a few SPS corals here and there.
Looks like my monti cap didn't like the move. It's starting to jelly in places....
Maybe I won't loose the whole thing. There's still a chance that it will pull through.I'm hoping that by putting saltwater in my RO resevoir I'll be able to get my salinity up in the next couple of weeks to where it needs to be and hopefully that will help the monti cap a bit. Since I basically did a 50% water change on my system, I'm not worried about nitrate and phosphate for the time being - especially with the scrubber going full force. I'm going to try to get a protein skimmer soon to help out with the montiporas recovery.
Once the monti does well and the system starts to settle again, I'll start adding a few SPS corals here and there.
travelerjp98
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387674/snakes-20g-nano-build-thread/240#post_3446365
Thanks guys.
Looks like my monti cap didn't like the move. It's starting to jelly in places.... Maybe I won't loose the whole thing. There's still a chance that it will pull through.
I'm hoping that by putting saltwater in my RO resevoir I'll be able to get my salinity up in the next couple of weeks to where it needs to be and hopefully that will help the monti cap a bit. Since I basically did a 50% water change on my system, I'm not worried about nitrate and phosphate for the time being - especially with the scrubber going full force. I'm going to try to get a protein skimmer soon to help out with the montiporas recovery.
Once the monti does well and the system starts to settle again, I'll start adding a few SPS corals here and there.
What if the monti dies?
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387674/snakes-20g-nano-build-thread/240#post_3446365
Thanks guys.
Looks like my monti cap didn't like the move. It's starting to jelly in places....
Maybe I won't loose the whole thing. There's still a chance that it will pull through.I'm hoping that by putting saltwater in my RO resevoir I'll be able to get my salinity up in the next couple of weeks to where it needs to be and hopefully that will help the monti cap a bit. Since I basically did a 50% water change on my system, I'm not worried about nitrate and phosphate for the time being - especially with the scrubber going full force. I'm going to try to get a protein skimmer soon to help out with the montiporas recovery.
Once the monti does well and the system starts to settle again, I'll start adding a few SPS corals here and there.
What if the monti dies?
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Then I will be very sad.
It's not like if the monti dies I'll never get into corals, lol. I'll just chalk it up to a bad move and a tank that was too unstable.
With the new ATO that I have and getting the salinity up and a skimmer and an awesome scrubber... and a future calcium reactor, and changing my T5's out to ATI t5HO lamps and back it with some ecoexotic panorama LED Royal blues, I'm sure I can pretty much keep anything that I want.Not to mention a nice vortech powerhead.
It's not like if the monti dies I'll never get into corals, lol. I'll just chalk it up to a bad move and a tank that was too unstable.
With the new ATO that I have and getting the salinity up and a skimmer and an awesome scrubber... and a future calcium reactor, and changing my T5's out to ATI t5HO lamps and back it with some ecoexotic panorama LED Royal blues, I'm sure I can pretty much keep anything that I want.Not to mention a nice vortech powerhead.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I DID IT!!!!
I just ordered an SC65 cone skimmer for my tank.
I think it will do just the job that I'm looking for. I didn't get the SC150 because I have absolutely no idea when I will be upgrading my tank. So, I didn't want to spend the extra $50 or so on the other skimmer. WOOHOO!!!!
OK, so now I am looking at buying three more things for my tank that I think will come really inhandy...
MP10 (which will be my next purchase)
Calcium Reactor
Apex controller
I've always wanted a controller. I think it's goig to be pretty fun to mess with it and watch the numbers change on the screen. I also think that the e-mail alerts and SMS sent to my phone is going to be pretty cool as well. Not to mention that I can control my lighting and vortech powerhead from it as well (even from my phone.) LOL! I think I can even do something with my calcium reactor too... Anyways, now I'm just rambling.
After I get my MP10 in a month or so, I am going to save up for about 10 SPS frags and a couple different green star polyp frags. I think 10 SPS corals in my small tank will do just fine and grow out very well. I don't want to spend a whole lot of money on this set of livestock because my wife and I plan on moving to a rent-to-own house this coming August/September. I'm always worried about moving livestock etc.
IF I do upgrade my tank, I'm thinking that I am going to start from scratch again. I'm going to put this little 20g tank in my daughters room and then my big tank can go in the living room. Though, I think I might rob the ca reactor, MP10 and calcium reactor from the system when I update. lol
Anyways, that's all for now. My list is getting smaller by the month!
I just ordered an SC65 cone skimmer for my tank.
I think it will do just the job that I'm looking for. I didn't get the SC150 because I have absolutely no idea when I will be upgrading my tank. So, I didn't want to spend the extra $50 or so on the other skimmer. WOOHOO!!!!
OK, so now I am looking at buying three more things for my tank that I think will come really inhandy...
MP10 (which will be my next purchase)
Calcium Reactor
Apex controller
I've always wanted a controller. I think it's goig to be pretty fun to mess with it and watch the numbers change on the screen. I also think that the e-mail alerts and SMS sent to my phone is going to be pretty cool as well. Not to mention that I can control my lighting and vortech powerhead from it as well (even from my phone.) LOL! I think I can even do something with my calcium reactor too... Anyways, now I'm just rambling.
After I get my MP10 in a month or so, I am going to save up for about 10 SPS frags and a couple different green star polyp frags. I think 10 SPS corals in my small tank will do just fine and grow out very well. I don't want to spend a whole lot of money on this set of livestock because my wife and I plan on moving to a rent-to-own house this coming August/September. I'm always worried about moving livestock etc.
IF I do upgrade my tank, I'm thinking that I am going to start from scratch again. I'm going to put this little 20g tank in my daughters room and then my big tank can go in the living room. Though, I think I might rob the ca reactor, MP10 and calcium reactor from the system when I update. lol
Anyways, that's all for now. My list is getting smaller by the month!
travelerjp98
Active Member
FINALLY you decided which skimmer you wanted..... when you were deciding, you reminded me of Flower. Lol.
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
So after buying the skimmer, I have about 100$ left of some Christmas money. I also have $150 coming to me on tuesday for a tank cleaning so, I'll have the money for an MP10, but I'm wondering if my money would be better spent on other things? Like:
Refractometer
digital thermometer
glass hole saw
bulkheads and other stuff for algae scrubber mod.
New ATI t5 bulbs
etc.
Anything y'all can think of to add to the list? Or do y'all think that money would do better to go towards an mp10? Opinions? Remember, in three months, I'm going to be cash strapped. Lol
Refractometer
digital thermometer
glass hole saw
bulkheads and other stuff for algae scrubber mod.
New ATI t5 bulbs
etc.
Anything y'all can think of to add to the list? Or do y'all think that money would do better to go towards an mp10? Opinions? Remember, in three months, I'm going to be cash strapped. Lol
travelerjp98
Active Member
Do you have a test kit?
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
of course I do!
I'm thinking of putting together a list of things that I need for the new system besides the MP10 and see if I need that more than an MP10 for now. I'm sure I'll be able to save up for the powerhead in the next couple of months.
As the salinity is gradually increasing - the monti is darkening up in some spots. Good sign!
I'm thinking of putting together a list of things that I need for the new system besides the MP10 and see if I need that more than an MP10 for now. I'm sure I'll be able to save up for the powerhead in the next couple of months.
As the salinity is gradually increasing - the monti is darkening up in some spots. Good sign!
travelerjp98
Active Member
yeah, I would also put the MP10 next on my list....