Snake's 20g Nano Build thread

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
No, it certainly will. I'm keeping my two tomato clowns and bi-color blenny and my cleaner shrimp. Just have to get the equipment just right, and the routines down. It will all work out. :D
 

travelerjp98

Active Member
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Please!
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Lol. Some of it is in the other thread. I'll update this thread again soon. Just trying something different. Once I get it all sorted out, I'll post new pics.
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Well, I went to one of these big box stores and saw that they had their Instant Ocean Sea Salt on sale... 160g mix for $36.50. When I went up to the counter to pay for it, they told me it was going to be $53 and some change. I said "nope." and they went back and got the sale tag. Someone didn't remove the tag from their Black Friday sale, I guess. So, that saved me about $14. It's actually going to save me $53 in the long run from not buying the 25g mixes for $22 each time.
I'm also going to stop doing my aquarium maintenance service at the beginning of March. I'm going to have to take care of a little baby girl and I can't have that much on my plate at this time. Besides, I don't really need the extra money since I got a raise at my full time job. The thing though now is that I'm going to use the next three months worth of aquarium service money to keep upgrading my personal aquarium equipment.
I got a Danner Mag Drive 3 on order and it should be here on the 23rd. Besides a little plumbing, that's all I'll need to get the tank on the new stand. At the beginning of January, I'm going to buy a protein skimmer. I am still debating what skimmer I want. I'm really looking into Octopus NWB skimmers. I have my eye on a 150 model (for a 150g) but I might just go for the 110 model and save $30 towards an ATO. Then again, there's this ASM Mini G skimmer rated for 75g that a few people have told me is a good skimmer. I'm still not really sure exactly which models/brands of skimmer I want to go with yet - but I still have a few weeks to think about it. I would really like some suggestions, please?
 

travelerjp98

Active Member
You know that I don't have experience with skimmers, but from research I think that the ASM mini G would be good for your tank.... still a bit overboard but not as far as the Octopuc NWB 150 or 110 models are. Also, ATO system-wise, I made a DIY one using TeresaQ's method, and it works GREAT, and cost me $10.... just thought that I would mention it.
Nice job with saving $14 on the salt.... they're too dumb to remove the sale tag, you benefit from it, right?!
 
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eric b 125

Guest
i have an asm running on my tank and have no complaints. when i upgrade i'd like to get a recirc or cone skimmer. but when i put the 30B together i think that the mini g is the way to go.
what were you thinking about as far as your ATO? i use an osmolator and love it. probably a bit overkill for your tank, but you could always use it once you upgrade.
 
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eric b 125

Guest
How is TeresaQ's ATO built? i tried doing a search but came up with nothing to really go by.
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Could you link that DIY ATO to me, JP?
They weren't dumb. I don't know if you have ever "tagged" or "untagged" in a retail store, but it's more difficult than you think it is. Either case, they skipped it and their mistake was my gain.
I'm still on the fence as far as skimmer goes. I saw someone using an ASM G2 (rated for 200g) on a 20g SPS tank over on RC. It got my mind wondering....
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
So, Eric, You think that a Mini-G would be fine for a little 20g tank, but I would have to upgrade to something larger on my next larger tank? An ASM Mini G is only $120 - and would save me $80 from buying an octopus...
 

travelerjp98

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/387674/snakes-20g-nano-build-thread/160#post_3443603
Could you link that DIY ATO to me, JP?
I couldn't find it, but I'll share mine in a new post.
They weren't dumb. I don't know if you have ever "tagged" or "untagged" in a retail store, but it's more difficult than you think it is. Either case, they skipped it and their mistake was my gain.
Haha, sorry... at least you gained!

I'm still on the fence as far as skimmer goes. I saw someone using an ASM G2 (rated for 200g) on a 20g SPS tank over on RC. It got my mind wondering....
IMO, you might as well put a skimmer that's rated for 500g on your tank if you want to go that overkill. Getting a skimmer that's rated for that large of a tank volume is just not efficient imo.
 

travelerjp98

Active Member
Since I couldn't find TeresaQ's ATO post, then I'll share mine:
It simply is a bucket (or other water storing area) on an elevated surface with one end of a thin (mine is 1/4") airline tube in the bucket, and the other end of the airline tube in the tank or sump. Then, start a slow water siphon from the bucket to the tank. Make sure that the end that's in the tank is lower than the end that's in the bucket so the siphon works. You can then add knots to the tubing to control the water speed. I have 3 knots on my airline tubing, which gives me 3-4 seconds in between every drop. You would probably want a lot more knots and thinner tubing to keep your high water level mark since your tank is so much smaller...
Now, for your favorite: pics!:
View looking at it from the top. Bucket is on the right of picture and tank/sump is on the left. Airline tubing in between:

Another general pic. Home depot home painter bucket (Don't worry, never used.... lol) on an old ironing board that I found in our garage. It lifts the bucket about 5" from the ground:


Now, this view is looking from the front to the back of the tank, underneath the tank.

Keeps the PERFECT water level!:

The water drips slow enough to take a picture of it:


Since I don't use RO water, it drips into the Chaetomorpha algae in my refugium, where chlorine and the like are removed.

You need to play with it a bit at first to make sure that it drips at the right rate to maintain the appropriate water level.
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
lol, yeah, that's about how I do a kalkwasser drip. Thanks for the pics. But, that's not what I need for my tank. :(
I'm thinking of getting an SC150 protein skimmer. For the $120 price tag and free shipping - it seems to do a pretty good job. There's quite a few people that use it on their SPS dominated tanks.
 

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by travelerjp98 http:///t/387674/snakes-20g-nano-build-thread/160#post_3443627
Since I couldn't find TeresaQ's ATO post, then I'll share mine:
It simply is a bucket (or other water storing area) on an elevated surface with one end of a thin (mine is 1/4") airline tube in the bucket, and the other end of the airline tube in the tank or sump. Then, start a slow water siphon from the bucket to the tank. Make sure that the end that's in the tank is lower than the end that's in the bucket so the siphon works. You can then add knots to the tubing to control the water speed. I have 3 knots on my airline tubing, which gives me 3-4 seconds in between every drop. You would probably want a lot more knots and thinner tubing to keep your high water level mark since your tank is so much smaller...
Now, for your favorite: pics!:
View looking at it from the top. Bucket is on the right of picture and tank/sump is on the left. Airline tubing in between:

Another general pic. Home depot home painter bucket (Don't worry, never used.... lol) on an old ironing board that I found in our garage. It lifts the bucket about 5" from the ground:


Now, this view is looking from the front to the back of the tank, underneath the tank.

Keeps the PERFECT water level!:

The water drips slow enough to take a picture of it:


Since I don't use RO water, it drips into the Chaetomorpha algae in my refugium, where chlorine and the like are removed.

You need to play with it a bit at first to make sure that it drips at the right rate to maintain the appropriate water level.
Traveler....
Doesn't the drip bucket need to be much higher than what you have it? And..the few inches on the ironing board folded up doesn't seem enough to me. I'm surprised it worked. You have enough space behind your tank for a bucket and then an ironing board as well???? I thought I left a big space with an 8 inch clearing.
Also, and please don't think I am flaming you, just some helpful advice on a possible future problem....I understand not everyone can get RO water, but the chlorine in the tap will also kill your chaeto...you should at the very least dechlorinate the tap water. Water that sits 24 hours is clear of chlorine and using tap in a holding tank hasn't had a chance to do much damage, but you are playing with a loaded gun in that area.
 

patrick8929

Active Member
seth,i didnt even realize i saw it on the first page haha i thought i was looking at page nine. would like to know where he got it and what it is
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
That overflow box? It's an Eshopps PK Nano overflow rated for 200gph. You can easily do a search and find it. Costs about $40. I use a rio 1100 return pump, but I don't recommend it. I'm actually upgrading to a mag3 pump because a rio1100 has been known not to turn back on after the power is cut off. A mag3 is about $60. And of course you have to have a sump, glass baffles, silicone and plumbing parts that add up to another $40 or so. But, it's well worth it to hide the equipment and get a larger in sump protein skimmer or algae scrubber.
I am researching a SC 150 protein skimmer now. There are several people on RC that use it for their SPS dominated tanks and are very happy with it. Even without mods. Of course, I am keeping my algae scrubber and redesigning it for my new setup.
 
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