My new 8 gal. nano build. (1 Viewer)

[Mark L.]

Well I wanted to have something to play around with while I'm waiting on my 240 gal. tank to be built and delivered. I've been eyeing the new Innovative Marine Nuvo Nano 8 Dennis at FJW has had for a couple weeks now. I really love the modern design of it a lot. I finally pulled the trigger on it the other day. I would like to have a few LPS corals, a Yasha Goby w/Banded Pistol Shrimp pair, a couple Catalina Gobys, a Citrinis Clown Goby, and maybe something different like a Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse. For inverts/clean up crew I want a couple sexy shrimp, a pom pom crab and a few small snails. I'm going to keep it fairly simple. It's sitting on my end table next to "my spot" on the couch.

I've already added the Spin Stream nozzle to the output to give some better flow inside the tank but I still don't think it is enough. I will most likely add an MP10 to get some better water movement. The LED lighting if fairly decent so I won't be changing that. Oh I'd also like to add a little macro algae in there. I kind of like the nanos that have some plant life in them. For my aquascape I went with the Fish Heads purple rock. Man I love that stuff.

I got it set up last weekend and started my cycle on sunday with Dr. Tim's One & Only. I'm dosing the ammonia I got with the One & Only and my cycle seems to be right on track. Today is day 5 of the cycle and I will test my parameters when I get home from work tonight. I'm hoping to be done with my cycle this weekend so I can start adding livestock next week sometime.

Here's a few pics I took. I'll keep updating after my cycle is complete and I start adding livestock.

 

[soymilk]

Wow that's pretty nice. How much did it run for? Great rockwork, I would tilt the left side more towards the front and the right side a little further back. It'll help create a sense of depth in a smaller tank, but it looks great as is. I've been looking at tanks from picoaquariums but I might pick one of these guys up.

 

[Mark L.]

Thanks Trung. It was right at $200. I may play with the rock some but I do like it as it is. Maybe after I start adding stuff I'll see how it looks. I've been looking at small tanks for awhile now and I really like this one. The filter area in the back of it is actually pretty big. I'll probably drop a bag of carbon back there.

 

[porkchop]

looks awesome.

is that light part of the aquarium?

 

[Mark L.]

Thanks porkchop. Yes it's a package deal. All I did was add sand, rock, water, and the Dr. Tim's One & Only.
Here's a few stock pics of the tank....

 

[below radar]

Looks awesome. You know you have a problem when you can't wait for your tank so you buy a nano. LMAO My wife wants a 14g BC to do some NPS.

 

[fjwaquarium]

Tank is looking good. Where is your Vertex mag cleaner? Nice rock Mark

 

[Jaybird]

Dr. Tim's One & Only really work that well? very nice rock BTW. cant wait to see how this progresses.

 

[below radar]

Dr. Tim's One & Only really work that well? very nice rock BTW. cant wait to see how this progresses.

From what a few other reefers have posted, it works as well or better than advertised. I just bought some the other day and will be using it on the tank I'm seting up. It's pretty expensive though ($95 for 16oz). That 16oz will cycle 240g

 

[Diesel]

Mark, are you sure a mp10 is enough? I would think more like...........

 

[below radar]

Should have added this...I would pay it again to have a 7-10 day cycle instead of 30-45.

 

[Mark L.]

Looks awesome. You know you have a problem when you can't wait for your tank so you buy a nano. LMAO My wife wants a 14g BC to do some NPS.

So true man.

 

[Mark L.]

Tank is looking good. Where is your Vertex mag cleaner? Nice rock Mark

Thanks Dennis. The mag cleaner in in there. Look in the upper right corner of the tank by the outlet nozzle. You can see it. I love that little cleaner. Matches the tank nicely.

 

[Mark L.]

Mark, are you sure a mp10 is enough? I would think more like...........

It should be. I was thinking about an MP60 but that may be a little overkill.

 

[Jasonc]

Looks great!

The MP10 in there is crazy! At it's minimum setting you will be turning over the water 25 times and hour. At max it will be turned 187 times!!!!!

 

[Mark L.]

Here's an update on my Dr Tim's One and Only.....

Day 1
Dosed ammonium chloride to 2.0 ppm (roughly 8 drops). Waited a few minutes and then added One and Only

Day 2
Ammonia - 0.50 ppm
Nitrite - 2.0 ppm
Nitrate - 10 ppm
pH - 8.0
Dosed 4 drops of ammonium chloride. Brought ammonia up to roughly 1.50 ppm

Day 3
Ammonia - 0.50 ppm
Nitrite - 2.0 ppm

Day 4
Ammonia - 0.25 ppm
Nitrite - 2.0 ppm

Day 5
Ammonia - 0.00 ppm
Nitrite 2.0 ppm

Day 5 was last night. My ammonia dropped to 0.00 but I'm not seeing a drop in Nitrites yet. I'm hoping I'll start seeing them start dropping over the weekend. I know the nitrite consuming bacteria takes longer to grow so I'll be patient.

 

[Mark L.]

Looks great!

The MP10 in there is crazy! At it's minimum setting you will be turning over the water 25 times and hour. At max it will be turned 187 times!!!!!

I honestly don't think I've ever seen an MP10 in person. I was thinking the size may be ok but maybe it's overkill. I'd like a little more flow in there but I don't want a power head that will take up too much room. I'm also an EcoTech junkie. LMAO.

 

[Jasonc]

I've got them on the back wall of my 180. Great little pumps (just like their big brothers) and should work OK. Not sure if your sand will stay in place though....may have to go bare bottom.

 

[BigRick]

I've got them on the back wall of my 180. Great little pumps (just like their big brothers) and should work OK. Not sure if your sand will stay in place though....may have to go bare bottom.

How did you get them to stay? I'm assuming atleast 1/2" thick? I have problems with 2 of them on 3/8" acrylic.

 

[BigRick]

MP10 is too big for that tank IMO. There are a some small powerheads/pumps for nanos. Just have to search for them. I have a couple I think.