Starting 10g Nano (1 Viewer)

[curtisandrachel]

My husband has a 75 g (currently in the running for the "Ugliest Tank" competition -- sigh). But, I love nanos and have wanted one for several years. After several months of research, I got things started this weekend.

I'm keeping things simple, for now -- 15 lbs of live rock & 10 lbs of live sand started cycling this morning. Filtration will be through the live rock and a HOB filter -- I may add a HOB refugium or the "soap dish fuge" later.

We are building a MH lamp using the ballast we got at a MARSH meeting YEARS ago.

I'm excited about the process and promise that MY tank won't end up like my husband's.

 

[Guest]

Sounds great!

I love nanos!

 

[curtisandrachel]

Sounds great!

I love nanos!

I was just admiring the pics in your thread!

 

[Guest]

Why thank you!

 

[Timanator]

Any ideas as to what you plan to keep in there? You can always go 15 tall and do sea horses!


Check this link out for simple but still clean setup.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=133557

 

[curtisandrachel]

Any ideas as to what you plan to keep in there? You can always go 15 tall and do sea horses!


Check this link out for simple but still clean setup.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=133557

Seahorses are cute but I don't think want to go that route.

Very nice tank link -- beautiful.

I'm keeping things simple with this tank; I want to modify an AquaClear into a HOB refugium. That, combined with my live rock/sand, will be my source of filtration. At this point, I don't have plans for a separate sump/fuge tank, but I do have the equipment in case I do ever decide to do that.

As far as livestock goes, I'm still generating my list. I know that I want to have a little zoa farm, mushrooms, and rics -- I love how detailed these beauties look in a nano.

But, with the MH pendant, I know I can do more than just the softies; I'm still researching possible SPS corals. I'm not in a hurry to start filling it -- I want to make sure I plan carefully.

I'm going back and forth as to whether or not to have fish. IF I did a fish, I'd probably go with a Six-line Wrasse. We have one in our current tank and I like the movement/personality of that little guy.

BUT, I've also been thinking about doing a few Sexy Shrimp instead. I'm still reading about those guys.

Anyway -- as you can tell, I'm still in the early planning stages. I just started cycling today, so I have plenty of time!

 

[Timanator]

I am not possitive if I did everything over again I would use the AC hob's. They just dont do much for surface area skimming.

here is a thread similar to what your trying to build.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=174874

 

[curtisandrachel]

Thanks for the link; here is what inspired me to use that particular HOB --

Fabuloso's DIY Refugium

 

[Timanator]

Well looks like like you have done some research, but chose wisely young one. Or the Nano contest will not be kind...

 

[curtisandrachel]

LOL -- oh no! Now I feel the pressure!

(a bit scared and intimidated)

 

[i_am_poor]

I wouldnt take advice from your enemies...

 

[curtisandrachel]

Here are few pics of days 1-3.

And, yes -- I know my stand is ghettoliscious. It's a crooked, homemade table I rescued from a sad, dilapidated Oklahoma barn. Seriously.

Ok -- pictures:

1st 30 minutes of LR rubble

End of Day One -- live sand and more LR added (and, because my tank is AWESOME, it immediately began to clear up. Tank is a type-a perfectionist like its mama. And, yes, I realize that I just insinuated I'm a tank.)

No true "scaping" yet -- that will come when I can get some more interesting rock.

Morning of Day Two -- notice the pristine water!

That's pretty much it so far -- there will be some major changes in a few days. One of which is the freakin' fabulous light my husband is fashioning . . . unless he gets electrocuted (in which case, I'll be buying the lights I've wanted all along).

 

[Raymond]

i like that dead hammer....i see where your going! Nano graveyard. NICE. cant wait to see those colors.

 

[curtisandrachel]

It's an intimidation tactic for future corals-- I don't put up with wimps in my tank.

 

[Timanator]

Both of these nanos suck.

 

[curtisandrachel]

I'm sorry -- did anyone order a smoothie? Tim showed up.

 

[Timanator]

Pfft Rachel, only if Diatoms count as corals....

 

[curtisandrachel]

If only a vortech promoted RBTA propagation . . . by the way, how's your cyno doing? Still as lovely as earlier?

 

[Raymond]

let's just say Tims tank looks like my #2

 

[Timanator]

Lets put it this way, if heaven can be packaged up in a cube...

:twisted: