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The Nina 2.5 Gal Build Thread (1 Viewer)

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BrennanMuns

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Howdy Folks! Both for my own ease of access and maybe because someone else might wonder, I’ll be documenting my newest setup, the 2.5 gal.


I’ve taken the liberty of taking some of the more boring steps out of the way, such as cycling. The light it has on it as of today in an old refugium light I had lying around until the knock off Kessil A80 I ordered gets here tomorrow afternoon.


I’ve also ordered a spare thermometer to add as well, though with such a small amount of water I’m sure any decent sized heater will keep it at one temp. I’m looking at a couple of options as far as stocking goes, and will get into that as we progress. In its current state it has:

1 Hermit crab from my DT that we call “Monster”
and
1 Piece of Xenia that was floating around from the many pieces I have


As of today I’ve also added white gravel.
 

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BrennanMuns

BrennanMuns

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Knock off Kessil is here! As well as a thermometer for good measure ;) we’re running a little hot here, so I’m glad I grabbed an extra cheapo one just to check. Stocking options are still in question, will be headed to TAP soon to ask some opinions.

The shimmer effect on this Lomnie is honestly fantastic. It comes with a remote that lets you color control 4 channels, and also comes with the mount you’ll need as well. Very much so considering grabbing 3 of these for the DT!
 

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ITreefer

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Looks great!
That's more of a kessil 160/360 knock off, could be overkill on that tiny tank. As long as you can adjust intensity it shouldn't be a problem.
Might be worth borrowing the par meter and seeing exactly what you're getting.
 
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BrennanMuns

BrennanMuns

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Looks great!
That's more of a kessil 160/360 knock off, could be overkill on that tiny tank. As long as you can adjust intensity it shouldn't be a problem.
Might be worth borrowing the par meter and seeing exactly what you're getting.
Yessir full intensity control! I’m honestly shocked at how much power it’s putting out. I’ve never run any PAR meter tests on my DT, so I think you’re right, it’s about time to check it all out.
 
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BrennanMuns

BrennanMuns

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Also I should note that the light diffuser in the earlier pictures isn’t under the gravel. Heard lots of horror stories about that being a nitrate factory.
 
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BrennanMuns

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Well, in a surprise today I actually won a raffle from a fellow reefer. I picked up quite a few frags for my DT, but more importantly: we’ve discovered The Nina’s purpose in life.

After consulting, I’ve tuned the Lomnie to a cool 50% power as not to scorch this beautiful Marble, but only time will tell. If I start seeing it suffer much, it’s going to have to make the switch to the DT. This is my first hammer, so I’m stretching my knowledge a bit here. Lots of reading to do.
 

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PicassoClown

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Well, in a surprise today I actually won a raffle from a fellow reefer. I picked up quite a few frags for my DT, but more importantly: we’ve discovered The Nina’s purpose in life.

After consulting, I’ve tuned the Lomnie to a cool 50% power as not to scorch this beautiful Marble, but only time will tell. If I start seeing it suffer much, it’s going to have to make the switch to the DT. This is my first hammer, so I’m stretching my knowledge a bit here. Lots of reading to do.
Nice hammer! Super nice, it’d be beautiful to have it take up like a third of the tank
 
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BrennanMuns

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Nice hammer! Super nice, it’d be beautiful to have it take up like a third of the tank
I was thinking the same! Maybe just three of them or even 4 that are allowed to grow and take up all the space lol. She’s opened up today and is much happier.

Anybody have any suggestions? Stocking?
 

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PicassoClown

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I was thinking the same! Maybe just three of them or even 4 that are allowed to grow and take up all the space lol. She’s opened up today and is much happier.

Anybody have any suggestions? Stocking?
I feel like if you wanna go the euphyllia garden route, that’d look great. Pop a few sexy shrimp in there and maybe a fire shrimp or a goby/pistol combo or something and you’d be set.
 
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BrennanMuns

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That’s a pretty sweet protein skimmer that you have next to your tank on the right. Does it work well?
Hah! I hadn't noticed that particular piece of reefing equipment was in the picture... lmao. Best I've ever owned!
 
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Today I’ve added a couple of heads of frogspawn, as well as some orange bam bams... as well as some other Zoa. Looks cool so in it goes! Liking the color scheme developing so far.

Right now I’m looking into whether a protein skimmer of some kind or just 25% water changes are the solution to the waste buildup. Being so small, it really is no problem to just mix some extra water when doing the changes on my DT.

However, an ATO, either DIY or otherwise will be essential I can tell. Too much daily evap. Will continue to update on extension and general health while these settle.

Monster has been returned and replaced with a regular size blue leg. Didn't want him causing trouble. The piece of Xenia has been returned to the DT as well.
 

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BrennanMuns

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New pump has arrived. The old one was a 2.5w “aquarium pump” with no visible brand on the side. The flow wasn’t terrible, but for our purposes we’ve upgraded to a 4W.

The first 35% water change, as well as some light glass cleaning with a magnetic algae scrubber happened just now as well. The Nina is shining! The hammer is a little angry from the cleaning, and I’ll definitely be getting a smaller magnetic scrapper.
 

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We’ve acquired the first (and potentially last) crustacean!

The beautiful, Venus Anemone Shrimp
 

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BrennanMuns

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Clarification: after some research this is actually a Pederson anemone shrimp. My mistake on that one! And, he’s hosting our hammer!
 

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BrennanMuns

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We have successfully acclimated and added 2 sexy shrimp! All of our inhabitants are doing well, and besides some minor salinity swings everything has been great.
 

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Congrats on the new shrimp! Where’d you buy them and how much were they? I’ve been looking for a couple more but can’t find any at the lfs
I actually got all of the livestock including the Pederson’s shrimp from the one and only BB Fish and Pet. Nam and everybody there have been incredibly helpful ever since I entered the hobby. I believe they’ll order some for you as well- can PM what I paid!
 
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Doing well!
 

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