Nano Reef Aquapod 24 Gal

[SkiFletch]

CoralLife Turbo Twist 9w. $75 from Marine depot

 

[akilles-13]

CoralLife Turbo Twist 9w. $75 from Marine depot

9w is substantiable for 24 gal. I'll put in an order, $75 sounds like a good deal.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yeah, they're rated for up to 75 gallons or something like that... its pretty much the smallest you can get

 

[steelhealr]

I don't recommend a UV Sterilizer on a nano tank. SH

 

[SkiFletch]

I stand corrected and bow to the nano master

 

[Aquascaper]

IS there any particular reason SH? I'm not being picky i'm just curious

 

[akilles-13]

Heres a list of livestock as of today.
INVERTS.
1) 1 skarlet cleaner shrimp (he's the king of the tank)
2) 3 blue legged hermits
3) 3 red legged hermits
4) 3 cerrith snails
5) 2 astrea snails
6) 3 nassarius snails
7) 1 peppermint shrimp (needed this guy for 1 glass anemone, he did his job. I might be giving him back)
8) 5 zebra hermits
9) 6 mini reef stars (I've only seen these guys 1 time, since the the intro)
10) pencil urchin (hitchhiker)
11) Hawaiian feather duster
12) dwarf feather duster white
13) copepods, amphipods, etc.
CORALS.
1) 1 anthelia
FISHS
1) 2 ocellaris clowns
2) 1 firefish

Added the hydro-flo to my stock pump/powerhead for added water movement. Finally I've found the right water movement. Heres a few pics of the tank and the life inside it.



More pics of tank.

Left side of tank.

Right side of tank.

 

[steelhealr]

I don't believe UV Sterlizers belong on a nano system. IMO, they are a shotgun to kill a mouse on our systems. They are not a substitute for excellent water husbandry. Although there are some cheap ones out there, a good UV sterilizer is much more expensive than what could be performed with:
-consistent weekly water changes
-good nutrient export

Other reasons:
-UV bulbs lose effectiveness over time
-kill microfauna
-may cause heat issues in a nano tank
-need ANOTHER pump to drive it
-should be running a protein skimmer if you use it to remove the stuff it would kill.

Nope..not in my nano tank. A nano reef shouldn't need it. In fact, I don't know of any nano reefer who keeps one. SH

 

[Aquascaper]

Fair point well made and I agree

 

[akilles-13]

I've added a new piece to my tank, a clam shell with 7 bulls eye mushrooms and what looks to be a kenya tree coral. Water parameters have really sustained: ammonia, nitrites, nitrates = zero. calcium 500, ph 8.3, temp 77.9 degree F. Im also starting to use Bioplankton made by Liquidlife@. for the existing inverts and coral.

 

[akilles-13]

No place like home. This is outstanding, 1 of my ocellaris clown fish decided to take on the featherduster as a host . Who would have thought? After serious considerations on what I would be getting them to frolic in, they decided for themselves.


HMMM, this is isnt bad, no stinging sensation.

Settling in, just need a flat screen

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

Looking good

 

[steelhealr]

Looks good...a little quick on the stocking for my tastes, but, keep on top of things and water changes and you should be OK. SH

 

[akilles-13]

Thank you, SH and SF05. Im trying to slowly add more of the hardy type corals. Mushrooms and zoanthids. Some how I got the clam w/ mushrooms and saw that I had a bonus coral the Kenya tree, and not mentioning the many types of dwarf feather dusters coming out.

 

[akilles-13]

I decided on upgrading my refugium to the AquaFuge CPR Refugium PS, it fit perfectly on to my existing tank. Kit included body(made of acrylic), maxijet 1200 powerhead, skimmer and a 24watt compact flourescent. I did a tranfer of all the refugium substance from the back of my aquapod filter area into the new Aquafuge. This will give me more area for the perfect refugium, that includes the existing LR, various algae, live sand, Fiji mud, sand sifting critters and amphipods. I have placed an order for 3 red mangrove sprouts, I guess these guys are another "natural" way to help rid the aquarium of nitrates and phosphates. Ive also added Kent marine Bio-sediment. This substant gradually releases the necessary trace elements into the aquarium without any harmful chemicals. In theory Im hoping to make my tank as stable as possible. This might become the most expensive nano tank, I hope that in turn, my tank will be priceless for myself and everyone here to enjoy, the pics of the upcoming livestocks. So far my ammonia, nitrites, silicate and phosphate have been goose eggs. Although I did have a return of nitrates about 2.5 -5 ppm.

CPR refugium and marine bio sediment.

Left side of tank with refugium on back.

Right side.

Front/Right side angle.