Nano Tank Diary...

[parker313]

Thanks! I knew that humans could propogate corals, but didn't know if that was the term for when they did it on their own

I'm right at the 6mos mark of having my nano! I set it up in late September and here it is, late March! I hope the next 6mos are as smooth as these first 6! I've only lost a snail, a couple hermits and 2 corals (well, and my yellow polyps)

 

[parker313]

Uh oh. I'm having to really *fight* the urge not to go over to liveaquaria.com and go coral crazy I was rocking Brodie before his nap today and saw that the box I'd been putting his winter clothes in was the LA box and I started thinking of all the fun corals I could order

Maybe I'll just go check out some prices... I've wanted a candy cane coral for a while now

 

[parker313]

I managed to cruise all through liveaquaria and not buy a single thing Although I am going to check their prices on phosphate removers. I'm still having a lot of algae, especially that nasty hair algae. I don't mind the bubble algae or some of the other macroalgaes that I've got sprouting up from the LR, but the hair algae is a bit out of control. The worst is that some of it is too close to my zoanthids and with the toxin in the zoanthids and being pregnant, I'm trying to be extra careful with them.

Well, my clownfish and firefish seem to have forgiven me for having my hand all in their tank, they're swimming around like normal now.

As soon as the tank settles a little, I'll get some pictures, including the miniflotor skimmer...

 

[parker313]

OK, new pictures

Side view showing skimmer. I don't like how big it is, but it is collecting skimmate so it stays for now:

Full tank shot - the light was reflecting something crazy off the rocks

New baby mushroom peeking out from behind the original:

This little guy is HARD to get a picture of, but you can tell how his stripes are developing as he grows

Another cool pic of the clown, plus the toadstool leather mushroom and my button polyps:

I thought this was a cool pic of the firefish with the sarcophyton in the distance:

 

[Sean_Buckley]

Parker, how long is your tank? I notice that you said you got the PC lighting from Aquatraders, but they only have 11" and 24" fixtures. Are most 10 gallons 24", and mine is an oddball at 20", or are most 20" and yours is an oddball?
Sean

 

[parker313]

My tank is 20" and the light is 24". If you look in the whole tank pic, you can see the lights extending past the edges of the tank a little over an inch on each side. I wasn't paying attention when I ordered the lights and assumed that if they sold a 24" fixture as their smallest, that must be the size of my 10g Luckily I didn't cancel my order b/c even though the fixture is a bit long, it works really well. Even being that close to the surface, it doesn't overheat my tank.

 

[Sean_Buckley]

Thats what I thought, because after I asked the question, I did see the little bit hanging over the edges. Thats what I did on my 33 gallon, because I couldn't find a 3' fixture.
Sean

 

[parker313]

I'm having a bit of a hair algae problem... I've got some good, small colonies of macroalgae growing, but the hair algae is getting out of control I like the look of the macroalgaes, it really adds some interest to the tank, but the hair algae I could live without.

I went to the lfs yesterday and got a PO4 testing kit and my tests only measured at 0.25ppm or less, but it was pointed out to me (on the other thread that I started asking specifically about this) that the levels could be low b/c the algae is efficiently using it all up. Makes sense.

While I was at the lfs yesterday, they told me that if I need help with reducing the PO4, they have a product that they've developed that is really good. I have to go to the lfs today to get my neon tetras for my FW tank so I may see what they've got

Also, here's a REALLY good article that Ed4567 posted for me... Chemistry and the Aquarium

 

[parker313]

Picture time! 2 good shots of my orange/green zoas and a shot of something I need an ID on (will post another thread). I noticed it a while ago, but assumed it was the base of my mushroom. Now, I'm a bit concerned that it might be a bubble anemone (but I don't know much about them).

 

[ess17]

Great looking tank!!!
I am thinking about starting a 30 long soon, and was wondering what "type" of liverock you have??? Sorry if you have answered this already and I missed it. I really like it. It looks like a branch type that I saw in my LFS, but wanted to check.

Also, Is that how big your leather mushroom was when you got it? When I set up my tank I want to do a clown and leather mushroom like yours. Did you get this from LA?

Thanks!
Keep up the good work!

 

[parker313]

Thank you!

Honestly, I have no idea what type of LR I have ) I have some regular rock and some branch and some that's just rubble of different kinds. More than focusing on what kind, I paid attention to shape and size. A lot of the pieces the lfs had were too big for my tank, so I got a lot more rubble pieces than people with larger tanks might.

Yes, this is how big my toadstool leather mushroom was when I got it. I did get it from LA and this is their *small* size My clown couldn't care less about hosting it (he seems to prefer the top right corner of the tank) but I still like that it gives interest to the tank

 

[Grey Legion]

More pictures please !!!




you got me so hooked...your my dealer

this is by far one of the greatest posts I have ever read, keep up the great work

 

[Malawiandude]

sweet Parker, i kinda got busy for a bit but am back now.


That skimmer is intank? doesnt that suck?


Perhaps a AC300 fuge could be put o tank for algae..i will go post there.

 

[parker313]

Yeah, the skimmer's in-tank, but it was about $30 as opposed to $100+. I can live with a little unsightliness.

I have an AC30 (formerly 150) filter on there now... It might be a bit small, but I may see about making a fuge out of it.

 

[parker313]

Ooh, I love ebay!

I got an AquaClear 200 (now 50) for my nano tank and some air pump for my big 46g FW tank for only $15

So, on my nano, I'm running an AC150 (now 30) and an AC200 (now 50). In the AC30, I've got the ceramic rings. I can't remember if I've got the sponge on the bottom or not. I think I might. Then, in the AC50, I've got just the sponge and a bag of carbon. I wanted the extra filtration b/c I like the idea of something to trap the small particles and keep them from re-circulating in the tank. I know the argument that they can just be nitrate factories so I'll make sure to keep them rinsed out well.