So I Think I Took The Bait...

[gcolmer]

So ive had FW fish for 8 or so years and watched my uncle (G7EG) build up his 5ft Marine tank and helped him from start to finish, ive always wanted to go with a nano reef but decided against it after having exams coming up and also decided to get rid of my FW. Ive now started a new job and i think i also want to get into running a Nano Reef tank.


Sooo looking around it seems like the Orca Tl 550 is the tank everyone seems to go for, i had one of my FW tanks in one of these so im famiular with how they are set up, how bad the stock pump is etc. I have read lots about Nano Reefs over the last few years and more so recently, just wanted some help with guide lines really just thought maybe someone could give me a rough idea of how long to do each thing, so obviously start out with the tank doing a cycle to check everything equipment is right then after a week of checking salt, s.g, nitrate levels etc would you put LR in there? i think id go for cured LR as i see people are saying about an Ammonia spike from using uncured LR. Then after how long would you leave it till adding sand and if so what do most of you go for? i like the sound of Live Sand but ive heard of some people using a mix. Just want to clarify what I think I know really. I read that the clowns get quite aggressive in there after claiming it there's? Does this make it best to put them in last then maybe? I also read that mandarins aren't good for nano reef but Coman had a beautiful one in his tank which made me think hmm maybe you can?


Equipment:

I think pump wise id put a a maxi jet 1200 in, what does everyone else think on this pump?

Not sure what heater id put in yet, open to suggestions.

Chamber 2 have people put LR in? What have you put in?

Chamber 1 what have you guys done with this? i see a lot of people saying about putting the stock pump in here or using a skimmer etc etc.


Sorry for all the questions but really want to know what im dealing with before i start as i want to make sure i cut no corners and do everything right.


Thanks

George.


P.S I'm not new just forget my username/pass for old account.

 

[seffieuk]

i think i also want to get into running a Nano Reef tank.

to the salty side

Sooo looking around it seems like the Orca Tl 550

We have a good few of these tanks on here, i myself started off with one I loved mine and used everything stock and had no problems

so obviously start out with the tank doing a cycle to check everything equipment is right then after a week of checking salt, s.g, nitrate levels etc would you put LR in there?

Ah right:
water goes in, heat to correct temp, add salt and bring up to the correct sg, stick you powerheads on to mix the salt in the tank (this time only) and leave for at least 24 hrs.

Next: add your live rock and then your aragonite sand (dont bother with 'live' sand)

After 24 hrs test for ammonia, nitrIte and NitrAte, the cycle goes, ammonia, then nitrIte and then they both disappear and you get a nitrAte spike, when you have that you do a large water change, I did 50%, leave for 24hrs, test again and if you have ammonia 0, nitrIte 0 and NitrAte is below 10 go get your cuc this process all depends oh several things, how long your rock is out of water, if the live rock is cured

i think id go for cured LR as i see people are saying about an Ammonia spike from using uncured LR.

You can get an ammonia spike from cured rock if the rock is out of the water for a while

Then after how long would you leave it till adding sand and if so what do most of you go for?

Put the sand in straight after you put the rock in

I read that the clowns get quite aggressive in there after claiming it there's? Does this make it best to put them in last then maybe?

That would make sense if they were adults, but juvies are fine and most of us buy juvies to watch one mature into a female

I also read that mandarins aren't good for nano reef but Coman had a beautiful one in his tank which made me think hmm maybe you can?

Yep, its do-able but you have to be dedicated to your mandys feeding requirements in a tank that small - its not rocket science just need dedication

Equipment:

I think pump wise id put a a maxi jet 1200 in, what does everyone else think on this pump?

Do you mean powerheads? If so look at the new waves, koralias ..... you want to have approx 20/25 x turnover

Not sure what heater id put in yet, open to suggestions.

A heater comes with the tank as far as I remember

Chamber 2 have people put LR in? What have you put in?

Yep. both my sister and I put in live rock rubble and rowaphos on a hook

Chamber 1 what have you guys done with this? i see a lot of people saying about putting the stock pump in here or using a skimmer etc etc.

Skimmer usually goes in there, stock pump is in the third chamber at the end, near the uv

Sorry for all the questions but really want to know what im dealing with before i start as i want to make sure i cut no corners and do everything right.

No problem George, I like to see someone planning
Seffie x

 

[gcolmer]

Thanks a bunch Seffie! ive seen the tank i like, it came with a skimmer etc, il report what it is when i go back down to the LFS to take another look as ive forgotten it

Think i may have G7EG thinking about getting one also

I also saw the tank i use to have (Boyu MT-40) Anyone used one for a Nano reef or thoughts on using one?

Thanks

 

[seffieuk]

I also saw the tank i use to have (Boyu MT-40) Anyone used one for a Nano reef or thoughts on using one?

Too small, but look at the 550 boyu or the D & D tank, some of the juwel tanks are also good

 

[gcolmer]

I also saw the tank i use to have (Boyu MT-40) Anyone used one for a Nano reef or thoughts on using one?

Too small, but look at the 550 boyu or the D & D tank, some of the juwel tanks are also good

Just realised it was the mt-50 which is only 17 Gallons, seemed more than that il have a hunt around....

So recommended tanks are the TL-550 and ? Probably end up with the TL as it seems the best

 

[gcolmer]

Just looked at the D&D and now im confused as i think that might have been the one i saw, i thought the one i did see was huge so couldn't figure out how it was to small So the one my LFS stocked was brand new £130 (I think, maybe £10 more) which seemed quite good.

Also this is quite near me so im thinking of maybe going to ask them if they will take less with cash on pick up:
http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270726506760&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[seffieuk]

Thats funny, its also close to me!

I loved my orca 550 its a good starter tank.

You will not need any of the media they are selling, bio balls etc

check how old the tank is as you will need to factor in buying new tubes if they are more than six months old.

Seffie x

 

[gcolmer]

Yeah i thought that, how much do you think i should pay for it, the seller has come back to me asking how much id pay, i think the pipes are older than 6 months.

Thanks!

P.S where abouts you from then Seffie? I'm from Rayleigh!

 

[seffieuk]

P.S where abouts you from then Seffie? I'm from Rayleigh!

I'm on outskirts of Hullbridge going towards Hockley and my sister Trod is in Rayleigh


Re the tank: this one sold for: http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/ORCA-BOYU-TL-550-FISH-TANK-/280646585994?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item4157d70e8a

So maybe go in with a cheeky offer of £180, say you are willing to negotiate price, but find out how old it is, new tubes will cost you about £32 and last six months

Seffie x

 

[gcolmer]

May sound like a real nooby question but what pipes? the skimmer ones?

 

[seffieuk]

May sound like a real nooby question but what pipes? the skimmer ones?

Light tubes in the hood, you can buy them off ebay

Seffie x