15 Gal Nano Project Timeline

[Aquadan88]

Update #7: Replumbing the tank

So, after consulting a few members on the board, I came to the conclusion that I needed to replumb the tank to reduce noise. The hard PVC was making an aweful racket, and the reverse Durso just didn't cut it. I installed a Durso and a reverse Durso, upped the plumbing from 1" to 1 1/2" from the 1" bulkhead, used sanitary Y tees instead of straight tees, and used 1 1/2" spa FlexPVC. Haven't filled it with water and tested the system. I'll probably take care of it tomorrow if I'm not working.

Here are some pics.

Back of the tank, coming from the bulkhead:

Under the tank, by the sump.

 

[Aquadan88]

Updatd #8

Well, it's been quite a while since my last update. I apologize for that. Things have been a little crazy, and since I got a Wii, I've been paying a little less attention to the tank. But, I digress, and here is my latest update.

I've finally gotten the plumbing down. After consulting my boss, I decided on going for 1" all around. I used flex PVC instead of hard PVC, and removed the reverse Durso to help with noise reduction. I can barely hear the tank now, and I'm having no water backup. The old system was COMPLETELY overkill for the amount of water being pumped through. Here are some pictures.

I've also gotten the thing up and running. I used Nature's Ocean Bio-Activ Live Sand as my substrate for my display tank, as well as refugium. I've added in the rubble rock for my fuge. I took some of the larger pieces of the rock from my fuge and used it for my display tank. I'm going to get more rock this week, and finish up the rock work. I also got my hands on 2 small red mushrooms, which seem to be taking very nicely.

As for lighting, I decided to go with Current USA's SunDial series. I purchased the 24" T5HO with 2 Photocell LEDs. I'm actually surprised at how well the LED light disperses in the tank. Looks almost like its a regular bulb. Definitely a quality purchase.


Well, that's about it for now. More to follow soon. Thanks again to all of those who helped me out with various problems/questions.

 

[Aquadan88]

Update #9 Things Are Falling Into Place

So, I know that there's probably no one following this thread anymore, but I'm going to keep updating for the halibut (sorry, REALLY bad fish pun).

I added the rest of the live rock in. Seems to have taken a nice shape. It looks really sweet at night. I can't wait to get some nocturnal critters running around in there that I can watch while falling asleep.

Here's some daytime and night time pics.

Day:

Night:

I've also started to think about what I'd like to keep in there aside from corals. I'm thinking of going with this combination:

Fish:
1 Green Mandarin
2 False Percula Clowns
1 Fire Goby
1 Scooter Blenny

Inverts:
1 Small Clam
3 Shrimp
5-10 Turbo Snails
7-10 Dwarf Hermit Crabs

Not really sure what species of any of the inverts I'd like to keep. I'm open to suggestions! (so please give them to me! )

 

[Avalanche1201]

5 fish in a 15? isn't that going to be a little crowded? but besides that it looks sweet. I love the night shot

 

[Aquadan88]

I might get rid of the Fire Goby. The Mandarin is my favorite fish and the clowns are my girlfriends, so I can't get rid of them. The Scooter Blenny will be small, and out of the way, so I dont think it will be that bad. Trust me, I've seen tanks with more fish than gallons of water.

 

[maxfischer]

I might get rid of the Fire Goby. The Mandarin is my favorite fish and the clowns are my girlfriends, so I can't get rid of them. The Scooter Blenny will be small, and out of the way, so I dont think it will be that bad. Trust me, I've seen tanks with more fish than gallons of water.

i would remove the Scooter Blenny the rest are fine, you do not want 2 fish hunting pods all day, they will clean a tank out that size in no time

 

[coldshutter]

Looking great, but I would go no mandarin. 15 g is not enough to support the amount to pods that a mandarin would need. I say f the fish and get a cuttle.

 

[Aquadan88]

Hey guys. I haven't really updated in a while. I plan on doing the mandarin after about a year. And I've already scratched the Scooter Blenny idea, although we have ones that eat frozen foods at my store.

I'm thinking more along the lines of a pair of pink skunk clowns and a firefish.

 

[biocubist]

aquascape came out great.

following this. keep updating.

 

[Aquadan88]

K. I'll try and post updated pictures soon. Been really busy with school and work.

Glad people like my work.

 

[Aquadan88]

Update #10

So, since people have been requesting an update, I figured I might as well give them one.

Here's what's been going on since last update.

I finally got a skimmer and got it hooked up. Having a problem with micro bubbles that I'm trying to work out. (you can see my "Micro bubbles from Skimmer" thread in the general Reef Talk forum)

I'm also having some algae issues. Got some green thread algae on the front rock there (as you can see in the picture). I'm also encountering a dyno problem, but that's due to the tap water that I've been using (yes, I know this is a no-no). Also, found 2 bubbles of Red Bubble Algae on a rock while I was brushing it off. I pulled the rock out, submerged it in water, and used the old screwdriver routine on it to pry it off at the base. Hopefully that problem stops there.

I've been supplementing with B-Ionic to aid in the Coraline growth. And I have to say, my Coraline is looking sweet. Got some nice purples and reds growing on the rocks.

I also modded the sump a little more. Got some lighting egg crate from Home Depot and placed it in there so I could throw some Cheato in the sump. Also added a 20" incandescent light strip with a 20watt compact fluorescent bulb for the Cheato.

Also, (drum roll please) I put my first coral in today. Opened up within about an hour. Not quite sure what it is. The guy I got it from said it was a Daisy polyp, but I don't think that's what it is.

Here's what I've come up with for the fish.

I definitely want a pair of clowns. Not sure if I want False Percs, or Pink Skunks. I might have my girlfriend help me on that. And I'm also going to get a Fire Goby (either orange or purple, again not sure yet). Probably going to wait another few weeks to start putting fish in. At least until I get the skimmer and algae problems worked out.

Here's what the setup looks like.

 

[jbishop]

Looks good

 

[Mike McConville]

Nice looking tank. Is this where my kenyan tree corals are going? They're great for nanos because they selfregulate in size, just dropping arms into frags when they get too big.

 

[Aquadan88]

Yes, this is where your Kenya Tree will end up eventually.

I have updated pictures for everyone. Added some Red Mushrooms and a little more rock work.

I'll post them in a few.

 

[Aquadan88]

Here's the new rockwork:

Here's my new Red Mushrooms:

And here is a picture of one of my Blue Legged Hermits:

Also, an update on potential fish. A single clown (either false perc or pink skunk), a purple fire goby, and a chalk bass.

 

[jbishop]

I'm liking it. What are your plans for coral?

 

[Aquadan88]

Well, aside from the alveopora and the red mushrooms that are in there, I'm setting up a date with Mike to pick up a couple Kenya Trees. Might have to try an acan, just to see what the hype is all about. Probably a few nice looking zoas and palys.

Been looking at some nice bubble coral too. I'll probably do a small one of those as well.

 

[jbishop]

Sounds good to me

 

[Aquadan88]

Yea, I mean, I'm pretty much open to anything. I've kept a good amount of stuff at work, but because this is the first tank of my own, I'm really trying to fine tune it and make it as low maintenance as possible, without cutting out the parts of the hobby I most enjoy.