Keith's 12G AP Nano w/ Mods

[keith p]

Hey every one!
I introduced my self (with some n00b questions) on this thread: A Hello & a Noob question-question.html

I just wanted to start a little log. I do some neat stuff (mods) and wanted to give you guys a chance to possibly catch my mistakes. Be gentle, this is my first SW tank.

Here is my start. The tank was still cycling here. This was also my first attempt to aquascape a reef tank!


Round two with aquascaping (not much better)


Heres my third and final attempt


Next on my list was some modifications. I swapped the stock pump for a MJ-900. I also drilled the divider to add a second return. The second return has a MJ-404 on it and a Hydor Flo.


The tank was setup end of 11/07. I have not added too much live stock:
True Perc
Peppermint Shrimp
Emerald crab
Snails
Hermits
GSP
Zoa's
Xania
Red mushroom

The next set of mods took me in a different direction. I removed the stock canopy and added a Sunpod MH with a Ushio 14K bulb. I also added a Remora Nano skimmer. In the picture you can see the egg crate I’m using to help acclimate the tank to the new light.



I have a JBJ ATO on the way. I never had an open top tank before. It’s amazing how much water can evaporate off of these little tanks!

Now the juggling act begins. I need to find room for all of this equipment. I need space for:
Heater (being upgraded this week)
BOTH return pumps
Skimmer
ATO
Chemi-Pure (Almost used up.)

And finally I want to add Cheato with a small light in the back. I think I can fit a sack of Chaeto under the skimmer’s return. This only leaves me a 4” long section to light up. Where can I find a small 4” CF or LED setup?? I was going to use a palm or perch 7W CF light, but they are too thick to fit “under” the skimmer (and shine through the glass back of the tank). I need to either place it over the tank or use something submersible.
I’ll post a picture when I get home to better illustrate my space issues….

[lReef lKeeper]

looking good so far. sorry i can not be very much help on a nano, i have never had one.

[Skurvey Dog]

Hello Keith and to TR! I think you have the aquascaping looking very nice with the 3rd try. Looks great! I also admire you for not over stocking your tank and have shown moderation and have compulsive buying under control. For your first tank, I can tell that you have done alot of research and have learned a great many things. Quite admirable and is a great start to a successful reef. Excellent job with the light acclimation and yes, an open top DT will have a good deal evaporation. I can not give you any suggestions for the lighting as I am limited in that area, but there are others here that can help. Carmie Jo and rroselavy are just 2 people that comes to mind out of a list of others that may be able to help in that area. If you had a sump, that would give you a place to house all of your equipment and give you extra water volume.

Anyway, give the others a little time as everyone is just now getting home from work.

[Reefbaby]

You don't really super duper lights for a refugium or macroalgae. I know that some people use even lights from the hardware store....

[Phurst]

Hey Keith, nice looking nano! I too have a 12 gal with a MH fixture and an open top. I got tired of trying to cram gear in the rear chambers and ended up drilling mine for a true sump/fuge.

Here's my thread on the project:
12 Gal. Nano Project

[CarmieJo]

Hey Keith,
I don't have a fuge in my nano although I have considered how to... Looking at all the light on the wall behind your tank I would try to make a DIY reflector for the fuge compartment and use the spillover. I have heard of using aluminum foil for this.

[keith p]

I also admire you for not over stocking your tank and have shown moderation and have compulsive buying under control.

Thank you. I must admit, I have a compulsive side, but it is more towards equipment.. Once I get my setup and routine down, I'll start filler her up.

Phurst, nice setup! You setup is very tempting. But I think I'll keep this tank jambed with gear (nano style) and plot my next tank with a MONSTER sump. (I really want a sea apple one day)

As far as a light for macroalgae, I'm going to buid a waterprood LED light with a custom bracket. I thinking the housing will be smoked acrylic, like the Remora I'm using. I need to see what kind of material we have at my job laying around.

My crab is driving me nuts. He has broken off every frag I had glued or epoxied down. The only one remaining intact is the one pictured below. He waves his arms at me a lot. He looks mean!



This is what the back of my nano looks like. I would assume everyones looks as crowded, right? Chamber one (on the left) has the heater and second return on a Hydor Flo. I have the pump on 15min every hour while the lights are on. Chamber two and three are now one (the divider in the middle is cut). I would have had to cut it anyways to fit the skimmer, but the previous owner did it before I got it (the tank was a free hand-me-down). Chamber four has the main pump and chemi-pure. I plan to have cheato directly under the skimmer's return. The LED fixture I'm going to make will probably mount on the skimmer over what was chamber 3. Does any one see any problem with having cheato in that spot?

[JustDavidP]

I liked your tank on the intro post.. and like it here too.. welcome again!

Dave

[Phurst]

I don't see a problem with the cheato there as long as you can keep it out of the pump for the skimmer.

How do you like the hydor flow? I have been considering one.

[Reefbaby]

Is the crab also eating the corals? Did you buy him or was he a hitchhiker? You could always try to get him out and give him to a fellow reefer with a sump.

[JustDavidP]

I have and use Hydors. They are "alright". Knocks down your flow rate significantly though. The other problem is that I seem to have to remove it, and clean it every two weeks. I do my pumps once a month. This hardware seems to need it more often.

Dave

[keith p]

I like the Hydor Flo. On the nano I had to turn down the flow on my pump or I would get a crater in the sand from it. I just use it to periodically stir things up.

I clean mine once a month with my pumps. No problems so far.. Only once did I find it stalled. A light tap with my finger got it going again.

The crab only ate half my GSP the first week. He's been good ever since. He gets fed a lot. He was a gift from a buddy. I could give him back, but I do like watching him. He almost always hangs out in plain sight during the day. I can tell that he sees me, he waves his arms at me. Sometimes I think he's trying to intimidate me (my girlfriend says he is waving gang signs at me. LOL)

[JustDavidP]

My crayfish used to do the same threatening to me... big mean and ugly was he...