Questions about potential 10G Nano

[weaglereefer]

Well the more money I dump into the 75, the less I have for the one I'm planning in the bar. I'm now planning a 10G, and have a few questions:

The light I have is a 24" 130watt Orbit PC fixture. What kind of corals will this support? At least LPS like a brain? Possibly SPS or clams? I know it's not about the watts per gallon, but that is a lot of light over a little tank.

For fish, I would like a Helfrichi Firefish, a black Misbar clown, and a shrimp/goby pair. Is this too much? Room for one more?

For the shrimp/goby, will they need a mixture of sand particle sizes, or what? I have about 30lbs of sugar sized oolitic sand, and it'd be great to reuse that, but I don't want to go trying to get it out later if it won't work.

What kind of power filter is recommended? There is no room for a sump, and I'm only planning on a HOB filter, no canisters, with potential room for a refugium back there behind the filter. I was looking at the filter from DFS that offers a surface skimming feature as well. I'd like to keep it simple looking, not too much clutter, and will probably put the heater in the filter if that will work.

I think I'd like a "lagoon" style look with some macro algaes. What are some of the attractive macro algaes that won't get out of control. I don't care as much about their nutrient exporting capabilities, but mostly the look.

I guess that's it for now. When I get some free time I'll begin work on the stand which will raise the tank up off the bar counter and provide space beneath it for all the wires, power strip, etc.

 

[weaglereefer]

OK, found an old "new" Whisper 60 that was in storage, so that's good for the filter, and I think a small heater will fit in one of the compartments. I have a MJ-600 as well, should be enough circulation. No one knows what the PC fixture will support? Will it be too crowded? What about the sand size for the shrimp/goby? Macro algaes?

First pic of the tank and light fixture. Looks kinda goofy on there, very oversized. I'm sure in time it'll get replaced with a Viper MH or something, but it's good for now. Construction on the stand will probably begin next week.

alt="" />

 

[weaglereefer]

Thanks. I've actually gotten the fish down to a Helfrichi Firefish, a picasso clown, and a green clown goby. That will be it. I've been doing some research and would really like the live plants, not fake ones. I'm still trying to find a heater that will fit comfortably in the back of the filter. I'm not really rushing this. I'm pretty busy this week and will be out of town next weekend, but I'm going to help another member build a canopy next week, and it'd be nothing to hack up some 2x4's to make my stand. It's going to be some serious over kill, lol. I've got some sugar fine sand already, which should do nicely for the plants, and I may pick up some live rock next time I'm up in Atlanta.

I took the light apart yesterday and cleaned it out good, as well as cleaned off the lense. I'm thinking I may be able to design a cover piece that will hid the back of the tank and be able to support the light so the legs won't be there. Hard to explain, but it makes sense in my head, just like some storage above the tank as well where I can keep food, test kits, etc, with arms sticking out for the light to rest on.

If I'm lucky, I can mask off the tank tonight and get it painted tomorrow before I head out of town so it will have plenty of time to dry. I'm really wanting to find a stain for the stand that will match the cabinets in the bar, but don't know if I'll be able to do that. I am also repainting the bar during my spring break, so it will be at least another month before this thing sees water. I'm not rushing it, just like to get my research in, as I think it's half the fun.

I'm also planning to paint the filter. It's currently clear smoked plastic, but I'd like it to be black. I want the focal point of the tank to be the fish, not much else.

Thanks!

 

[seedless reefer]

Your little shrimp will be fine as well.

He will move sugar size pieces of sand and he will move jelly bean size pieces of substrate, shells, bits of live rock etc.

 

[weaglereefer]

Yeah, the back wall will be painted, but the whole filter is clear smoke. Even the suction tube and the returns I want to paint the top and a few pieces on the front that will be visible. If it comes to it, I'll just get a Visitherm Stealth heater and place it along the bottom in the back, so that will stay semi hidden. The stand I'm building will only be about 12" tall, just enough to get the tank off the bar counter level so the top of the tank is at a viewing level I like, and to give some room for wires and such. I hate having to bend down to see stuff in my 75, and will fix that soon enough, but I just want this one to be done right the first time.

 

[weaglereefer]

OK, got 2 "micro jet" or "mini jet" pumps from Dakota9 (thanks!). Are there any mods for these, like adding magnets or a deflector or something? Will the deflector off a Maxi Jet fit on the end of the pumps?

 

[soarin']

bratliff;293979 wrote: I actually went back to the compact flourescents my 24g originally came with (had a 20" Sunpod over it) and my clam seems very happy.

What kind of clam is that, and what kind of lights originally came with your 24g?

 

[weaglereefer]

Where is the clam in the tank?

The lighting requirements for the clam are not even in the same ballpark as xenia, zoas, or GSP. How long have you had it under the PC?

 

[grouper therapy]

the rena smart heaters are
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14666&d=1230249703" alt="" />
designed for the p/u tube to slide down in them really cool idea

 

[weaglereefer]

Yeah, I was looking at those, also. Don't really want to buy a new filter, but I guess it wouldn't be that big of a deal.

Thanks!

 

[grouper therapy]

Just the heater it will fit any filter p/u tube the one in the picture is on whisper 20 p/u tube

 

[weaglereefer]

Ahh. That's not something they advertise, lol. They make it seem as though it only fits the Rena smart filters...

Thanks!

 

[weaglereefer]

Well, since this is turning into a build thread...

alt="" />

 

[grouper therapy]

any updates?

 

[weaglereefer]

Got part of the stand completed. I was also working on a hood for a corner 54 and that took most of the afternoon (that and driving back and forth because of forgotten tools). I'm off on Tuesday but have a test Tuesday evening, so maybe Thursday afternoon again, or Saturday morning before I head for the ATL I'll get the stand completed. Sand is sitting in a bucket in the bar. If the stand is done then it will be skinned and the tank filled with water and sand and maybe I'll use some of my poker winnings for some live rock from Tim's. I guess I'll just have to paint around the tank when it comes time for that.

I also got some of the filter parts painted black so they are hopefully hidden by the back wall (they were clear). I'm still debating if I want to spend the money on a HOB refugium where I'll keep chaeto and a DSB. I think I've worked a way to keep the pump out of the display tank for that and that Rena smart heater may fit around the uptake tube.

 

[grouper therapy]

any pics

 

[weaglereefer]

Not recently. Got water in it though. Running a spare HOB filter to get the dust from the sand out of the water. It's clearing up though. I may get the frame for the stand finished on Thursday.

 

[weaglereefer]

Water in the tank. Trying to stabilize temp and S.G. so I can bring back some rock from ATL on Saturday to start curing. When the stand is completed, I can just drain the tank, move it, fill it up again with the same water, and hopefully I'll be good to go. Still trying to find a heater for cheap...

alt="" />

 

[weaglereefer]

Nah, I've about had it with my LFS. 2 weeks ago I went in there to buy a fish. He couldn't catch the fish from his tank (it was one out of his displays) so I said okay, let me put a deposit on the fish, and when you catch it give me a call. He told me no to come back in 2 days and he would have it separated for me ready to go. Since this store's about 15min away, I called to make sure he caught the fish and it was ready to go, and he said he would have him ready when I get there. When I show up, he's helping another customer, and my fish is still in the display. I wait for about 20min for him to help the other customer, then spend 30min watching him try to catch the fish before finally leaving. He had another fish that I wanted, so I asked if he could hold it for a few days while I remove another fish from my system since they wouldn't get along. He said sure, no problem. 2 days later I go up there and he sold the fish he was supposed to be holding for me. It's not like I'm a new customer there or anything, I've spent several hundred $$$ there; it just feels like every time I go there and want to spend money, I can't, so why bother. I'm planning to pick up my stuff in ATL from now on from stores that actually seem interested in having customers.

 

[weaglereefer]

bratliff;301716 wrote: Go see Tim at Keen Reef. He'll take care of you.

I'll be there for the poker game, it's where I was planning to go.