Starting new rimless Nano

[atlorange]

After reluctantly selling my Nanocube 28 HQI last year I have been lurking on these boards admiring everyone else's tanks. I can no longer fight the temptation to dive back into the hobby.

Still in the planning stages but have decided on some details.

Rimless starfire cube between 15 and 22 gallons (may have a custom 18*18*12 or 18*18*15 built)
LED fixture (not sure which yet), leaning toward AI Sol Nano with their controller.
MP10
ATO
Bare bottom (starboard or acrylic on bottom)
Gonna try to go skimmerless at least at first. I am not sure how much good even my MCE 300 did me on my 28.
Pair of picasso clowns will be the featured and likely only fish.
Zoas, Montis, and probably som acros and millis.
Low aquascape to give corals room to grow (hopefully).

What's the best most reliable heater for this setup. I have used stealth in the past, but have heard some horror stories.

That's it for now. Hope to start putting supplies together soon.

 

[atlorange]

Ok, I have pulled the trigger on a 18*18*15 rimless tank. It will have a 3" 'sump' area like an AIO. So 21 total gallons and 18 in the display.

Any suggestions for best heater for this setup?
Also still looking at LED fixtures.

 

[nanonano]

Can't wait to see some pics. Asking about heaters is like asking about opinions on music and movies. You always hear both good and bad experiences about every one.

 

[crew]

the only horror stories you hear about are from people that don't have a back up plan...

use a ranco temperature probe, no problems

 

[chull13]

Man I am in the planning stages of something very similar so I will be tuning in to this thread for sure.

 

[hiimsean]

from what i've read about the AI nano LED is it wont cover that large of a footprint. i've been looking at 18x18x18 cubes and i think i will do a DYI LED and save some money.

where are you getting the tank from?

 

[atlorange]

Ya, I am waiting for user reviews about the Sol Nano before I decide. I may end up going with the full sized unit. I just saw it in action at Creation Reef. Pretty impressive.

The tank maker is not a sponsor so not sure I should post who it. PM me and I will tell you.

 

[hiimsean]

atlorange;583819 wrote: Ya, I am waiting for user reviews about the Sol Nano before I decide. I may end up going with the full sized unit. I just saw it in action at Creation Reef. Pretty impressive.

The tank maker is not a sponsor so not sure I should post who it. PM me and I will tell you.

so creation has them in store then? i may have to stop by on my way to work tomorrow.

 

[atlorange]

Yes, Creation has an AI fixture on display.

Also, I thought about it and I guess I can give the builder's name since they would be considered a manufacturer and not an etailer...I mean Marineland, or JBJ, or Elos are not sponsors either.

So, the tank is coming from picoaquariums.com...really nice pico and nano tanks.

I bought a used Solana stand to put it on yesterday. Tank should be here in the next two weeks, and I have a HUGE shopping list for Black Friday sales. Vortech MP10ES, heaters, RKL (maybe), lights?, rafractometer (maybe a digital one), as well as lots of odds and ends.

 

[hiimsean]

thanks, i actually purchased a 18" trimless cube from petstore.com. its a mr aqua aquarium since they were having a nice sale on them. im hoping to find some nice black friday sales too. know of a place with a good sale on MP10s? are you gonna have a sump or not?

i like the solana stand but i may try and do a diy stand

 

[atlorange]

No sump, just all in one type 'sump' area in back...3"

I ordered a ton of stuff on Black Friday, can't beat the 15% off and free shipping of stuff that is rarely discounted at all.

Ordered AI Sol Super Blue fixture. Still not sure how I want to hang it.
MP10
Reek Keeper Lite w temp, ph probes and ATO switches.
Milwaukee Digital Refractometer
Lot's of other odds and ends

Tank should ship late this week or early next week.

 

[hiimsean]

gonna be an awesome tank with the AI unit, hopefully i'll be able to grab one. i just got my tank in yesterday, i'll try to throw up some pics later

 

[atlorange]

Got all my dry goods, sans the tank! Gonna be one more week for that, at least...
Oh well, gives me more time to scope out some good rock and get everything else setup, especially lamp hanger. I think I am just gonna do a piece of conduit bent at 90 degrees and screw it to my storage cabinet, which will be right next to the tank. We shall see.

 

[atlorange]

Still no tank, but have been playing with the AI Sol Super Blue fixture this evening. The new firmware is awesome! 14 individual timers, you can ramp up white, blue and royal blue seperately. I think I will have a whiter look during the day for better growth and a blue look in the evening for my viewing pleasure. One of the coolest features in the Thunderstorm settings. You can set the % chance of a thunderstorm, the number of possible storms a day, or start one manually! Awesome fixture, now I just need to get the lamp hanger built, and oh yeah, get the tank!

 

[hiimsean]

hopefully i will get one after christmas, you order online or get it from creation?

 

[atlorange]

I got it online during Black Friday sales along w the mp10 and digital refractometer, etc.

Should have lamp tree done this week. Tank shud be here by end of week!

 

[atlorange]

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[atlorange]

Have since set date and time on light controller, LOL.

 

[hiimsean]

looks awesome, looking forward to seeing the progress

 

[atlorange]

Thanks, gonna get some water and live rock on it this weekend to kick off cycle.