AquaPod FUN.....

[latuttle]

Steve,

I'm sorry. Reading this thread, I thought we were talking about modifying nano's in general. I didn't really get that this was a chronicle thread. Sorry for the derail.

Laura

[RVAE34]

I started a new thread and should have read through this first. Steve, your tank is amazing. I would ove to see a pic of the whole thing including frame to get a real idea of the scale. Here is the post in the thread I started, maybe you guys can help.

I am new to the forum, but have had two saltwater aquariums in the past. I had a 90 gallon and a 55. Both had VHO lighting and wet/dry. This was 12 years ago so I know things have come a long way. I am trying to decide b/t the Aquapod 24 gallon with metal halide lighting or a used 55 gallon with everything except is has the VHO. He wants $700 for everything and has rock, sand, fish, some coral and anemones etc. I honestly think I would rather have the smaller tank so I can focus my attention on the details and cost a lot less to fill. What are your thoughts. Even when I had the big tanks, I always thought it would be cool to have a smaller one.

Here is what I want. Fiji sand, Fiji live rock, some hard and soft coral, one anemone with a maroon clown, two tiny blue hippos, a small yellow tang and a tiny niger trigger. perhaps a few other tiny fish in a school. Is that too much? All insights/reccomendations would be appreciated.

BTW, the local store wants $490 for the setup with Metal halide. I have found them on ebay for $390 shipped and $415 at an online store. What are your thoughts on getting them off eBay?

[Woodstock]

Keep in mind that the base stocking rate is 1" of adult fish per 5 gallons of water. Any over this amount could cause stress on the fish and will certainly entail more water changes

Ebay is a great place to get used equipment. Just be sure to evaluate the seller thouroughly prior to a purchase.

I would go with a large system.

[RVAE34]

I like the idea of the 55 better, but then would have to get dual Metal halide lights, and I am also thinking of moving in the next 6 months. The 24 would be much easier to move. SO you think that is way too much fish? The eBay tank is new from a store

[Woodstock]

With the 24 gal nano, you should have one maybe two small fish.. definately no tangs/triggers. It should also be well established (6 mos minimum) before adding an anemone. They are very sensitive and need an aged tank with pristine water to thrive.

[RVAE34]

The guy at the salt water specialty store I have been going to for 15 years said all those fish would be ok. But maybe he just isn't used to such small tanks. What about just the maroon, the niger, and two blue hippos. All these fish are tiny at the store, and dont they grow to their environment?

[Stevenmi]

RVAE34 unfortunately to include all the fish you are discussing in a 24 would most likely result in the death of these fish within a month or two at best. I consider the hippos to be very sensitive...the age (very small) will make them even more difficult. Fish do not grow to the available space and then stop so you will then have a long term issue to think about (much larger tank required to suite the needs of the fish as they grow or sadly what tomato plant to put them under when they pass from the stress of overcrowding/poor water quality. The maroon if small could do well for a year or two, perhaps a few firefish or a small goby. Just understand that the more fish you put in ...the more work it will be to keep it clean. At some point the scales will tip and your corals will most likely be the first to pay the price.

I second the statements concerning any anemone addition. In general not a good idea without a "mature tank" that has very good water quality.

As for on-line purchasing...ask around and find a seller with a good reputation first.

Thanks for the kind comments on the 12 gallon...it is very time consuming to keep it in good shape. I do 1 gallon water changes every 3 days, run a remora skimmer 12 hours a day and perform an extensive rock/substrate cleaning once a week. One word to the wise, I have lost corals because I did not have a good enough understanding of the chemical warfare that will occure between them when put to close together...DO YOUR RESEARCH.

To be honest...not a darn thing wrong with a 55 and vho or pc lighting and 1 MH light IF you can afford it at this time. Imho water quality is above all most importaint. save on the MH upgrade and get a high quality skimmer and auto-topoff. I have seen some unreal tanks with 3 even 2 watts good quality lighting per gallon...I like the 50 gallon tanks much better then the 55 for rock work.

ps...If you are moving...give serious thought to holding off on the corals and do not even try a dsb or plenum type setup.

Steve

[RVAE34]

I looked at the 55 but didnt really like it. The filtration skimmer box ( dont know real name) was bulky and black and obnoxious looking. The tank wasn't deep enough. I didn't like the stand or the look of the VHO lighting. Maybe if I went with less fish in the aquapod it would be ok. I like the small niger trigger, maroon clown, yellow eyed tang, any angel, hard or soft coral, mushrooms, etc. Suggestions on whether I could do any of these and which ones would be ok together if so. Metal halide of coarse. And I will wait as long as it takes to let things balance in the tank.

Here is what it had:
Here is what the 55 has. VHO lights one new blue, old white
UV sterilizer
wet/dry
protein skimmer
de-nitrator
30 gallon sump
heater
2 power heads
drilled tank w overflow system
stand and canopy
moon lights led

3/4 full with base, fiji and premium rock
2 bubble tip anemones
rocks with yellow and green pollops
4 turbo snails
starfish
hermit crabs
maroon clown
yellow eyed tang
2 damsels, diff species
1 red flame hawk

all for $700

[RVAE34]

Sorry for the thread drift. I just read back through everything and realized it was all for Steve's tank. Just wanted to let you all know I got a 50 gallon predrilled used for a great price. I love the size of the 50. Now lets see more of your setup Steve. Thanks for all the advice