New to Nano

wav0718 · 03-10-2008, 09:20 AM

Was reading some post and found some great info on this site. So I decided to start my own nano progression thread. I bought a 24 gal aquapod on 02/24/2008. Here is what the tank looked like when i first bought it.

After some rearranging today, this is what it looks like now.

I plan to position the stock powerhead toward the left side of the rocks and move the right powerhead toward the back to face the right side. I was thinking about getting another small powerhead to put on the middle of the back wall to face the front of the aquarium and try to create some downward flow to reach the inside of the cave. Do you think this is overkill?

My current test results are:
temp 77.9 (no lights) 79.3 (lights)
SG 1.026
pH 8.4
KH 17
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Calcium 410
Phosphate 0
No test kit for ALK yet

I use reef builder in my top off water and just bought purpleup today. I plan to dose with purpleup as my calcium falls below 410. Anyone have any exp with the product. I have heard that ideal calcium should be between 410-450 from a ref book I bought but also heard that is should not exceed 420, anyone have any input on this? I am also planning to buy a American-Marine PinPoint pH Monitor, anyone have any recommendations or exp with this model?

Here is a pic of my current back setup

Yes, that is the FISSION NANO SKIMMER. I wish I read some reviews before buying it. The only thing it is doing is creating a lot of micro bubbles in the water. I am waiting on the Tunze Nano DOC Protein Skimmer 9002 and hope to have better luck. I've heard skimmers aren't necessary for nano tanks but figured it couldn't hurt.

Here are some mystery pics:

Middle think that looks like a mussel, not sure what it is.

Middle pink thing, any ideas?

Added life include - 3 hermit crabs and 2 nassarius snails

glampka · 03-10-2008, 09:28 AM

Looks good! Specific gravity a tad high though.
I would take the Purple Up back to the store. It has been known to seriously cause pH problems. Coralline will come with time - don't rush it. I'm using the AquaC Remora Nano on my 12 gal Aquapod.

rlcline76 · 03-10-2008, 11:39 AM

I have never been big on nano skimmers...Gary, how do you like the Aqua C?

Wav, welcome!
I like flow and the more you read about what can happen to a tank without enough flow, that extra powerhead seems like a good idea. It looks like you have an HK nano. I have one, doesn't have much umph behind it...not much for adjusting, but it there was a way to put it behind the rockwork, or at least low to the side pointing along the back, it might help keep some waste from accumulating back there. I have HK1s pointing toward the surface and slightly pointed toward the skimmer. Helps with gas exchange and gives me some sense that some uneaten food and fish poo is going to the skimmer versus sitting on the sanbed.

So, what livestock would you like to see in there?

glampka · 03-10-2008, 11:43 AM

The AquaC does a good job although a bit noisy. Need to close the bedroom door at night.

CREEPIN · 03-10-2008, 11:57 AM

I HAVE THE ALSO SUFFERD FROM THE "FISSION"...horrible..

but i just got me a biocube skimmer (for my biocube 14 gallon), and its great! has suction cups so u can put it in any tank! i really like it..

really nice tank btw!!

boozeman · 03-10-2008, 12:08 PM

I like the way you arranged the rock

wav0718 · 03-10-2008, 04:47 PM

Well I woke up today to find my temp at 83.1

I run my lights from 4am til 2pm. I work evening shift from 3pm-12am and like to have the lights off when there is no one home. I bought a clip on fan but the clips don't fit on the edge without some mod and I don't feel like breaking the whole thing down to cut out notches so here is what I came up with:

This is the clip-on fan that doesn't fit. It won't even fit on a standard 55 gal rectangular aquarium.

Do you guys think the fan will be enough? I have central ac. My room is small 10X10 (i think) and along with my comp/lcd monitor/55 gal planted tank (temp change on this is 78 to 80), my room gets hot. My door is usually closed when the lights are running since it is at night and I live with roommates. You think I'll need a chiller?

I also read that the AquaC Remora Nano was a bit noisy. That is why I decided on the Tunze Nano skimmer. Hopefully I'll get it today and be able to start testing it out. Thanks for the welcome and advice.

CREEPIN · 03-10-2008, 04:52 PM

becareful that fan dont fall man...can be a real mess...

only one way to find out, test it!

good luck

lcstorc · 03-10-2008, 05:47 PM

Welcome to RS!
Nice scape job. Be sure to keep some flow going behind the rockwork.
Ditch the Purple Up. It will play havoc with your parameters. Get a good 2 part calc/alk supplement and use it as needed. Don't dose for anything you do not test for.

wav0718 · 03-13-2008, 08:03 PM

Update on protein skimmer. I got the Tunze Nano DOC Protein Skimmer 9002 in the mail yesterday. Here is a pic of the collection cup diff from the Fission Nano-Protein Skimmer and the Tunze Nano Skimmer.. a big difference!

I did have to make some modifications to the sponge. I cut about 1/4 of it off and squeezed it back in place.

Only time will tell if it will be adequate.

Working great, only 5 min and alrdy some gunk buildup. And best of all, NO MICRO BUBBLES!

lcstorc · 03-13-2008, 08:19 PM

That was fast.
Just wait till it breaks in. Then it will really pull out some junk.

wav0718 · 03-19-2008, 02:10 AM

Well its been about a week and the Tunze Nano DOC Protein Skimmer 9002 is doing great.

A new addition is the CPR AquaFuge 2 Refugium. Comes with light and pump. Miracle Mud, Chaeto and Pods added.

Some hitchhikers removed

Fits nicely

The clip on fan now fits so no longer using the floor fan. (see above)

Also rearranged the rocks to create an open back and holes for water flow throughout.

Here is a pic of my planted tank.

Hope this thread is helpful. Planning to add coral this weekend. Any suggestions on starter corals?

CREEPIN · 03-20-2008, 10:19 AM

green star!!

goldenmean · 03-20-2008, 11:04 AM

You are off to a great start.
I keep my tanks at 1.026 Sg.
I will repeat what the others have said about Purple Up. Ditch it.

I really like your new aquascaping. Great job!

Mushrooms and zoanthids are good corals to start with.
Green Star Poylps are good too but they come with a warning. They can grow quickly and go where you dont want them. You may have to prune them periodically over time.

I have the Tunze 9005 skimmer in my 55g's sump and love it!
It is very productive.

Nanoreefbro · 03-20-2008, 12:23 PM

Looks like you are on your way.. I like the aquascaping work.. I need to redo mine..

03-10-2008, 09:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
wav0718 Bryozoan Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 58 View Gallery Karma Komment	New to Nano Was reading some post and found some great info on this site. So I decided to start my own nano progression thread. I bought a 24 gal aquapod on 02/24/2008. Here is what the tank looked like when i first bought it. After some rearranging today, this is what it looks like now. I plan to position the stock powerhead toward the left side of the rocks and move the right powerhead toward the back to face the right side. I was thinking about getting another small powerhead to put on the middle of the back wall to face the front of the aquarium and try to create some downward flow to reach the inside of the cave. Do you think this is overkill? My current test results are: temp 77.9 (no lights) 79.3 (lights) SG 1.026 pH 8.4 KH 17 Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 0 Calcium 410 Phosphate 0 No test kit for ALK yet I use reef builder in my top off water and just bought purpleup today. I plan to dose with purpleup as my calcium falls below 410. Anyone have any exp with the product. I have heard that ideal calcium should be between 410-450 from a ref book I bought but also heard that is should not exceed 420, anyone have any input on this? I am also planning to buy a American-Marine PinPoint pH Monitor, anyone have any recommendations or exp with this model? Here is a pic of my current back setup Yes, that is the FISSION NANO SKIMMER. I wish I read some reviews before buying it. The only thing it is doing is creating a lot of micro bubbles in the water. I am waiting on the Tunze Nano DOC Protein Skimmer 9002 and hope to have better luck. I've heard skimmers aren't necessary for nano tanks but figured it couldn't hurt. Here are some mystery pics: Middle think that looks like a mussel, not sure what it is. Middle pink thing, any ideas? Added life include - 3 hermit crabs and 2 nassarius snails

03-10-2008, 09:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
glampka Achilles Tang Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 817 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New to Nano Looks good! Specific gravity a tad high though. I would take the Purple Up back to the store. It has been known to seriously cause pH problems. Coralline will come with time - don't rush it. I'm using the AquaC Remora Nano on my 12 gal Aquapod. __________________ We are the people our parents warned us about! JB 30 gal mixed reef 12 gal mixed Aquapod, 70 W MH 12 gal JBJ cube - mixed reef 12 gal Aquapod - work in progress

03-10-2008, 11:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
rlcline76 Manta Ray Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Bliss, TX Posts: 3,348 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New to Nano I have never been big on nano skimmers...Gary, how do you like the Aqua C? Wav, welcome! I like flow and the more you read about what can happen to a tank without enough flow, that extra powerhead seems like a good idea. It looks like you have an HK nano. I have one, doesn't have much umph behind it...not much for adjusting, but it there was a way to put it behind the rockwork, or at least low to the side pointing along the back, it might help keep some waste from accumulating back there. I have HK1s pointing toward the surface and slightly pointed toward the skimmer. Helps with gas exchange and gives me some sense that some uneaten food and fish poo is going to the skimmer versus sitting on the sanbed. So, what livestock would you like to see in there? __________________ ~Becky~ I think everything ALWAYS comes back to underwear sooner or later. Whether or not that's a good thing is up to conjecture. BarbMazz Any weather is thong weather. BEELZEBOB honesty and a skidmark fetish will get you far Sasquatch I don't want the world, I just want your half. TMBG

03-10-2008, 11:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
glampka Achilles Tang Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 817 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New to Nano The AquaC does a good job although a bit noisy. Need to close the bedroom door at night. __________________ We are the people our parents warned us about! JB 30 gal mixed reef 12 gal mixed Aquapod, 70 W MH 12 gal JBJ cube - mixed reef 12 gal Aquapod - work in progress

03-10-2008, 11:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
CREEPIN Cabbage Leather Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami FL Posts: 355 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New to Nano I HAVE THE ALSO SUFFERD FROM THE "FISSION"...horrible.. but i just got me a biocube skimmer (for my biocube 14 gallon), and its great! has suction cups so u can put it in any tank! i really like it.. really nice tank btw!!

03-10-2008, 12:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New to Nano I like the way you arranged the rock __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

03-10-2008, 04:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
wav0718 Bryozoan Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 58 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New to Nano Well I woke up today to find my temp at 83.1 I run my lights from 4am til 2pm. I work evening shift from 3pm-12am and like to have the lights off when there is no one home. I bought a clip on fan but the clips don't fit on the edge without some mod and I don't feel like breaking the whole thing down to cut out notches so here is what I came up with: This is the clip-on fan that doesn't fit. It won't even fit on a standard 55 gal rectangular aquarium. Do you guys think the fan will be enough? I have central ac. My room is small 10X10 (i think) and along with my comp/lcd monitor/55 gal planted tank (temp change on this is 78 to 80), my room gets hot. My door is usually closed when the lights are running since it is at night and I live with roommates. You think I'll need a chiller? I also read that the AquaC Remora Nano was a bit noisy. That is why I decided on the Tunze Nano skimmer. Hopefully I'll get it today and be able to start testing it out. Thanks for the welcome and advice.

03-10-2008, 04:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
CREEPIN Cabbage Leather Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami FL Posts: 355 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New to Nano becareful that fan dont fall man...can be a real mess... only one way to find out, test it! good luck

03-10-2008, 05:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,473 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New to Nano Welcome to RS! Nice scape job. Be sure to keep some flow going behind the rockwork. Ditch the Purple Up. It will play havoc with your parameters. Get a good 2 part calc/alk supplement and use it as needed. Don't dose for anything you do not test for. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

03-13-2008, 08:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
wav0718 Bryozoan Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 58 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New to Nano Update on protein skimmer. I got the Tunze Nano DOC Protein Skimmer 9002 in the mail yesterday. Here is a pic of the collection cup diff from the Fission Nano-Protein Skimmer and the Tunze Nano Skimmer.. a big difference! I did have to make some modifications to the sponge. I cut about 1/4 of it off and squeezed it back in place. Only time will tell if it will be adequate. Working great, only 5 min and alrdy some gunk buildup. And best of all, NO MICRO BUBBLES!

03-13-2008, 08:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,473 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New to Nano That was fast. Just wait till it breaks in. Then it will really pull out some junk. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

03-19-2008, 02:10 AM	#12 (permalink)
wav0718 Bryozoan Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 58 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New to Nano Well its been about a week and the Tunze Nano DOC Protein Skimmer 9002 is doing great. A new addition is the CPR AquaFuge 2 Refugium. Comes with light and pump. Miracle Mud, Chaeto and Pods added. Some hitchhikers removed Fits nicely The clip on fan now fits so no longer using the floor fan. (see above) Also rearranged the rocks to create an open back and holes for water flow throughout. Here is a pic of my planted tank. Hope this thread is helpful. Planning to add coral this weekend. Any suggestions on starter corals?

03-20-2008, 10:19 AM	#13 (permalink)
CREEPIN Cabbage Leather Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Miami FL Posts: 355 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New to Nano green star!! __________________ Bio-Cube 14gal +Oceanic Protien Skimmer +36w 50/50 +hydro 1 power head +small Heater +chaeto -filter cartridge starting my 65 build (\___/) This is Bunny. (=O.o=) Copy and paste him into your signature (")__(") to help him gain world domination.

03-20-2008, 11:04 AM	#14 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,063 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New to Nano You are off to a great start. I keep my tanks at 1.026 Sg. I will repeat what the others have said about Purple Up. Ditch it. I really like your new aquascaping. Great job! Mushrooms and zoanthids are good corals to start with. Green Star Poylps are good too but they come with a warning. They can grow quickly and go where you dont want them. You may have to prune them periodically over time. I have the Tunze 9005 skimmer in my 55g's sump and love it! It is very productive. __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

03-20-2008, 12:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
Nanoreefbro Midas Blenny Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 116 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New to Nano Looks like you are on your way.. I like the aquascaping work.. I need to redo mine.. __________________ "It wouldn't be a hobby if it was easy"...

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