My 20gal Nano Reef (ragvette)

ragvette · 12-09-2007, 11:30 AM

It's not even a week old but its making progress.

Last weekend painted the back blue and the bottom of the tank black. Re-painted the back of tank on Monday (12/2/2007) because after giving it a second coat, the paint bubbled so I scraped the back with a razor and re-done it Monday night (12/3/2007)

12/4/2007 - Paint dry, now it's on the stand.

12/5/2007 - Filled it with water, the 200watt heater is just to bring it up to temp quicker. Salt added.

12/06/2007 - Added 20lbs of Natures Ocean Live Sand and 22lbs of live rock.

12/08/2007 - Added an additional 7lbs to the tank which brings the total to 29lbs of live rock, added some mushrooms.

The glass thermometer on the front of the tank will be removed, just comparing the readings to my electronic thermometer for accuracy. The electronic thermometer from LifeGard (Little Time or Temp Monitor) was right on the money. I also plan on moving the 100watt heater from the tank into the return tube of the CPR bakpak skimmer, just less things in the tank.

Here's a picture the morning of 12/09/2007.

Here's my current list for my 20gal Reef Nano Aquarium

1 – 20gal Aqueon Aquarium (24”L x 12”W x 16”H)
1 - Lighting - Coralife Aqualight 24” 1 – 65watt 10,0000k daylight, 1 – 65 watt Actinic 03 Blue
1 - CPR BAKPAK 2R
2 – Max-Jet 600
1 – Natural Wave Timer
1 – 100Watt Visi-Therm Slealth Heater
1 – Little Time or Temp Monitor

20lbs – Natures Ocean Live Sand (Nature's Ocean - Premium Marine Subtrates)
29lbs – Fiji Live Rock

On my shopping list are:
1.) Coralife 4 Black Aqualight Mounting Legs, want to raise the light hood off the tank so I can get my hand into the tank without moving the lights. For an extra few bucks I can't understand why the manufacture doesn't just include them when you purchase the lights.

2.) CPR Bak-Pak 2 Combo Box - Hopefully this will allow the surface to be skimmed and also reduce the micro bubbles in the tank.

3.) R2 Solutions Moonlight 11000 MC - The room is totally dark at night where the 20gal Nano tank located in. I'll just mount this onto the back of the light hood.

Jason25 · 12-09-2007, 12:31 PM

I like it, looks very nice, great job.

tbittner · 12-09-2007, 10:51 PM

I agree, looks VERY nice!

Doot77 · 12-10-2007, 10:32 AM

Looking good.

lcstorc · 12-10-2007, 01:17 PM

Good start.

ScubaDrew · 12-10-2007, 01:34 PM

Looks great, the rock work is impressive - is it stable? Did you glue it?

Drew

ReefLady · 12-10-2007, 01:39 PM

That looks really really nice. Love the aquascaping. What do you intend to put in it for livestock?

Boomer · 12-10-2007, 02:52 PM

My Lady is here for a visit

ragvette · 12-11-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaDrew

Looks great, the rock work is impressive - is it stable? Did you glue it?

Drew

Thanks ScubaDrew, No glue, it's just balanced.

ragvette · 12-11-2007, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefLady

That looks really really nice. Love the aquascaping. What do you intend to put in it for livestock?

Thanks!

I already started with some mushrooms and then the tank will mainly be for LPS/Soft Corals, Polyps and mushrooms. I'll also throw in a fish or two, a cleaner shrimp and then the clean up crew.

BigAl07 · 12-11-2007, 11:12 AM

Tank looks VERY good.

I have a few suggestions for you..

#1 Slow down buddy.... it's not cycled or anything. If you add live-stock now you'll most likely lose it all and have a serious tank "Crash". You need to read and slow down my friend.

#2 Glue the rock. "Critters" will be in there and if they aren't glued/pegged or anchored some way the offs of a rock slide are VERY great.

#3 Get the "hinged" legs for your light. I got the regular ones first (I ordered them with the fixture) and then after a few weeks got the hinged ones. MUCH better and allows you to merely raise the light with one hand if need be. Just a couple of bucks more and well worth the $$

#4 Get some test kits and start doing your water tests YESTERDAY! Track each test result so you can "See" the tank's cycle as it happens and you'll know without a doubt what the status of your tank is.

What is your source for water?

ragvette · 12-11-2007, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl07

Tank looks VERY good.

Thanks

Quote:

I have a few suggestions for you..

#1 Slow down buddy.... it's not cycled or anything. If you add live-stock now you'll most likely lose it all and have a serious tank "Crash". You need to read and slow down my friend.

I've been taking readings everyday and all the parameters are currently in spec. But my plan from the start was to give it a few weeks to make certain that it really has cycled. Some $15 mushrooms I can afford to lose IF I get the major "Crash" as you speak of.

Quote:

#2 Glue the rock. "Critters" will be in there and if they aren't glued/pegged or anchored some way the offs of a rock slide are VERY great.

No thanks, I don't like the glue method. I prefer a method that allows me to change things around and glue doesn't do it for me. Thanks for the advice but it's not my style.

Quote:

#3 Get the "hinged" legs for your light. I got the regular ones first (I ordered them with the fixture) and then after a few weeks got the hinged ones. MUCH better and allows you to merely raise the light with one hand if need be. Just a couple of bucks more and well worth the $$

Thanks, didn't even know they made hinded legs. I'll look into it if the regular ones don't give me access room to the tank.

Quote:

#4 Get some test kits and start doing your water tests YESTERDAY! Track each test result so you can "See" the tank's cycle as it happens and you'll know without a doubt what the status of your tank is.

See reply to #1

Quote:

What is your source for water?

35gph Kent Marine Hi-S RO/DI unit.

and a little advice for you, low post count doesn't mean inexperience.

ReefGuy69 · 12-11-2007, 08:47 PM

I really would reconsider the glueing or fixing your rock by othermeans to make it more stable. I can speak for myself and im sure many others have had the same experience if not all of us. Your rock at one time or another will come tumbling down without some form of stabalization like glue or epoxy. I know you may want to move things around down the road, but trust me its going to be hard once it gets established and you get corals and livestock in there. once you get going you kind of need to just keep it the way it is. thats why we stress now to make it stable . ive seen people lose corals and livestock to a piece of rock getting bumped by their owner doing maintenance or by a critter burrowing in the sand. its to risky. especially if you have a glass tank like i do. i dont need a piece of rock coming crashing down while im not home killing everything ive invested into this thing because this hobby does take alot of time (that you cant get back) and alot of money (only get back with watching your tank thrive) cant do that if its laying all over your floor.

Techno-Vicki · 12-11-2007, 08:54 PM

BigAl gave you some great advice. A wise person would follow it

BigAl07 · 12-11-2007, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragvette

...and a little advice for you, low post count doesn't mean inexperience.

To be honest I don't look at or even care about post count. It's your tank and I only wanted to give some advice to help you learn from my mistakes.

About the glue... it's not permanent. It's easily removed with two strong hands if need be but it adds a HUGE layer of stability to your rock work. But then again it's your tank and everything's "in spec" so I'll leave you with it.

Honestly best wishes and Happy Reefing.

12-09-2007, 11:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
ragvette Ricordea Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake Villa, IL Posts: 183 View Gallery Karma Komment	My 20gal Nano Reef (ragvette) It's not even a week old but its making progress. Last weekend painted the back blue and the bottom of the tank black. Re-painted the back of tank on Monday (12/2/2007) because after giving it a second coat, the paint bubbled so I scraped the back with a razor and re-done it Monday night (12/3/2007) 12/4/2007 - Paint dry, now it's on the stand. 12/5/2007 - Filled it with water, the 200watt heater is just to bring it up to temp quicker. Salt added. 12/06/2007 - Added 20lbs of Natures Ocean Live Sand and 22lbs of live rock. 12/08/2007 - Added an additional 7lbs to the tank which brings the total to 29lbs of live rock, added some mushrooms. The glass thermometer on the front of the tank will be removed, just comparing the readings to my electronic thermometer for accuracy. The electronic thermometer from LifeGard (Little Time or Temp Monitor) was right on the money. I also plan on moving the 100watt heater from the tank into the return tube of the CPR bakpak skimmer, just less things in the tank. Here's a picture the morning of 12/09/2007. Here's my current list for my 20gal Reef Nano Aquarium 1 – 20gal Aqueon Aquarium (24”L x 12”W x 16”H) 1 - Lighting - Coralife Aqualight 24” 1 – 65watt 10,0000k daylight, 1 – 65 watt Actinic 03 Blue 1 - CPR BAKPAK 2R 2 – Max-Jet 600 1 – Natural Wave Timer 1 – 100Watt Visi-Therm Slealth Heater 1 – Little Time or Temp Monitor 20lbs – Natures Ocean Live Sand (Nature's Ocean - Premium Marine Subtrates) 29lbs – Fiji Live Rock On my shopping list are: 1.) Coralife 4 Black Aqualight Mounting Legs, want to raise the light hood off the tank so I can get my hand into the tank without moving the lights. For an extra few bucks I can't understand why the manufacture doesn't just include them when you purchase the lights. 2.) CPR Bak-Pak 2 Combo Box - Hopefully this will allow the surface to be skimmed and also reduce the micro bubbles in the tank. 3.) R2 Solutions Moonlight 11000 MC - The room is totally dark at night where the 20gal Nano tank located in. I'll just mount this onto the back of the light hood. __________________ -Rodney My 20gal Nano Chronicle My 65gal Chronicle Reef Store Locator

12-09-2007, 12:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jason25 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 991 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 20gal Nano Reef (ragvette) I like it, looks very nice, great job.

12-09-2007, 10:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
tbittner Watch this Ma! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 5,562 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 20gal Nano Reef (ragvette) I agree, looks VERY nice! __________________ Terry 150g predator tank full of killers. Soon to be upgraded to a 360g. 450g reef 300g sump.

12-10-2007, 10:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
Doot77 Scopas Tang Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: DeKalb, IL Posts: 467 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 20gal Nano Reef (ragvette) Looking good. __________________ Matt ________________________________ 110 Gallon Oceanic with dual corner overflows and 40 gal Oceanic 150 Sump Livestock : - 1 Mystery Wrasse, 1 Fairy Wrasse, 1 Royal Gramma, 1 Diamond Watchman Goby, 2 Turbo Snails, 6 Nassarius Snails, 1 Fighting Conch, 6 Dwarf Blue Legged Crabs & 6 Dwarf Zebra Crabs, 3 Emerald Crabs, 1 Purple Reef Lobster, 1 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, 1 Red Sea Star, 1 Brittle Star, 1 Sand Sifting Star Fish 20 gal Quarantine tank Doot's Reef Chronicle

12-10-2007, 01:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,473 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 20gal Nano Reef (ragvette) Good start. __________________ 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.

12-10-2007, 01:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
ScubaDrew Elegance coral Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 1,043 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: My 20gal Nano Reef (ragvette) Looks great, the rock work is impressive - is it stable? Did you glue it? Drew __________________ www.NorthEastCoral.com My coral and supply website! STT2VT - Chronical

12-10-2007, 01:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
ReefLady Golden Moray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 2,029 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: My 20gal Nano Reef (ragvette) That looks really really nice. Love the aquascaping. What do you intend to put in it for livestock? __________________ ~ Teri -------- "You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice."

12-10-2007, 02:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
Boomer Reef Sanctuary's Mr. Wizard Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Posts: 2,072 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: My 20gal Nano Reef (ragvette) My Lady is here for a visit __________________ Boomer Want to Talk Chemistry ! The Reef Chemistry Forum Want to See More ! The Coral Realm If you See Me Running You Better Catch-Up An explosion can be defined as a loud noise, accompanied by the sudden going away of things, from a place where they use to be.

12-11-2007, 11:12 AM	#11 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,619 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 20gal Nano Reef (ragvette) Tank looks VERY good. I have a few suggestions for you.. #1 Slow down buddy.... it's not cycled or anything. If you add live-stock now you'll most likely lose it all and have a serious tank "Crash". You need to read and slow down my friend. #2 Glue the rock. "Critters" will be in there and if they aren't glued/pegged or anchored some way the offs of a rock slide are VERY great. #3 Get the "hinged" legs for your light. I got the regular ones first (I ordered them with the fixture) and then after a few weeks got the hinged ones. MUCH better and allows you to merely raise the light with one hand if need be. Just a couple of bucks more and well worth the $$ #4 Get some test kits and start doing your water tests YESTERDAY! Track each test result so you can "See" the tank's cycle as it happens and you'll know without a doubt what the status of your tank is. What is your source for water? __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

12-11-2007, 08:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
ReefGuy69 Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 746 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 20gal Nano Reef (ragvette) I really would reconsider the glueing or fixing your rock by othermeans to make it more stable. I can speak for myself and im sure many others have had the same experience if not all of us. Your rock at one time or another will come tumbling down without some form of stabalization like glue or epoxy. I know you may want to move things around down the road, but trust me its going to be hard once it gets established and you get corals and livestock in there. once you get going you kind of need to just keep it the way it is. thats why we stress now to make it stable . ive seen people lose corals and livestock to a piece of rock getting bumped by their owner doing maintenance or by a critter burrowing in the sand. its to risky. especially if you have a glass tank like i do. i dont need a piece of rock coming crashing down while im not home killing everything ive invested into this thing because this hobby does take alot of time (that you cant get back) and alot of money (only get back with watching your tank thrive) cant do that if its laying all over your floor.

12-11-2007, 08:54 PM	#14 (permalink)
Techno-Vicki Dancing Mandarins Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sanger, CA (on Kings River) Posts: 1,089 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My 20gal Nano Reef (ragvette) BigAl gave you some great advice. A wise person would follow it __________________ AKA - "Speedy" Extreme Reef Addition Videos of Mandarins, reef tank, and "His Majesty's" DIY water changer http://www.murrayproductions.org/Ree...RM_videos.html "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford (1863-1947)

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