TylerMoralez
Active Member
Alright, time for a new build!
It's a great feeling being able to start a build with high hopes and expectations. Especially when you've learned so much from previous successes and fails. This will be my fourth build, however it will be the one that truly succeeds!
My previous builds were each taken down before the other, each for a different reason. Whether it be low funding (1st build), lack of time for up-keep (2nd build), and my most recent being that I had to move out of my previous apartment. Now it's time for a new start!
I wouldn't say that I've been out of the hobby, (though it's been almost a year since I last had a tank in my possession) because I've been following up with the almighty R2R forum, and taking down ideas and plans for my next adventure...
and this one is gonna be a challenge!
The Plan...
This may sound old and continuously said by other reefers, but with this build I want to stay on top of tracking my progress (exclusively on R2R), and make this something worth reading and following.
This tank is 100% Hawaiian influenced, though it will most likely contain only 80-90% of true Hawaiian features due to size and slim pickings within that size allowance. Most true Hawaiian corals and livestock require a much larger tank volume.
I will be needing some of your wise and inquisitive input for this build, and I look forward to what creativity anyone can bring forward.
The Build...
Final Thoughts...
It's a great feeling being able to start a build with high hopes and expectations. Especially when you've learned so much from previous successes and fails. This will be my fourth build, however it will be the one that truly succeeds!
My previous builds were each taken down before the other, each for a different reason. Whether it be low funding (1st build), lack of time for up-keep (2nd build), and my most recent being that I had to move out of my previous apartment. Now it's time for a new start!
I wouldn't say that I've been out of the hobby, (though it's been almost a year since I last had a tank in my possession) because I've been following up with the almighty R2R forum, and taking down ideas and plans for my next adventure...
and this one is gonna be a challenge!
The Plan...
This may sound old and continuously said by other reefers, but with this build I want to stay on top of tracking my progress (exclusively on R2R), and make this something worth reading and following.
This tank is 100% Hawaiian influenced, though it will most likely contain only 80-90% of true Hawaiian features due to size and slim pickings within that size allowance. Most true Hawaiian corals and livestock require a much larger tank volume.
I will be needing some of your wise and inquisitive input for this build, and I look forward to what creativity anyone can bring forward.
The Build...
- Tank: Aquamaxx 9.6 (Rectangular- 17.8"x10.7"x11.9")
- Lighting: Aquamaxx Nemolight 18watt (may possibly be adding 2 Current USA TrueLumen Pro Marine Fusion 12k/453m LED strips - will need some help determining if needed)
- Filtration: Hagen AquaClear 50 (Heater will somehow be a mod inside with some Miracle Mud and Carbon. Thus the need for the larger filter. If there is more room, may be adding more filtration features, but these are the top two that I feel are a must for a tank so small.)
- Heater: Undecided. Possibly Cobalt NeoTherm 50W
- Water Movement: AquaClear 50 provides 200gph output flow, though I may also supplement with a Koralia Hydor 240gph. Would love some ideas of another nano powerhead that won't take up so much space and probably doesn't need to be as strong.
- Stand/Canopy: DIY Fluval Edge influenced base/hood/neck. Already bought materials for the build, just need to get it together this weekend, hopefully tonight.
- Substrate: CaribSea Arag-Alive Hawaiian Black Sand (~15 lbs.)
- Rock: Real Reef Rock (between 10 and 20 lbs.)
- Livestock:
- *Hawaiian... Scarface Blenny (Cirripectes vanderbilti); Chocolate Dip Chromis (Chromis hanui); Hawaiian Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides phthirophagus).
I'm not too positive about the above Hawaiian fish, these were the only nano that I could find. Their swimming habits may prohibit the existence in a 10G. If so, I will have to look for something similar. May have to move to Caribbean fish instead...
- Corals:
- *Hawaiian... Common Razor Coral (Fungia scutaria); Blue Soft Coral (Sarcothelia edmondsoni); Montipora; Cauliflower Coral (Pocilopora meandrina).
Other corals will also have to suffice, as again the pickings from Hawaii are very slim due to size as well as restrictions in Hawaii. I will try my hardest to find corals similar to other corals that originate in Hawaii. To my knowledge, it is illegal to collect SPS and LPS corals from Hawaii, so mainly Zoas are my only true Hawaiian corals I might be able to get my hands on. Darn.
- Inverts/CUC:
- Strawberry Crab (Liomera sp.); Cave Shrimp (Stenopus pyrsonotus); Saron Shrimp (Saron marmoratus).
Final Thoughts...
The tank itself is going to be beautiful no matter what, even if that means I have to ditch the Hawaiian idea and save it for a larger build. Maybe this will be just a pre-Hawaiian-Inspiration-Tank... or we can call it a PHIT tank for now 
I plan on keeping the progress and build updated pretty often, with lots of pictures. My design for the stand/canopy has been finalized and am happy to admit that I am finally pleased with it after working and changing things for weeks. Hopefully I can get that going tonight and show you all my vision, because I know that it is somewhat hard to explain. Just think of the Fluval Edge 6 gallon for now. Just on a somewhat larger scale.
Until then, I will try and check back in within a few hours and maybe show some progress on the build.
PLEASE any suggestions or ideas, throw them my way! With this build I am trying to show myself some self-control and not going for a much larger scale build. I'm horrible at self control... don't tempt me!
I plan on keeping the progress and build updated pretty often, with lots of pictures. My design for the stand/canopy has been finalized and am happy to admit that I am finally pleased with it after working and changing things for weeks. Hopefully I can get that going tonight and show you all my vision, because I know that it is somewhat hard to explain. Just think of the Fluval Edge 6 gallon for now. Just on a somewhat larger scale.
Until then, I will try and check back in within a few hours and maybe show some progress on the build.
PLEASE any suggestions or ideas, throw them my way! With this build I am trying to show myself some self-control and not going for a much larger scale build. I'm horrible at self control... don't tempt me!
