Another tank? How could I not!

[i cant think]

Well, seeing as my 3rd tank (2nd nano) has finally been replaced with an actual saltwater tank, it’s time for a 3rd build thread!
So, I guess to start it off here is the tank in its former… glory?

As you can see, it was just a freshwater tank with a pump and a heater in with an LED strip over the top. Nothing too extravagant. But, I was always planning to change it, I just wanted to find the ideal nano.
So, fast forward to yesterday (21/02/25) and we found it! The perfect nano to replace, it wasn’t too bulky, not too expensive and incredibly neat. Here’s the photo when we got back to the LFS after going to the supplier (yes, there is now a whole LFS that is co-owned by my dad… can the addiction get any more severe?);

Well, then it was the chaos of setting it up and figuring out what fish I actually still have (surprisingly quite a few). I haven’t seen some of these fish for weeks;
Gobiodon histrio (Green Clown Goby)
Elacatinus multifasciatus (Christmas Goby)
Elacatinus macrodon (Tiger Goby)
Stonogobiops nematodes (Black Ray Shrimp Goby)
But here is the tank after we moved the other nano, just filling it! Oh, and I finally can feed the fish and do water changes without removing the whole lid, who knew how useful a feeding hole would be?

Then, the fun part. Scaping it! I’ll probably add more rock as I get corals (I will probably get a couple zoas in there, some macros and feather worms). Yes, currently it’s bare bottom, the sand will be added on Tuesday/Wednesday.

But, here we are today, it’s cleared up nicely with a couple bubbles but not too many.

Oh, and I can’t leave out the best part, photos of the fish!

RECENT FTS (29/08/25)

 

[kyreefville]

What tank model do you have there? Have you planned out the whole build?

 

[i cant think]

What tank model do you have there? Have you planned out the whole build?

The new nano is a TMC First Wave tank, it’s planned out as far as what I know I want which will be 3-4 feather duster/coco worms. However, the coral scenario is very 50/50, I don’t know whether to go for softies, LPS and macros or just softies and macros.

 

[i cant think]

Time for an update!!
We hit the dirty phase :D
Look at that gorgeous brown/red/green rock. Isn’t it the best thing you’ve ever seen?

I also added a few bits this weekend, mostly just for the hitchhikers as always;
A good bit of GSP to trial it again after failing the last 10-15 times. This also has plenty of bristle stars hidden under it which is another reason I love it.

And the fragrance plug with a good couple of sponges covering it!

 

[i cant think]

The first load of macro is going in today!! Oh, and do you spot it?

 

[parclife]

Good luck with the build, these new tanks look great. Saw them in my local fish store today.

 

[i cant think]

Good luck with the build, these new tanks look great. Saw them in my local fish store today.

So far, we’re doing pretty good - just got the macro in!

 

[i cant think]

Okay uh, I’ll admit I’m not good at keeping build threads up-to-date.
But hopefully this shows how far the tank has come?


Safe to say, the Macros have taken over and managed to take hold (Yay! It actually shows the vision I had).

 

[i cant think]

My favourite half of the tank, yes I have a favourite part :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:
Oh and my new emerald crab is sitting next to the GSP.

 

[i cant think]

After a good 3 weeks of not looking at the tank (2 of those weeks I was in Panama) it was finally due to trim the system back. So here is a before and an after….

 

[i cant think]

this tank is definitely due an update, and well, here it is! My 48l (13G) Nano, as you can see it’s had a few new fish since last time.


Also, it’s now a peninsula style tank!
Now I’m just thinking of what inverts to put into the system - any ideas?

 

[i cant think]

Also got myself some new inverts! Now we have the fun look of rockpooling but from the side!

 

[i cant think]

Also! If you’ve ever wondered what macros I grow, I finally figured it out :D

1. Halymenia maculata

2. Caulerpa sertularioides

3. Caulerpa prolifera

And it’s all growing in really well, I need to do a proper video of this tank soon.

 

[i cant think]

Update!! This time, new fish alert :O
What could it be?
He wasted no time dashing for those rocks!!

 

[i cant think]

The pinkies are staring out from their macroalgae corner, and Ami the Amikami Goby is chilling out there too.

 

[i cant think]

Well, the tank is still looking amazing! Just got its monthly-bimonthly water change earlier today.

 

[i cant think]

Another update! It’s beyond overgrown but man I love it!!


A lot of Caulerpa sertularioides but hey, my pinkies are behaving incredibly with it.

 

[i cant think]

Hah… it didn’t get chopped back until today (a month later). But here was the whole process - still got cloudy water so I’ll wait for it to settle before I get a proper filled tank shot :)

 

[i cant think]

It’s update time again! I have loads going on. I have added 2 new macroalgaes.
The first one is “Sea Grapes” or Caulerpa lentillifera,

And the second is I believe Gracilaria hayi

But, here’s the display for now, still trying to get some blue macros or coral to spread out the green and reds.

I also pruned out more of the Sertularioides so it’s now one long runner going through the middle to try make room for more macros and allow the others to hopefully have a chance at competing in growth.

 

[i cant think]

Well, I think 4 of these bags is for this tank! All softies - no more macros for now, unless I can source blue ochtodes or blue hypnea.

2 Gorgonians, 2 Zoanthids and a small rock of Mushrooms!