Eshopps Deskmate Build

[tmcjilton]

Hello fellow reefers. After taking some time away from the hobby I decided it was time to come back. I’ve been eyeing something small for my home office to get me back into things and am happy to say I’ve begun the journey of starting a pico tank.

My most recent setup consisted of a RSR250 which I sold prior to moving. I miss it dearly but couldn’t bring it. It was for the best because I was traveling frequently for work and couldn’t give it the attention it required like I used to.

I have had a 30 gallon nano tank in the past and always loved the look of smaller nano tanks. When I saw the deskmate I knew it was perfect for me to get back into reef keeping. I ordered the kit from BRS and it was delivered yesterday.

I was planning on a trip to WWC to get some inspiration and decided to just grab some NeoMarine instead of using the salt that came in the kit. While I was there I picked up a Sicce Micra Plus to use instead of the “stock” pump. Come to find out, the pump that came with my DeskMate was a Micra. Probably would’ve just stuck with that but didn’t know it came with it.

My plan is for a mixed reef with mostly softies and LPS, but I really want to plan this out so as to avoid any issues. As far as fish go I am hoping to support a clownfish and possibly a neon blue goby.

The kit came with life rock and I have never used dry rock before so hopefully this turns out good but as of now here is what my scape looks like: (any feedback is welcome)

I’m currently doing a fish less cycle with Dr. Tim’s ammonia and Microbacter 7. I plan on taking things slow with this build but frequent trips to WWC is going to have me antsy to get things in the tank. For lighting I plan on running a Kessil A80 but haven’t picked that up yet as I don’t need it until I start adding frags. I'm not always the best at frequent updates but will be doing my best. Any feedback or advice is welcomed and appreciated. Really looking forward to getting this going!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along! I love the way these tanks look

 

[jwestwood]

Thinking about upgrading lights? Nice work.

 

[Haggisman14]

Great start!

I'd highly recommend getting a lid on that to slow the evaporation!

 

[tmcjilton]

Thinking about upgrading lights? Nice work.

Yea, I will definitely be upgrading the light. On my last setup I used XR15's but I have always wanted that Kessil shimmer so I am probably going to go with the A80. I think anything more than that will probably be overkill.

 

[tmcjilton]

Great start!

I'd highly recommend getting a lid on that to slow the evaporation!

You're not kidding! in 12 hours my return chamber has dropped 3"! I'm not a huge fan of lids, but I am looking into an ATO solution. I do however think I will get the Kraken Reef mesh lid once I have fish in there since I am probably going to have a goby and I have had them jump before.

 

[TX_REEF]

Hello fellow reefers. After taking some time away from the hobby I decided it was time to come back. I’ve been eyeing something small for my home office to get me back into things and am happy to say I’ve begun the journey of starting a pico tank.

My most recent setup consisted of a RSR250 which I sold prior to moving. I miss it dearly but couldn’t bring it. It was for the best because I was traveling frequently for work and couldn’t give it the attention it required like I used to.

I have had a 30 gallon nano tank in the past and always loved the look of smaller nano tanks. When I saw the deskmate I knew it was perfect for me to get back into reef keeping. I ordered the kit from BRS and it was delivered yesterday.

I was planning on a trip to WWC to get some inspiration and decided to just grab some NeoMarine instead of using the salt that came in the kit. While I was there I picked up a Sicce Micra Plus to use instead of the “stock” pump. Come to find out, the pump that came with my DeskMate was a Micra. Probably would’ve just stuck with that but didn’t know it came with it.

My plan is for a mixed reef with mostly softies and LPS, but I really want to plan this out so as to avoid any issues. As far as fish go I am hoping to support a clownfish and possibly a neon blue goby.

The kit came with life rock and I have never used dry rock before so hopefully this turns out good but as of now here is what my scape looks like: (any feedback is welcome)

I’m currently doing a fish less cycle with Dr. Tim’s ammonia and Microbacter 7. I plan on taking things slow with this build but frequent trips to WWC is going to have me antsy to get things in the tank. For lighting I plan on running a Kessil A80 but haven’t picked that up yet as I don’t need it until I start adding frags. I'm not always the best at frequent updates but will be doing my best. Any feedback or advice is welcomed and appreciated. Really looking forward to getting this going!

congrats on the new system and welcome back!

Great call on the kessil.

Regarding your cycle, I'm fairly certain you'll want to add more bacterial diversity than just microbacter 7, a bit of real ocean rubble rock or even rubble from a mature system that you trust would be a good call.

 

[tmcjilton]

congrats on the new system and welcome back!

Great call on the kessil.

Regarding your sysle, I'm fairly certain you'll want to add more bacterial diversity than just microbacter 7, a bit of real ocean rubble rock or even rubble from a mature system that you trust would be a good call.

Thanks! On my last 2 tanks I did Dr. Tims ammonia and Dr. Tims one and only and had great success. Unfortunately I don't have a mature system I trust. Using the Microbacter 7 since it came with the kit from BRS. I will let you know how it works out after my water tests. If it doesn't seem to be working I will probably grab a bottle of one and only.

 

[TX_REEF]

Thanks! On my last 2 tanks I did Dr. Tims ammonia and Dr. Tims one and only and had great success. Unfortunately I don't have a mature system I trust. Using the Microbacter 7 since it came with the kit from BRS. I will let you know how it works out after my water tests. If it doesn't seem to be working I will probably grab a bottle of one and only.

I'm sure you can get the cycle completed regardless, I was more referring to future stability. You're experienced though, you got this

 

[tmcjilton]

Thanks! On my last 2 tanks I did Dr. Tims ammonia and Dr. Tims one and only and had great success. Unfortunately I don't have a mature system I trust. Using the Microbacter 7 since it came with the kit from BRS. I will let you know how it works out after my water tests. If it doesn't seem to be working I will probably grab a bottle of one and only.

I'm sure you can get the cycle completed regardless, I was more referring to future stability. You're experienced though, you got this

Thanks! I may be experienced but have been around this hobby long enough to know that I know nothing! I am always open to advice, so if you have any recommendations other than something from another tank I’m definitely interested in trying it out. I would be doing the one and only with the ammonia but since the kit came with Microbacter I figured I’d try it. Do you think I should use something in addition to the Microbacter?

 

[TX_REEF]

Thanks! On my last 2 tanks I did Dr. Tims ammonia and Dr. Tims one and only and had great success. Unfortunately I don't have a mature system I trust. Using the Microbacter 7 since it came with the kit from BRS. I will let you know how it works out after my water tests. If it doesn't seem to be working I will probably grab a bottle of one and only.

I'm sure you can get the cycle completed regardless, I was more referring to future stability. You're experienced though, you got this

Thanks! I may be experienced but have been around this hobby long enough to know that I know nothing! I am always open to advice, so if you have any recommendations other than something from another tank I’m definitely interested in trying it out. I would be doing the one and only with the ammonia but since the kit came with Microbacter I figured I’d try it. Do you think I should use something in addition to the Microbacter?

In a perfect scenario, I’d recommend a treasure chest of live sand and rubble rock from Tampa Bat Saltwater @LiverockRocks but that may be too much material for your tank size since you already have rock and sand.

I don’t think it would hurt to also add Dr Tims one and only; it will only add more variety of beneficial bacteria, which variety is even more needed in absence of live rock.

 

[Haggisman14]

You're not kidding! in 12 hours my return chamber has dropped 3"! I'm not a huge fan of lids, but I am looking into an ATO solution. I do however think I will get the Kraken Reef mesh lid once I have fish in there since I am probably going to have a goby and I have had them jump before.

I would get it with the solid inlay...otherwise you lose a lot of water a day!

 

[tmcjilton]

I would get it with the solid inlay...otherwise you lose a lot of water a day!

So I did the math and right now my tank is losing 425ml/24hr.

I am considering the solid inlay from Kraken Reef, however I am concerned about temperature. I am worried about it getting too hot. My office is downstairs which I don't usually keep cooler than 76 most days, and it is set to go up to 78 when everyone leaves the house. With such a small volume of water, I'm hoping the ambient temp and heat from the pump doesn't cause me issues.

I am looking into an ATO solution now. The front of my desk below where the tank currently sits is a cabinet and I am trying to find a solution to keep an ATO in there.

 

[tmcjilton]

All is going well with the cycle so far!

My next task is to find a solution for topping off. I am trying to keep the cost of things down and at the same time find solutions that are minimal as there isn't a whole lot of room in such a small sump.

I was first considering the Osmolator ATO Nano but am exploring options for something less expensive. I was thinking of just using a dosing pump and programming it for just under what my tank evaporates in a day and splitting it up into multiple "doses", but I don't think that's a good idea since evaporation rates change. I found an ATO kit on Amazon for $60 and am considering this route. But before doing all of this I am also thinking I should just get the Kraken Reed lid with the insert to slow down the evaporation. I will need a lid eventually regardless. Decisions, decisions...

 

[tmcjilton]

Update:
So after fishes cycling for 3 weeks I was comfortable with the way the tank was processing ammonia and I have added the tanks first inhabitant! I was picking up some supplies at WWC and they were doing 30% off all clownfish and this "frostbite" was exactly what I wanted.

He has been in for a week and seems do be dong well. I have been feeding frozen mysis and brine shrimp. I plan to let him be alone for a little while and plan to add a neon blue goby as the tanks only other fish at some point, but I like to try to take things as slow as my impatience will allow. (I think 2 small fish is about all this size tank can handle without even more maintenance than it already will require.)

While I was at WWC I couldn't resist upgrading the light that came with this tank. As planned I went with the Kessil A80 Tuna Blue and it looks 100x better than the stock light. I have been running it at its lowest setting for a little over a week now and plan to increase slightly over the next couple weeks. I do not have means of automation yet so I am manually turning on, etc.

Now that I have a better light, I do plan to add a couple inexpensive corals within the next few weeks but do want to let the tank establish a little more before adding anything crazy. I would love to get some recommendations for some hardy corals that anyone can recommend based on my setup.

Its really difficult to get a photo of this guy but here's a short clip:

 

[Shinji Ayanami]

Update:
So after fishes cycling for 3 weeks I was comfortable with the way the tank was processing ammonia and I have added the tanks first inhabitant! I was picking up some supplies at WWC and they were doing 30% off all clownfish and this "frostbite" was exactly what I wanted.

He has been in for a week and seems do be dong well. I have been feeding frozen mysis and brine shrimp. I plan to let him be alone for a little while and plan to add a neon blue goby as the tanks only other fish at some point, but I like to try to take things as slow as my impatience will allow. (I think 2 small fish is about all this size tank can handle without even more maintenance than it already will require.)

While I was at WWC I couldn't resist upgrading the light that came with this tank. As planned I went with the Kessil A80 Tuna Blue and it looks 100x better than the stock light. I have been running it at its lowest setting for a little over a week now and plan to increase slightly over the next couple weeks. I do not have means of automation yet so I am manually turning on, etc.

Now that I have a better light, I do plan to add a couple inexpensive corals within the next few weeks but do want to let the tank establish a little more before adding anything crazy. I would love to get some recommendations for some hardy corals that anyone can recommend based on my setup.

Its really difficult to get a photo of this guy but here's a short clip:

How high is your light above your tank.

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

Super cool, I hope it works out for you. I used to have a jbj 10g desktop and I loved it. Super beautiful tank and the light it came with worked just fine for LPs!

 

[tmcjilton]

Update:
So after fishes cycling for 3 weeks I was comfortable with the way the tank was processing ammonia and I have added the tanks first inhabitant! I was picking up some supplies at WWC and they were doing 30% off all clownfish and this "frostbite" was exactly what I wanted.

He has been in for a week and seems do be dong well. I have been feeding frozen mysis and brine shrimp. I plan to let him be alone for a little while and plan to add a neon blue goby as the tanks only other fish at some point, but I like to try to take things as slow as my impatience will allow. (I think 2 small fish is about all this size tank can handle without even more maintenance than it already will require.)

While I was at WWC I couldn't resist upgrading the light that came with this tank. As planned I went with the Kessil A80 Tuna Blue and it looks 100x better than the stock light. I have been running it at its lowest setting for a little over a week now and plan to increase slightly over the next couple weeks. I do not have means of automation yet so I am manually turning on, etc.

Now that I have a better light, I do plan to add a couple inexpensive corals within the next few weeks but do want to let the tank establish a little more before adding anything crazy. I would love to get some recommendations for some hardy corals that anyone can recommend based on my setup.

Its really difficult to get a photo of this guy but here's a short clip:

How high is your light above your tank.

I’m not sure but it is as low as the Kessil mini gooseneck bracket will allow. I will have to measure it later.

 

[TX_REEF]

awesome call with the kessil, i run them on all my tanks

Update:
So after fishes cycling for 3 weeks I was comfortable with the way the tank was processing ammonia and I have added the tanks first inhabitant! I was picking up some supplies at WWC and they were doing 30% off all clownfish and this "frostbite" was exactly what I wanted.

He has been in for a week and seems do be dong well. I have been feeding frozen mysis and brine shrimp. I plan to let him be alone for a little while and plan to add a neon blue goby as the tanks only other fish at some point, but I like to try to take things as slow as my impatience will allow. (I think 2 small fish is about all this size tank can handle without even more maintenance than it already will require.)

While I was at WWC I couldn't resist upgrading the light that came with this tank. As planned I went with the Kessil A80 Tuna Blue and it looks 100x better than the stock light. I have been running it at its lowest setting for a little over a week now and plan to increase slightly over the next couple weeks. I do not have means of automation yet so I am manually turning on, etc.

Now that I have a better light, I do plan to add a couple inexpensive corals within the next few weeks but do want to let the tank establish a little more before adding anything crazy. I would love to get some recommendations for some hardy corals that anyone can recommend based on my setup.

Its really difficult to get a photo of this guy but here's a short clip:

 

[ernestogui86]

What’s up guys! First post on the R2R forums and just wanted to include pictures of my newest purchase. Eshopps deskmate marina. I recently started adding corals. If you have any questions ask away