My 20 gal slice of the ocean

[johnanddawn]

nice set up - i too have more sump than tank - and like it that way
kinda like putting a v-8 in a smart car
that does look like a pretty nice light - do be careful acclimating i bet with the 60* optice that thing has a lot of PAR and even though you seem to have it high enough there may be some hot/cool spots as well

 

[Russter]

Here are the par values that are listed in the instructions that came with the light as well as the technical specifications:

 

[Russter]

Finally!

My battle with the emerald crab has come to an end. After a week of trying to catch the crafty critter, I have triumphed!
It all started when I noticed the crab perched in the branches of my green birdsnest coral. It looked like he was doing his usual duty of picking off bits of algae like he does from the rock. But upon further inspection, I noticed the crab was actually eating the tips and polyps off the coral. This of course would not be allowed. After many attempts to lure him with tasty bits of silversides, I came home today to find him in the birdsnest again. I managed to grab the crab with a pair of large forceps and pull him out of the tank (although he did not want to let go). He is now residing in the sump, where there is lots of bubble algae for him to enjoy.

 

[Russter]

Here is a quick little video of the tank with the new lights

[video]http://youtu.be/TWSloNclriY[/video]

 

[swannyson7]

Awesome nano! Your tank looks great with the new lights!

 

[Russter]

Thanks! I think I am going to grab a glass of wine and sit in front of the tank for awhile tonight.

 

[revhtree]

Looks great man! Sweet light!

 

[Russter]

Looks great man! Sweet light!

Thanks revhtree. The light is awesome and the corals never looked better!

 

[Russter]

For some unexplained reason, the Bangaii cardinal ended up stuck in the overflow pipe a couple of weeks ago. I don't know if it died in the tank and got sucked in or if it got sucked in (maybe while sleeping?) and died in the pipe. Either way, it had seemed very healthy and was eating well, so not sure exactly what happened.
This opened up some room in my tank for another fish. I have always wanted a flasher wrasse but could never find one when I had room for one. So down to the LFS I went with some xenia and colt frags. They actually had one so I traded the frags for this very beautiful fish.

 

[UncleJT]

Very nice, I love flasher wrasses.

 

[Russter]

Very nice, I love flasher wrasses.

Thanks Uncle JT! He is a very cool fish, adding some more movement to the tank

[video=youtube;WNonBuDq63w]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNonBuDq63w&hd=1[/video]

 

[Russter]

Some water parameters from last night:

Temperature: 80.0 F
pH: 8.24
Salinity: 1.026
Calcium: 420 ppm (API)
Alkalinity: 9.358 dKH (Hanna checker)
Magnesium: 1300 ppm (Elos)
Nitrate: 0 ppm (API)
Phosphate: 0 ppm (API)

 

[dougers31]

With that filtration setup you might as well go with a full blown sps tank Nice setup!

 

[Russter]

With that filtration setup you might as well go with a full blown sps tank Nice setup!

Thanks dougers31......some day.....maybe :wink:

 

[1986com]

man filter is over kill but so nice jaw dropping

 

[Russter]

man filter is over kill but so nice jaw dropping

No such thing as overkill :hammer:

 

[Russter]

A couple of goodies arrived in the mail today. Got a Vortech Battery Backup, as well as a UPS battery backup that will allow the Apex to send me an email in the case of power failure. Also got a couple of impellers for the Mag 9.5 to replace the one I broke last week while cleaning the pump. Stupid ceramic shafts. ps:

 

[Reef UP]

Great looking tank could you pm me more info on the light like where you got it and such thanks

 

[bige]

Dude you have a sick fish room for a 20g. Thats so awesome.

 

[neecee268]

WOW! This is beautiful and just a little intimidating. I've been bitten by the bug and want to own my own tank. I'm hoping to take the plunge soon, but trying to do as much research as I can to get started. This is just beautiful and I can't imagine the time and effort you've invested.

Any suggestions for a newbie? Any lessons learned that I might be able to start with?