My First Nano Tank (Deskmate Florida 9g)

[Jmcdaniel0]

I have been looking at getting a small nano tank for my office for awhile now. I finally said the heck with it and just go ahead and get one.

I purchased the Eshopps Desk Mate Florida 9 Gallon and it should arrive with in the next few days.

I have also purchased the following:

Flipper Magnet Cleaner PICO

AutoAqua Smart ATO Nano

Sicce JOLLY Preset 25

Sicce Micra Plus Pump

Eshopps Deskmate Media Shelf

VCA FLEX Series - Limited Edition Ultimate Deskmate Flow Kit - Dual 1/4" RFG Nozzle

I am really stuck on the lighting. I have been out of the hobby for a bit, and LED has really taken the center stage, and honestly, im a bit lost.

I have decided on the NooPsyche K7 Mini Kit 60W APP control w/Flex Arm


I mainly plan to keep LPS, but I wouldn't mind having the odd SPS in there as well. Also, if Possible I would like a BTA. Anyone care to give me the TLDR like Im a 5 year old rundown on the light situation?

 

[TX_REEF]

Which size deskmate?

All of those lights are excellent, but given the size of the tank (and because kessil is awesome for shimmer and coral color development) I'd still go with the kessil A80 - if you plan to have very high light demand corals, or if you have a "larger" deskmate, you could upgrade to a 160.

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

Which size deskmate?

All of those lights are excellent, but given the size of the tank (and because kessil is awesome for shimmer and coral color development) I'd still go with the kessil A80 - if you plan to have very high light demand corals, or if you have a "larger" deskmate, you could upgrade to a 160.

It’s the standard 4.8 gallon

 

[TX_REEF]

It’s the standard 4.8 gallon

In that case the A80 will work great. Aside from the NoopPsyche k7 and Reefbreeders pico, I'd venture to say the other listed options are overkill.

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

The k7 has many features the kessil doesn’t have. I would need to buy the mount and spectral controller for the kessil.

Are those k7 lights worth it, or should I stick with the know kessil?

 

[TX_REEF]

They are definitely worth it. I’m a bit of a brand snob and I love the shimmer so I wouldn’t, but logically the k7 will do the job just as well for the most part.

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

I"ve got a Radion XR15 over mine!

They are definitely worth it. I’m a bit of a brand snob and I love the shimmer so I wouldn’t, but logically the k7 will do the job just as well for the most part.

I try not to be a brand snob, but Kessil is a proven brand, the only light I know anything about.

I’ve got a lot of reading left to do

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

Tank stuff is starting to Arrive. Can’t wait to get this guy started.

Also, I swapped over to the Deskmate Florida 9g instead of the 4.8 version.

My nooposyche mini should be arriving any day.

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

The tank finally arrived!!!!

And I went and picked up 10 gallons of my LFS’s water. Sand, rocks, and the rest should arrive tomorrow.

It’s finally time to get started!

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

Everything has finally shown up, and the tank is wet!

Now the cycle begins. I’m using microbacter quikcycle and microbes startxlm…. I’ve never done the bottle bacteria before, but I usually cycle using ammonia, so we will see.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Best of luck to the cycle!

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

Now that the initial bubbles and cloudiness has gone down, here are some better pictures.

I am considering not using the media basket and turning that chamber into a fuge area. What are y’all’s thoughts on that idea?

 

[rdirtytwo]

I like the scape! I have the single VCA RFG on my 9g too. I wish I would have gotten the dual outlet though, so that's good you got it.

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

i only have the stock one on right now... I should be getting the upgraded ones by friday.

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

Update!

My VCA dual RFG’s came in finally!

And

We now have two tiny clowns and a handful of hermits.


NooPsyche sent me the wrong light, so I am still waiting on that to come in, but once it does, it will be coral time.

 

[MDAquatics]

I like your scape as well. You may have some issues cleaning the glass with how close the rock comes to it, but its looking good!

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

I like your scape as well. You may have some issues cleaning the glass with how close the rock comes to it, but its looking good!

Thanks man! I’m still waiting on my light to come in, and it’s beginning to get me upset. I will never order from them again. I knew I should have just bought a kessil.

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

I wanted to do a quick update, and let everyone know that it did take way to long, but @noopsyche did finally get everything straightened out with my lights.

The light is fantastic and looks great on my tank.

Also, my bubble magus miniq skimmer finally showed up.

It fits very nicely in the back of my tank.

I’ll get pictures up of both shortly.

Once my power head shows up, the tank will be more or less complete.

I’m looking at different solutions for the filter sock. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with it yet. If anyone has a suggestion on that let me know.

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

Here are the current pics of the tank. Cool things are getting ready to happen!

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

Finally got some life in the tank. I have three rock flowers, a tiny rainbow acan, a Slimer monti, and a neat looking blasto.