Reef Breeder's LED and Mandarin Dragonett Nano

[Reef Breeders]

For the nano in 90 competition, I will be setting up a nano tank just for mandarin dragonetts and corals. I may add some cool fish like firefish, or picasso occeys, but the main focus will be mandarin dragonetts. A fuge will certainly be implemented, as well as live pods to keep the population healthy enough for the dragonetts to thrive. I plan on building a DIY glass or acrylic tank, but if I find a nice used one, I will certainly set it up.

 

[btkrausen]

Awesome, that sounds like a fun build...can't wait to see it.

 

[BarbH]

Does sound like a fun build, look forward to following along.

Sent from my SCH-R720 using Tapatalk 2

 

[revsgirl]

Sounds awesome!!

 

[Reefkeeper14]

can't wait to see this build

 

[CJO]

Looking forward to seeing this.

CJ

 

[Reef Breeders]

Final dimensions have been decided: 24"x24"x15" tall, rimless with a beananimal coast to coast, no powerheads will be used, I will be using 2 3/4" returns, probably about 1500gph total. Sounds extreme, but I want some good coral growth. I will be using a skimmer, lighting will be a par 38 bulb, ca/alk is undecided so far. The tank will be DIY with black silicon.

 

[btkrausen]

Sounds awesome. I was debating on setting up my 24 x 24 x 12 thats sitting out back to give me more space to play with, but I figured the 9 would be fun to work on as well.

 

[Reef Breeders]

Sounds awesome. I was debating on setting up my 24 x 24 x 12 thats sitting out back to give me more space to play with, but I figured the 9 would be fun to work on as well.

That's okay, send it to me and I'll do it for you I may try a really tiny tank one day, but I wanted to give the dragonetts a little room to hunt

 

[larryl]

Sweet build bring on the pics!

 

[mallorieGgator]

Looking forward to seeing this! Are you keeping a stock of pods on the side to feed the tank?

 

[bige]

We're all here waiting for pics.

 

[Reef Breeders]

Looking forward to seeing this! Are you keeping a stock of pods on the side to feed the tank?

Of course, there will also be a fuge implemented.

 

[Reef Breeders]

We're all here waiting for pics.

Lol of what? It is still in the planning stage

 

[mallorieGgator]

Lol of what? It is still in the planning stage

lol! :wink:

 

[btkrausen]

lol! :wink:

We need a picture of how you are thinking about setting this up...come on, its only fair lol

 

[Reef Breeders]

If you won't take it from me, take it from this:

 

[Reef Breeders]

Okay, for all you guys who want pics, here is the empty space that the tank will occupy:

 

[Reef Breeders]

The stand will just about cover that outlet, perfect access I will be using a single par 38 LED bulb hung from the ceiling in a nice fixture that matches the ones I installed just to the left for the kitchen (not in the picture). There will be a dimmer switch in the wall to the right of the tank to dim the light, and I will have an EB8 under the stand, the USB cable will be run through the attic and down through the wall to the stand from my apex, which is perfect, since I happen to have an EB8 lying around :bounce: The power cord going to the light will come out of another box that I will install in the wall, and I will put an outlet on the cord, then plug it into my Apex, timer and dimmer, all built into the wall! For a sump, I will be using and extra 10 gallon tank that I have, and some glass baffles. The skimmer will be a bubble magus NAC3+, it is very compact and silent, which is perfect. For a return pump, I plan on an eheim compact plus. They have a flow adjuster, and are also silent. I will drill 4 holes in the bottom: 2 1" holes in a glass overflow box for the drain, and 2 3/4" returns on the bottom of the tank (with a check valve of course, which will be replaced and cleaned periodically!) The drain will be a herby system, one will be full siphon, the other will catch the rest.

 

[Reef Breeders]

And for anyone planning this same tank, the glass dimensions are: 1-24"X24", 2- 24"X14.75", 2- 23.5"X14.75", 1- 7.5"X13.5", 2-3.5"X13.5", all 1/4" thick. I will be drilling these myself, I just need to buy the bit for the 1" bulk heads, and I'm good to go. I will let you know the final cost from glass cages.com!