Seahorse Nano Reef

Salemsoul · Mar 23, 2020

I left this hobby after an experience that had me change careers away from marine animal care. One year ago & waist deep in ball pythons. . . I realized I was incomplete without it. While I will never return to working in an aquarium or zoo professionally again, the easiest way I know to bring the ocean into our home is seahorses and coral! Last year I started up a 20G nano reef which is being moved into an IM 25G Lagoon tank. I got really lucky buying this system second hand from a local reefer and when ponies will be added is currently unknown. As for coral: I’m going to try and get some monti in here, maybe a few mushrooms, clove polyps, (unlikely) micromussa. Truthfully the majority of this tank will be macro and gorgonians if I can find them!

System Came with
40G Innovative Marine Black
Eshopps Overflow Box Eclipse-S
Trigger Systems Sapphire Cube Sump
Trigger Systems 5G ATO
Schedule 80 plumbing
Return & Overflow Ball Valve
Swing Check Valve for Return

* I have not decided on a return pump (suggestions are welcomed)
* a Refugium in sump
Salt- Red Sea Blue Bucket
Lighting- Radion XR15w G4
Sand & Rock- CaribSea Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand & Stax by Two Little Fishies
powered by microbacter 7 and tigger pods from Reef Nutrition

Hopefully I don’t struggle with the plumbing, update when wet or if I run into an issue ;Cat

Devaji · Mar 23, 2020

Salemsoul said:
I left this hobby after an experience that had me change careers away from marine animal care. One year ago & waist deep in ball pythons. . . I realized I was incomplete without it. While I will never return to working in an aquarium or zoo professionally again, the easiest way I know to bring the ocean into our home is seahorses and coral! Last year I started up a 20G nano reef which is being moved into an IM 25G Lagoon tank. I got really lucky buying this system second hand from a local reefer and when ponies will be added is currently unknown. As for coral: I’m going to try and get some monti in here, maybe a few mushrooms, clove polyps, (unlikely) micromussa. Truthfully the majority of this tank will be macro and gorgonians if I can find them!

System Came with
40G Innovative Marine Black
Eshopps Overflow Box Eclipse-S
Trigger Systems Sapphire Cube Sump
Trigger Systems 5G ATO
Schedule 80 plumbing
Return & Overflow Ball Valve
Swing Check Valve for Return

* I have not decided on a return pump (suggestions are welcomed)
* a Refugium in sump
Salt- Red Sea Blue Bucket
Lighting- Radion XR15w G4
Sand & Rock- CaribSea Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand & Stax by Two Little Fishies
powered by microbacter 7 and tigger pods from Reef Nutrition

Hopefully I don’t struggle with the plumbing, update when wet or if I run into an issue ;Cat

OH heck yeah!! flowing this one for sure!
I have been wanting SH for a few years but just not the right time for me. I am/we are moving here soon and amost got the waterbox 5526 for a SH tank that would have been epic. bUT the GF did not thing so as I already have one big tank

But I am wearing her down.slowly but surly...haha

I dont really care for cubes I had a SCS 90 just did not do it for me. however for a SH tank i would do one no problem. I think the IM40 will be great for 2 pairs its on the small side for 2 pairs but i think you could get away with it with good skimmer and WC.

IMHO I would use a cheaper salt like IO reef crystals so you can easily do 10-15% WC each week. unless you got deep pockets or a sugar daddy funding the tank the blue bucket could add up. IDK just a thought.

I love Gorgs. so under rated same with macros perfect for a SH build.

anyway I should get outta here before i want yet another build...lol

Salemsoul · Mar 24, 2020

Devaji said:
OH heck yeah!! flowing this one for sure!
I have been wanting SH for a few years but just not the right time for me. I am/we are moving here soon and amost got the waterbox 5526 for a SH tank that would have been epic. bUT the GF did not thing so as I already have one big tank

But I am wearing her down.slowly but surly...haha

I dont really care for cubes I had a SCS 90 just did not do it for me. however for a SH tank i would do one no problem. I think the IM40 will be great for 2 pairs its on the small side for 2 pairs but i think you could get away with it with good skimmer and WC.

IMHO I would use a cheaper salt like IO reef crystals so you can easily do 10-15% WC each week. unless you got deep pockets or a sugar daddy funding the tank the blue bucket could add up. IDK just a thought.

I love Gorgs. so under rated same with macros perfect for a SH build.

anyway I should get outta here before i want yet another build...lol

spouses come around eventually lol mine has an insane fear of fish tanks yet here we are. And planning a custom build for next year.

If I can find two pairs of H. Barbouri I would put two but it in unlikely. As for salt I use RS pro now but have some dislikes that the blue bucket has ironed out. Three tanks on Red Sea means buying in bulk lol

Devaji · Mar 24, 2020

yeah if it's working for you by all means.
Barbouri would be so cool.
what is your cooling plan? house AC or chiller?

OH BTW I dig the charaka tat on the arm.

Salemsoul · Mar 25, 2020

Devaji said:
yeah if it's working for you by all means.
Barbouri would be so cool.
what is your cooling plan? house AC or chiller?

OH BTW I dig the charaka tat on the arm.

Barbouri are hard to come by, hopefully the two breeders I know of will have some luck this year.
Our AC is super consistent it's 72 and dual zone so I'm lucky, but I will be buying a chiller anyways. We live in the boonies so if our power goes off in the summer it takes some time.

& thank you it is my pride and joy