The Brown's AIO 5G Build

[MikeB]

We’ve been away from the hobby for quite a while, but we’re finally jumping back in. My wife’s been asking to start another tank, so we decided to keep it simple and go with a 5g AIO nano. We’ve added sand and built out the rock-scape, and in the next update it’ll be in its final spot with water added so we can start the cycling process. Follow along and enjoy the journey!

Tank Details:

• 5G rimless nano with rear filtration
• Mechanical sponge, carbon, and ceramic biological media
• 130 GPH return
• Dosing MicroBacter7
• 10W Heater
• Miofis New Gen One ATO
• AI Prime 16HD Lighting
• Hygger Aquarium Wave Maker


Live Stock:

• 1 Turbo Snail
• 2 Hermit Crabs

Corals:

• WWC Seared Stellaria Chalice
• WWC Bob Marley Zoanthids
• WWC Mandarin Monster Zoanthids
• RR Pink Diamond Zoanthids
• WWC Fireworks Clove Polyp
• WWC Flame Tongue Micro Gonipora
• Jason Fox Limelight Hydnophora
• Jason Fox Enchanted Forest Birdsnest
• Orange Mushroom

The Latest Tank Picture:

The first pictures:

• Fireworks Clove Polyp

 

[Rhetoric]

Nanos for the win.

Now as a you've been here before, the hard part is controlling the collectoritis.

I'll give a helpful hint on how I control mine...

You can only put so much "Stuff" in a nano!

Welcome back, enjoy the tiny water changes.

 

[MikeB]

Nanos for the win.

Now as a you've been here before, the hard part is controlling the collectoritis.

I'll give a helpful hint on how I control mine...

You can only put so much "Stuff" in a nano!

Welcome back, enjoy the tiny water changes.

Collectoritis lol - Tthat will be something that we will have to control :)

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[revhtree]

WOW welcome back Mike!! Been a looooong time!

 

[MikeB]

WOW welcome back Mike!! Been a looooong time!

Yes it has, life gets crazy sometimes and now its time to slow down a bit :)

@revhtree - you know this is going to lead in to a big tank again....

 

[MikeB]

Alright, my wife found the stand she wanted, and it’s now built and set up. The tank is in its final resting place and filled with water, so the cycling process has officially begun. We’ve started dosing MicroBacter7 to help establish the biological culture and get the tank off to a strong start.

 

[MikeB]

 

[kevgib67]

I’m always amazed of what people can create in these nano/pico tanks. I look forward to seeing what you do.

 

[MikeB]

First time checking chemical levels:

pH: 7.8
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm

 

[MikeB]

Should we start adding a ammonia source to the system? I want to see the ammonia spike and then go to 0, this should help get nitrates above 0 ppm correct?

 

[MikeB]

Tank is a solid 4 days old. What could this be? Bacterial Bloom that will resolve itself once the tank cycles and matures?

 

[MikeB]

Tank is a solid 4 days old. What could this be? Bacterial Bloom that will resolve itself once the tank cycles and matures?

After research, I am 99% positive this is a bacterial bloom and quite normal during the cycling process.

 

[JonoH]

After research, I am 99% positive this is a bacterial bloom and quite normal during the cycling process.

Could be a number of things, but year, completely normal for all sorts of weird to happen at the start!

Looking good!

 

[Wonkabar]

Tank is a solid 4 days old. What could this be? Bacterial Bloom that will resolve itself once the tank cycles and matures?

Could be a lot, it’s a brand new tank. Just let the cycle continue and leave it be. 99.9% of things in the beginning resolve themselves.

 

[MikeB]

Should we start adding a ammonia source to the system? I want to see the ammonia spike and then go to 0, this should help get nitrates above 0 ppm correct?

We started adding some Hikari Bio-Pure Freeze Dried Brine Shrimp to the system to get a Ammonia spike. Hope we will get a 1-2 ppm Ammonia spike then we can bring the ammonia back to zero and hopefully we will then get some nitrates.

 

[MikeB]

Not much of an update but we are starting to see some diatoms which is great since it shows the nitrogen cycle is taking place. Can’t wait for this to be cycled.

 

[MikeB]

Curious as to what everyone does with their back panel in your tanks, clean it to keep it black or let coralline algae and other stuff build up?

 

[SixlineRyan]

I like to keep it clean so things stand out a bit more, but I don't hate the natural growth look.

following along!

 

[MikeB]

Disaster averted this weekend!

I have a single Snail and 2 hermits in the tank which I was hoping would raise ammonia but they were not enough so I started dosing Dr Tim's Ammonium Chloride and added 2.5x the amount I should of. Ammonia skyrocketed. I noticed the snail falling of the glass which prompted me to test Ammonia. I removed the snail and did a 50% water change, then a 80% water change, got it down to .25 ppm. The snail is back in and doing great.