The Nano Reef -2 Tanks 1 Stand-

MinnReef

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Tank 1 FTS (11/5/20)
FTS1.jpg

Equipment:

Display Tank:
Marineland portrait 5 gallon
Return Pump: Sicce ???
Light: Pixie 30 LED
Heater: Jager 50watt w/ink bird
Wood: Tigerwood
Sand: Lake Superior gravel
Stand: DIY

Livestock (will update):

Invertebrates
Clean up Crew:

Ghost shrimp

Plants:
Willow Moss
Dwarf Hair Grass


Fish:
Red Plakat Betta splendens "Redskull"
Dwarf Spotted Rasbora


Tank 2 FTS (11/5/20)
FTS Nov .jpg

Equipment:

Display Tank:
UNS 45a

Return Pump: Sicce micraPlus (158 GPH)

Light: Pixie 30 LED

Heater: Jager 50watt w/ink bird

Rock: 10lbs Marcorock

Sand: 17lbs aragalive natural reef

ATO: Duetto ATO

Stand: DIY

Livestock (will update):

Invertebrates
Clean up Crew:

2 x Blue leg hermit
5 x Marginella snail
3 x Virgin nerite
Florida cerith

Dwarf cerith

Green porcelain crabs

Coral:

Macroalgae:

3 Red Mangroves
Caulerpa peltata
Halimeda opuntia

Fish:
*A secret*
 
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MinnReef

MinnReef

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From the Inappropriate Reefer, just in case you haven't seen this.


Have watched that before, going more for a crisp display and don't mind initially spending more money for the tank and look that I want. Was a very good series to watch when I was newer to the hobby for sure.
 
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MinnReef

MinnReef

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Backround/Intro
Okay so here is the challenge that I wanted to do for myself, I have had reefs for about 2 years or so. I have mainly done more natural style reefs that include macroalgae, duller corals, as well as a more white spectrum of light. After my last tank ended on an Alk overdose, I have had about 2 months or so to prep for a new tank. Everything was flipped upside down when my college played a game of cat and mouse by saying that I would be moving back, switching to where I would not go back. This happened about 4-5 times before I finally got an official word from my aquatic plants' professor who said I would not be returning. This has pros & cons...mainly the build will be a bit slower as I won't have a lot of freedom living at home. So, I thought I might as well have some fun with this new tank. Enough rambling, let's get to the "challenge" guidelines that I have set for my self.
The 1K reef
*Disclaimer the 1k budget is only for initial stocking and setup, after 6 months or so then I am free to spend more if I would like too*


-Total INITIAL setup/stocking cannot exceed $1,000

-If I already own the piece of equipment it does not count towards the total

-Shipping DOES count towards the cost

-If an animal/livestock dies it can be replaced for equal/lesser value and not count towards the total
-lesser value replacements do not regain money
-more expensive replacements count as the difference between the old-new values

-food/water/replacement parts or filtration do NOT count towards the final cost

-CUC and Inverts (obviously) count towards the cost

-Any sales that come from the tank are added back to the tank fund

-$300 is reserved for an order to Austin Aqua Farms

Inspiration
I think that just about sums up the mini-challenge I am making for myself, I am excited to see what I can create. I have a general idea of what I would like the tank to look like:
FTS1.jpg

hammer-coral-heaven-2.jpg

Both of these came from ReefBuilders articles; I fell in love with euphyllia after I got some green/purple frammers and a pale purple hammer from my LFS. After that moment I knew that I wanted a euphyllia dominated tank and especially are seeing the two tanks above. The other aspect of the tank is that I am limited to a tank that is under 20 gallons and can be easily moved to/from my dorm. I picked out 3 aquariums to compare with (if you have another I should look at please mention) for potential tanks. All three of these, at least to me, have decent quality builds and are a nice size for my dorm.
BrandWaterbox 15 PeninsulaInnovative Marine
14 Peninsula
Fluval Evo 13.5
Gallons151413.5
Cost$179$249$179
Dimensions (LxWxH)20” x 14” x 14”20” x 12” x 13”23” x 15” x 13”
Return Pump105 GPH326 GPH132 GPH
Return Pump (Upgrade)Sicce 1.0
(251 GPH)
N/ASicce Macro
(158 GHP)
Upgrade cost$54$29
Cost w/upgrade$233$249$208
Stock lightingN/AN/A14000K LED
Lighting (Upgrade)AI Prime 16HDAI Prime 16HDAI Prime 16HD
Upgrade Cost$237$235$235
Cost w/upgrade$470$484$443
Heater (Own already)HMA-S 50 wattHMA-S 50 wattHMA-S 50 watt
CostN/AN/AN/A
Cost w/upgrade$470$484$443
ATO (Own already)DuettoDuettoDuetto
CostN/AN/AN/A
RockReefSaverReefSaverReefSaver 15lbs
Cost$60$51$45
Cost w/rock$530$535$488
Sand
(Already Own)
Aragalive 16lb
Natural Reef
Aragalive 16lb
Natural Reef
Aragalive 16lb
Natural Reef
CostN/AN/AN/A
Cost w/sand$530$535$488
Grand Total$530$535$488

Livestock
Obviously, with the tank being so small I am super limited on what can be put in the tank and be semicomfortable? Easy to maintain would be great too. Possible ideas I have are:
Pair ORA sharknose gobies
ORA Clown of some kind
ORA pair of white-spotted pygmy filefish (cool fish but more work)

Besides fish, the tank will be mainly corals and especially euphyllias. Besides euphyllia I am thinking maybe some zoas and some other LPS (if I go the euphyllia route)...If I don't go the euphyllia route then maybe a gorgonian tank would be the runner up.

That just about wraps up the intro post, the tank won't be ordered until after labor day so I still have a month before a tank is even bought. Might pick up the AI Prime with my next paycheck though.
 

Dilan Patel

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check out advanced acrylic. they got some nice quality stuff...got a frag tank from them! The all in ones they got look nice.
 

TriggersAmuck

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If you can bump up by a little under $50 you can go with the IM Nuvo Fusion 20 Peninsula which gives you quite a bit more length (surface area) for scaping as well as a bit more stability, which can be rather important at those small nano sizes. Much more versatile whether you keep it a reef (and need space to spread out corals) or a bit more swimming room should you put the focus more on fish, like those filefish. I have considered putting those filefish in my cube, but I just thought my tank was too small for that.
 
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If you can bump up by a little under $50 you can go with the IM Nuvo Fusion 20 Peninsula which gives you quite a bit more length (surface area) for scaping as well as a bit more stability, which can be rather important at those small nano sizes. Much more versatile whether you keep it a reef (and need space to spread out corals) or a bit more swimming room should you put the focus more on fish, like those filefish. I have considered putting those filefish in my cube, but I just thought my tank was too small for that.
I think an IM 20 Pen or the IM 20 Fusion would be nice...only probelm would be lighting one

The duetto is great, I havent had any problems with it on my previous tank and can't wait to get mine back again (gave it to another hobbyist to hold onto)
 
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By @TriggersAmuck recommendation I ran the costs of the IM 20 Peninsula and honestly it's not too bad...might go a bit overboard (rules are meant to be broken). Anyways here's the break down; Current USA will be fine and I like how it comes with a wavemaker too...don't need lots of PAR as its LPS or Gorgs 160-120 should be okay.



BrandWaterbox 15 PenIM 14 PenIM 20 PeninsulaFluval Evo 13.5
Gallons15142013.5
Cost$179$249$299$179
Dimensions (LxWxH)20” x 14” x 14”20” x 12” x 13”Pen
30” x 12” x 13”
23” x 15” x 13”
Return Pump105 GPH326 GPH326 GPH132 GPH
Return Pump (Upgrade)Sicce 1.0
(251 GPH)
N/AN/ASicce Macro
(158 GHP)
Upgrade cost$54$29
Cost w/upgrade$233$249$299$208
Stock lightingN/AN/A14000K LED
Lighting (Upgrade)AI Prime 16HDAI Prime 16HDOrbit IC 24-36” w/mount and controller &
eFLUX pump
AI Prime 16HD
Upgrade Cost$237$235$225$235
Cost w/upgrade$470$484$524$443
Heater (Own already)HMA-S 50 wattHMA-S 50 wattHMA-S 50 wattHMA-S 50 watt
CostN/AN/AN/AN/A
Cost w/upgrade$470$484$524$443
ATO (Own already)DuettoDuettoDuettoDuetto
CostN/AN/AN/AN/A
RockReefSaver
20lbs
ReefSaver
17lbs
ReefSaver
25lbs
ReefSaver 15lbs
Cost$60$51$75$45
Cost w/rock$530$535$599$488
Sand
(Already Own)
Aragalive 16lb
Natural Reef
Aragalive 16lb
Natural Reef
Aragalive 16lb
Natural Reef
Aragalive 16lb
Natural Reef
CostN/AN/AN/AN/A
Cost w/sand$530$535$599$488
Grand Total$530$535$599$488
Cost per Gallon$35/Gal$38/Gal$30/Gal$36/Gal
 
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Dilan Patel

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Could save some money going with sbreef lights. I run 6 of them on one of my tanks and 3 on the other. I used to run kessils and switched to sbreef and I like them a lot been using them for a good 5 or so years. I just bought some new radions G4 pro to try out new tech on my frag tank lol. TBH they both have pros and cons. I can show some pics of my coral under sbreefs if you want.
 
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Edited in a cost per gallon ratio and honestly, I think that speaks for itself which one would be the best way to go. An IM 20 Peninsula looks like the winner in my book. This also allows more lateral swimming space for fish as well, now if only the pygmy filefish can readily eat frozen food...
 
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Id ad a ink bird to the mix. For 30 bucks you would have peace of mind for temp control.
Got one of those laying around in the house somewhere or maybe it's in a box that was supposed to go to my dorm. Hopefully I can find it
 

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I was considering taking a pico reef with me when i go off to college next year, my only concern is what you are going to do when you go visit home for a few weeks. Like id be concerned with top off, maybe even a few params
 
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I was considering taking a pico reef with me when i go off to college next year, my only concern is what you are going to do when you go visit home for a few weeks. Like id be concerned with top off, maybe even a few params
ATO and bring the tank home, I did it last year just fine
 
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Screw it, I'm keeping my UNS 45a and making it a mini Florida "biotope" except I'm getting a pygmy filefish as the centerpiece
 
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Screw it, I'm keeping my UNS 45a and making it a mini Florida "biotope" except I'm getting a pygmy filefish as the centerpiece
Well, think I'm going to sell the UNS as I got a tank that i have been wanted for a while and just got it today...might even get the 3 gallon version eventaully too. Figured I would use my 20% discount from Petco
 
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Thought I would add more info about the ideas for the tank and why I got it. I started a new job as an aquatic specialist at Petco and saw they had the GloFish (I hate these with every blood cell in my body) MarineLand portrait (5G) and MarineLand contour (3G), they did not have the regular version. I just bit the bullet and got the portrait for now and replaced the ****** light with my pixie 30 LED. I did get 20% off so that's not too bad, might get the 3G version and do that same thing as well...I'll have to fill the "lip" on my stand with wood so both would fit, but I do like the idea of 2 tanks on the same stand. Here is how the tank looks right now, I have rock and sand on stand by so as soon as we get back from vacation I'll get the tanks setup.
IMG_6157.jpg

The plant pots won't stay where they are as that's where the contour (3G) will be going. Stocking wise I will keep both tanks simple:
5 gallon will be soft corals, macroalgae, feather dusters, and maybe microlords with a trio of white-spotted trimma gobies from work
IMG_6153.jpg


While the 3 gallon will be Rock flowers and macroalgae with maybe a group of sexy shrimp or pair of sharknose gobies
 
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MinnReef

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For now I am going to be focusing on getting the 5 gallon all figured out and setup, maybe a bit later down the road (and with help from some college refunds) I might get the 3 gallon setup and running. Was looking to get the Sicce MicraPlus as it has 158 GPH as opposed to the Micra which is only 90 GPH. I wonder if having the MicraPlus and the Jeboa OW-10 would be too much flow? The next project is filling in that lip we made around the stand, it worked well for the UNS but I need to fill it to allow the 5 gallon and 3 gallon to be on the same stand. That being said I will have to head over to Lowes or someplace to get a piece of wood that is 18" x 12" x 1" and cut it down to size. Shouldn't be too hard and that could be a sunday project as I get off work around noon. Other things on the agenda might be getting a wavemaker (Jeboa OW-10) and planning out how the 3 gallon will pan out.



I was talking with @Tamberav on Nano-Reef and it seems like we both have the same idea of having the 5 gallon as well as the 3 gallon. Tam mentioned a pest tank and that really got me thinking of an alternate route, which could make it easier to have hardy species and maybe even just do manual top offs instead of buying another ATO.



Another note is that I am starting year 2 of college on Monday (yay Zoom University) and to be honest I'm not excited at all. Normally I would be, but it does not feel like school at all. The other thing with work it could go well or I might just max out my NRG and crash...who knows, guess I will find out soon. I think that just about completes the update, now to get my work schedule fixed due to college starting and to figure out where the extra 35 fish we are getting are going to be put at work...yay
 

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