I couldn't resist ( Aquapod 12 Build)

[black_majik]

When I saw this;

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nano6.jpg



It quickly turned into this:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nano7.jpg




To tune everyone in to my situation it goes like this. I have a 75 gallon which I have gone through everything you could has a hobbyist ( knock on wood) Ich wipe-out, Plankton bloom, diatom bloom ( 4 times after cycle), hair algae etc. I was in the process of turning it into a reef since my FOWLR was wiped out by ich. I had just too many fish and nutrients that I couldn't keep corals in good health( aside from softies and shrooms). So I was in a struggle until I came on this forum and was struck with the idea of keeping all of my current corals( 5 frags) and others in a nano. Well the prices of nano's were tough especially since I wanted halides so I could keep my corals in the best envoiroment as possible. Well I was in my LFS and saw that ^^^^^^ sale. So I later bought the system. I was worried about the "too good to be true" situation and checked that everything was there and working. I was wondering why 65% off was applied to the system and found out that they discontinued 70w halides for the 12 and switch to 150 w halides( I don't think that makes sense) Anyway here I am and I love to read Build threads so I thought I'd return the favor.

[black_majik]

First off does anyone have pics of their 12g AP I need some inspiration on the rockwork

[Bursa]

Nice price...pick one up for me too!

[mnml]

congrats on your new tank! here's a pic of my AP12, just 10 days old. i would recommend blocking the extra inlets on the first chamber and replacing the stock pump with a maxi jet 900. good luck with your build and keep us posted with pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/Zenit/Tank/IMG_0282.jpg

[black_majik]

Tomorrow night I'm going to LFS to pick up some salt ( Red Sea Coral Pro), Iron supplement from my 75 refuge. Brightwell's Reef Code A &B ( Calcium Alk) with that picking up a few pieces of Solomon live rock, and reef rock for the fish-only and maybe use some pieces for the aquapod.
After all of that is done the aquascaping will begin and setting up the protein skimmer.

I want some opinions on livestock:

I really want a dragonette I am buying live triggerpods and have them living in the tank a few weeks to a month before the dragonette goes in.

I want one other fish ( blennie or goby) that has personality the 24g at my LFS has a sailfin blennie who is a character. The only issue is I 'd have the same livestock as that tank if I get the dragonette and sailfin blennie. I don't want the same exact

So give me some good ideas on two small ( 3"-under ) cool fish. That will do well in a 12g.

[zma21]

Where the hell did you find that deal?!?!

Pm me!

[black_majik]

I have a good idea on my livestock tell me what you think

1- Green Dragonet http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=554

1- Rainford'sGoby http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=164

Any suggestions or comments please let me know I want to do this right.

Inverts-( Crabs, Snails etc.)

6- Dwarf Blue Legged Hermit Crabs-
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=623

1 Sexy Shrimp-
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1135

5- Nerite Snails
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=1472

[gotdibz]

damn nice deal...your a lucky man. who needs 150 watts on a 12 gallon nano, 70 is fine for me...tagging along , im in the process of setting up a new nano

[E30 E T A]

Draonets need a good pod population to survive with alot of LR. In a small nano they would just eat up the pods in no time.

The goby would do fine. Could go with a Goby/Pistol shrimp pair or a firefish. I wouldn't keep more than 2 fish in a 12g

[black_majik]

I decided for the sake of the dragonet to not go with one of them. I was thinking about a pair of red firefish how does this idea sound?

Also I have a LR question. If I buy Fiji Cured Rock will this rock be less stocked with pods and organisms than "normal" live rock?

Now for flow, I want mainly LPS corals, but I do want a acro cap and a green birds nest. So if I have those two in one area of concentrated flow could I keep them? The tank's flow will consist of the stock pump ( 160gph) and a Mini-Jet 606 ( 160), with a total of 320 gph which equals to 26x turnover. Ideally minus- 2 gallons of filtration chamber, and -2 for 15-25 lbs of rock. So really 40x turnover.

Either way thats all the questions I had now. I planned on getting the LR and other supplies today, but turns out I will be getting them tomorrow night.

[ShootMe]

I suggest you replace the stock pump with another maxi jet. You will get more flow and less heat from another maxi jet then with the stock pump. Also remove the sponge and replace it with filer floss and replace it every 3-4 days.

[theclearblue]

What an incredible deal on the tank. Where do you live?

[black_majik]

ShootMe ( haha sorry) - I have been told that a lot I will do that the Maxi Jet 900? I was planning on using filter floss.

theclearblue- Amishville, PA ( Lancaster)

Do you guys think I could add a Black-Rayed Shrimpgoby and a Red Pistol Shrimp with the Firefish is there going to be a goby-fight or too much stocking if I do that?

[black_majik]

Scratch the Sexy Shrimp, I'm trying to keep this nano PG.

SO stocking wise we are looking at:

2x Red Firefish

?1x Black-Rayed Shrimpgoby( Depending on replies)

?1x Red Pistol Shrimp ( Depending on replies)

5x Nerite Snails

6x- Dwarf Blue Legged Hermits

Any comments? Too much bio-load, too little or much clean up crew? I need you guys to get critical not too much though.

[ShootMe]

Yes, I have a maxi jet 900 in mine and its been working great for the past 2 years, use the stock pump the mix new salt water. Three fish might be too much for a 12 gallon tank unless you keep up with the water changes every week. I personally have a yellow watchman goby and a small clownfish in my aquapod. Whatever you do add the fish slowly with a few weeks inbetween each fish to make sure you dont overload the tank.

I think you should reconsider the goby/shrimp combo. Unless you get one that is already paired the consensus I’ve read from these forums is that they will fail to pair up and hide most of the time meaning it is unlikely you will see one or the other after you add them to the tank.

good luck with your tank.

[black_majik]

Thanks for that info ShootMe, I know that clowns and anemones sometimes never pair up, so I could see it happening in the tank, plus three gobies of different species is pushing it. So probably

2x Red Firefish

5x Nerite Snails

6x Dwarf Blue Leg Hermits

Any (cheaper) shrimp you guys would recommend.

[black_majik]

Also another question for you guys, how can I force hitchhikers out of the LR without killing the rock itself?

[helliott]

I have a 12g AP with 4 fish and many corals, inverts, etc... and it has been running with no problems for 6 months. I've done 25% water changes every 2 weeks, stuck with the stock pump and lighting, and never had to change anything. As long as you use quality water, make a consistent schedule, and don't overdo it with the supplements, you should be all right.

[black_majik]

Care to share what fish you have helliott?

[black_majik]

I will try to do an overall update on the building every two to three days.

Tomorrow night I am going to the LFS to pick up-
- Live Rock
-Red Sea Coral Pro Salt
-Kent's Iron Supplement( For 75's refuge)
-Brightwell's Reef Code A & B
- AP Reef Test Kit
-AP Salt water test kit ( My Instant Ocean is a long process and inaccurate)
-Maxi-Jet 900
- Some Media Bags for My Phos-ban, De-nitrate ( Vacational assurance) and Purigen.
-Filter Floss

My dosing plan for the tank will be as follows-

Every 1-3 days :

- Reef Code A&B
- Coral Mix ( Food ( Cycoeeze,Phyto&Zoo )and with small amounts of Vitamin C, amino acids, and a little fatty acids.)

Weekly:
- Half a "capful" of my tap water ( Loaded with excessive silica for snail, sponge and diatom health.)

Monthly:
- 1/4 dose of "trace elements"
-1/4 dose of iodide
-1/4 dose of iron( more depending if I create a refuge)

That is just a broad idea, but nice to get ideas and options now so I have a good plan for when corals go in.

Nobody still has yet to answer how I can get hitchhikers out of my Live Rock without killing the other organism's.

[ShootMe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11544849#post11544849 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by black_majik
Also another question for you guys, how can I force hitchhikers out of the LR without killing the rock itself?

Before you try to kill all the hitchhikers I would QT the rock in a bucket or spare tank you have lying around and see excatally what hitchhikers you have. Pods and bristle worms can be good for the tank. Beside someof the hitchhikers such as Aptasia cannot be forced out and must be hunted down.

[black_majik]

I want to "force" them out so I can see them. I know there is a lot of good hitchhikers. I am speaking on the behalf of Mantis Shrimp and those deadly worms. So just a QT and they will show? I heard of Excessive salinity will drive movable hikers out into the open. Aptasia is a process of examining the Live Rock.

[ShootMe]

If you want to force them out get a cooking pan with a cooking grate place the rock on the grate over the pan and slowly pour fresh water onto the rock. Any hitchhikers will emerge sence they are out of the water climb down and fall into the cooking pan below the rock. Have a container of salt water standing by if you want to save them. That’s atleast how I got my hitchhiker mantis out.

[black_majik]

How long did you have freshwater being dumped on the rock before your hitchhikers jumped out? Could I use a 2 gallon bucket for this job filled half way up with clean saltwater so if it is a desirable hitchhiker I can save it.

[ShootMe]

I poured freshwater over a hole and a few second later the mantis came running out. None of the hitchhikers will last longer then a few seconds when all they have is freshwater. A gallon of saltwater is more then enough to keep hitchhikers alive for awhile.

[black_majik]

Today I bought my live rock, I have about 20-30 lbs in the 12 now and I am putting another piece in tonight and on Thursday when I make my next trip to the LFS I will get the supplies I didn't get today ( Including some pieces of LR)
One of the rocks is from my 7month old 75 gallon.

I put in a quart of established sand from my 75 in there too I will probably put a quart in every 3-5 days.

I will post some pictures up when the water clears up.

[black_majik]

I BRING PICTURES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New LR, but not in it's current aquascape( which looks awesome by the way)

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nano2001.jpg


Right Side View

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nano2003.jpg

Left Side View yes that is a heater, temp. there

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nano2002.jpg

Top View ( Down to bottom of tank)

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nano2005.jpg

The rock cleaner I used on the LR

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nano2008.jpg

I GOT MY FIRST FISH!!! ( Dedicated to Fish.Nemo and his 15 gallon)

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/acanthurustriostegus.jpg

My white gold ( No the other white gold...jeez druggies)

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nano2009.jpg

My Skimmer ( I will clean it up on Thursday when I get my filtration set)

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nano2004.jpg

My rock work pump

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nano2007.jpg

We also have two incidents to celebrate!

1) I saw my first hitchhiker in the nano: I posted this up on teh Other Invert forum, but maybe reading might know- It looks EXACTLY like an earthworm, moves like one to ( the stretch and compact body thing), pink or grey, and half an inch. ( the camera couldn't get a picture of it. )

2) My first strange thing ! - A flourescent orange/pink specks on my one piece of live rock ( Under LED actinics) Again camera couldn't get a good picture of it.

[black_majik]

I had one more comment.
In the process of filling the tank up with water I did three things.

- 3-4 gallons on my 75's established water

- One Quart of my 75's established sand

- 10 pounds of 75's LR

My 75 is 7 months old.

So cycling should be painless ( hopefully)

[mathias999us]

Looking good so far. What kind of skimmer is that?

I'd be curious to see if you really skip your cycle.... you got rock from LFS, so it will likely have some die-off from transport I'm guessing.

[Hodge]

I have a hi-fin black ray shrimp goby/Randall's pistol shrimp pair in my RSM and they are awesome. It took two tries to get a pair, the first shrimp vanished 2 mins after putting it in the tank. A month later I got another (bigger this time) and it found the Goby within an hour and they've been happy cave builders ever since.

[black_majik]

I am highly considering the Goby/Shrimp Pair.

Well some comments after a day:

I added more Rubble Rock to the tank and it looks great my aquascaping is one of the best I've have seen in an nano I am taking a picture right now.

Mathias- There is die-off I had some algae portions coming off my 75's LR too. I just don't think cycling will take as long, plus the quarts of live sand will help too.

Hodge- Thanks for the goby/shrimp info. I would love to get a pair, but I'm worried about two things:
1- I don't want a high bioload at all in the tank it is more set for corals than fish.
2- I heard it is pretty hard to get them to pair

So I'll have to see. I am some more pictures pretty soon here.

[black_majik]

Oh, yeah sorry Mathias the skimmer is a Red Sea Prizm. I was between that or the "SeaClown" ( I have no problems with them at all)

[black_majik]

The new aquascaping under halides( warming up) :

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/youh006.jpg

FTS without lighting:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/youh010.jpg

Another halide shot of new aquascaping :

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/youh001.jpg

Left Side View:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/youh003.jpg

Right Side View:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/youh005.jpg

FTS with LEDs :

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/youh007.jpg

That extra space on the left side of the tank ( where the Mini Jet is) is there so when I'm on my desk which is next to the tank I can view the tank so it can distract me :cool:




NOW SOME SHOTS OF THE FILTRATION BEFORE I SET IT UP TOMORROW

Any comments or suggestions would be great.

Actual Shot:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/youh009.jpg

My plans:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/youh008.jpg

The 1st chamber will have half of it full with filter floss on eggcrate, and the intake of the skimmer start the and dump the water in the 2nd chamber

The 2nd chamber will have the skimmer return and will contain Phos-Ban and Denitrate. ( I'll probably only end up using the Phos-Ban all the time, and Denitrate on vacations)

The 3rd chamber will have nothing in it for now, I may create a refuge, but right now it is a emergency( heavy metal or anything)/ Extra space( If I add anything to the system)

The 4th chamber will have the new Maxi Jet as the return, some Purigen, and the heater's home.

Like I said comments on the filtration would be great.


The only good thing about those ceramic rings the system comes with:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/youh011.jpg

[mnml]

new aquascape looks good. are you going to permanently keep the heater in the display?

[black_majik]

No its only there until I get the filtration set I'm moving things around and getting ideas. I think I may fill the right side of the tank with rocks too. It looks odd with that side open.

[black_majik]

CHEAP CORAL !!!!!!

That top most piece of "live rock" has a pink color on teh montipora looking part except for areas where you can see it died. Well there is a coral-stress slime coming off of it!!!! A 1/2 pound piece of "LR" which ended up costing $2 is a Monitpora frag !!!But it is not in good health at all so I guess its a cross your fingers situation.

[black_majik]

I did some tests tonight and here were the results:

AM: 0

Nitrite: 0

Nitrate: 0 ( not even a trace)

pH: 7.5-7.8

What do you guys think did I "skip" the cycle or speed through it.

Remember I used buffered substrate, buffered salt and teh pH is low that is a sign of biological activity.

I think I might have 40 % established water, 2 quarts of established sand, and 20 pounds of establish LR what do you think.

[black_majik]

I added a buffer and the pH is at 8.3, the temp. is 78.5-9 F

[black_majik]

An update, the Monti-liverock didn't make it the as a ton of slime and brown on the skeleton so I took it out and left it out of water for 5 hours and I am rock preping it again. I am going to do a second water test to make sure yesterday's wasn't a fluke I'll have results with the hour.

[ToeJam]

Looking good. I like the aquascaping. I am most likely going to add sand soon. My goby wants to dig.

[black_majik]

Test Results are in:

pH: 7.8 - It is strange it was lower than that yesterday and I added a buffer and we were back at 8.3. I sprinkled some buffer in teh test tube to double check and within a second the tube exploded with purple

AM: 0

Nitrite: 0

Nitrate: 0

Temp 78.9- 79.4 F

Now today I accidentally had the heater in the wrong outlet and when I turned my room lights off the heat went off when I got back the tank was at 71.3 degrees F. Do you think the tank went through a min cycle when the turned the heater back on?

Aside from that here are some other notes to point out:

I found a mini serpent star inside my Monti Live Rock. When I out him back in he didn't move and then all of a sudden he was racing for a crevice.

I am getting some spots of diatoms and some green algae.

I need some opinions on if the tank skipped its cycle or not. Also why the PH is constantly being lowered, even when I add a buffer.

Livestock:

Do you think I could do

- One tailspot blenny

- two red fire fish

- one green clown goby

Invert

-4-6 dwarf blue hermits

- my one little serpent star

-4or 5 nerite snails

-1 sexy shrimp

[black_majik]

More diatoms are building up and algae is growing so once the diatoms die off I will do a water change, add my CUC, and take some pictures. Does nobody have a reply or anything?

[mathias999us]

Downright phallic I must say. :)

[black_majik]

I know I'm nervous to have a sexy shrimp in there,the phallic levels may rise.

[mathias999us]

HAHAHA.... I'm ripping this off (not my joke), but this tank is totally ready for a poon tang, if you like those. :)

[black_majik]

I have filter bags for protection....

[black_majik]

Well, the beginnings of my CUC has begun. I put in two blue dwarf hermits. They ave taken the tank well and are zooming around the rock work. As was watching them a I found a blue feather duster ( tube worm) and a bristle worm so everything seems to be going well. Tomorrow I will pick up a few snails and other supplies I need.

But a question for you guys. - What CUC would you put in my 12g remember I skipped the cycle

[mathias999us]

How long has this tank been set up? Did you indeed skip your cycle? My cycle has wrapped up after 11 days now, but I'm still taking it slow... Thinking of adding my first CUC members too...

[black_majik]

The system has been up since 4 days ago with liverock and all of that was established and my tests for the last three days had 0's across the board.

[black_majik]

The CUC is in and working hard its been a little dull lately because its still catching up with the CUC.

Well unfortunately the camera isn't good enough for pictures of these guys, but I have better identified the worms. They are rather active in the daylight they have a mandarin picking motion that they do at the rock. I think they are harmless. I found a fire worm, some more dusters.

I probably will cut the sponge in half instead of the filter floss I seems like a waste constantly throwing some out and replacing it.

Diatoms are dying down. Green algae too. the temp is at 80-81 which is high for me, once I can more R/O I will open up the glass lid.

Now the fish is the last thing to go in before the corals go and everything is set. I still need some ideas!!!!!!!!!!!

Please give me some suggestions for a fish that would do well with my rock work and all.

I want a character and unique fish or two in there. To give you an example of unique- I was interested in a dwarf frogfish, but they are impossible to find. So please any suggestions I see a lot of views and low comments, come on don't be shy

[mnml]

i personally like the yellow watchmen. not that unique but a character nonetheless.

[black_majik]

I think I have decided . 1 black ocellaris clown fish w/ anemone ( I think it is only fair) with a clown goby or another small goby ( 2 and under inches)

I ruled this out because my tank is going to be a topless system for heat and gas exchange reasons. So the firefish are ruled out along with wrasses. and clowns is the only other guys I was considering.

1)Now could I put in a small BTA for the clown in an all reef setup or should I let him/her go with out one? Also any opinions on livestock.

2) What do you guys use to supplement feed your corals. DIY mixes, any good commercial products?

3) I am adding a refuge in 3rd chamber and have a small 7w light over it.

4) I am expecting to have the clown in by the end of the week or weekend. After that some more frequent waters and good skimming should have me ready for corals in about 2 weeks. Until then hold on and prepare because it will be picture crazy.

[mathias999us]

People might shun me for suggesting it, but I think you'd be fine with a BTA in that setup. I'd personally wait until it had been set up for like 6 months first though.

[black_majik]

I have no die off from anything so I don't know if it would be 6 months. I have a LIGHT dusting on brown algae too light to get a picture thats why there isn;t one, but I redid my rock work a bit so that should give me some motivation to put another set a of pictures up.

[SRT80]

man.....what's the deal with these 70w HQI 12g Aquapods? I seen thatpetplace had em for $150 at one time and no longer carry them now. I see other site double that. Was everyone just runnin' a sale awhile back?

Steve

[black_majik]

No, Current isn't making the 70w or we aren't carrying them. This reacted into a clearance sale. Now that we got rid of all of the 70w 12's we are carrying the new 150w, which is too much. We have them in the store just not on the website yet. Yes you were correct we had them for 156.00 on our website and at the store had a few in our Sidewalk Sale for 136.00 which is where I grabbed mine.

[mnml]

i'm so bummed i missed this sale. the cheapest i've been able to find the 16" 70w HQI sunpod is $199.99 (just for the lights) =\

[bpoore89]

Ha ha i dont know if youve already posted this but I recognize that price sticker in the first shot. Is this from That Fish Place?

[black_majik]

You are correct bpoore89 haha do you go there often?

[MyMonkey]

Coming along nicely. Any updated pics?

[black_majik]

Yeah, I went the LFS today and got my Reef test kit and here were the results:

PO: 0ppm

Nitrate: 10ppm >

Ca: 380ppm

KH: 10-12 dKH

I also bought my two part system : Reef Code A &B

I have my timing set up and it is working great.

Blue LED: All time

White LED:9:15am - 10:30pm

HQI: 11am-9:30pm

I went to the fish room and bought a fish, but I"ll put a pick up instead of naming it. ( Building suspense..)

I will tell you a put in a request for a Tail Spot Blenny.

The camera should be charged soon.

[mnml]

hey BM, are you using the glass top for you tank? if so, can you snap a pic of it for me? my 70w HQI just got delivered but my lid won't be until monday. curious to see what it looks like. in particular, how far back does it cover.

thanks dood!

[black_majik]

I take a picture of that when I snap a shot of my new phish. It shoudl be on around 9

[bpoore89]

black_majik I guess its that bad huh :rolleyes:. Im usually there maybe once a week. Its like an hour and a halfs drive for me

[black_majik]

By the way I used to play lax

[bpoore89]

Really? I got into it in high school and I love it. Are you at TFP much?

[black_majik]

Here aer some pictures.

My new fish is sleeping so we will wait till tomorrow to check it out.

Here is for thin crust,

The front of the tank this shows how much the open in the main display area.

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nanotank002.jpg

Here is the filtration area view( still with the front pushed back)

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nanotank003.jpg

This is how it fits when pushed to the front( from my other pictures)

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nanotank004.jpg

^^^^^^^^^^those were pictures of the glass lid^^^^^^^^^^

Here is the black piece I mention in my PM to you thin crust, you see how it fits the filtration area. I can;t have it on the tank sorry I have too much going on in the back to have it set right:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nanotank006.jpg

Another closer picture:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nanotank007.jpg

I have some more coming up.

[black_majik]

Here is an updated picture of the aquascape I wanted space for a brain coral or plate coral or a clam thats why there is that open area on the bottom end. With only the LED's

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nanotank001.jpg

Here is one of my two hermits:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nanotank012.jpg

This next set of pictures will be some new stuff I picked up....

Reef Code A & B:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nanotank009.jpg

API Reef Master Test Kit:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nanotank010.jpg

Here are some hints as to my new fish. Lets see if anyone cna guess what it is by tomorrow afternoon:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nanotank008.jpg

I am so evil:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nanotank005.jpg

Here is my homemade food for new comers. It is fortified with amino acids, Vitamin C, garlic, fish vitamins, 60 % Cycopeez ( for fatty acids), 15% Prime Reef Flake,10% Various Seawood and Algaes, and 5% First Bites Baby Fish Food( More crude protein and fatty acids).

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/nanotank011.jpg


Sorry for the delay.

[bpoore89]

Looks very good!

[mnml]

thanks for the pics BM, i wonder if my glass lid will come with the back piece? hmm..?

your tank is looking sweet. my guess that your mystery fish is a yellowhead jawfish?

can't wait to see his first appearance

[black_majik]

The situation in my 75 gallon is becoming worse and worse. My yellow polyps are turning brownish, and the corals are in bad shape. The 12galln caught up with my fish's cycle and I am performing a 20% water change at the end of today. The skimmer hasn't grabbed anything else, but what has been in there since the LR was put in.

My main question is can I put my all of the corals from my 75 into my 12g at one time or do I need to go coral by coral?

[mnml]

i think if you're 12g is stable then go for it. just acclimate properly. i added a bunch of frags from my 25g to my 12g over the weekend with no ill effect. good luck and post some more pics :)

[black_majik]

Yeah I am trying to get the time, but with out a skimmer the 75 has gone to the ****s so I am trying to juggle everything around right now.

[black_majik]

Ok I got some fire under my butt and took some pictures they will be up with in the hour

[gwrulzmylife]

Have you any problems with your canopy hinges? Mine came broken, not sure if possible to fix them.

[black_majik]

I have the Halide system no hood sorry.

well I am sorry i haven't posted in awhile now. The tank is just goign through the green algae period I believe it died down.

Well where to start I have pictures but the camera is bad for this knind of stuff and I dont know if I can even upgrade it ( Its a CoolPix 5200) I do have pics of stuff though and plan to post them soon. As far as updates. All of my transferred corals are doing great. I plan to put in a plate within the week. I did get a red firefish your were very close thin crust. My skimmer is doing great algae from the rocks are dying or are dead. I had a samll bryopis outbreak but they all died. I plan to get a lettuce nudibranch ( I dont think they spoil your water when they die)

The biggest thing right now is the reef bug life in the tank. I am amazed with how much life has came off my rocks. I give an example to looked at a soda can sized rock and recorded all life I saw on it:

2 Moving amphipods
6 off those worms I mentioned before
1 larger sized feather duster
4 smaller sized duster.
1 fireworm
1peanut worm
Many copepods
1 weird arrow shaped thing
1 of my hermits

its very interesting especially the worms I saw one 2-3 weeks ago and now I see literally about 4 every 3 sq inches. They eat like snails do, but they poke aroudn at the rock. I haven't seen one larger than a inch so they seem fine.

[black_majik]

Wow, I have not updated in awhile.
Things have been pretty slow just basically finding new inverts and slowly adding corals. I did rearrange one of the front rocks( the one with bryopsis all over it) and flipped it so all of the bryopsis is dying and it also gives a cool look. It did get a few new corals:

Neon Green Fungia ( Plate Coral)

Christmas Red and Green Favia for only 20 dollars

Kenya Tree Frag

Some new shrooms.

--Aside from that filtration wise I have Purigen in, I took the sponge out, I also added some Denitrate to add some bacterial power.


To all of the thread readers help me decide on a new fish!!!

After realizing my firefish is barely interested in food ( feed every 4 or 5 days) and is still in good health. I don't know why maybe he is eating my amphipods. I saw no harm in a new fish. I was thinking a dragonette considering I have pods growing out of my tank. I thought they are doing a great help and are keeping my tank stable so I just want an regular eating fish for the tank. I currently have one firefish thats it. Any suggestions?

[Bmgrocks]

I would stay away from the dragonet, simply because once he exhausts all your pods, which are in unheard of proportions in a newly set up tank (wait 3 weeks, and you'll have a hard time finding them) what will he eat. Only get a mandarin if you are 100% sure its eating frozenfood.

No sense in letting it starve to death over a 6month period. If you are wanting the pods to get eaten, invest in a 6 line Wrasse, or even a Neon Dottyback.

Your tank looks great, as far as stock wise, I wouldn't add anymore than 3 fish. I have a 12ap 70w HQI Current stock includes

1 Onyx Percula
1 Black Ocellaris
1 neon dottyback

1 emrald crab
3 scarlet hermits
3 turbo snails
2 Nassarius Snails


When Stocking your tank, look at all levels for movement.

Bottom- sandweller's, ie. yellow watchman goby, hi fin red banded goby/shrimp pair, if you have at least a 4" sand bed Jawfish are a interesting and unique display

Mid- most clowns add both activity and stay in the middle area of tanks.(are also a mainstay in the nano tank) My Black Ocellaris and Onyx Perc host with their anemone in the middle of the tank and rarely stray far from it

All around
the neon dottyback was a gift, and was not my first choice but other options are 6l ine wrasses, the Pygmy Angel fish, royal gramma, firefish, cardinal fish. I'd stay away from the Flasher Wrasses, as pretty as they may seem, 12g isn't adequate space.

Hope I was able to point you in the right direction. The most important thing is keeping a balanced system. 3 Fish is a steady bio load, and research any fish before it is purchased.

my cleaning schedule consists of
weekly 2g water changes, Filtration includes AC 70 Fuge filled with chaeto, and the back chambers contain ChemiPure Elite and Carbon.

Great Work on your tank, it looks very promising

[black_majik]

After I to change the room around I changed the nano.

The reason:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO016.jpg


The new idea was that since I have no filtration in the back chambers I will make some room in the tank by getting rid of it.

The perfect day to do it:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO018.jpg

The murder scene:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO002.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO003.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO005.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO006.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO008.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO007.jpg

The murder weapon:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO009.jpg

[black_majik]

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO010.jpg

Yes that is my closet



http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO012.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO015.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO014.jpg

[black_majik]

Now the re-setup



http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO023.jpg
The top of the middle peak thing:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO027.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO022.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO026.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO027.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO024.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO030.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO036.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO037.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO033.jpg


I will have some more easier to see pictures up tomorrow.

I'll get some pictures of my new fish and my firefish.

[black_majik]

A few more to feed on


IMG]http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO032.jpg[/IMG]

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO035.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff124/black_majik2/NANO040.jpg

[mnml]

so no filtration, just skimmer and water changes? new set up looks good, let me know how it turns out.

[black_majik]

IF you noticed I got rid of the rock with bryopsis all over it. I lost my hitchhiker star in the process

[black_majik]

Well so far I think the destruction of the back chambers as helped.
No algae growth on glass anymore. A lot of rock work space. I did also reaquascape( pics to come) and everything looks great.

I decided to post up my test results today:
Using API's reef kit

pH: 8.0 Sample taken around 715 in the morning( My LFS tested this the Reef API kit does not include pH

AM:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate"0<5 ( the test kit can't measure under 5ppm)
Phos:0 ( or undetectable)
Ca: 420-440ppm
Alk:10 dkh
Silicate: 0 ( doesn't matter though silicate is quickly used up so it is impossible to test from the display)
Temp:76.8 (Coralife Digital Thermometer)

Pretty good I am content with it. If anyone is interested in salts/supplements I use:

Salt: Red Sea Coral Pro
Two-Part: Reef Code A & B ( Brightwell)
Silicate: Used from spring water( only a couple drops and a week)
Iron: Kent but I dose these very rarely in my nano
Amino Acids: I just feed phyto and other smaller foods to my monti and xenia, shrimp pellets to my LPS's Feedings are around every week to two weeks.

Thats it as for water changes. It seems every week I'm getting a new coral use I spend about a gallon, gallon and a half in acclimation. Then top the tank off with brand new mixed salt water.

Looking to pick up a good amount of new coral Thursday night. So expect pictures.

Any other questions just PM me.