11 gallon 1 month after MH upgrade

[gawf4fun]

Well, after 3 or so years running 2 x 18 watt power compacts on my Via Aqua 11 gallon nano at the office, I decided to upgrade my lights to MH. I'd planned on getting a 70 watt clamp on, but found a great deal on a Coralife 150 watt pendant from a local reefer. I'd been keeping softies and was getting bored. I fragged several SPS from my 180 at home and reconfigured my rocks into a conical shape to create more mounting space.

I realized I'd taken a few flatworms with the rocks transferred, so I added a 6-line wrasse to my only other fish, a pajama cardinal. In addition to the fish, I have a fire shrimp and a brittle star, a half dozen nassarius and turbo snails.

Filtration is made up of roughly 15 pounds LR, 3" dsb, a CPR bakpak fuge with chaeto and currently a milennium 2000 filter running carbon. I do 3-4 gallon water changes weekly, but I am still considering changing out the milennium for a Rio Nano skimmer. It will have to be a hang on from the fuge however or be able to fit in the 4" fuge width.

Here are a few pics of the current inhabitants as well as the system set up. I am still looking to add a 2" crocea clam and a few zoos to fill some gaps. Please let me know your comments, suggestions, skimmer ideas, etc.

http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq255/gawf4fun/6lineandcorals.jpg
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq255/gawf4fun/coralsinnano.jpg
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq255/gawf4fun/fireshrimp.jpg
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq255/gawf4fun/fullnanosystemshot.jpg
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq255/gawf4fun/nanofishshot.jpg
http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq255/gawf4fun/nanofts.jpg

[westmoorenerd]

Looks nice! I think it would look better with the back painted blue or with a blue background.

[dartmti]

It's looking really good! (I bet it'll look even better when the frags grow in.)
How does the sixline treat the cardinal?

[westmoorenerd]

Oh and I wouldn't worry about adding anything more corals to your tank.... Everything looks like it's going to grow in nicely, but I'm a sucker for a clam so go for it!

As for a skimmer, I love my Remora... ever think of just dumping the fuge and everything and just going with a skimmer on the back? I wouldn't think you'd have a nitrate problem that 3-4g a week water change wouldn't take care of.

Hmmm I know I might sound like I'm criticizing, but maybe getting rid of one of your powerheads and upgrading the Koralia?

Anyways, it's a nice looking tank though!

[gawf4fun]

Thanks dartmti. Funny enough, the 6-line made a few moves early on when I introduced them, and got a fairly gruff reply. Apparently the 9 months of tank dominancy for the pajama gave him/her an attitude. (how representative of us humans)

Good comments Westmorenerd. I'd enjoyed the occasional glance through to see the pods and snails in the fuge, but under the PC lighting it wasn't nearly as visible. Now under the MH bulb, the chaeto is somewhat distracting.

The circulation system needs an upgrade for sure. There are three PH's in there with the feed for the fuge, and the two opposing. The little one on the right came with this crappy little skimmer I tried for a week, so I was using it until I got a stronger main powerhead. Interesting thought on the complete refugium elimination. Would clean the view nicely. Does the Nano Remora run pretty quietly?

Thanks for the constructive criticism, that's why I posted it.

Cheers,

mark

[westmoorenerd]

My Remora was pretty noisy, until I silenced it... I just cut a piece of plastic the size of the air chamber, set it in there and took a paper towel and folded it and set it in also. after that it was as silent as any powerhead in the tank.

As for getting rid of the fuge, it's just a thought. Have you ever seen if you build up any nitrates, doing your 30-40% weekly water changes? I wouldn't think you should, but now that you added another fish, I'm not quite sure.

Heck for all we know, just painting the back or applying a background will hide the fuge and filter enough that you won't even care.

Anyways sorry if I'm rambling it's 2am here. Take care!

-Alan

[gawf4fun]

Now that you mentioned the fuge-be-gone, i'm motivated!!! Thanks again.

I'm taking a look at the Remora, the Tunze and the Saphire Aquatic. Got a bit of gift certificate to use so this fits nicely. I can clean the view, get better water quality for the SPS, and move the fuge to my 20 gallon anenome tank at home in the kitchen.

I read that the Remora had some noice issues. What size plastic piece did you have to cut? What does the paper towel do, stop something from vibrating, or deaden the noise?

I appreciate the help.

[westmoorenerd]

hmmm the plastic i just eyeballed, it was like an 1" by 3/4" or so and it silenced it, but just to make it even quieter i stuff the paper towel above it and it made it completely silent. You might want to look at the HOB Deltec too, I've heard nothing but good things from that....well except the price lol.

[gawf4fun]

I'll take a look at the Deltec too. Is there really such a thing as too much money for a skimmer?? lol. I appreciate the feedback.

mark

[westmoorenerd]

Don't forget to check out the Tunze Nano 9002 skimmer.... and here's the link to the Deltec http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/?q=node/539

[gawf4fun]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14031334#post14031334 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by westmoorenerd
Don't forget to check out the Tunze Nano 9002 skimmer.... and here's the link to the Deltec http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/?q=node/539
Well, I took a look at the Tunze and bought one from an RC member. Here's a pic of the new set up after a month and a bit. It's skimming like a madman. Excellent piece of equipment which I'd highly recommend. I also took the advice of others from this thread and got rid of therRefugium, it's feed pump, and the koralia pump, and added a Tunze 6025 powerhead. That makes for about 50 times flow. So far so good.
[/IMG][/IMG] a couple other pics of corals as well.http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq255/gawf4fun/bluetipacroporacloseup.jpg http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq255/gawf4fun/hairymushroomcloseup.jpg http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq255/gawf4fun/greentipbirdsnest.jpghttp://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq255/gawf4fun/11gallonnanofts.jpg [IMG][IMG]