24g Aquapod build- lots of pics!

[jleet]

Hey everybody, you have probably seen some of me posts about my pod before, but I have finally got everything how I want it for now and I can let things settle and hopefully grow!

I started off with a stock 24g Aquapod
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/1984451.jpg


I decided that I had to have more light than the stock hood could provide but I loved the clean look that it gave. So I tore the hood apart and crammed in two more pc's.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/1984452.jpg


Once I got the lights and fans going how I liked and got my lighting schedule where I wanted I added sand, water, and a few pieces of live rock from my 55.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/1984454.jpg


After about a month of the good ole cycle, I added my first tank mate. A b&w clown.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/198445DSCN0961.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/198445DSCN0959.JPG


After giving him time to get comfortable in the tank and settle down, I found a zoa frag that I figured would be the perfect first coral in the tank.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/19844501.jpg


After seeing many tanks with only zoas in them I decided that I would love to have my own zoa garden. I order a zoa pack and added the new frags to the tank.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/198445002.jpg

[jleet]

I obviously knew that the tank needed more rock but I just did have the money to go out and buy 20 lbs of live rock to add. I found a local guy that was making his own rock in his back yard. I got this real nice piece to add to the tank for a fraction of what live rock would have cost me. He also seeded the rock with a nice piece of tonga from his tank, so it should look "natural" in no time.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/198445DSCN1137.JPG

And here are some close up's of the frags I got from the zoa order I placed. My camera is not the greatest but you can sorta get an idea.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/198445DSCN1136.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/198445DSCN1134.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/198445DSCN1135.JPG

Also, what can I use to attach my frags to my new rock? And where can I get it?
Let me know what you think and any tips would be great!
Thanks for looking!
-Jason

[mnml]

Looking good Jason. Love the b/w clown. I use Loc-tite Super Gel glue to attach my frags to the rocks. I also use Marineland epoxy to mount the rocks securely in place. With the glue, you'll have to take the rock out of the water to mount it. The epoxy, however, can be used in water.

are you planning to add any other fish?

[jleet]

Thanks thin crust! I actually ordered a green clown goby with my zoa pack but I opened the box to find him DOA. But hopefully I'll be getting another one or something similar, any suggestions?

[ReeferChick85]

What kind of lighting did you add to the stock and are you using the same fans or did you upgrade them too? Your tank looks good so far btw:) I have the same tank and I absolutely love it!

[Reefer08]

I agree that its looking good so far. What color were the 2 powercompact bulbs that you added? From the looks of things, it looks like you relocated your ballasts and completely took off the clear plastic?? Stock fans correct?


What website did you buy your powercompact bulbs from? Im noticing that they're a pricey online.

[jleet]

I purchased the tank used and when I picked it up the tank the guy threw in a extra hood he had for it. So i took the lights and ballast out of the old hood and stuffed them all into one. There are now two 10k daylights and two 420 actinic bulbs. I took the ballasts and mounted them up under the stand. The fans are two stock pod fans which I will be upgrading soon due to one of them starting to make a noise. Thanks for checking the tank out!
-Jason

[ReeferChick85]

so did you completely remove the plastic cover for the lights under the hood? If so, what are you,if any,are you using?

[AG84]

nice setup. I just bought a 24g aquapod. and really need to upgrade this lighting, where did you get the new fixtures? any to do,or advice you can give. If the wattage is enough can you keep sps with pc's?

[ReeferChick85]

you can't successfully keep sps with the stock lighting for sure but I read on another thread that you wanted to keep sps but still keep the hood...well i've seen some aquapods with 70w metal halide mod and one with 150mh mod both with upgraded fans and a glass heat shield and it looked pretty clean. I might do something like that.

[Jadams]

If your thinking of upgrading the lighting, go with a 150w sunpod fixture IMO

[jleet]

I put the plastic or acrylic, or whatever it is, cover back on. I wasn't too comfortable having all that exposed only about an inch off the surface. I soon hope to build a rack to put in the rear chamber as well, and maybe a light to grow a bit of chaeto. I didn't get a halide fixture because I am not planning on keeping anything that needs that much light in this tank, so pc's will do for my application. I also don't care for the look of the halide fixtures on top of pods, i think the hoods have much cleaner look.

[jleet]

I also picked up some putty to attach my frags on the rock work where I wanted them. So NOW I finally get to leave things be for while
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/198445003.jpg

[mnml]

my first fish was a yellow watchmen (r.i.p), i'm thinking of getting another one if i can't find a tailspot blenny.

[jleet]

I'm not sure what other fish I want to add. I was thinking a small goby. Any suggestions?

[nixon125]

a catalina goby would be a nice change of color for your tank. they're really peaceful and can fit for the size tank you have.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+31+155&pcatid=155. if you wanted to go with something else, i'd suggest a yellow clown goby. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+31+1441&pcatid=1441

[jleet]

I was thinking a clown goby but wasn't sure. They aren't that easy to get where I am and I don't care for shipping fish. But I'll def. be on the look out.

[tinky]

I love my yellow clown goby he's super friendly and always curious he'll come to my hand and chill.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg268/1967ghia/MellowYellow.jpg

[jleet]

Hey tinky,
what size tank you have him in?