My 55g Nano

[tdgates]

Well, this tank is a nano compared to my 180 that I just broke down. I thought I would post a few pictures of the tank now that it's all setup and running. It's been setup for about 2 months, and most of the stuff that is in the tank is just frags that I had left over from parting out my 180. One of the reasons for breaking down the 180 was due to space in the house, so with this tank, I decided to put it in the wall. Here are some sequence shots of the setup.

Hole in the wall with the stand and shelf in place.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk211/darci_017/IMG_4645.jpg

Tank in the wall with temporary curtains until I get around to building doors.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk211/darci_017/IMG_4649.jpg

Tyler
FTS after transfer, 10.27.2009
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk211/darci_017/FTS10_27.jpg

[xxiprxx]

Lookin good, Do you miss the depth of the 180? To me standard 55s always seemed too narrow for my taste

[tdgates]

Oh ya. I hate the standard 55, but I had it on hand and it really didn't cost me a dime to set up. I made the slot in the wall large enough for a 120, so when i come accross a good deal on one, then that's what i'll upgrade to.

[nGo]

Looking good, I like the aquascape you did. What light you using?

[tdgates]

I'm running a 4x65w PC fixture. I was a little nervious with my millies, stylo, and other acros, but it's been up for a little over 2 months with no ill effects. PE, color and growth are still good. I'm going to be adding a 2 bulb T5HO retro to go along with the PC in the future, but as of now, it's doing it's job.

[kcreefer86]

i really like your setup...how much flow do you have in there? planning on more fish?

[tdgates]

i really like your setup...how much flow do you have in there? planning on more fish?

Thanks! Well, I'm pushing about 45x turnover in this tank. I have 3 K2's and 3 MJ1200's. I'm either going to mod the MJ1200's, or get a couple K4's to go with the K2's. It's a little hard to place the LPS in there with all the flow, but the SPS love it!

As far as fish, I have a pair of ORA Picasso clowns, tiny One Spot Foxface, and my Pinkbar Goby paired with a pistol shrimp. I have a tiny pair of Blue Jaw Triggers coming also. That will be it in this tank, and by the time the triggers and the foxface are bigger, I will have a larger setup.

Here are a couple pics of the Picasso's.
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk211/darci_017/Clown1.jpg

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk211/darci_017/Clown2.jpg

[Korrine]

It looks totally cool and I love those picasso's, but it's not a nano.

The original intent of the nano tank forum was to provide a place for those who keep smaller tanks. These smaller tanks have requirements and restrictions imposed on the owners not common to Aquarists with larger tanks. What was a small group of people with small tanks has grown exponentially into a larger group with even larger tanks.

After receiving feedback from members and after thorough discussion among the staff we've decided to limit posting in the Nano forum to tanks with a main tank of 34 gallons and under. No distinction will be made for conventional tanks or All In One tanks (AIO), or for sump sizes no matter what they may be.

This is not an attempt by RC Staff to set standards in the hobby or redefine a nano tank. It is an attempt to serve our members best and still maintain the relevance of this forum.

[tdgates]

It looks totally cool and I love those picasso's, but it's not a nano.

Sorry man, didn't know I was breaking rules! Mods can remove it, but where do u post about tanks that aren't large and aren't nanos? Again was just trying to show my tank, not cause problems. And compared to a 250g overall setup, like I used to have, a 55g tank is a nano to me.

[Korrine]

Yep that would def seem like a nano :) Could post it in Reef Discussion. Maybe post in Feedback and questions and see if the mods want it moved or not?

Man I really love your picasso's... totally jealous. My ORA ones died :(

[tdgates]

Where are the tanks that are teeeners posted?

[Korrine]

there is a 55g in reef discussion right now :)


off hand I see a 55g, a 90, another 90 and a 50g in Reef discussion. that's just on the first page.

[dc]

[moved]...

[jasoncampbell83]

Looks cool man... like the aquascaping!

[tdgates]

Looks cool man... like the aquascaping!

Thanks. I think I moved the rocks around about 30 times until I finally got this and ended up liking it.

[tdgates]

So here is the guts and glory to the tank. All the equipment either was sitting around my house or came from my 180 tear down. Like mentioned above, I'm pushing about 45x turnover in this tank and am maintaing perfect parameters, hence the reason my SPS from the transfer are doing so well under PC lighting.

Equipment
55g AGA tank, custom drilled.
20g long sump
3 K2 Powerheads
3 Maxi Jet 1200
SWC MSX250 Skimmer (from my previous tank)
Phosban Reactor pushing GAC 24/7 changed every 2 weeks
Current Duel Satellite 4x65w PC Fixture

Livestock
75lbs Premium Live Rock
25lbs Caribsea Live Sand
Pair of ORA Grade A Picasso Clowns
Tiny One Spot Foxface
Pinkbar Goby paired with a Fire Pistol Shrimp

Future Plans
Retro 4 bulb T5HO fixture
Baffle my sump
DIY Kalk Reactor
Upgrade to 120g :lol2::lol2:

[stylolvr]

I like the rockwork in this setup. I also have a 55, but was nervous about drilling (not sure if it was tempered or not), so I went with HOB filtration methods. Did you drill the tank yourself, or have someone do it?

[tdgates]

I like the rockwork in this setup. I also have a 55, but was nervous about drilling (not sure if it was tempered or not), so I went with HOB filtration methods. Did you drill the tank yourself, or have someone do it?

I drilled it myself. I didn't go through the bottom cuz most likely that's tempered, so I went through the back and it was a piece of cake, just have to go real slow. I drilled a 20g long and that was a little trickier cuz the glass is thinner and it flexes when drilling!

[BLKTANG]

Nice.IMO u r gonna want to move the Monti Cap down a bit it will shade everything under it when it takes off.

[tdgates]

Nice.IMO u r gonna want to move the Monti Cap down a bit it will shade everything under it when it takes off.

Ya I was kinda getting worried about that. It's already doubled in size in the past 2 months. I'll probably break him off and move it somewhere.