Kraqus 25G Nano Reef Project (PICS)

[kraqus]

Hi Everyone,

I finally found a good deal on CL (craigslist) and decided to go for it.
This is my first tank soon to be reef project. I also got 4/5 gallon jugs.
One Jug is missing a cap but at $5 bucks each who cares. I will use it to siphon water out:


http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/1.jpg




It is a 25 gallon eclipse tank. The old owner said it might be 35 but I doubt it.
The stand is in Very good condition, not sure what type of wood it is but it looks extremely good and it passed my GF test...LOL!

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/3.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/4.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/5.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/6.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/7.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/8.jpg
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/9.jpg



I also got a 100 Watt water heater:

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/10.jpg



And a Maxi jet 400:

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/11.jpg



All this for $100......
Now I am saving some money to get some lights and filtration.
I will post more updates when that happened.





Benny

[cherubfish pair]

Eclipses should have light and filtration, can't imagine why someone would take that out.

I had one on a 10 gallon tank. It worked well, then I added a sump and didn't need it any more.

[kraqus]

You are right, it does. Here some pics:



The Pump is sort of hanging in there:

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/12.jpg




Water is then passed through the Carbon Filter and then a Bio Wheel which I removed)

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/13.jpg


It also has room for 2 lights tubes (Day and Night?)

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/14.jpg


Here is a better description of the Hood:
http://www.petmeister.com/item6.htm


Overall I really don't think this hood was made to support a SW system. I will definitely need better lighting and the pump is kind of weak. I will be replacing them eventually but I may just Kick start the system as is just to cycle it for a couple of months.


Benny

[Patriot54]

I had an eclipse system once and I will give you some advice. The lighting really can't support any corals, so you are correct about getting an upgrade. I would suggest T5's for this tank. Also the filter is useless, all it's good for is moving water, I would suggest you get a protein skimmer, I like eshopps hang ons. If you get the right kind of lights you can probably mod the hood so you won't have to make one as well.

[kraqus]

Yep. It is a nice tank and a nice looking hood but not very practical. I want to stay away from setting up a sump if possible and keep things simple. I am aiming at keeping the "stock" look and add a few Mods to be able to run my Reef.

I am definitely doing this mod using an AC filter:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=601201&highlight=how+to+DIY+an

I would also like to run a HOB skimmer but I don't know which one yet.
Do you have a picture of the one you are running?
I saw the ones on their website but I want to see what it looks like it's running.

Has anyone Mod the lights on this thing? Keeping the Hood that is of course.

Thanks for your input!


Benny

[kraqus]

After some Googling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZL2JrSDZr0

That is one Hell of a HOB skimmer right there....probably best one I have seen thus far.

Question to more experience reefers, assuming you are not running or don't want to run a sump.
Why does it have to be HOB?
Wouldn't it be better to put it under the cabinet?

I guess the real question is:
Could that pump be powerful enough to draw water from the tank down then push it back up to the tank?


Benny

[Patriot54]

I was just going to tell you to look at the eshopps skimmers, I have the PSK-75 and love it. The pump is not strong enough to do that, they are barely, (or at least mine isn't) strong enough to pump it up and over the rim of the tank. The result makes it sound like a waterfall, but regardless, it is an awsome skimmer. The reason why they have to be HOB instead of under your stand is because they will overflow if you put them under your stand. The outflow on all HOB is above the rim of the tank and the top of the collection cup is about the outflow, so when the water level gets high enough it can flow back into the tank. Now if the skimmer was below your stand, the water will come out the top of the collection cup. That may not make much sense, but just trust me.

[cherubfish pair]

The online vendors used to sell a retro kit to upgrade this hood's lighting to pc's. I did it to mine and it made all the difference and it was easy to install. Don't know if they still sell them.
It also has room for 2 lights tubes (Day and Night?)

http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm150/kraqus/NanoReef/14.jpg

Benny

[kraqus]

The online vendors used to sell a retro kit to upgrade this hood's lighting to pc's. I did it to mine and it made all the difference and it was easy to install. Don't know if they still sell them.


Thanks cherubfish pair!

I will keep digging, something is bound to surface.
If I can get a bolt on, it would be super, but if not then I will crank the noodle and try to "MacGiver" something.

How do you guys deal with the anxiety?....LOL!


Benny

[cherubfish pair]

Here's an article on plumbing a sump. FWIW.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=17

[kraqus]

This project has been shutdown.
I have donated the tank for a good caused.
You can read about it here (LOL!):
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=224840&hl=

I have a new project well under way.....thread to come here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?p=16599880#post16599880


Thanks everyone for your input.....


Benny