RL's 15G Build

[RL206]

Hey all, I have been SLOWLY getting a 15G build going over the last few months.

I'm by no means an expert or novice really, I still consider myself a newbie.

I have had a 29G tank in the past so this go around I am armed w/ quite a bit more knowledge.

This go around I chose to do a 15G due to lack of room, I will eventually tranfser to a 20G long.

At this point I have been running the tank wet to get back in the habit of topping off, checking salt levels, maintaining temp.

Since every one needs pictures here ya go

So I made my own overflow (inspired by Reevo) where the heater and eventually ATO will go as well
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_5012.jpg

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_0533.jpg

Painted the back black!
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_8861.jpg

I chose to go w/ the AC 70 and do the DIY refugium mod
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_2160.jpg



At this point, I am undecided on lighting for both the DT and refugium :hmm3:

[echopiece]

Good start! Post up some more pics when you get some LR in there.

[RL206]

Thanks, I am heading to get some rock today!

I still have other pieces to add like a HOB filter and Hydor 240,

Will post those up later, but for now, here it is as it sits right now


http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_7942.jpg

[Postyoa28]

Very nice, I'm running a similar set up on a 10 gal., same filter, but without the overflow and the heater is in the tank.

[C4rN4gE]

Get a sweet 2 bulb T5 fixture for the display, and one of those hang on light bulb fixtures for the fuge.

[TundraGuy]

Nice work. looking forward to what this thing turns into. :) I'll be watching.

[RL206]

Update!

I have about 6lbs of LR for right now and just added sand :)

I am planning on keeping the sand bed somewhat shallow until I decide my route I am going...

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/OCT162012FTS.png

[petere1989]

sweet. tagging along!

[reefscape15]

Looking good! I like the idea of the overflow with the aquaclear for the fuge, but am wondering about topoffs. The overflow chamber seems fairly small, and that's where the water level will change due to evaporation. Hopefully it won't become a problem. Also, how is the noise from the overflow?

[echopiece]

Nice, cant wait to see this thing stocked up!

[RL206]

Thanks guys, actually as long as you keep it topped off it is fairly quiet.

It does fluctuate alot throughout the day, I just had a 8.5hr shift and it dropped about a 3/4". I plan on getting an ATO here soon.


I saw my first copepod today, and not quite sure, but I think I am seeing early signs of diatoms

[RL206]

Well, the tank is starting to clear...

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/FTSOct172012.png

A few hitchhikers are starting to appear, a few snails and a crab

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_2603.jpg


I went to the LFS today and saw these guys, I've seen the shrimp in a few members' tanks. They are awesome. I eventually want one :)

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_6144.jpg

[RL206]

Excuse the reflection, but the tank is slowly starting to come together.

Ammonia is dropping, will add one more decent sized rock and call it good, and wait a little longer...

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/Untitled.png

[petere1989]

just an fyi those shrimp have to be fed baby star fish. apparently thats all they eat. could get expensive. but cool build so far! cant wait to see it stocked

[RL206]

I see, good to know, I guess everyone wants everything...

I did see a goby and shrimp pair recently, and am thinking about trying to scape to accommodate them. I did put another 5lb rock in today that had some nice coralline on it.

Will wait for parameters to stabilize and think about livestock and a light...
I have been going back and forth between T5 or L.E.D.'s for the last month

Any one have suggestions, I like the idea of having a light cycle (lunar, day, eve etc.), but also don't want to spend too much

[RL206]

FTS from a few days ago

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/FTSOCT24.png

[iced98lx]

Looks good! Keep up with water changes and you're set!

[RL206]

Update

I liked how the tank was doing and felt ready for a fish, went to the LFS and got a yellow watchman.

I had one in my last tank and I could not get it to eat well at all, let alone come out of hiding very much.

This one ate the next morning and has been eating very well so far, he also is out and about, I'm assuming just taking inventory on his new home.



http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_6976.jpg

[JasonBJones]

Looking great. Seeing that green banded goby in your LFS shot makes me very envious, I cannot find them anywhere around here.

[CJ03]

This looks interesting. I love seeing what can be done with smaller tanks. Some members can be super creative with such little space. So I will be watching to see what you do with yours.

Cj

[RL206]

Looking great. Seeing that green banded goby in your LFS shot makes me very envious, I cannot find them anywhere around here.

They had TONS of them!

[RL206]

Thanks CJ, hopefully it'll be worth watching!

So I have been using a standard table lamp over the aquarium for feedings for the watchman and boy do those grow some algae...

I did however receive my new light about 15mins ago :bdaysmile:

I do have to go to work so I'll have to get it situated tonight.

Here are some pics of it, it is a PAR38. I ordered it from OC Reef on Tuesday and it just came, so not too bad.

I couldn't find anything on the spread for these that really answered my question for how wide of an area I can expect to grow w/ them, I did get the 80* model so hopefully it'll work for now, we will see.

Will post up pics once its installed over the tank,
Thanks for looking!
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_3340.jpg

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_4077.jpg

[RL206]

Well, my light is up and running, I'm having troubles getting decent pictures, the pics come out way too blue. I cant find the camera so I'm stuck w/ the dang Iphone...

Can't get my most recent FTS to work, but I did pick up some green star polyps the other day, they are all open for the most part, here are 2 pics on they're 2nd day in there new home
Top shot
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_9134.jpg

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_7976.jpg

[RL206]

The LFS had a pretty cool sale and picked up a new sps, I've had it for 5 days. It seems to being doing well.

This is my first sps so it was a little scary spending so much on a coral, but I did get it at 30% off:beer:

Just getting used to dosing more chemicals to the tank, all seems well so far!

I need a new camera but here is a horrible pic

http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae174/rl206/IMG_4549.jpg