Kalzonia 20l AIO Build

[kalan850]

Oh it's always fun starting a new build!
Another tank in progress here. I have kept reefs in the past and have recently decided to use some equipment laying around to start up a new system. I've always wanted to set up a 20l AIO!
Now is the time!

When the idea first hit me I decided I would need to set some ground rules this time! In my previous systems I would get so caught up in the latest and greatest equipment... leds skimmers controllers pumps this and that... Not this time! I want to keep it simple and use what I know works for me.

1. Keep it simple. Minimal equipment
T5 lighting, heater, pump, powerhead, ato, and possibly a skimmer.
2. Patience! Fewer Corals given time and space to colonize.
3. Light stocking 2 fish, a shrimp, and cc.

I am going to try my hardest to stick to them and hopefully enjoy and experience this simplistic way of reef keeping.

So far I have the tank, the lighting, and heater. The return pump and plumbing will be delivered later this week. I went with the eheim compact 1000. The components for the ato (diy) are ordered as well. Today I cut the acrylic to size for the false wall and 2 baffles. Turned out really well.http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161209/3a3484a4146ca4c6f7e55c6f1080f65d.jpg

Still working on the scape. I know I want a sort of iwagumi type with lots of surface for Corals to cover. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161209/9c36127cd588059f2a6aed5eda63d3dd.jpg
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161209/54a08b158c08c45ca54629d89d9f0818.jpg

The Corals I'm thinkin of stocking are ora birds nest and a mille for top/background, then maybe 2 or 3 type of Zoas for midground, and finally 3 or 4 acan colonies for the foreground. However I would like to have at least one chalice cuz their awesome! and a torch for some movement.

For fish... at the moment I'm thinking six line wrasse to help with pests and they look pretty cool, and a pygmy angel or black ocellaris with brown face.

Inverts: at the moment im thinking fire shrimp, a couple snails, and a few hermits.

Well that's the plan and the progress so far...



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[kalan850]

Update:
I've decided I will call this reef Kalzonia 4

received the return pump, return 90, and a component for the diy ato.

I was able to squeeze in some time to work on this lil guy. Drilled, Painted, and siliconed. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161215/c230549660d1f6e6c5c38861d0b7e892.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161215/e38bc0fc7ceccc9a15e899beebde085a.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161215/bf877b8d8d9e3c1bd98913b020b8414c.jpg
I'm stoked that it all coming together but also that I'm taking my time with it. Not cutting any corners.

I figured I would document how much I'm spending on this system.

Tank (owned)
Diy Stand (owned)
Heater (owned)
Light (owned)
Rock (owned)
24x12 Acrylic ($15)
Silicone ($5)
5/8 90 ($5)
Step drill bit ($8)
Return pump ($33)
Diy ATO ($9)
Aqualifter pump ($traded)

Total: $75 (sold a few knives to obtain the cash)

Next I plan on sealing the filtration in and working on the scape. Once I have that down it'll be time to get her wet. I'll most likely do a fishless cycle.

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[kalan850]

I was able to silicone the filtration in today and played around with some rocks. I've decide to use this scape after considering my coral choices.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161216/d85c32204f8ec5fae5b700c46b7de398.jpg Sorry for the horrible glare.

Next up: test run and paint.

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[kalan850]

Anyone down to color?
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161217/2a6d6cfa58c9f4d8e07f58a5c2a30e7a.jpg

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[kalan850]

Test run
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161218/2ed7b04b81c7bf6007e3685aa79dbb85.jpg
Works like a charm although there are a few things I'd like to change. I would like to change the return so that I can adjust the flow direction. Possibly a couple of 45s would do. Still brainstorming. The other thing would be muffling the sound of the water falling from the overflow. My plan for that is a diy media basket with filter floss, purigen, and carbon.


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[kalan850]

Hit a few snags.
The tank is supposed to go under my 125 on top of 2 concrete blocks. After placing the tank on top of the blocks under the 125 there isn't enough room for me to maintain the chambers. I'm going to have to use 2x4s laid flat and horizontal for the plywood to sit on instead of the concrete.
Another thing... while painting it started sprinkling therefor I got bubbles in the paint. I am going to have to scrape it off and try again. Ill Most likely spray this time instead of roll.

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[kalan850]

Fts
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161221/bc2c08f83ac9ab17c9f0027bb930f784.jpg

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[Qbass]

H! Interesting & simple setup! All the best!!
I like your idea of sketching out the coral placements. Great idea and tips!! Thanks
Been getting great info from this forum.
Currently I am in the process of getting a custom made 20gal tank & cabinet.
Still in the research stage now. I prefer to go sumpless. So not sure whether to go for IOS, canister filters, do I need a skimmer? etc. I want an easy to maintain and efficient system.
Will add hardy corals when the water parameters are more stable.

[kalan850]

H! Interesting & simple setup! All the best!!
I like your idea of sketching out the coral placements. Great idea and tips!! Thanks
Been getting great info from this forum.
Currently I am in the process of getting a custom made 20gal tank & cabinet.
Still in the research stage now. I prefer to go sumpless. So not sure whether to go for IOS, canister filters, do I need a skimmer? etc. I want an easy to maintain and efficient system.
Will add hardy corals when the water parameters are more stable.

Hey thanks for the kind words. Yes endless info on the forums lol. Not sure what IOS is but canisters are a pain to clean. No you dont need a skimmer as long as you are diligent with your water changes. For this system I'll be running a skimmer (eventually), diy media basket with carbon, purigen, and seachem matrix. Mostly because I've done it in the past and know it works for me.



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[kalan850]

Alright made some headway today. Repainted, picked up some seachem matrix with mesh media bag, some fittings to adjust return flow, and some epoxy.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

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[kalan850]

Another coat of paint today just for good measure. Fitted the return flow pvc http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161222/176a8201ba2e72d71ab6decda7ad6922.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161222/87e97324ee78f614205dc71f5cc9e3f1.jpg and got painted it as well. http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161222/e60e7300a65e422eaa65cea05d9d44a0.jpgBuilt the media rack http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161222/8160a50f1c6a37928347950574b23078.jpg secured the stones with epoxy.http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161222/ed25a1ce70b3645136738442fa9c8a6f.jpg

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[kalan850]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161222/f875d0cdf93819989e7c5ee2839c545d.jpg

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[kalan850]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161223/b262fa5b89998c8129db4be118828bb2.jpg I have to say this being a nano project it so much more manageable than working with a larger tank. I'm able to move everything around with ease. It's very convenient

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[kalan850]

I recieved my Christmas bonus so I splurged and got an additional dual bulb t5 fixture.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161224/62b05ab50f6c55872798184df790e687.jpg I'll be running 3 18w actinics and 1 18w 10k. Eventually I'll add some actinic leds for asthetic coral color pop. I'm playing with ideas on diy light hangers to make getting in and out of the tank easier. Also thinking I might build another media rack to go in the first chamber for now until I get the skimmer. I am going to give the return pvc a few more days to cure then she will be ready for water. I'll get her cycling with a piece of raw shrimp. While I'm waiting for the cycle to complete I'll be putting together the light hangers.

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[kalan850]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161226/9b79327600f6f5e40c4242ff4217ccff.jpg I installed the display return. Looks good

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[kalan850]

Alright so as expected this build has sparked my interest in an upgrade[emoji13] b4 it even has water in it lol. This tank is small and it's location (under my 125g A. Cichlid tank) is just inconvenient. I will go ahead with this build as planned but have plans to convert my 75g fw planted tank to a reef within the next 6 months. I'll be using this systems rock to seed the 75 when I begin that build. I will be keeping this system as a quarantine tank.

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[kalan850]

And the work continues!
I put together another media rack to go in the first chamber. I am going to use an aquaclear spounge sitting on top of the rack for mechanical filtration then some chemi-pure elite followed by purigen. The second chamber media rack will hold seachem matrix and possibly GFO. We shall see
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170101/420f4c83a7bff3a31a9f5c58c2e26d76.jpg
Test fitted my diy ato setup
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170101/0fb53241113c958312ac549d6c7815aa.jpg
I have to find a way to contain and waterproof everything. At the moment im thinking 3" pvc with caps but it would be rather bulky... still brainstorming

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[kalan850]

A small case of fin rot in my clown loaches has slowed this build. Will update as soon as I get everything taken care of.

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