15g cube from the start , pictures all the way

[tonym10]

I now have almost all the items I need to start my 15g cube . It is 15"x15"x15" with canopy and stand. I just have a couple fittings on order , should be here next week. Then I will rough plumb, to be sure I like flow, then I will glue things in place in the sump. Once thats done I will get the LR and LS. Then cycle for short time. Water will come from my 75g to start, and LR and LS will come from local reef store where it is fully cycled.
Here are the first pics. Sorry the lighting and setting of pics is bad, I was in a rush.
I love this tank and stand and canopy , it all goes so nice together. The pics do it no justice. This is fresh from unpacking , so you see dust and dirt on the pieces.
Stand and tank and canopy
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41279cube376.jpg

Stand
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41279cube379.jpg

Canopy (inside)
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41279cube380.jpg

[tonym10]

Here is a pic of the back of the tank, showing the sump. I plan to glue 2 baffles back there to make it three compartments. I will Drill two bulkheads on the overflow side for a pump in the first chamber, it will pull water from the one bulkhead then out the other bulkhead, like a closed loop. The third chamber will have the return pump. The middle will have rubble rock. The heater will be in chamber 3. I will also dril a bulkhead in one of the chambers for and ice probe chiller.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41279cube382.jpg

Here is a closer up of the front top of tank
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41279cube378.jpg

[Champloo]

NICE! looks like that one's going to be fun to set up :)

[tonym10]

Here is a pic of most of the equipment that will run the tank.
The light in the front is a 13" Helio T5 super actnic , it will go between the two 24watt PC lights in the canopy.
I will only be keeping some LPS and zoos , mushrooms, Acons in this nano.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41279cube383.jpg

[Champloo]

with soo many choices in the "lps, zoos, mushrooms, and acons" category, why bother with anything else? :P

[coker98]

looks like it will get interesting

[tonym10]

T5 is now installed in canopy.

[coker98]

great keep us updated

[spoon671]

That's a nice looking tank. Very clean looking. Keep us updated.

[tonym10]

I will keep posted, I cannot say enough how much nicer it looks in person, those were bad pics , I will get better pics when I take pics of the new bulkheads I do. That wont be till next week end. I think I will also ask Acrylicman to make me a black molding 1.5" high to wrap around the bottom front and two sides of the tank to hide the sand line.
I am so excited to get working on this but the parts I need yet wont be here till mid next week.

[tonym10]

I have the two baffles cut for the back sump area. Have the plumbing figured out for the two maxi 900's. Still waiting for some plumbing parts.

[tonym10]

All plumbing parts are here. Now I just need time to drill some bulkheads for the closed loop and the chiller. I also asked acrylicman to make me a black acrylic 2" molding to wrap around the bottom of the cube to hide the sand line, and so I do not need to clean all the way to sand to prevent scratching of the acrylic. the molding should be here in a week.

[tonym10]

Today i water tested the tank. All is good, I checked flow with my 2 maxi 900s . I will use one maxi 1200 and one 900 instead of two 900s, they are just not strong enough when pushing threw a few inches of 1/2" line. The maxi 1200 will be a closed loop.
I will drill the bulkheads in on the weekend and glue the baffles in place.

[nike6]

Tony,
How much did acrylicman charge you for the trim for the bottom? Please post pictures of the lights, I am interested in thoes t5 lights. Are you happy with them. I can't order them, I keep getting error messages from the web site.
Shawn

[tonym10]

The lights are real simple. SO yea I like them. I have one mounted in the canopy between the two PC. It is super acntic so I will have it on one hour before and after the other lights come on and go out. I havent looked at the lights on the tank with water in the tank yet, just dry, it adds nice blue when on alone and adds just a little extra blue to the white of the PC. I will post a pic. I bought 4 by mistake. Maybe I could send you one.
acrylic man charged $25 plus $10 for shipping.

[tonym10]

Bulkheads are cut in., and interior plumbing is done. Chiller also installed. I have my salt water change water made for my 75g. I will use 15g of the 75g water for the new nano. I plan to get the rock and sand this weekend. Then a short cycle, the rock and sand are at local reef store and fully cured.
Here are pics so far.
Back of 15g cube showing pumps and plumbing and chiller.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41279bulkheads413web.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41279bulkheads414web.jpg

[tonym10]

Pic of the front of the back wall.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41279bulkheads416web.jpg

And a pic from the top down
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41279bulkheads418web.jpg

and one of the canopy showing the T5 added in the middle
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41279bulkheads417web.jpg

[tonym10]

Going Tomorow for the sand and rock, can't wait.

[rjwilson37]

Looks like it will be very cool indeed.

[Breaker4show]

WOW this setup is going to be nice! Can i ask where did you get those T-5 ( 13" ) and how much were they? I am looking for 2 for my 20 gallon!

THanks,
Nick

[tonym10]

Today I got the rock, sand and set it all up. I had to get the rock from a store 1 hour from me because my local place is closed on Sunday, so I had less of a selection then I wanted. But I am happy with the rock. About 20 lbs. The bottom piece is one large piece , i like this piece alot, the other 3 pieces I need to arrange nicer, but the tank is in a temporary spot , for about 1 month till I am sure there is no cycle, then I will move it to my work office and reset it up there, I will add corals there and fish then. I think I will study the tank over the next 30 days and decide where I will want to place future corals and arange the rocks based on that.
The water flow is just the way I wanted . I hope it is sufficient.
http://www.pbase.com/image/46992957/original.jpg

[tonym10]

I just played witht he rocks some, I have them the way I like it now. I already had one slide onto the side and hit the acrylic side, I thought I was being really careful, cant be toooo careful with acrylic. I didnt see a scratch thow.

[tonym10]

Thanks breaker4show
Here is the place to get them, I forget how much they were , I think $17.00
, the light bubl ballast plug are all in one .

T5 Light (http://www.commodityaxis.com/ProductDisplay.aspx?id=6)

[A\/enger]

Looks like a cool little setup. I cant wait to check out the progress you make.

[spoon671]

I really like those little cubes. Where can I get one made, exactly like yours? Also, do you like the way it's setup? Would you change anything if you had the chance?

Thanks

[tonym10]

thanks avenger
spoon671 I love the setup of this cube , the size shape, canopy , stand, it was exactly what I was looking for. I did make changes to it, as described above with the additional bulkheads and baffles in the rear sump area. You can get one from acrylicman on ebay, that is where I got mine.He builds them himself, some people give him negative feedback for slow shipping, but I got mine right away because he had 8 of them made, if he doesnt have them made and has to build them of course it takes longer, but he really packs it professionally, and like I said , mine arrived right away. He is making me a molding now for the bottom of the outside of the tank so I can hide the sand line.

[tonym10]

I just thought of a topoff idea. I can seal the bottom of the stand. Cut an access hole in the back of the acrylic stand, fill it with topoff water, it will hold at least 5 gallons, glue a shelf in the upper half of the stand to hold a litermeter pump, set the litermeter to does 1 cup of water per day, with the topoff module of the litermeter pluged in , and water level device set in the back of the sump area to turn the liter meter off if evap is less.
I believe 5 gallons of ro water would last for a few months on this tank. Maybe even add kalk to this topoff if I find the need for dosing kalk.

[tonym10]

4 days now, ammonia 0, nitrate 0, nitrate 2
Time for clean up crew.

[rjwilson37]

Sounds good, I can't wait.

Tony, my tank made TOTM at Ultimate Reef.

http://www.ultimatereef.net

[tonym10]

Very nice RJ, your tank looks great as always congradulations.
Have you started your larger tank? My wife just said I need bigger tank because she wants another tang, I did not even have to tell her I was already thinking of upgrading to a 180. But it will still be years before I can do it.

[tonym10]

I just ordered the first corals for the nano from PhishyBusiness .
A green welsophilia, 2 Blasto wellsi , and a few differant color Acon lordhowensis with 4-7 acons on each piece. I will post picks as soon as they arrive, which will be Tuesday.
He put together a nice package for me. I cant wait , these will be my first Acans , I do not even have acans in my 75g.
This may be all the corals I put in the nano. Maybe some zoos yet or mushrooms.

[tonym10]

Here are the pics from phisyBusiness sight of the ones I bought.
No pics of the acans, because he is selling me ones not on the sight with less polyps then the ones there with 10-20 polyps.
http://phishybusiness.com/images/corals/Premium1010.jpg
http://phishybusiness.com/images/corals/Premium1015.jpg
http://phishybusiness.com/images/corals/Premium971.jpg

[Genin]

your rocks in your tank are gorgeous. they have some great color to them already.

[rjwilson37]

Didn't you re-arrange the rock work from the first picture you posted? If so, we sure could use a new picture.

[eugimon]

yes, new pictures! I like the way you have the back setup... very nice.. and that micro chiller looks wicked where you put it.

[tonym10]

Ok, I will take a pic the new rock layout. I really like the new rock layout. I will need to take pics of it anyway so I remember it when I take it apart it move it to my office in a month. I may put my corals when they arrive in my 75 for a month before putting them in the nano. I will decide that on tuesday. I put the clean up crew in today. I need to get something to clean the acrylic , the pad I have now is too wide and hits the rocks, guess I will do a search, any recomendations?

[tonym10]

The room were this cube is in has a room temp of 77, the cube without the chiller running was 83.5 with no lights and 86 with lights. SO I pluged in the chiller and the tem dropped to 79 with no lights, and I will see later what the temps are with the lights on.

[tonym10]

Ok here is a pic of the new rock layout
http://www.pbase.com/tonymayo/image/47293493/original.jpg
Let me know what you think.

[A\/enger]

I really love the variation of color on your rocks. The layout looks good too, I've always been a fan of a few larger rocks then a lot of small ones.

[tonym10]

Thanks, there are three rocks there. Its funny there are only three rocks, and yet it took me forever to set them the way I liked them.

[tonym10]

Temps with ice probe chiller after lights were on 10 hours is 81.5 .
I have not put a fan in the canopy but I think this temp range should be ok . 79 no lights to 81.5 with lights on. Before chiller 83.5 to 86. SO the Ice Probe is keeping my 14g down 4.5 degrees.

[dlemons1]

bump

[tonym10]

I got the corals from phishybusiness today. I had to put them in the tank then come to work. I will post pics tonight of them. They are all really nice. There are more acans on each rock then I expected. Three acan rocks plus he sent me a free 4th acan rock.
Colors are all excellent. Pics later.

[nonamesright]

i can't wait to see the corals, and im a fan of the rockwork as well. keep up the good work.

[tonym10]

Here are pics of the new corals. I placed them in the tank in temporary spots, some of the spots made it difficult to get pics. SOme I could not get pics of. I could not be happier with these corals .
http://www.pbase.com/image/47469265/original.jpg
here is a close up of the first pic
http://www.pbase.com/tonymayo/image/47469288/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/tonymayo/image/47469296/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/tonymayo/image/47469297/original.jpg
And this is the free acan that phishybusiness sent me
http://www.pbase.com/tonymayo/image/47469267/original.jpg

[tonym10]

One of the wesli
http://www.pbase.com/tonymayo/image/47469276/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/tonymayo/image/47469292/original.jpg

[rjwilson37]

Those are awsome looking, just great.

[tonym10]

This morning I did my first water change , 2 gallons, plan on doing a 2 gallon / week change.

[tonym10]

A pic of my emerald in nano
http://www.pbase.com/image/47599420/original.jpg

[nonamesright]

those corals are beautiful, and out of curiosity how much were they and how much was shipping?

[tonym10]

The total was $550 with shipping, not all of the corals are pictured.
2 of the corals were Blastomussa Wellsi, they were $119 each. The brain coral was $39. The rest of the money was for the Acans and shipping. Phishey gave me a deal on 4 Acan pieces with a nice number of heads on each rock instead of buying one piece for $300+

[auahs]

Keep us updated on your tank. Looks like it's gonna be awesome. Have you had any thoughts on your lighting? Do you think they will be strong enough?

[tonym10]

The lights will be strong enough for what I plan to keep. Just acans, wellsi, brain, zoos, mushrooms.

[tonym10]

I just got a box of corals that was suppose to be delivered to me by fedEx on friday, it is now monday. They have been in shipping for 4 dasy now. Couple ricordia and zoos for nano, and a frogspawn for my 75g. I will see later if I throw them out or if they open up.

[tonym10]

I put the corals in cube. The Ricordias and zoos do not seem fazed about being in shipping for 4 days, they all look good, the frogspawn has a chance I would say.

[tonym10]

Today i moved my nano to my work office. So far so good.
Everything seems to have made the ride ok. I just need to get a couple fish now. The corals are all doing well.

[tonym10]

Bicolor blennie, and a yashia goby shrimp pair will be here tomorow, then my nano will be complete.

[rjwilson37]

Where are some recent pictures... go....go....go....We want pictures.... We want Pictures....

[lil_fishey]

^^^^wut rj said^^^^^

[tonym10]

Got my randals pistol shrimp and yasha gobie, and bicolor blennie today.
The blennie perched on a rock and did not move, the shrimp made a home in the very back of tank, and the gobie hid in a rock. Hope they come out tomorow. I might need a swimming fish in this tank, any ideas?

[tonym10]

Here is one full tank pic , its a quick pic with a cheap camera, will post better pics over the weekend.
http://www.pbase.com/tonymayo/image/50006659/original.jpg

[rjwilson37]

It looks very nice, I hope you Xenia does not get out of hand like mine did in my 55g.

[tonym10]

My Yasha gobie and pistol shrimp paired up. Took them about 1 week, but now they are paired right out in the front of the cube under the rock cave.

[rjwilson37]

Sounds cool, we sure could use some new pictures.

I finished the stand and canopy for my new 90g tank, moved the 55g over to it and switched over to Metal Halides.

[pimp2daizzo]

I LOVE YOUR TANK!!!!!!!!!

[tonym10]

Thanks
here is a pic of my Yasha and Pistol shrimp.
My cheap work camera, so sorry for quality.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/41279shrimpweb.jpg

[Ludwigia73]

If you ever plan on having a scallop or clam, ditch the bicolor. They get very aggressive too once they're older. I had one bite me repeatedly every time I put my hand in the tank, then he started taking bites out of my clam and he had to go.

[vanmo92]

nice tank

[tonym10]

Thanks for the heads up Ludwigia , but I will not keep a clam or scallop in this cube, just simple stuff.

[Flusher]

That's a phenomenal little tank. My next DIY tank will look more like that - with the "sump" area in the rear. Ha ha. Good job.

[tonym10]

Thanks

[dtaranath]

another great creation! any chance some of us locals could swing by the dealership to see the nano in person?

[tonym10]

You bet.
I am right on Rt 222 , in Trexlertown.

[dtaranath]

next time i go to something fishy, I'll check to see if you're around.

[rjwilson37]

Where are some up to date pictures, we could sure use some.

[janey]

yeah Tonym10
Post some current pic's . I wanna do the same as u did .
PS what addvative do use to have both tanks going so nice ..

janey

[tonym10]

Hi Janey
I do not use any addatives, just weekly water changes on the 15g, and for my 75g I use a calcium reactor and kalk reactor as well as water changes.
I wil post some new pics soon of the 15g, nothing really new there thow, i still need to get some new corals and my xenia needs to get trimmed back.

[vanmo92]

kool

[skabimini]

nice

[janey]

really I'm trying to grow my coraline algae .. I been doing the GARF method, the bionic 2 part, My alk went high to 16 . i'm doing a 20% water change tommorrow.. I ordered a cal recator and kal reactor a DIY Units . Oh i have a 30 gal long, with T5 6 lamp , cpr bak , built in refug .
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b267/janey6152/100_1591.jpg

[janey]

I'm gonna be moving the corals around and place them better ..
this pic was taken 2 weeks ago . i since gotten more stuff.

[piberoptikz]

kool!

[tonym10]

janey you have alot in there, lets see pic when you move things.
I just added a Coral Beauty to my 15g , a really pretty fish. I will not be able to keep him in there very long he is 2" now, I will move him to my 75g when he grows some. But he really brings my nano to life. I also added two cleaner shimp. The tank is doing very good , the only maintneace I do is 2.5g water change/week, and top off dailey with ro/di water.
I need a couple more corals, but I am keeping the corals very simple in here, I have to trim back the Xenia very frequently.

[Jim Z.]

Nice setup :). You are going to have fun with this microcosm. What's really amazing is the variety of marine creatures that will fit comfortably and do very well in a tiny space......Jim Z.