Nealio's 12G Nano-Reef Build (RIP)

I replaced the ****ty Wal-Mart HOB filter and the super overpowered Maxi-Jet powerhead with an AquaClear 200 that will be turned into a fuge. While I was at it, I noticed that my smaller clownfish was missing, and found him collecting dust behind the stand. My gf and I were very sad to say the least. He managed to work himself between the lid and all the equipment hanging off the back of the tank to find his way to the floor.

RIP Clownfish, you will be missed.

 

Some good news. First off, I picked up a large batch of dry rock that I will be cooking this weekend before putting it in my tank next week.

Second, and more importantly I lucked into a number of cheap frags that I'll be picking up on Sunday. For $20, I'll be getting several heads of green button polyp, a stalk or 2 of Xenia, and a 3x3 piece of Anthelia.



I'll post pictures when I pick them up.

 

Cool tank. I don't think I have ever seen a 12 gallon before.

 

Finally got my coral! A local reefer kindly gave me a healthy chunk of Anthelia, 2 small colonies of button polyps, and a small mystery frag of Xoa. They haven't opened up yet seeing as how the lights just came on, but I'll snap some pics later.

 

I finally graduated, and I've temporarily moved in with my GF until I find a job, so I felt it would be a good idea to bring my Nano with me.

I went back to my place and broke down all the equipment and cleaned it heavily before packing it in my car and driving it an hour to her place. Everything survived the trip, and I re-aquascaped with some extra dry rock I got from my roommate and it looks great. I'll try to get some pictures up when the sand and micro-bubbles settle.

I also picked up some Kenya Tree frags today in trade for some spare RO water. I was also supposed to be picking up some Trumpet Coral frags for $5, but he apparently fell off the face of the planet at the last minute.

The only other update is that my mystery Zoa frag finally opened, and it's a very bright green, and looks great.

I can't promise any pictures in the next couple days (I'll be at a drift event in Orlando), but I will definitely do my best to get some FTSs when I get back.

 

The late, but as promised pictures!

Blurry FTS


A washed out FTS using the flash


New anthelia


New button polyps on the left, new kenya tree in the middle with anthelia above it, and old gsp rock on the right


All 3 button polyp frags, and the mystery frag of Xoa that just started to open. Appears to be bright green.


I don't know if you can see it, but there are some mini feather dusters and sponges on this piece of rock.


Right side tank shots with a small frag of kenya tree on a shell.


Full side shot.


Trying to get a picture of my shrimp, if only my clown would stay out of the way.


My new mystery xoa frag.


Better picture of my main GSP rock.


A close up of the dusters.


Were the tank is staying in my parents house.

 

Not that anyone follows this thread, but I might as well keep at it with the updates.

The tank hasn't even been setup for a week and I'm already planning its obsolescence. I found a 17 gallon tank with the same footprint that is already drilled for an overflow that I should be picking up within the next week. I can reuse all my old equipment as well as add some things I've been wanting to do. The tank will placed on a metal stand I recently picked up and have been busy paneling. I've also been thinking about making the stand into a clam-shell design, so I can hide all the wiring and plumbing and incorporate the hood. I already have a 10 gallon for a sump as well as a 13w CF refugium lamp to grow out my cheato.

 

I was thinking about what I was going to do for lighting in the canopy I plan on building for the new 17 gallon tank, and I was thinking about using a 70w halide. I found a DIY retro for a good price locally, and I'm going to talk to the guy about it. With any luck it'll replace the crappy compact fluorescent lights I'm using now. But I'd like to hear people's opinion on placing a 70w halide over a 25-ish gallon system. Will it produce too much heat?

 

i am now!! ;D and im not sure you budget but i just ordered an L.E.D. bulb for my system check my sig the 3gal for the link. and everything looks pretty good excited to see the 17

 

I've thought about LEDs, and I actually have some spare LEDs that were given to me, but i'm still on a tight budget, and I can't afford to invest in a DIY system that may not work in the end. I know for a fact that a MH would work, the reflector would easily fit over my tank, and it would cost around $50 if I picked up used components. I like T5s, but 18" and 20" fixtures are hard to come by, and I don't like power compacts at all. Not to mention, I'. excited to finally get some shimmer!