Reef2Keep Nano Build

Well, the plan was to wait until I was permanently settled in my own house...but I just couldn't hold out any longer. I figured setting up a nano would keep me entertained while not breaking the bank as well as being a nightmare to move.

Was dead set on going with an all-in-one system for ease, and had my finger on the trigger for the IM Nuvo 38. But just couldn't get past not having a sump. So.....custom it is, and back down the rabbit hole I go ;D

The plan is to go LPS dominant, with an emphasis on acans. I'll likely add one or two softies for movement (hammer, torch) as well as an SPS or two (love monti cap growth). Only livestock I've decided on so far is a mated pair of percs and some sort of goby. I still need to do more research on the best options for this size tank.

Tank
Advanced Aqua Tanks
24"x18"x18" (~33G)
Euro-braced
Front panel Starphire
Drilled: 1" drain, 1/2" return

Only took 1.5 weeks from custom order to delivery, cheers to OC Fish!

 

Arrival of first round of equipment, it felt like an early christmas :xmas: Thank you black friday sales!

 

A few more...

 

ok now...let's put all this together. =) What are you waiting on?

 

Believe it or not....the stand! And it was the first thing I started!! Trying to finish it has been a PIMA. I didnt have all the right tools so there were lots of little "blemishes" to hide. Yeah, bit of a perfectionist...

 

Ordered 30lbs of dry Pukani rock from BRS. Pretty cool stuff, however LOTS of dead growth. I cured it for ~1.5 months and it still has lots on it, but the rest can get done during the cycle.

 

Starting to figure out the aquascape. The pieces were way to large to go in as is and had to be broken up.I was hoping my note to BRS stating it was for a nano tank would have avoided this step, but maybe this is as small as it comes? No worries.

Think I have close to the final product here. Some good room for corals, lots of little crevices and hiding places and it still leaves some decent swimming room. It's amazing how long I spent playing with freakin rocks. Hopefully I'll be able to remember how everything fits when moving into the tank.

 

Nice and porous.

 

nice looking rock, can't wait to see this thing get started.

 

Filling....