Nate's 3g Nano

[nate_newton]

So I was interested in doing this because I've never done a contest like this before. Usually just the photo ones and nothing long term or that involves spending money. So I remembered a 3 gallon deco on clearance, so I'm in. I'll be doing mine on a tight budget, a good amount will come from my tank. I'm think mostly zoa's and a chalice, but I expect a birdsnest to appear sometime because I love them. They'll be no fish, only a few inverts for the cleaner crew. I'll be using the stock filter it came with, and for now the 18w CF light, though I'm upgrading the bulb. I plan to be taking pics at each step. So for the first photo, a dry tank.


11" x 8.5" x 7"
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_7454.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

Sweet little tank!

[nate_newton]

Sand added
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_7459.jpg


Filter attached
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_7464.jpg


Half full
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_7469.jpg


2 gallons of Seachem Reef Salt
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_7482-1.jpg

Now to wait for it clear and go through a small cycle. New bulb comes Wednesday. Now to decide on the corals inside.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Nice tank Nate :)

[jolson10450]

i used to have the same one! i loved that thing! the filters got to be a pain though because i always had to order them online because local stores didn't carry them. curious to see how it works out for you!

[cg5071]

Subscribing :)

[nate_newton]

Thanks members. Yeah Justin, the pre-sized filters are a pain. I plan on just doing my own thing with the filtration. I think $30 new was a pretty good deal.

[nate_newton]

New bulb came today to replace the stock bulb, now running a UVL Actinic White/454nm. I plan to add some corals next week.

[nate_newton]

I should have done this earlier, but now I'm official. Now to HappyCoral
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_7675.jpg

[Heidi]

Is the lamp hanging above this, or clipped on cant really tell from your pictures. I love this little tank makes me wish I could do this contest :) cant wait to see what you get from Happy Coral!
-Heidi

[nate_newton]

Is the lamp hanging above this, or clipped on cant really tell from your pictures. I love this little tank makes me wish I could do this contest :) cant wait to see what you get from Happy Coral!
-Heidi

It clips on, you can kind of see it at the top left. You should do it, we still should have a few 2gallons on clearance for $30 at PetSuppliesPlus. I have some frags like ORA Birds of Paradise and Ponape Birdsnest.

[nate_newton]

I still need to get a few more pieces of rock. I'll update later with pics, have a little brown diatom cycle going on. One special thing the tank has are sponges (pink, blue, yellow).

[nate_newton]

I'm not positive what will be in the tank for sure but right now here's what you're looking at. Will be picking a few more small rocks and will be getting some zoas in there.
Green Birdsnest (ORA i believe)
Ponape Birdsnest
ORA Birds of Paradise
Purple Haze Montipora
Blue Sympodium
yellow, pink, and blue sponges

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_7776.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

Looks awesome man!

[Heidi]

This little tank is beautiful Nate! :)

[nate_newton]

Looks awesome man!

This little tank is beautiful Nate! :)

Thanks, its been interesting. From the top of the sand to the waters edge is only 6" so it really makes you think on what you can do. Now I'll be blackening the filter because there's a lot of lighting hitting it and causing algae blooms. Already covered the back with black foam, plan on painting the filter top black also.

[cg5071]

Looks nice! Can you get some closer ups on the sponges and what kind they are ect. How are you feeding them?

[MizTanks]

:highfive3: Sweet!

[2pairs]

Looks good, I like it when a little tank doesn't look small.

[creefer]

Great looking tank, Nate!

[nate_newton]

The tank will be saying goodbye to the CF lamp and hello to LEDs next week. I'll put updates when I start to build. It'll be wired into my existing desktop frag tank. It'll consist of 5 XR-E's; 3 royal blue, 1 cool white, 1 neutral white.

[Sir Patrick]

Looking forward to more pics, after the light change!

[nate_newton]

Me too, I forgot how much I don't like PC's lol.


Looking forward to more pics, after the light change!

[Corvette Reefer]

Thats a sweet lil beast! I wanna get one of those tanks and have a frag tank in it they look awesome and urs showz how cool they can be

[nate_newton]

The leds have arrived, just started to build tonight. After a trip to lowes for some screws it should be completed.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_8856.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_8860.jpg

[nate_newton]

The led upgrade is now completed. As you'll notice from the previous pictures the rock has been redone and now hides the filter intake. I'll post more pictures when everything is opened and out.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_8863.jpg

[MizTanks]

That is so cool-amazing lights! Please tell me what the *hand* represents.

[nate_newton]

That is so cool-amazing lights! Please tell me what the *hand* represents.

The hand?

[whitetiger61]

think she is talking about the instructions on the acrylic protective covering..lol

Rick

[Heidi]

Wow Nate, let there be light! :highfive3: You know I went and looked at these tanks and later decided against the contest because of the lighting. These must be those super wam-e-dine LED's in some kind of kit??? Man you gotta come to the next meeting so I can meet you and glean your LED light fixture making SKILLS! Can't wait for some pictures of everything when It gets happy again.
(I think Miz meant the Hand on the cardboard picture of the LED box/kit??)
Heidi

[Heidi]

think she is talking about the instructions on the acrylic protective covering..lol

Rick

OOOHHHHHH well thanks Rick! :)

[MizTanks]

OOOHHHHHH well thanks Rick! :)

OMG! Am I an idiot or what-even I gotta LMAO at myself on this one-I do believe I need a drink. Obviously I can't see sober ahdah :)

[nate_newton]

OMG! Am I an idiot or what-even I gotta LMAO at myself on this one-I do believe I need a drink. Obviously I can't see sober ahdah :)

Lol I thought you meant the tank. Yep just peeling instructions.

[nate_newton]

Wow Nate, let there be light! :highfive3: You know I went and looked at these tanks and later decided against the contest because of the lighting. These must be those super wam-e-dine LED's in some kind of kit??? Man you gotta come to the next meeting so I can meet you and glean your LED light fixture making SKILLS! Can't wait for some pictures of everything when It gets happy again.
(I think Miz meant the Hand on the cardboard picture of the LED box/kit??)
Heidi

They are the nice Cree's you hear about. No kit though just some advising from evilc66 and wired it into my already running led desktop frag tank.

[rosebud161616]

I love the upgrade and rock work! This made a huge difference!!!

[Corvette Reefer]

Love the tank more pics and lets see ur led light

[nate_newton]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_8900.jpg
Current Stock List

Birds of Paradise frag ($35)
Ponape frag ($25)
Blue Sympodium ($45)
Acan Lord (free)
Radioactive Dragoneyes ($15)
Resident Evil Zoas ($15)
Blue Acro ($15)
HappyCoral Zoa ($15)
Montipora Cap ($5)
Flower Petal Cap ($10)
= $180

Almost everything in here is a frag from my tank. I didn't color correct all of the photo's also.

Birds of Paradise
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_8915.jpg

Ponape Birdsnest
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_8918.jpg

Acan Lord
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_8921.jpg

HappyCoral Zoas
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_8938.jpg

Resident Evil (Preuss) Zoas
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_8958.jpg

Blue Acro
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9000.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9028.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9035.jpg

[cg5071]

Cool, I am still working on mine. I had a nudi attack and battling those now! If it isnt one thing...

[nate_newton]

My update for 3/11
The blue sympodium was removed and placed back in the main tank. The reason it was removed is so that I could add a 4"x3" Montipora that I acquired months ago and has been healing from a severe nudibranch attack. It will either stay this color or at sometime it will go to a rainbow like before when the LFS first received it. I'll probably put a chalice in there and maybe another sps.

Current Stock List

Birds of Paradise frag ($35)
Ponape frag ($25)
Purple/Red Montipora ($35)
Acan Lord (free)
Radioactive Dragoneyes ($15)
Resident Evil Zoas ($15)
Blue Acro ($15)
HappyCoral Zoa ($15)
Montipora Cap Green ($5)
Flower Petal Cap ($10)
= $170

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9088.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9142.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9095.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9132.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9130.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9104.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9090.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9149.jpg

[nate_newton]

My update for 3/19
Everything is growing good. The birds of paradise is very green and is now showing the long polyp extension. I have added a pocillopora frag at the top left center, and my own green razzleberry chalice just to the left of the birds of paradise.


Current Stock List

Birds of Paradise frag ($35)
Ponape frag ($25)
Purple/Red Montipora ($35)
Acan Lord (free)
Radioactive Dragoneyes ($15)
Resident Evil Zoas ($15)
Blue Acro ($15)
HappyCoral Zoa ($15)
Montipora Cap Green ($5)
Flower Petal Cap ($10)
Pocillopora frag ($5)
Green Razzleberry Chalice ($50)
= $225


http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9261.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9235.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9207.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9179.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

Everything looks great in your tank, under the new lighting!

[nate_newton]

Everything looks great in your tank, under the new lighting!

Thanks, I'm really happy with the growth and color from the leds.

[MizTanks]

Oh wow! Nate your tank looks awesome! Those lights, polyp extension and all the growth. Makes me wanna try this with my 8g :)

[nate_newton]

I decided to replace the ponape with a green birdsnest. Also the acan has sprouted a baby with 3 others starting to appear.

Current Stock List

Electric Green birdsnest ($35)
Ponape frag ($25)
Purple/Red Montipora ($35)
Acan Lord (free)
Radioactive Dragoneyes ($15)
Resident Evil Zoas ($15)
Blue Acro ($15)
HappyCoral Zoa ($15)
Montipora Cap Green ($5)
Flower Petal Cap ($10)
Pocillopora frag ($5)
Green Razzleberry Chalice ($50)
= $225

[nate_newton]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9282.jpg

[Heidi]

That is one colorful and diverse little nano Nate! Very Beautiful!

[nate_newton]

That is one colorful and diverse little nano Nate! Very Beautiful!

Thanks, some pieces will be for sale once the contest is over.

[nate_newton]

Most of corals here are frags from my own colonies. My total spending is $215, I only spent $45 to stock the tank and fragged the rest. The tank measure's 11"x8.5"x7", less than 3 gallons of water volume. There is zero filtration, just circulation. It contains a variety of corals; birdsnests, acro, montipora's, pocillopora, chalice, acans, zoas, and a paly. It's inhabitants are amphipods and a variety of mini starfish.

Current Stock List

Electric Green birdsnest ($35)
Purple/Red Montipora ($55)
Acan Lord (free)
Green zoa colony (free)
Happy People Eaters ($10)
Resident Evil Zoas ($15)
Blue Acro ($15)
HappyCoral Zoa ($15)
Montipora Cap Green ($5)
Flower Petal Cap ($10)
Pocillopora frag ($5)
Green Razzleberry Chalice ($50)
= $215

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9301.jpg

[Corvette Reefer]

on ur LED light,,howd u get the glass over the leds and stuff? do u have to glass right on the leds or space them for somthing? iv been trying to get a idea on how to cover leds from slat if i ever make one

[nate_newton]

on ur LED light,,howd u get the glass over the leds and stuff? do u have to glass right on the leds or space them for somthing? iv been trying to get a idea on how to cover leds from slat if i ever make one

I have 4 holes in the heatsink and matching holes drilled in the lexan. I used 2" screws and bolts as a spacer.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9261.jpg

[nate_newton]

An Update: The Acan has sprouted 3 babies heads. The Happy PE didn't make it, I'm thinking too much par. The Monti Caps and Pocci are doing good, with great polyp extension. Also the Birds of Paradise has sprouted branches and extended since it has entered.

[Heidi]

Tank is looking great Nate! The only "named polyps" I have ever bought melted too. I now wonder if it was too much light I never thought about acclimating them, maybe next time I will have to try that. Your Montipora is looking very happy in there! :highfive3:

[MizTanks]

Whom ever I'm buying from the first thing I ask (even before $$) is what lighting have they been kept under~anyways...Nate your tank is looking awesome!

[nate_newton]

Tank is looking great Nate! The only "named polyps" I have ever bought melted too. I now wonder if it was too much light I never thought about acclimating them, maybe next time I will have to try that. Your Montipora is looking very happy in there! :highfive3:
Thanks Heidi, yeah its best to start most corals at the bottom and work them up. The red superman monti and birds of paradise will probably be looking for a home when the contest is over. Some zoas I have just go for no reason. What were the named polyps you bought?


Whom ever I'm buying from the first thing I ask (even before $$) is what lighting have they been kept under~anyways...Nate your tank is looking awesome!
Thanks, it's a little more difficult with this tank since it's led. Though they weren't in a bright area, there was a high PAR. Hard to say what the cause is when there's only 2.5 gallons of water.

[nate_newton]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/newtonn/IMG_9409.jpg

The tank has been running since the beginning of January. A few corals have been added while others were removed. The tanks footprint is the size of an 8.5x11 sheet of paper. Birdsnest, Montipora's, an Acan, and Chalice have all been living in the tank together without filtration only a water change every 10 days or so. The tank is fed Cyclop-Eeze powder and Reef Chili. In January I started with 2 acan heads, 5 to 6 have grown in the past few weeks.

Current Stock List

Electric Green birdsnest ($35)
Purple/Red Montipora ($55)
Acan Lord (free)
Green zoa colony (free)
Resident Evil Zoas ($15)
Blue Acro ($15)
HappyCoral Zoa ($15)
Montipora Cap Green ($5)
Flower Petal Cap ($10)
Pocillopora frag ($5)
Green Razzleberry Chalice ($50)
= $205

[Sir Patrick]

Glad to see this little tank still rockin!!!

[Heidi]

I am seeing that you removed the ponape birdsnest? Or is it just being called by a different name? I melted 4 of 6 of the "lunar eclipse" variety and I killed (darn superglue woops!) the first single HPE I put in there. The lunars have now grown from 2 to 8 (so 6 new grown) and the second round of HPE (4) has yet to look distressed. I don't see it but if you ever need to frag the Ponape birdsnest (the green and yellow spiky thing you have back in your march post pictures) I would love a chunk of that. It is weird but no matter what I always melt a few zoas from a clump when I first put them in. :shrug: Maybe my tank is "toxic" lol ;)
Anyway, that tank looks great Nate, I am going to do one of these up sooner or later! Maybe next nano contest I will hop in.
Heidi

[nate_newton]

I am seeing that you removed the ponape birdsnest? Or is it just being called by a different name? I melted 4 of 6 of the "lunar eclipse" variety and I killed (darn superglue woops!) the first single HPE I put in there. The lunars have now grown from 2 to 8 (so 6 new grown) and the second round of HPE (4) has yet to look distressed. I don't see it but if you ever need to frag the Ponape birdsnest (the green and yellow spiky thing you have back in your march post pictures) I would love a chunk of that. It is weird but no matter what I always melt a few zoas from a clump when I first put them in. :shrug: Maybe my tank is "toxic" lol ;)
Anyway, that tank looks great Nate, I am going to do one of these up sooner or later! Maybe next nano contest I will hop in.
Heidi

Thanks, Heidi I did move it back to the frag tank. The main ORA Birds of Paradise piece in here will be sold when the contest is over. I actually have frags of Ponape right now, (3) 1.5" and (1) 2.5" frag, all tight multi-branching. Marc has frags of all three of my birdsnest also.

[Sir Patrick]

Happy Birthday Man!!!!!

[Corvette Reefer]

very veryyyy nice! its coming along amazingly! looks great! keep it up!