Kalmed's 25 gal 2011 Nano Contest Tank

[Kalmed]

This is perfect timing.

After a catostrophic event in 2010 dashing my plans to plumb through the floor and put in a fish room. I am left with a Nano to dabble in this fickle hobby. I started to build a new stand in December and have been slowly getting things ready for the Lansing Swap. The tank has been running with a small CUC package for about 3 months. The stand is almost finished and I hope to move the tank from the end table (that is just waiting to throw 25 gallons of water on the floor) to its new stand with a few amenities to make things easier for me and allow for changes if need be.

Plans for the Tank:

While I want a mixed reef there are just too many options. I am getting a frag of 20,000 Leagues Lokani from Jim B at the swap and it hits me. I have always liked the looks of Lokani, Enchanta, and Granulosa Acros so I will try to keep to simular species. They are slow growers and limited in numbers to keep me in check. In the LPS category I will look for ole standbys of trumpets, Acans and I would love to find some orange hammerhead at a reasonable price. On the lower levels I would like a mix of Rics, Tongas, and Zoos. For fish I have a Purple Fire Fish that I picked up a Preuss the first week of January and I would like to do a Blue Spotted Jawfish but Im not so sure they will get along due to simular body types. Perhaps a Long Nose Hawk, Swiss Gaurd, or another 6 line Wrass.

Tank and Equipment:

Tank: Innovative Plastics 25 gal AIO
Lighting: T-5 HO 24" x 3, Geisemann bulbs; BluePlus, Atinic, BluePlus
Filtration: Fluval canister 204 running GAC and providing flow for the chiller
Skimmer: The tank has an internal skimmer but not so hot, looking for a Tunze 9002
Chiller: 1/3hp, a tad big but I want to set it up on a controller to avoid iceburgs
Return: MJ1200
Internal: Korila Nano
ATO: DIY from BRS and Aqualifter pump


Future wants .vs. needs: RKL/RKE, Vortech 10, LEDs


Thanks for looking, I will post pics this weekend.

[Kalmed]

As promised some pics. I just finished the stand top last night. Im going to give it another 24 hours before I put weight on it. Pretty happy with the way it all turned out. Now looking at I didnt use the top in the fist pic because it was too narrow for my taste and looked stupid. I built another usinh 2" tiles.

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_7510.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_7512.jpg
With the sides on
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_7548.jpg
With the sides off, the side slides in a channel in the back and held in place with rare earth magnets.
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_7547.jpg
Switch panel on the right, fans on the floor of the stand for air movement, I plan on putting the chiller in the stand.
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_7546.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_7549.jpg

[Invert]

It is nice to see you are back at it.
Nice progress on the stand.

[Kalmed]

Hey thanks Invert its been a while, will we meet up next weekend? Im having a heck of a time with this forum, sorry for the double pics.

[jolson10450]

i removed your repeated pictures for ya. i really like the idea of the magnet on sides! thats pretty slick! gives it a really nice look to make it seem like there is nothing under there.

[Sir Patrick]

Absolutely LOVE your stand!!!!

Cant wait to see more!!!

[MizTanks]

That is just to sweet! Don't know what else to say :) :)

[Kalmed]

Thanks for the complements. I wish I could take credit for the magnet idea, but alas I saw it somewhere I believe on RC. It really came together well. Today Im going to move the tank to the stand and I'll get more pics of the setup. The tank sits in front of my picture window so I will wait until tonight for better pics. The picture window works well as this tank has a clear back so no additional lighting is need for the cheato in the back chambers. Cant wait for the swap to get the frags and some color, well besides the Purple Fire Fish.

Thanks for looking!

Gordon

[Kalmed]

On its new home, And my contest begins...

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_7550.jpg

[Joefish]

Love the post it!

[Kalmed]

Well what can I say.....what a swap! While everything is in quarantine here is a list of "aqua-sitions" over the last 2 weeks. I will be envoking the "Temporarily Exceeding Spending Limit" clause and removing some in the future. The only problem is the GR swap is coming up! OH the addiction! Thank you to everyone that purchased something from me (could'nt have done it without you) and those that I bought from (also could'nt have done it without you either). This was by far the best swap in Lansing I have been to. BRAVO!

Pictures and signed list in a week.

Reefer Frag Price Final Cost
TM01 - Todd Pokerstar Monti $15.00 $15.00
TM01 Bam Bams $15.00 $15.00
TM01 Rainbow Monti $15.00 $15.00
Joe Baumbach 20,000 Leagues Lokani Acro $25.00 $25.00
Jolson10450 - Justin Mini Nems x2 $10.00 $10.00
Chazde3 Red Tonga $10.00 $10.00
Chazde3 Superman Monti $15.00 $15.00
Werdlone ORA Hawkins Enchata $30.00 $30.00
Werdlone Branching Cyphastrea $25.00 $25.00
Korndiddy20 Fruitloops $13.00 $13.00
Korndiddy20 Magicians $13.00 $13.00
Pazazz Babys Breath Favia $30.00 $30.00
Pazazz Blue Clove Ployps $15.00 $15.00
Tankster Duncan 5 head $25.00 $25.00
Meisen Frogskin acro $20.00 $20.00
Cupa Corals Yellow Torch $20.00 $20.00
Cherry Corals Acan $20.00 $10.00
Preuss No Name Zoo Morph $15.00 $7.50
Mgers1 Jauch Win Lauch sp $10.00 $10.00
Mgers1 Bonzai $10.00 $10.00
Mgers1 Steritopora $15.00 $15.00
Mgers1 Kona Gold Zoos $10.00 $10.00
Mgers1 Polar Ice Zoos $10.00 $10.00
Lucid Propagations Yellow Ric $10.00 $5.00
Kalmed Stock Trumpet -1 head $10.00 $10.00
Kalmed Stock Orange Ric -1 polyp $20.00 $20.00
Kalmed Stock Red Mushroom -1 polyp $10.00 $10.00
Total $436.00 $413.50

[Kalmed]

Here a few that I shot the other night. I need a macro lense to get better shots. Some acrylic polish will come in handy too. More to come...

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/FTS.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/LowerLevel.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/LowerCenter.jpg

And the Favorite...Thanks Joe!
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_7593.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

Wow!!! Thats alot of frags!!!

All very nice too!

[jolson10450]

lookin good man! cant wait to see it all grow out! the mini carpets look sweet!

[Seph]

Your welcome Gordon! The tank looks great, and thats quite a line up of corals ya got there. Should look sweet when it grows in. I'll be watching.;)

[2pairs]

WOW!
That is one heck of a start, with a little growth that will be sweet.

[scubamomma]

looks really nice!

[Kalmed]

Wow!!! Thats alot of frags!!!
I know I had everything listed in excel before the swap to get signatures, and it didnt look too bad. But, when I combined it with others from the prior week, and what survived in a small tank that I tore down, it looks like I have money to throw around, when if fact, I just have no control.


lookin good man! cant wait to see it all grow out! the mini carpets look sweet!
Thanks, I got them from a charming young man at the swap. They glow brightest with the moon lights on. The wife thought they were going to get big and start eating fish.


Your welcome Gordon! The tank looks great, and thats quite a line up of corals ya got there. Should look sweet when it grows in. I'll be watching.
When I got home, a couple of lower ends had broken off and I couldn't let them go to waste. That will be a frag to pass on to someone after it starts encrusting the plug a little.


That is one heck of a start, with a little growth that will be sweet.
Honestly, I would sit at the tank at night and sing to them to speed the growing process if I thought it would work. Not the most patient during grow out. What do you think Michael Buble or Metalica!

I will try to get more pics later, shooting through those rolled corners can be tricky, not to mention the scratches I didn't see until after it was filled with water. Almost tempted to empty the tank, and polish the heck out of it, then put it back together. Heck what else do I have to do. OH! I put a Tunze 9002 in the back as the stock skimmer wasn't cutting it. Im also waiting for a new pump for a Tunze Osmolator I picked up at the swap for the ATO. While on a tank tour a couple of weeks ago I got the big thumbs up for LEDS and a controller from the wife. I do so wish I could work some overtime!....oh yeah PATIENCE! :doh:

[CalmSeasQuest]

Beautiful job Gordon!

I've always liked those hex-shaped tanks and you're drop-off style aquascaping looks great!

[Kalmed]

I should know by know that nothing in this hobby comes without a price. After 3 days without power stay tuned for a new and improved nano. I hopefully will get the time to put everything back together, redo rock work and get everthing glued back in place. :doh::stars::cryin:

[Kalmed]

Well if I had to redo the aquascaping I might as well try something new. Ive seem a few tanks done this way and thought this would be a good way to get some added floor space. So here it goes, the finish photos are not ready as they are drying...

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/P2250083.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/P2250088.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/P2250090.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/P2250089.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

Very cool!!!! Looking forward to seeing this happen!!!

[Kalmed]

OK got things done and installed yesterday. I wanted to wait for 24 hours for things to clear before adding pics. VERY, VERY, VERY happy with the way this turned out. Really gained some floor space and water flow. I think I need to get a bigger powerhead as there is little rock for the flow to bounce off of. If I change to a bigger tank (right....when I put the 45 rimless plans into action) I will definitly build a back wall and other scapes this way. I will post pics tonight.

Did I mention how happy I was with this? :roll_eyes:

[MizTanks]

Pretty sweet, cant wait to see it in tank :)

[Kalmed]

Here are a few pics of the new scape. Not the best pics, macro lense on the wish list, not shot in RAW, but you get the idea.


http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8376.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8375.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8387.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8386.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8388.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8384.jpg

[MizTanks]

Does that ever look cool :)

[Kalmed]

I think I will put in a small arch coming one of the middle rocks, but I've changed their world enough for now. Where you at in the UP? My brother is in Skandia and daughter is in thew Sault.

[Sir Patrick]

Awsome man! I would be very pleased with that also!

[jolson10450]

nice!! how did you get the sand to stick to the foam?

[Kalmed]

I use 2 different sizes of crushed coral/sand. After sculpting the foam I used epoxy resin to adhere the coarse crushed coral. I let that cure for 24 hours and then painted on another coat of epoxy resin use fine sand, letting that dry for 24 hours. When I put the panels in the tank I use the resin and sand to fill the seam. Over all it was really easy to do and would have only taken 3 days if I didn't have to go to work. Those are the nems I got from you in front of the Bam Bams, I now have 4.

[whitetiger61]

that is sweet..can you post the materials you used on this project please....very nice corals too.. might be pming you on a canister filter idea i have also..still need to find some room for that..lol

Rick

[Kalmed]

Lets see...



Black Light grate
2 Cans of Waterfall sealant


What I bought was made by Tetra from Lowes At 12.99 can. I have heard you could buy it cheaper but I was unable to find it local for less. I understand you can use the regular foam but why take the chance. Also the black made some areas shade differently and created more visual texture.Use gloves when using this as its difficult to get off your hands, and you will get it on your hands.

Caribe Sea Bermuda Pink or simular size
Caribe Sea Pink Reef Sand or simular size
Fiberglass Resin

Depending on what you read, you can use fiberglass resin or finishing resin. Chemically I didnt see any difference in the product. Fiberglass resin is thicker than finishing which I though was beneficial. Fiberglass resin is also about 1/4 of the cost, use your own judgement.In the end neither produce will leach chemicals into your tank after being submerged

Thats about it. I used a wire brush/wheel on a drill to smooth out and change the texture of the foam before coating with sand. After spraying the foam wait 5-10 minutes for the foam to form a skin and collapse the foam so it dosent over expand your rock. It will also free extra air so the background dosent become a PFD. Before installing, I rinsed it in my tub, and confirmed my rock to foam ratio. I did make a rock formation to sit infront of the wall, but in the end, I didnt use it beacuse of space. The foam was very useful to adhere rocks together and form stable structures. Again just trim the foam after it is dry, and cover with the sand product of your choice. I could'nt tell it wasnt one peice of rock. Do a search and you will find numerous threads on this.


Thanks for looking and the comments!

[Kalmed]

So I woke up this morning to the smell of smoke and a whinning dog. After comming around the corner I found the tank on the floor with 25 gallons of standing water. The dog was huddled on her bed and was whinning and barking because she was getting wet and was unable to lap up all the water before it soak into her bed. Fish, snails and crabs were a mix of walking wounded or long ago dead. Those still walking were being batted around by the cats in a feline game of soccer. The skimmer, still running, was spinning around the floor spitting foam on anything it bumped into. HeY! why is the skimmer spinning on the floor, this isnt right, wait, what the H...!?

My day is shot, I hate waking up to dreams like this! When I came around the corner for real...all was well with only a gentle hum of the skimmer and obnoxious snor of the Great Dane on the floor.

So do you think Im taking this "hobby" a little too seriously? Im sure thay have medication for this.

[jolson10450]

So I woke up this morning to the smell of smoke and a whinning dog. After comming around the corner I found the tank on the floor with 25 gallons of standing water. The dog was huddled on her bed and was whinning and barking because she was getting wet and was unable to lap up all the water before it soak into her bed. Fish, snails and crabs were a mix of walking wounded or long ago dead. Those still walking were being batted around by the cats in a feline game of soccer. The skimmer, still running, was spinning around the floor spitting foam on anything it bumped into. HeY! why is the skimmer spinning on the floor, this isnt right, wait, what the H...!?

My day is shot, I hate waking up to dreams like this! When I came around the corner for real...all was well with only a gentle hum of the skimmer and obnoxious snor of the Great Dane on the floor.

So do you think Im taking this "hobby" a little too seriously? Im sure thay have medication for this.

man you had me freaked out for a mintue but seriously i have them all the time, just 2 nights ago i had a dream that my sump cracked and i didnt know what to do and my water started turning green and fish dieing but then magically out of nowhere little baby porcupine puffers started hatching in my little 29g tank so i was really freaking out so i hurry up and tried to patch the sump and get it going and i was out of salt to make some fresh saltwater to add back to the tank then when i looked back at the tank everything was dead and then..... i woke up lol

[jolson10450]

I use 2 different sizes of crushed coral/sand. After sculpting the foam I used epoxy resin to adhere the coarse crushed coral. I let that cure for 24 hours and then painted on another coat of epoxy resin use fine sand, letting that dry for 24 hours. When I put the panels in the tank I use the resin and sand to fill the seam. Over all it was really easy to do and would have only taken 3 days if I didn't have to go to work. Those are the nems I got from you in front of the Bam Bams, I now have 4.

ohh nice!!! i didnt even notice them there! thats sweet though!

[2pairs]

Son of a gun, You had me going.
My hart was racing stomach in a knot started to choke, few it was just a dream.

It took me back 2 years ago when at 5:00 am I went in to the fish room and had this funny little feeling you know squish between the toes. But it wasn't a dream! I had one of several tanks all hooked together crack in 4 directions and this gave me about 100 gallons on the floor.
So be glad it was only a dream some of us haven't been as lucky.

[Kalmed]

I do so hate dreams like these.


So be glad it was only a dream some of us haven't been as lucky.

I agree, I think all of us could tell a terrible tale if you've been in this hobby long enough.

[Kalmed]

I do so hate dreams like these. Jolson I now have 5 of those nems. Did you sell me new fangled sea weed!?


So be glad it was only a dream some of us haven't been as lucky.

I agree, I think all of us could tell a terrible tale if you've been in this hobby long enough.

[MizTanks]

I think I will put in a small arch coming one of the middle rocks, but I've changed their world enough for now. Where you at in the UP? My brother is in Skandia and daughter is in thew Sault.

Marquette! Actually Harvey which is closer to Skandia :) that dream reminds me mine-it was so bad I woke and had to check-thank God I did cause I had put a small piece of filter floss in front of the return and it slowed the flow so much that my fuge was about to over flow-bad dream with good results :)
I love your new scape! Iv only seen this done with FW.

[Kalmed]

Well I hope to post some newer pics this weekend, really haven't added anything to the tank, no wiggle room really. I have taken item out to allow for growth and those that I never intended to keep in this tank. Things have settled and getting good growth over all. SPS growth could be better, but I didn't choose fast growers for a reason. I am trying to rehab my Setosa as it fell in a group of zoo's and I didn't get to it until I was home from work, so that may count against me in the end.

[Kalmed]

As promised, but a week late, an update. There ahve been a few changes in the tank since last pics. The Blue Ridge, Babies Breath Favia were removed from the tank. The Setosa dwindled and died off this last week after its fatal fall into a group of zoo's for 12 hours of the day. Never was the same after that and wasted away over 4 weeks or so. I added a blue ric, red/purple mini nem, and red flower pot form the GR swap. I will update the final list before the due date. Pics were taken for a Cannon Rebel with a 35-105 macro. I really need (or would like, such a fine line) a 90-100mm macro so i could get a little closer, just not in the budget right now. Enjoy!

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8454.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8462.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8473.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8480.jpg

The SPS has nad not big increase in growth. I pick them because of their slow growth, but most are still working on encrusting the plug.

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8488.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8493.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8577.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8586.jpg

The mini nems has exploded form 2 -8 in 4 months.

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8507.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8595.jpg
Couldnt keep him out of the shots! So here one.
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8593.jpg

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8511.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8539.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8556.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8600.jpg[/IMG

---------- Post added at 11:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 AM ----------

Here are a few night shot I was playing with. Shot at f-29 with single IceCap LED.


[IMG]http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8603-1.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8604.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8605.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8606.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8607.jpg
http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8608.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

Tank is looking great!

[Corvette Reefer]

NICEE!! i love how u did the rock on the back! is that somthing u bought or made or what? its awesome and the corals look great too!!!

[Kalmed]

Thanks for the comments. I built the back wall after tearing the tank down due to a extended power outage. There are pics of the build on pg 3.

[Kalmed]

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/ab207/Kalmed/IMG_8641.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

Thats a nice gonipora!

[Kalmed]

Thats a nice gonipora!
Yes it is. I was hesitant t get another one as most Ive had last < 2 years. I picked this one up from Happy Corals at the GR swap. It is very happy. Now for a nice pice of Alveolopora!

[Kalmed]

After crunching numbers and check the list here are my final totals. Not having built my pico at work left me with extra corals that were planed for that project. Although I have disqualified m self its been a fun build and I look forward to adding new corals in the future and watch this fill in over the next few months.

I did loose the Setosa after it fell in a colony of zoos that never recovered. Other than that loss, all softs and LPS have doubled to quadrupled in size. The SPS is busy encrusting the plugs and once complete I look forward to hopefully explosive growth.

Thanks for the comments and looking over the last few months!





Reefer Frag Price Final $
TM01 - Todd Pokerstar Monti $15.00 $15.00
TM01 Rainbow Monti $15.00 $15.00
TM01 Bam Bams $15.00 $15.00
Joe Baumbach 20,000 Leagues Lokani $25.00 $25.00
Jolson10450 - Justin Mini Nems x2 $10.00 $10.00
Chazde3 Red Tonga $10.00 $10.00
Chazde3 Superman Monti $15.00 $15.00
Werdlone ORA Hawkins Enchata $30.00 $30.00
Werdlone Branching Cyphastrea $25.00 $25.00
Korndiddy20 Fruitloops Zoo $15.00 $15.00
Korndiddy20 Magicians Zoo $15.00 $15.00
Pazazz Clove Ployps $15.00 $15.00
Tankster Duncan 5 heads $25.00 $25.00
Mgers21 Bonzai $10.00 $10.00
Mgers21 Setosa $15.00 $15.00
Mgers21 Jauch Winlau $10.00 $10.00
Mgers21 Kona Golds $10.00 $10.00
Mgers21 Polar Icecaps $10.00 $10.00
Happy Coral Gonapora $30.00 $15.00
Happy Coral Blue Ric $20.00 $10.00
Preuss Unknamed Zoo $15.00 $7.50
Meisen Maxi Mini Nem $25.00 $25.00
Own Stock Red Mushroom $20.00
Own Stock Trumpet 1 polyp $10.00
Own Stock Orange Ric $20.00
Lucid Prop. Yellow Ric $20.00 $10.00
Cupa Coral Yellow Torch $20.00 $20.00
Cherry Corals Acan Lord $20.00 $10.00

Total $395.00 $432.50

[CableGuy]

Tank looks amazing!

I see an aptasia in that pic with the acans. Get that little bugger!

[MizTanks]

Better then amazing!! Sweetest nano I've ever seen :) perfectly placed corals. All looking their best. Wow :)

[jimsflies]

Do you have a recent full tank shot from the end of May? An update of all your corals actually would be nice. :)

Also what is the difference on your "price" versus "Final $"? Did you end up over by $32.50?