Aj's 15 gallon nano

[AJ :)]

I really liked the idea of this contest.
There will be lots to learn as I haven't kept a nano before. I think the smallest reef tank I ever had was my first @65 gallons.

The display is about 15 gallons, kind of a short cube.

I added a good sized sump with a Marineland steath heater, and a Tunze 9010 skimmer.

There is just water in it now.

I also have a four bulb T-5 light to hang above.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Welcome to the nano world AJ! Nanos can be a lot of fun and a challenge - They force you to think in much smaller scale. I find I pay more attention to details as every inch counts. In some ways they are more of a challenge than larger tanks due to the dynamics of smaller water volumes. The saying "only bad things happen fast" is a especially true in nano tanks.

Great skimmer choice - I run a 9011 in one of my tanks that restricted sump space - It's been a great skimmer. If you haven't already, you might want to make sure the Stealth wasn't part of those 1.2 million recalled Aquarium Heaters Recalled by United Pet Group Due to Fire and Laceration Hazards (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11202.html)

Looking forward to following your build - Good luck!

[AJ :)]

Thanks for the tip on the heater! It may be one of the recalled, (can't really tell due to print worn off) But it should be replaced just to be safe.

I measured some the inside of the tank to 19 & 3/8" with a water depth about 9"
The sump is 29 & 1/2" long 11 & 1/2" wide with a water level around 5"

The return pump is a panworld NH-100px
Lighting will be a wavepoint T-5 HO

Win or lose this looks to be a great experience!

The light is just sitting on the tank right now. not in use it will be suspended soon.

[AJ :)]

Here is a shot of the sump.

[larryandlaura]

Wow awesome setup. Best of luck!

[AJ :)]

Thanks!

There is still loads to do.
But it's good to have it started. :)

[AJ :)]

That skimmer seems to work much better in sump than in tank,.:)

[AJ :)]

Update time!
Well, we added an ablone shell. There are three candy apple red polyps. A frag plug full of eagle eyes, A plug full of green and grey polyps. There are a few eclipse polyps too.

At the swap I traded a frag of rastas for a large chunk of GSP.

I also bought a frag of pulsing xenia, clove polyps, and pipe organ polyps from a new vendor named Beefy. The three frags were $25.

[AJ :)]

Here is a pic of most everything.

I have an algae issue, Going to get some water from a new source to see if it helps.

[AJ :)]

So I'm thinking $10 per polyp for the CARs so thirty dollars for those.
$5 per polyp for the eclipse, so $15 for those.
The frag plug of eagle eyes, $40 ?
The frag plug full of green polyps, $25?
There are a couple of common green goldish palys Say $5 for those.
So the total for now is about $190.00 giving $50 for the rastas I traded for the GSP.

Please LMK if you think any of these numbers are out of line.

[nate_newton]

Off to a good start. Hope the algae clears up for you.

[AJ :)]

Thanks, I got an emerald crab and a six line wrasse in there for now. Might pick up some snails at Preuss' this weekend. Did a water change, about 15 gallons. It's better, not way better , but better.

[AJ :)]

Update time.
Added some snails, an emerald crab. and a six line wrasse.

Thinking of switching the lighting to either a 175 watt halide or some sort of led.

[AJ :)]

One more pic.

[AJ :)]

Got a real algae fighter. :) This guy has been working hard in the short time it's been in the tank.

I wondered how the six line would take a tank mate. But they get on just fine.http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c333/aj93x/IMG_5113.jpg

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Algae problem is looking a lot better! I just hope the tang police don't know where you live... :cop:

Tom

[MizTanks]

Love the tank but that fish in there...well thats just plain wrong. A six line too! Double wrong :(

[AJ :)]

Yes the algae is getting better. :)

Proportionally the fish have lots of room. And they both have a much larger tank waiting for them in the near future.

[AJ :)]

Time for another update.

I added a couple pieces of live rock, one has like 100 triple ATL zoas on it. The other has around 20 snowflake zoas.

Might have to pull the ATL rock though. It would probably put me over the limit for corals.

Also added, a cleaner shrimp. a fire fish and a small yellow tang.

I changed a bulb in the fixture, taking out a "coral pink" and replaced it with a 10K. I like the colors much better.

[AJ :)]

Another shot.

[AJ :)]

I moved the rock with the ton of triple ATLs out, and swapped it for a rock with some grown on orange cap, six PPE poylps and about ten no name brown zoas.

The purple tang and the yellow tang have moved to the 90 gallon.

Current residents are the six line wrasse, a helfrichi firefish (boldest fish in the tank), a chevron tang, a goldflake angel, an emerald crab, a skunk cleaner shrimp, and a few snails.

Pics to be added soon.

[AJ :)]

Some more pics.

[AJ :)]

Skunk cleaner shrimp.

[AJ :)]

Chevron tang

[AJ :)]

More new pics. I am at the "temporary over budget" place again. As I removed a quantity of frags from the holding tank that our new Queen angel now resides. But she hasn't devoured much of the polyps that were left in the tank for testing. So I should have them out by next update.

[AJ :)]

Another shot.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Looks Great AJ - The Chevron is Beautiful! What a luxury to be able to rotate such gorgeous fish through a Nano :)

[AJ :)]

Thanks Tom. I searched a long time to get a chevron tang. As stunning as the fish is now , I really got it for the adult coloration.

Chris, These fish are very healthy and not stressed out. You are right they all will need a larger tank in the future.
That is already in the process of construction. I don't advocate long term care in a tank this size.

[MizTanks]

Personally the first thing I read was how he's transferred the Tangs into a 90g. Which leads me to believe that these fish are in wonderful hands! Beautiful fish at that A.J. :love3:

[binford4000]

Tank looks great !! Nice job of using natural methods of getting rid of the algae. Small tanks like this are a true test because of the small water volume for sure and you did a great job of showing how to do it right. And everyone who has read your posts knows the fish we're never a permanent addition. :thumbsup:

[AJ :)]

Personally the first thing I read was how he's transferred the Tangs into a 90g. Which leads me to believe that these fish are in wonderful hands! Beautiful fish at that A.J. :love3:
Thanks! Those tangs are in a 90 for now. In the near future they will have more room in the 375. :)

I know in print it may seem odd or even cramped. But I wouldn't do that to a fish if I suspected it would cause undue stress on the fish.

Earlier I had stated that the firefish was the boldest in the tank, but recently both the angel and the tang come right to the glass when I approach, looking for a treat.

[phishcrazee]

Looking good, really filling in nicely :)

[AJ :)]

Thanks Chuck! I was a bit apprehensive about doing a nano at first but it has worked out to be pretty easy to manage.
Though I do think I'm cheating a bit with the large sump.

Fawn, thank you for the comment! :) You know i'm watching and learning loads from your build.

[AJ :)]

Well. unfortunately I took down this setup when putting together the bigger tank. It seemed to me that I would want all the fish I had intended for that tank introduced at the same time. It has worked out very well. But again this tank was undone in the process. Good luck to the great tanks we have to choose from. :)