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View Full Version : 2012 Nano Reef Contest Heidi's Bedroom Nano



Heidi
01-10-2012, 10:02 AM
Well I am in on this but you will all have to wait about a week for me to buy my acrylic as I am still recovering from the holidays. I will be building a mini cube for the corner in my bedroom. It will be 16"x14"x24" using 3/4" acrylic that will make it about 13 gallons. I drew a sketch so you all can get the idea of it but I will include a ton of pictures along the way. So for now I will just do the "required entry stuff" :)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0698.jpg
Thats my baby holding the sign. As you can see there is no tank, just the end table I will be using as a stand. The tank should fit perfectly on that stand leaving about 3 inches in the back (wall) for cords & the filter. This will be a "dirty" tank in that the coral will be the types that don't thrive in my current system. Most of my softies are a little mad now that I am using bio pellets. I will run a whisper filter with some filter bags w/ carbon and will rely on my live rock, deep sand bed and water changes to be the dilution of the pollution. My plan is for a pair of pearly jawfish, soft coral, and small "planted" area" I want to keep a small sea horse in this tank too eventually but not sure if it will pan out in the contest.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0699.jpg
close up hope you can read :)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0327.jpg
Since I have no fancy computer programs to "make a tank" I had drawn this to give you and idea. ( Note: I have since changed my mind about the size. picture shows 24x24)

So anyhew, thanks so much for following along and thank you Orphek for the great prize and Captive Reefs as always for the neat chance to do this contest!

Heidi

:fish2::fish2::fish2::fish2::fish2:

larryandlaura
01-10-2012, 10:05 AM
Looking forward to the build!

AJ :)
01-10-2012, 10:14 AM
Sounds very interesting. :) Like like the kinds of corals you are thinking of.

Do you mean 1/4" acrylic instead of 3/4" ? 3/4" would work fine but seems like overbuilding.

Good luck with this contest!

Heidi
01-10-2012, 10:20 AM
Sounds very interesting. :) Like like the kinds of corals you are thinking of.

Do you mean 1/4" acrylic instead of 3/4" ? 3/4" would work fine but seems like overbuilding.

Good luck with this contest!

No I am really using the 3/4 inch. I am doing it rimless, I don't plan on bracing it at all. Also since it is taller I want the amount of "bow" over time to be minimal. I want it to look kinda "boom" and make a little statment... :roll_eyes: That might sound a bit crazy but hey crazy is as crazy does. I am going to polish the edges up all smooth, basically the build part of this is going to my experiments with acrylic tank making. Wish me luck :roll:

Heidi

CalmSeasQuest
01-10-2012, 10:38 AM
Wow - 16"x14"x24" made with 3/4"... Now THATS a TANK! :thumbsup:

Captain
01-10-2012, 12:26 PM
Nano in the bedroom always spices things up!

Sir Patrick
01-11-2012, 12:57 AM
Talk about an asterina on the glass.......or is it a fly on the wall??? :confused: LOL!!!

Sounds/looks like a pretty cool tank!

What sort of plant will you be using, from the pic?

Heidi
01-11-2012, 04:52 PM
Talk about an asterina on the glass.......or is it a fly on the wall??? :confused: LOL!!!

Sounds/looks like a pretty cool tank!

What sort of plant will you be using, from the pic?

TeeHee ;)
I really would like some purplish kelp like stuff. Planted in the sand bed, lower light needs, long leaves for movement. I'm still kinda looking around for ideas. The greens are going to be for the seahorse part of this tank which may not happen during this contest.

I was looking at prices and plans for acrylic tanks today. It would be waaaayyyy too expensive to build my tank to the exact dimensions I had originally intended. I picked out some acrylic that was 3/4 and at that thickness it was going to cost 270$! So I was reading and found that if I made the tank a couple inches shorter (22 inches high). I could use 1/2" lowering my costs to 160$. That cost includes all the cuts I would need. I also looked up a tank like the one I wish to build on some different sites. For a 16x16x24 they want about 180$ but that doesn't include shipping, and I have no idea because this tank would be a special order how long I would wait for it. I guess I was thinking 150 ish for a tank and now I am kinda bummed that it's going to cost more then I had thought. Anyhew... For now I am sticking to my plan will most likely pick up my acrylic next week Friday and kick this thing off :/
Ohh and I will be using rock and water from my 150 to rush the cycle on this little guy. I have my sand and powerhead bought. (sugar grade CaribSea and a 450 hydor nano)

Thanks for following along!
Heidi

thepanfish
01-11-2012, 05:08 PM
Because you couldn't just have one beautiful cube now, I mean come on! lol, good luck!

Heidi
01-19-2012, 07:34 PM
So I am super excited guys!! Tomorrow I am picking up my 1/2" acrylic pieces at a place called Pops Displays. They have an ebay store and do up to 5 cuts per piece without charging extra :) The finished dimensions are going to be a little different do to how I am buying the sheets. It's going to be 15 7/8"x15 7/8'x 23" I decided to use 1/2" instead of 3/4 to cut back on cost but I am still not planing on bracing it so it will be all sleek and rimless :) I will take some mad pictures tomorrow as I build it. This will be my first attempt at building something out of acrylic!! If anyone is interested about POP Displays just search for "acrylic sheets" on eBay and they pop up.. hehehe Great prices I thought even the shipping isn't all that bad. Until tomorrow!

Heidi

MyNemesis
01-19-2012, 08:08 PM
What an exciting project, Heidi! Should be a beautiful tank. Do those folks sell the Weldon stuff to put it all together? Are you drilling the bottom for a durso standpipe sort of return or doing a hang on the back overflow/filtration setup? What sort of lighting will you use? Sorry for all the questions, but it's a new project that keeps the wheels turning! Good luck with your project and keep us in the loop.

Heidi
01-19-2012, 09:40 PM
What an exciting project, Heidi! Should be a beautiful tank. Do those folks sell the Weldon stuff to put it all together? Are you drilling the bottom for a durso standpipe sort of return or doing a hang on the back overflow/filtration setup? What sort of lighting will you use? Sorry for all the questions, but it's a new project that keeps the wheels turning! Good luck with your project and keep us in the loop.

They do sell the Weldon. I was not going to drill this tank although I might change my mind. If I drill it will be on the back panel. I have a hang on filter that I will run with carbon on and off. I have a small clip on t5 fixture that I am going to try. If that proves too dim for growth I will do an led fixture maybe a couple of the stunner strips or something similar. :) thinking I covered all your questions let me know of you have anymore and thanks for following along!
Heidi

MizTanks
01-20-2012, 12:12 AM
Good luck Heidi! Can't wait to see this take off :)

Heidi
01-20-2012, 10:57 PM
SO here is a photo journey of my tank being brought to life today. Tomorrow I am going to buff the edges to a shine, and start a 24 hour water test ;) For all of you who have built acrylic sumps and tanks . . . whoot! Its way harder then I thought. First off "weldon" is some NASTY stuff. It smells like getting your nails done.... :snorkel: Yes I know most of you don't know that smell but it is super potent. It sets FAST so you have to be faster. It was fun and exciting and once it is all buffed up it will looks SUPER sweet Im sure. SO here are the photos, feel free to ask any questions you may have up to this point.

Heidi
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0593.jpg
My helper and Me peeling back the paper so it stays out of the way of the Weldon.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0594.jpg
The bottom's ready.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0595.jpg
The sides are peeled back and ready. You remove the inside paper and the edges of the outsides.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0596.jpg
The chemicals. I only used the 3. I had the other to fix any "oops" but didn't end up needing it and its so toxic.. It says if inhaled seek emergency medical attention and administer CPR.. really... yikes.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0597.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0598.jpg
Taped and ready to weld! (I did the bottom first)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0599.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0600.jpg
Shims are used for pressure in spots where the Weldon needs an extra nudge to go and stay in the cracks. Weight of the tank itself and shims that apply a small amount of direct pressure are better then clams because they keep the acrylic more relaxed and I guess it makes for a better bond. I got a HUGE tutorial from the acrylic guy in Granger and then from my teacher Christian, BUT I did ALL of this myself though they made good cheer leaders.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0601.jpg
One of my 4 perfect seams. Out of 8 and the first time was pretty good I would say :)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0602.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0604.jpg
Finished and setting. Well she got in it after it had set up for about an hour it was how I bribed her to stay back while I was welding.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0605.jpg
Taped and ready to sand and buff edges tomorrow.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0608.jpg
Required paper in tank picture :)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0610.jpg
In its permanent home, It will get buffed here because it is safest from the kids. One of the little ones picked up the block with the "160 grit paper" on it to "help" and she put some scratches in the front and side that I will have to get something to "buff" out. There is a product I think its Nova or something like that... I will need to have that stuff on hand with an acrylic tank. :doh::roll_eyes::thumbsup:

rosebud161616
01-21-2012, 09:30 AM
Looks awesome, Heidi! I have always wanted to try my hand at acrylic work but always get scared off at the end. That's great that you had a mentor to guide you through it! I can't wait to see this filled!

AJ :)
01-21-2012, 09:33 AM
Wow! That looks amazing! I think Novus is the product you are thinking of.

You make it look so easy! It really looks great all put together.:thumbsup:

Heidi
01-21-2012, 09:41 AM
Looks awesome, Heidi! I have always wanted to try my hand at acrylic work but always get scared off at the end. That's great that you had a mentor to guide you through it! I can't wait to see this filled!

Thanks rosebud! Yeah, I was so fortunate to have his help. I think the same thing about glass. I had thought about doing this tank in glass but figured I had a better chance at "not leaks" with acrylic. Only thing now is the kids are already trying to "help" and one of them took the 180 grit to the side for one quick swipe... Let's just say I need to order some of the acrylic buffing stuff now :(
Anyone have suggestions and recommendations for dry scratch remover?

Heidi

Heidi
01-21-2012, 09:53 AM
Oh and so I follow all the rules to a "t" :). Here is my official entry photo:

woods4542000
01-21-2012, 12:35 PM
Looking good !

Heidi
01-24-2012, 08:11 AM
The fill test... Eekkk! Wish it luck :)

MizTanks
01-24-2012, 09:41 AM
Good luck lil tank and Heidi!!

nate_newton
01-25-2012, 09:07 AM
Off to a good start, looking forward to seeing it filled up

Heidi
01-25-2012, 06:18 PM
Well she holds water just fine! :) tonight when the kids are in bed I'm going to work on my rock work. I will take some phone pictures so you all can follow along. I'm super excited for this rock work.... Woohoo

Heidi

Tom@HaslettMI
01-28-2012, 09:47 PM
Nice job on the tank build!

I didn't have a good sense of the size of the tank during construction until... your first livestock addition. Which, by the way may exceed the contest spending limit. :big_grin:

Tom

phishcrazee
01-30-2012, 10:57 AM
Going to be a sweet little tank, good luck! Don't you love those little helpers trying to help?! ;)

Heidi
01-30-2012, 01:54 PM
Nice job on the tank build!

I didn't have a good sense of the size of the tank during construction until... your first livestock addition. Which, by the way may exceed the contest spending limit. :big_grin:

Tom


Going to be a sweet little tank, good luck! Don't you love those little helpers trying to help?! ;)

Yup, she's not for sale sorry, Sometimes way to much help lol!!

So here are some pictures of me setting up my rock work. I bought a fiberglass stick that you use to mark your lawn. I cut them up the the correct size pieces and drilled through my rocks and basically "stacked" them on the sticks. Then I thought about the 2 fish that are going to live in here.. a pair of pearly jawfish that LOVE to excavate rock work, and build a platform of pvc and more pieces of the stick to place all the rocks on and push the 4 inches of sand up to it. SO the picture of the tank and where the rock is SHOULD be where it is going to stay minus a couple pieces that aren't attached.

Its cycling!! Filled it with water, the sand and rocks on the 26th. I have a 50watt heater a 450 gph Nano Korilla powerhead and a whisper filter that does about 250 gallons per hour for flow. I am thinking this will be good enough but might change my mind. I have been running carbon and have changed it twice since setting it up. As you can see from the last picture it is getting pretty clear.. . well as clear as it can get I keep messing with it. I am adding 2.5ML a day of MB7 to help the cycle along. I am thinking I shouldn't have too much of one as I used tank water from my 150 and all the rock was in my sump forever except for 2 pieces that were dry. Right now I have a little PC light which will not be ok once I get coral in there, but it works for pictures etc. :) I am still undecided on lights :duh: it will come to me, I was hoping to win that pendant yesterday at the swap darnit rcombs!! ;)


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0765.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0615.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0616.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0780.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0783.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0784.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0785.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0782.jpg

Thanks for following along!
Heidi

Heidi
02-01-2012, 07:08 PM
I messed with the scape, and now I like it better... What do you all think? I also added some coral today. I broke off 2 head of my frogspawn and 3 happy people eaters and a rock with 3 stripped mushrooms (which are shriveling up to die in my big tank so we will see how they do) fragging frogspawn is way harder then I thought lol it doesn't like getting all broken off so it looks very angry as well. PEs are open half way. I also added a hand full of my cheato to add flora and fauna macro style. It's in the display for now but won't be eventually, I want to keep some in the big section of the filter once I am done running carbon. Still waiting for an ammonia spike or something from die off on the live rock, but so far nothing... Also I ordered my 2 fish that will go in here. (a pair of pearly headed jawfish). They are both on the list as "juvenile" so I am hoping one will change and they can be girlfriend and boyfriend :) I have my lights figured out too but you all will have to wait to see them tomorrow... It's a DIY that I am rigging up and I'm pretty proud of the idea but am waiting on bulbs sooo suspense for now is all you get.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0638.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0637.jpg

woods4542000
02-01-2012, 07:17 PM
I think the scape is badass!

Heidi
02-01-2012, 07:26 PM
I think the scape is badass!

Why thank you :) I am waiting for the water to clear a bit and I will take some pictures with my good camera, those were just quickies cause I was excited, that I took with the ol' iPhone.

Sir Patrick
02-01-2012, 09:28 PM
What light are you going to use on this?

Heidi
02-01-2012, 09:48 PM
What light are you going to use on this?

:secret2:

I will give you a hint but ya'll will have to wait cause I like suspense...
Hint:
3 lights

thats all for now I have to wait for a bit on stuff coming in the mail ;)

:shifty:

nate_newton
02-02-2012, 02:28 PM
My guess would be 2 Ecoxotic Stunners and 1 Panorama

rosebud161616
02-03-2012, 06:28 AM
I really like that scape a lot! How many inches of sand do you have. Pearly jawfish are very social and really like to live in a group, so I think they should be fine. 3 might even do better socially, but this is a nano...

MizTanks
02-03-2012, 01:49 PM
I know I know!! But ain't telling...haha

TheLittleMermaid
02-05-2012, 07:17 PM
Heidi it looks awesome! I just love the size and depth of the tank. It gives lots of room to work with! :)

Heidi
02-07-2012, 07:33 PM
I really like that scape a lot! How many inches of sand do you have. Pearly jawfish are very social and really like to live in a group, so I think they should be fine. 3 might even do better socially, but this is a nano...

I have my rock work around the back and one side so there is a 13x 13 inch area left for the fish to dig :) I wanted to give them room but also know they like little groups but for this area I will start with a pair and see what happens. Now that I read that again I wondered if you were wanting to know the depth of the sand bed which is averagely 4 inches deep. What I would love is a little mating.... would it not be the coolest!? I have diatoms and my water is finally clear so now we are just waiting on lights to get some good photos but these will have to do for now.

This week: Lights, more coral, and the jawfish pair.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0950.jpg
coral still isn't in its permeant placement, but it's getting closer. I will do a little invoice in a few days when I get some more stuff. So far I have gotten everything in here from my 150 or bought from happycoral.com .

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0945-1.jpg
some rubble I added for my fish to make their homes with. I will add a bit more this week anything that is on the ground in the picture that is not rubble or sand will be puttied and glued to the rock-work as to not encourage coral stealing of the jaws. OH AND LOOK! It's diatoms!! Signs that my small cycle is coming to an end :)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0947-1.jpg
Acans are still kinda mad but they will puff up eventually.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0946-1.jpg
pretty blue and white flowerpot is finally starting to polyp out after 4 days, there are some ugly reddish zoas there that I am not sure if they are going to make the cut or not we will see what they look like under the good lights.

Thanks for following along! and Miz you better not tell my super secret on the light! :shifty:

Heidi

MizTanks
02-07-2012, 08:09 PM
I'll keep quit for a frag of sum sum-lol-j/k

nate_newton
02-07-2012, 10:33 PM
The Goniopora is nice, they do take some time to extend out.

Heidi
02-18-2012, 09:17 PM
So it has been too long between updates, sorry people :) Basically I went through my cycle, today I added a chalice and 2 pearly jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons). I did a little water change and added 2 handfuls of "special reef grade" sand I bought for more texture for the jawfish to build with. They are SOO cute people! I will hope they come out tomorrow and I can get some decent pictures. They are about an inch and a half each and were sharing a hole at the pet store so maybe they will get along :) Here are some things I did today and yesterday.
..Did a 2 gallon water change
...Moved heater to back behind the rocks so you can't see it
...switched out the 450 power head for a 750.. MUCH better.
...Took off the whisper filter (I was running carbon on and off for the last few weeks)
...Built a screen top for the jaws
...Glued down all the current coral so the jaws don't think its burrow building material.

Here is an updated picture, tomorrow I will be mounting my lights and showing you all the fun DIY i did with that. the second picture is one of the jawfish... bad picture I will get better ones later. Also the water is super cloudy cause of the added sand. Thanks for looking!!
Heidi

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1025.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1027.jpg
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQXt43V-COnQMSNBQ66IZyxtaCQruakHt1XDrVoT2coOuERTvcc

Captain
02-18-2012, 09:49 PM
Lookin good. Needs rock /(^o^)/

Heidi
02-18-2012, 09:52 PM
Lookin good. Needs rock /(^o^)/

There is more rock for it cycling in my big reef right now :) I have to tie them into the stack that is there still just haven't had the chance... You always think I need more rock ;)

Heidi

nate_newton
02-19-2012, 02:02 AM
Did you get the red chalice with blue?

phishcrazee
02-19-2012, 08:36 AM
Cute lil' buggers :)

Heidi
02-19-2012, 09:12 AM
Did you get the red chalice with blue?

Yes I had it in the 150 but stuff in there is all doing really bad right now so I figured I would keep it in the nano for the time being.


Cute lil' buggers :)

aww thanks! I will get some pictures today now that they are out of hiding :)

Heidi

thepanfish
02-19-2012, 10:02 AM
Just wondering, where did you find the pairs of jawfish. I'd like to setup a brood stock system for them.

Heidi
02-20-2012, 08:50 AM
So, before the disaster of the big tank sucked ALL my free time for like 2 weeks, I had ordered lights for the nano but I had to retro a fixture and whatnot to set them up. This is a photo timeline of the fixture. It consists of 3 Par38 LEDs (2 "reef" fixtures that are 20k and have 12 3 watt LEDs white and blue) and one "growth light" with 6 2 watt blue and 6 2 watt red. I bought a "table lamp" with adjustable arms and mounted it upside down to a piece of sheet metal. Then I affixed aluminum rails on the sides and bought a AI Hanging kit to mount it from the ceiling. When it came down to cost I spent as much on this project as a new MH fixture with lamp would have cost but still about half of the cost of a pre made LED fixture and I can direct all 3 arms wherever I want. Each of the LED bulbs came with a remote control that allows me to dim them by color from 1-100%. I am hoping to catch the jawfish out today and I will get some coral pictures too. Everything in there is doing pretty well so far. No deaths as of yet :)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0632.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0633.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0634.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0635.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1029.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1030.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1032.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1033.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1037.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1034.jpg
Bad picture I took with the iPhone to show the jist... I need to mess with the lights and get them spotted how I want them to stay... Thanks for looking!
Heidi

PS Panfish: I got the jawfish at a place called Aquatica in Chicago :fish2:

MizTanks
02-20-2012, 08:58 AM
Now that, is one sweet fixture! Hope your spreading this elsewhere. I'm sure many could benefit!! Would you mind sharing the total cost Heidi?
I also really like the rock scape, a lot! Excellent job!

thepanfish
02-20-2012, 09:04 AM
Great! I'm heading to Chicago tomorrow!

Heidi
02-20-2012, 09:13 AM
Great! I'm heading to Chicago tomorrow!

Call first Panfish, I think they had 3 or 4 and I bought 2 so... :) it would be a long drive for you to come back empty handed :duh: If you do come this way to Chicago you should stop at Happy Coral He is right off I94. :highfive3:

thepanfish
02-20-2012, 09:25 AM
Yeah, maybe!

Heidi
02-20-2012, 09:53 AM
Man heidi thats a sharp looking fixture u made there, no really the edges look pretty sharp what'd u do cut it with a hacksaw.... J/K :) That was a pretty sweet idea for sure!

lol... OH yeah I could kill a man with the edges of that light :big_grin: I am going to get a couple of files today to smooth them out. It was a quick operation. I used tin snips for the sheet metal and a hack saw for the rails :embarrassed: I have vision but normally not enough know-how to do things super professionally. But from a distance it looks good and its hung pretty high up, but its dangerous.. could be classified as a weapon for sure!

Heidi

phishcrazee
02-20-2012, 10:24 AM
Very nice job :thumbsup:

Captain
02-20-2012, 12:17 PM
CRAZY!

Nice art..

nate_newton
02-20-2012, 10:05 PM
What brand of led bulb are you using?

Badfish
02-21-2012, 07:44 AM
Wow Heidi this is one cool build, love'n the light and the Jawfish. I think I've been to Aquatica, is that the store with the shark tank right when you walk in?

Heidi
02-24-2012, 09:09 AM
Wow Heidi this is one cool build, love'n the light and the Jawfish. I think I've been to Aquatica, is that the store with the shark tank right when you walk in?

Yes it is in the middle there lagoon style :) I kinda loved that place I will for sure go there again when I am in the area.


What brand of led bulb are you using?

They are from the LEDWholesalers site www.LEDwholesalers.com (http://www.ledwholesalers.com/store/) I like them a lot so far, we will see how the coral do long term :)


Very nice job :thumbsup:


CRAZY!

Nice art..

Thanks guys!

Heidi

Heidi
02-24-2012, 09:19 AM
So one of my 2 little guys/girls is out and about now and has made his nest front and center :) The other is still in the back of the rocks hiding mostly. I have run into a little problem with the LEDs... Well maybe more of a photography lack of skillzz thing I think. The pictures turn out SOO pink in the "raw" that I have to shoot them in the regular JPG format... but they are still pretty pink. Its crazy.. like bright florescent pink. The only thing I can think of is the red LEDs which I have turned way down and to look at they look nice.. not all pink. SO here are some pictures of the little guy... and well I hope they don't look so pink for all of you :)

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1143.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1144.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1146.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1147.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1148.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1149.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1154.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_1152.jpg

PS my husband is bringing me a tripod home from work today and I might borrow a lens... plus I need some help from my photo buddy with the processing... so next time they will be better picture PROMISE :highfive3:

Heidi

Heidi
02-25-2012, 01:49 PM
Really liking the tank heidi, other then all the pink its looking real good! Sweet jawfish too, I have been thinking about getting a few myself..... way before I saw u were getting them don't worry Im not a copy cat LOL

Sureeeee ;). I know they are super cool and cute too. You could keep a little school in that big tank but be careful, they are easily spooked by fast swimming and aggressive fish and will hide and starve. That was the sad demise of Jolly (the original adorable jawfish) :( so far these guys (well one (other in qt still) are out and not scared acting) we will see.. Number two hid for a few days and I fished him out cause he was swimming funny and didn't look right, he's chilling in a qt but not doing so good I'll let you all know.
Heidi

Heidi
03-01-2012, 09:44 PM
IMG_0662.mp4 video by heidiiliff - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid8.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0662.mp4@@AMEPARAM@@vid8@@AMEPARAM@@8@@AMEPARA M@@a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0662@@AMEPARAM@@mp4 (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/?action=view&current=IMG_0662.mp4)

Lights at 100%

IMG_0661.mp4 video by heidiiliff - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid8.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0661.mp4@@AMEPARAM@@vid8@@AMEPARAM@@8@@AMEPARA M@@a15/heidiiliff/IMG_0661@@AMEPARAM@@mp4 (http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/heidiiliff/?action=view&current=IMG_0661.mp4)

Lights with just the blues

Thanks for following! Written update tomorrow when I feel up to typing :)

Heidi

Captain
03-02-2012, 12:32 AM
NICE AIPTASIA n00b!!!
That jaw can lay down da law.

Preuss has a nice new 12 gallon edge on display with a really nice jawfish in it. I think it looks cool in a tank with tall dimensions.

Heidi
03-02-2012, 06:19 AM
NICE AIPTASIA n00b!!!
That jaw can lay down da law.

Preuss has a nice new 12 gallon edge on display with a really nice jawfish in it. I think it looks cool in a tank with tall dimensions.

Bahahaha! I had a aiptisia killing frenzy a few days ago. I killed 5 in that little tank, one was even growing on the cheato! Even though I have a melter I used good ol' Kalk. (it was the water change day so I wouldn't raise the ph too much. ). Here's a fun fact for you all, I do a 2 gallon water change every week. Oh and an update: the second jawfish that was in QT ended up dying :( so I am on the look out for another jawfish. This weekend.
Heidi

Badfish
03-05-2012, 01:49 PM
Here's a fun fact for you all, I do a 2 gallon water change every week.Heidi

Your water change is the same amount as my whole tank! :silly:

Heidi
03-19-2012, 08:24 AM
Well good luck to everyone. I am out. It's a long story but to make it shorter my second jawfish died for no reason... He just stopped eating one day and died 4 days later... I really made me sad and stressed me out. I forgot how much you have to keep up with a new tank, and my husband is on 3rd shift right now for the next month and a half so it makes it impossible to get in there in the day time. Just too much right now. Maybe next year.
Best of luck to all I you in it.
Heidi

phishcrazee
03-19-2012, 09:08 AM
:tear: I'm so sorry, I was really enjoying your build and you've got a sweet little tank there. Sorry about the jawfish, sometimes that happens and we'll never know why.......Good luck with the tank Heidi.

MizTanks
03-19-2012, 03:02 PM
That's so sad Heidi. Sorry for your losses :(

Heidi
03-19-2012, 05:31 PM
Thanks guys. Yeah maybe next year since my husband will be doing normal hours etc. I am keeping all the stuff so for sure I will set this up again some time. "Outage" time for me is like being a single mom of 4 kids. I am having a hard enough time keeping up with the big tank but have been buying stuff to automate it little by little. Best of luck for all those still in it, and thanks for the kind words guys!
Heidi

AJ :)
03-19-2012, 07:08 PM
Very sorry to hear about the fish.
Don't give up hope! You could still add a sump. It might make things more manageable.
Did you check with the place you got the fish from? Maybe they will stand behind their fish?
You still have a cool *** tank, that you built no matter what!

Badfish
03-21-2012, 07:40 AM
Awww... http://www.gifmix.net/smileys/sad-smilies/23.gif (http://www.gifmix.net/smileys/sad-smilies/23.gif) I was really getting into this build. Do you plan on leaving the tank up, or are you taking it down completely Heidi?