CSQ's 2013 Nano Build

[CalmSeasQuest]

Due to business demands, I've had to largely step away from reefing for the past 6 months. I've finally gotten to a point I have a little time to "feed the addiction" so....

I've enjoyed the last 2 builds using the 12 long tanks...

2011
http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy141/tconwell/Nano%20Contest/DSC_1267.jpg

2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEMGWyyBjqo&hd=1

I'm especially pleased with how well the skimmer has performed over the past year...


http://youtu.be/wNtq9SKmlN4

The tank and filtration system I built for last years Nano contest will be largely re-purposed for this years's idea.

Here's the equipment list -


Tank - Mr. Aqua 12 Long (36" X 8" X 9") ~12 gallons in dimension, (7.5 gallons water) Fitted with a DIY 8" internal overflow creating a 3" X 3"x 8" mini-sump area.
Lights - Catalina Solar Black 4 X 39W T5 (ATI Blue+, Blue+, AquaBlue, KZ Fiji Purple) + ReefBrite 36" LED 50%/50% Royal Blue / White
Return Pump - Eheim 600 Compact set at 160 GPH.
Controller - Apex Aquacontroller, lab grade pH, ORP, PM2 with salinity probe.
Skimmer - DIY CSQ 2X12 Luft-airstone driven skimmer with Hydor Pico Evolution pump and remote skimmate collection
Mechanical filtration - AquaClear 20 with custom InTANK media insert using Chemipure Elite and Purigen as needed.
Biological Filtration - DIY internal BioTower using Marine Pure Ceramic Biomedia Spheres (compensating for limited live rock) and Mangroves
ATO - Tunze Osmocontroller feeding Kalk laden RO/DI
Dosing - BRS 2-Part via 2 BRS peristaltic dosing pumps controlled by the Apex
Water movement - 1X MP-10Wes running ReefCrest @ 10%
Live Rock - YTBD
Substrate - CaribSea - Hawaiian Black
Heater - Hydor 100 Watt

The theme and tank name will follow later :)

[jimsflies]

Great to see the returning champ in the contest!

[MizTanks]

Yahoo for CSQ! Always look forward to your builds :) Subscribed!

[CalmSeasQuest]

Boxes have started arriving :) I hope to get the existing build torn down and the tank and filtration cleaned this week. With any luck, I'll have something to show by next week.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Livestock order placed :)

[CalmSeasQuest]

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/20130206_123948.jpg

[CalmSeasQuest]

A bit of progress today - A nice clean (black) slate to play with.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/Reef/2013%20Nano%20Build/b5afa5bc28a4b3c917fb8ee1c1170e13.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/Reef/2013%20Nano%20Build/e97b9fda578ca85d885011d858ced211.jpg

This is my first build using a black substrate, looking forward to seeing how colors pop. I do notice the tank looks dimmer with less light reflecting off the bottom which is fine as I'll be able to run the ReefBrites a bit more (they look great with the black bottom.)

Dosed a bit of ammonia and MB-7. That coupled with the MarinePure bio spheres recycled from the last build should make for a short (if any) cycle.

[pjr]

That skimmer is impressive. Let me know when you tire of it! :roll:

[CalmSeasQuest]

That skimmer is impressive. Let me know when you tire of it! :roll:

Sorry Pat - I LOVE that little skimmer - You'll have to make your own ;) The good news is it's very simple. You could knock one out in an afternoon.

As I had hoped, I didn't have much of a cycle compliments of the MarinePure bio spheres. I've placed a couple Livestock orders through CR sponsors which I should have on had on Wednesday. In the interim, I have to make a final decision on a theme and aquascape. I have an idea I'm especially fond of, but I'm note sure it's possible.

We'll know shortly :)

[CalmSeasQuest]

Sorry for the delay in updates - Had some unexpected work travel. The tank is cycled and added some rubble and I tossed in a couple "test" corals just to see what they look like against the black substrate. Although it doesn't show up on this cell cam pic, and I wouldn't want this on every tank, I must say the black is quite stunning...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/Reef/2013%20Nano%20Build/ab5f475ad2583642d6809e3c84b83878.jpg

I'll finish the "scape"and start moving corals on Friday.

[rosebud161616]

This looks great, Tom! I have never been a fan of black sand the times I have tried it because it ends up looking so dirty so quickly. I would bet with an open concept tank, it would be much easier to keep it looking clean. I'm excited to see what you're doing with this thing!

[CalmSeasQuest]

Thanks Erika,

I agree, I've never used black sand before but much for that reason. I think this tank (like seemingly most everything I end up building) is going to be a bit "abbynormal".

I thought long and hard about what to do with this tank. Some may recall I started playing with Nature Aquariums, specifically an Iwagumi tank. (http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/non-reef-pets/csqs-12g-long-iwagumi-21966/)

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/Iwagumi/af7c81bff4269f5a3739a6528efc6c71-1.jpg

Unfortunately I haven't had time to complete the build yet. It remains dry although strangely I love the look of the tank as-is.

For those unfamiliar with Nature Aquariums, Here are the 25 best tanks (http://twistedsifter.com/2011/05/top-25-freshwater-aquariums-in-the-world/) from around the world in 2010. I'm intrigued by the concept and new challenges, (especially for someone versed in marine tanks.)

So I thought I'd try and implement some Nature Aquarium concepts into this build. I acquired some beautiful petrified wood that went unused in the Iwagumi tank, so I thought perhaps I could use it in this build...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/PetrifiedWood.jpg

But on further research, I couldn't guarantee the petrified woods would not leach undesirables into the water column, As a result I decided to use Aragonite rubble - although it's not nearly as attractive, it will aid in biological filtration and still provide the mechanical support for the desired elevation changes.

Part of the challenge (and fun) has been selecting and adapting Marine components that would emulate the appearance of the items and livestock used in freshwater Nature Aquariums. The CaribSea - Hawaiian Black was the closest I could find to Amazon type soils used in Nature tanks but it poses some extra challenges. It's slightly magnetic, so care has to be used to avoid scratching the glass when using a magnetic cleaner. The greater challenge is water movement. Nature aquarium designs often attempt to recreate "landscapes" that include large elevation changes. This is achievable because the tanks use very little water movement. The water movement needed in a marine tank would instantly turn those tanks into mud-bowls. My hope is keep some of the elevation changes and still maintain enough flow to support the livestock and filtration functions. The livestock I've selected will mimic some of the look of a nature tank, while having have modest flow requirements.

I blocked some time tomorrow to hopefully finish the aquascape ("hardscape" in nature aquarium parlance) and if all goes well, begin "plantings".

[CalmSeasQuest]

I've started moving livestock into the tank - Photos forthcoming once things settle in a bit.

[Sir Patrick]

I have been following along a while. Figured i would pop in to let ya know i like what I see so far.

Looking forward to see what you do this year!

[CalmSeasQuest]

I have been following along a while. Figured i would pop in to let ya know i like what I see so far.

Looking forward to see what you do this year!

Thanks Chris,

Quick update - I placed a few more corals in the tank today - most haven't opened yet, but here are a couple of quick cell-cam photos...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/Reef/2013%20Nano%20Build/b779318b-2e97-4cc5-9a81-6aed5c317763.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/Reef/2013%20Nano%20Build/5b48fac6-397f-4c8b-8417-394e1c489079.jpg

The photos are poor and don't show the wide variety of colors of the various Gorgs which includes pinks, purples and golds. I'll work on better photos once everything is installed and happy.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Tank is starting to "settle-in" Added a few small Zoa Frags within the rocks. I'm amazed at how quickly the Shaving Brush Macros (Penicillus sp.) have recovered from shipping and their phenomenal growth rate. I'll grab the DSLR and get some better photos...

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/fec62ef9-785f-4edb-bb40-d0b5c02fea7e.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n622/CalmSeasQuest/0ede973d24781a4b95f4454ae36f6426.jpg

[CalmSeasQuest]

I decided on a stocking plan - I've been searching for Yellow-striped Cardinals and LA just got some in stock :)

http://www.liveaquaria.com/images/categories/product/p-77867-orange-lined-cardi.jpg

I'm hopeful they will shoal among the Gorgonians

In addition to the Cards, I ordered Sexy Shrimp, a few colorful hermits and crabs. It should make for an interesting mix. Delivery is set for Friday so with any luck, I'll be able to post some better photographs Friday evening.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Looking pretty good so far. I bet the gorgonians look pretty sweet swaying in the the vortech current... video time perhaps? Are you at all concerned about the sexys becoming lunch for the cardinals?

Tom

PS - Preuss Pets often has orange-stripe cardinals.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Looking pretty good so far. I bet the gorgonians look pretty sweet swaying in the the vortech current... video time perhaps? Are you at all concerned about the sexys becoming lunch for the cardinals?

Tom

PS - Preuss Pets often has orange-stripe cardinals.

Thanks Tom - You're right about the Gorgs. That was the ultimate goal for this tank and they look great in the MP10 ebb and flow. I'l definitively grab some video - hopefully with the Cards shoaling.

As for the Sexy Shrimp with the Cards, initially I'm not worried as the Cards are tiny. I've read mixed reviews and have kept a harem of Sexy Shrimp in one of my home tanks that also contains a few adult-sized Chromis without incident (the sexies are amazingly quick when needed.) Over time and if needed, I can relocate either the shrimp or Cards to a home tank.

I tend to keep everyone pretty well fed, so hopefully they can co-exist in peace.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I figured you had a plan. But I still think it's a bad idea. You should consider adding one sexy to "test the waters". Cardinals have much larger mouths than Chromis as well as a different feeding strategy (Chromis are daytime pelagic feeders while Cardinals tend to feed at night and will target benthic and pelagic fodder). Better to lose one sexy than all sexys.

Tom

[CalmSeasQuest]

Sorry for the lack or updates gang, My mother passed away unexpectedly and I've been dealing with family issues.

The tank and it's inhabitants are doing well. The Cardinals came in pretty small and the Sexy are large (at least for Sexies) so far so good :) I only put 2 Sexies in the tank, but I think I'll transfer more from a home tank - they seem to really like the Gorgonian forest.

At present it's the 4 cards, 2 Sexy Shrimp, a Pom Pom Crab and a handful of tiny hermits. I'll post some photos and update the stocking list next week.

[pjr]

Sorry about the sad news. .. went thru the same thing a few months ago.

[MizTanks]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours CSQ.
As expected a very beautiful tank in the making. I love your choice of livestock. If I could get those Cardinals around here, I too would have a few :) Such beautiful lil fish.

[jimsflies]

Just catching up on the nano contest... sorry to hear about your mom. My condolences to you and your family.