Contest - Fally

[Fally]

I would like to enter the Captive Reefing 2007 Nano Contest.

I picked up the tank, sand, and a piece of rock yesterday. I got the tank and sand at PetCo because I liked the oak trim tank. The piece of dead rock I got from the Kennel Shop and it was 2.5 pounds.

Tank - $15
Sand - $8
Rock - $5

Here is the required shot of the dry tank and special items:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p153/DriftwoodDave/10Nano1.jpg

Here is a picture of the items I purchased:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p153/DriftwoodDave/10Nano2.jpg

I am planning on using a 10 gallon sump in this setup. I placed a couple of orders on eBay today. I needed a 1 inch bulkhead and a 45mm diamond hole saw bit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-Aquarium-Bulkhead-Fittings-Threaded-1-FREE-S-H_W0QQitemZ200067626900QQihZ010QQcategoryZ3243QQss PageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
&
http://cgi.ebay.com/45mm-Diamond-coated-drill-bit-bits-hole-saw-tile-marble_W0QQitemZ180071651403QQihZ008QQcategoryZ484 3QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


I will continue to post my progress!
Dave

[Fally]

For some reason photobucket isn't allowing me to upload images, so I used my free webhost. They don't let me link to images, so I'll figure this out and edit my first post...

Fixed! I was using a progressive compression on the jpg and that was messing with photobucket.

Dave

[mutts]

You should be able to upload them on here (in our image resizer) and then save it too you harddrive and then upload it. You want to click the Managing Attachments and a pop up should pop up and you can load it there. Hope that made sense.

[perpetual98]

Woohoo! Another entrant! :)

[jojo22]

WOW I wish I could enter, but I have other projects in the works.

[dakar]

Joe, enter anyhows! Even if you can only squeeze in 30 mins a week for the first couple three months that's all it will take to get things started.... I'll get my pic taken and posted this weekend.... that will buy me 30 days to at least get started on things.

[jojo22]

No I found and comitted to buying a 150 for $400. couple that with the 72 that is cycleing for a grouper and an eel and I will live vicariously through guys like Fally. I can't wait to see this thing go.

[Iconz]

Enough hijacking his thread!

It looks/sounds good so far Fally! Lets see that thing wet!!!! And BTW... Good Luck!!!

-JD

[Fally]

I am still waiting on my two eBay orders to arrive. Over the long weekend I did a little DIYing of an old hood to make something to go over the 10 Gallon. I had a 4x65watt PC fixture kicking around and thought it would be neat to cut it down.

*WARNING*
The following process is dangerous and should only be attempted by a professional.
I'm sure it also voids the warranty. ;)

Parts before cutting:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p153/DriftwoodDave/Light1.jpg

Internal parts:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p153/DriftwoodDave/Light2.jpg

Parts after cutting:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p153/DriftwoodDave/Light3.jpg

Mostly assembled:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p153/DriftwoodDave/Light4.jpg

Assembled:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p153/DriftwoodDave/Light5.jpg
&
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p153/DriftwoodDave/Light6.jpg

Over 10Gal tank:
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p153/DriftwoodDave/Light7.jpg

The feet I had for the fixture were broken after being in storage for several months. The LFS up the road has spares for sale so I'll run up there at some point this week.

More to come!
Dave

[Iconz]

Impressive DIY job! Keep it up!

[jojo22]

SHOWOFF!!!








Keep going it's looking great!!

[Sweetpea]

WOW! I love what you've done there! :D

[mutts]

how much light is that?

[Fally]

It has 2 65Watt PC bulbs in it. I'll probably run one actinic and one 10,000k.

I love DIY projects and I'm running out of stuff to do to the 75. :D

Dave

[hummer]

that was inpresove(sp) wow nicely done ... yaya i know i cant (sp) lol lol where are the baillesess for the lights

[Fally]

In the second picture the top middle item on the table with all the red & blue wires coming out of it is the ballast that runs the two PC bulbs. It is tucked in beside the reflector in the finished unit.

Dave

[adam_anzivino]

haha that puts my wal-mart bulb to shame.. good job!

[Fally]

It might be a little overkill for a 10gallon tank, we'll see. :D

My bulkheads came in today. Now I'm just awaiting the diamond hole saw bit from Hong Kong and I can get this started!

Dave

[Fally]

I got the hole saw bit yesterday. Looks like I now have a project for Saturday. Sunday is our club frag swap and auction.

I dropped the baffle measurements by the glass shop today, they should be all cut by the time I get out of work. I'll pick up a tube of silicone on the way home and I should have everything I need to get this setup.

Dave

[hummer]

good luck have fum if it looks any thing like them lights.. then you may be in first already!!

[Fally]

No way. The setup is only a small portion of what makes a reef successful. I've never done a nano before. :D

Dave

[Fally]

I drilled the overflow hole over the weekend. It was an amazingly simple task. Make sure to keep the bit wet and gently apply pressure.

Here is a picture of the bulkhead installed:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Nano2.jpg

Dave

[Fally]

Monday night I finally got this thing wet. I used some live sand I got from our clubs frag swap.

Picture of the sand bed, it slopes up to a 2" bed in the back:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Nano1.jpg

Here it is wet wet wet!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Nano3.jpg
Is it me or is this sucker awfully blue with one daylight and one actinic bulb?

More to come as the tank clears and I add stuff!
Dave

[perpetual98]

Your "slope" won't last terribly long I don't think.

You guys are killing me! I totally wasn't going to participate in this contest because of my other two new tanks. Must.....resist.....urges.....

[dakar]

Afriad Perpetual is right, the tried the slope a lot of different ways... gravity seems to win every time.... But you're off and running, Good Luck!


You guys are killing me! I totally wasn't going to participate in this contest because of my other two new tanks. Must.....resist.....urges.....

Resistance is futile.... when you get home from work go straight out to the garage and grab a 10g tank and snap the pic, post it, and be done with it.... why fight it until tommorrow night? goooooo with the flooooooowww.

[Sea~Horse~Whisperer]

Fally..... I have 96w PC quad lamp on my 10g. It is 50/50 daylight and actinic. Mine seems very blue as well. I'm not sure how to correct because is all one lamp. You on the other hand have 2 seperate lamps. You could always use 1 daylight lamp and 1 50/50 lamp. that would decreade the blue for you.

[Fally]

I was actually thinking that was my best option, but I just bought this one and don't want to waste it. lol.

The sump is now built and the silicone is curing. Hopefully tonight I can attach it to the system! I'll post some pictures when I do.

Dave

[hummer]

this is going too be a great contest sooooooo many talinted people in it

[Fally]

So last night I got everything up and running. I ended up using an entire 5 gallon bucket of live sand in this setup.

In tank plumbing, I still need a screen for the overflow...
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Plumbing2.jpg

Here is a picture of the overflow plumbing:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Plumbing.jpg

Sump plumbing:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/SumpDry.jpg

Sump wet!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/SumpWet.jpg

The system is pretty much complete. I am probably going to run the sump dark and try to encourage cryptic/bentic critters to populate this area. I'll probably also add a skimmer once I start feeding the tank.

I'll post more pictures once I add some life!
Dave

[spookey]

dammm nice jod there fally looking good....wish i could be an a contest...





chris

[Sweetpea]

LOOKS GREAT!!! I can't wait to see how this turns out!!! :)

[hummer]

what kind of glass are you using

and how thick is it looks like 1/4"

ok why do some people run a light 24/7 for on a refuge

and what would happien if you would run them with your other lightes on a timer cycle

[Fally]

The glass is 1/4 inch glass. I wasn't brave enough to try 1/8 inch. ;)

Some people run a light 24/7 because they think that is a way to stop their macro algae from going 'sexual'. When Macro does this is it clouds the water and makes a mess of your tank. Another way to keep your macro from going sexual is to prune it before it gets too crowded. You could also use chaeto, it does not go sexual.

It wouldn't be a big deal to run your fuge in sync with your display. That is what I do on my 75. Some will run it on an opposite cycle because it can help to keep your PH up over night.

Dave

[mutts]

looking good! can't wait to see it with critters swimming around in there

[Fally]

I added some Live Rock and a few softies last night. I fished around for some smaller rubble size pieces for the sump. I also had to place a piece of acrylic under the return pump because it was sucking up a little sand and causing cloudy water.

Here is a display picture after the additions
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Tank.jpg

Here is the sump
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/sump.jpg

Orange delight zoanthids covered in some sort of algae
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/OrangeZoos.jpg

Single teal paly
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/TealPaly.jpg

Red shroom
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/RedShroom.jpg

Blue shroom
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/BlueShroom.jpg

Snail
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Snail.jpg

I will post more pictures as I add more critters!
Dave

[hummer]

will the algae covering the zoanthids take away the light from them ...is it bad for them ??

[jojo22]

Looks sweet buddy!!!

[Sweetpea]

It looks SO great! I love the aquascaping!!!

[Fally]

That algae is already covering a bunch of zoos on that rock, the larger ones have been able to stretch out and open into the light. Not sure what it is but it is dying back now that it is in the new tank.

I added a few more blue shrooms:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Blueshrooms.jpg

I also added a small piece of Tree Coral:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Treecoral.jpg

Another snail:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Snail-1.jpg

And a crab:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Crab.jpg
I think this crab has a gut full of eggs, she spends lots of time playing with them...

I need to get something to work as a strainer for the overflow and start thinking about a fish!

[hummer]

looks good ...keep it up

[Iconz]

looking real good, actually!

[Fally]

I added a cheapo skimmer I bought used for $30 the other day. It is working pretty good so far. I also added a little green bubble tip. I am going to give him awhile to get used to the change and then I am going to add two baby clown fish that I have living in my Q tank.

I will post some pictures and video soon!
Dave

[hummer]

what kind of crab is that she looks cool

[Fally]

I bought it as a 'color crab'. lol. Not sure what kind of crab she is. Very neat crab, I have seen her all over the tank. She seems to like the very top rock near the waters surface though. I am thinking about placing a rock that will stick out of the water and see if she likes to come up out of the water some.

Dave

[hummer]

lol ...cool go for it post pics if it works

[Fally]

I did stick the rock in there and haven't seen her on it yet. We'll see.

I had a suggestion on our club forum about using gutter guard to screen my overflow. I bought some and will try it out probably tonight.

Dave

[hummer]

yes thats a must on the over flow box almost lost my pepperment shrimp on the fist night but hes ok ...

[Fally]

I haven't been able to get the gutter guard to stick to PVC pipe with superglue. I'm going to try again because I had a friend stop by in the middle of the project last time and I haven't gotten back to it yet.

The crab has taken to perching on the piece of LR that I placed sticking above the waters surface.

Here are a couple of shots of the crab sitting up out of the water. This seems to add an entirely new dimension to the tank.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Crab1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Crab2.jpg

I will post more as the tank progresses.
Dave

[jojo22]

Try some reef safe epoxy if super glue won't work!!

[hummer]

pics are very cool..

[Sweetpea]

The crab is so cute sitting up there being QUEEN of her castle!!! Did you get any more info on her? If so, I would love to know... :)

[Fally]

I finally got the overflow screened. I used two thin pieces of 1" PVC and superglued them together with the gutter guard in between. Then I can just stick that in the elbow that I use for an overflow box.

I added a very small bubble tip to the tank and two baby false percs. The next morning there was only one clown left. Not sure what happened to the other.

I have a little bit of stringy red algae growing in the tank at this point. I'll get some pictures up soon!

Dave

[spookey]

i like that crab u got there


chris

[Fally]

The crab is a female fiddler crab. Turns out that these crabs natural habitat is in a muddy mangrove area. Placing the piece of live rock up out of the water was a very good idea then. I am considering setting up a little crab terrarium for her, I can go back and rescure her siblings then!

Dave

[Sweetpea]

That sounds like a fun new project!!! :)

[cweber]

Thats a cool lookin crab.

[Fally]

Thanks, my daughter likes to pet her head when she is out of the water. lol.

Today I got in an order for two harlequin serpent stars. They are pretty small and should do well in this nano. I will take some pictures of the entire setup tonight if I can find the time!

Dave

[Fally]

I took a bunch of pictures of the nano last night. It is coming along!

Full tank
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/tankshot.jpg

Sump
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/nanosump.jpg

Serpent stars
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/serpstar.jpg

Red mushroom
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/redshroom.jpg

Blue mushrooms and fiddler crab
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Crab-1.jpg

Orange clove, blue zoos, and a red legged hermit
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Misc.jpg

Baby false perc
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Clown.jpg

Bubble tip
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/Bubbletip-1.jpg

Enjoy!
Dave

[Sweetpea]

NICE!!! :)

[hummer]

it looking very cool.....:)

[Fally]

I have some crazy isopods in this nano now. They devour hair algae and red slime! Since there are no fish in this tank there are no predators and the isopods are out on every surface even while the lights are on. These guys are great to watch too, the males have these two big front arms that they 'box' with. The isopods are very territorial and fight nonstop. They are so amusing that I want to setup a pico at work with just isopods in it!

Picture:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/ID-2.jpg

Video:
YouTube- Critters

Enjoy!
Dave

[Fally]

I bought a Pistol Shrimp and Yashia Haze Goby yesterday afternoon on our way home from our clubs monthly meet. They started to pair up in the container while I was acclimating them. The shrimp would use it's antenna to feel around the goby's body and the goby would sit still and allow it. Then after awhile the goby started to hide under the shrimp. They started digging as soon as I added them to the tank.

I'll post some pictures once I buy some batteries for my camera!
Dave

[cweber]

Very cool.

[hummer]

wow.... awsome cant wate too see :)

those bugs are cool

[spookey]

nice fally ....=p

chris

[jojo22]

SWEET!!

[Fally]

I feed the tank some frozen brine last night to see if I could entice the goby out of his cave. I saw the pistol shrimp bringing out small rocks but no sign of the goby. One of the serpent stars went into the shrimps burrow though and I heard the snaps coming from the pistol shrimp. I'm hoping the serpent star is alright. Especially after reading about shrimpoluminesence! :D

http://www.clubswam.org/Forum/index.php/topic,324.0.html

Dave

[Fally]

We have a couple of purple people eater polyps that are growing a second skirt in the nano. My wife took a few really good pictures:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/ppe1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/ppe2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/ppe3.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/ppe5.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/ppe6.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/ppe7.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/ppe8.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/ppe10.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/ppe11.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y109/Falmord/ppe12.jpg

Dave

[cweber]

Thats really cool! Is that what happens when they split?

[Fally]

It is weired, like they are growing a second skirt. Zoanthids do not normally reproduce by splitting to my knowledge. I have never seen this before!

Dave

[mutts]

wow nice pictures... the detail is amazing you can even see the pod on the base or the zoa, really cool fally

[hummer]

that is so cool

[Sweetpea]

That is GREAT!!! :-D Wonderful pics!!!

[spookey]

wow nice

[Fally]

I am sorry to post that I am going to have to drop out of the contest. I am getting a new 120 to replace my 75 and I am going to break down my other tanks so I can focus all my efforts on this one. I am sorry to anyone that was following the progress of this tank. I only have so much spare time and the new setup is going to take it all!

The new tank is an acrylic 120 Gallon reef ready. The overflow is in the back center of the tank. It comes with two T3 pumps for a dual closed loop system that I will put on a wave timer. My 75 has a crush coral sand bed. I really dislike this substrate and only have it in there because of some bad advice I got when I started(LFS). I am going to use a mix of dry and live sand in the 120, this should give the bed a kick start. I'll move my current sump over to the new system and I'm hoping that the DSB in there will help to keep the water quality up there while the new bed matures.

I have already broken down our hex tank and I will be taking down the frag tank and nano on Wednesday. I'll update this thread with some final pictures!

Dave

[cweber]

Sorry to hear that, but congrats and good luck on the new tank. You sure you have to tear the nano down?

[Sweetpea]

I'm so sorry that you're pulling out of the contest; you really have an amazing nano going! Have fun with the new tank, and be sure to keep us posted along the way!!! :-)

[Fally]

The 120 is awesome! It had an internal overflow and a closed loop already plumbed. It also had an electrical panel in the stand. I was able to get rid of two Seio 1500's, two Maxijet 900's, five power strips, and two external overflows! Plus I left two 65w PC bulbs and a ballast that were in the canopy. All I added to the system was a T3 pump for the closed loop.

This system is so much simpler with fewer things that can fail. I'll try and get some pictures up soon.


Dave

[cweber]

Awesome! Im going to be starting a 125 soon.

[Sweetpea]

Sounds great! I can't wait to see some pics! :)