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

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.