CalmSeasQuest's 2012 Desktop Nano

[CalmSeasQuest]

I'm going to rebuild the "PuzzleRock" tank that sits on my office desk and was my 21011 Nano tank entry...




That tank was a lot of fun to build, and the method of creating and using slabbed live rock hadn't been done before. The downside was, the aquascaping was so dense, that when coupled with the small tank dimensions - I never felt it fair to add any fish. As a result, the first question from every visitor to my office was "where are the fish"?

And now for something completely different...

This tank will go in a new direction. This will be something of a minimalist mixed reef (I might even add a couple nano fish to satisfy the visitors )

Equipment List

• Tank - Mr. Aqua 12 Long (36" X 8" X 9") ~12 gallons in dimension, (7.5 gallons water) Fitted with an 8" overflow creating a 3"X3"x8" 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, bubble plate and remote skimmate collection
• Mechanical filtration - AquaClear 20 with custom InTANK media insert using Chemipure Elite and Purigen as needed.
• Biological Filtration - Marine Pure Ceramic Biomedia Spheres (compensating for limited live rock) and Mangroves
• ATO - Elos 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 - Zip, Zero, Nada
• Substrate - Tropic Eden Reef Flakes
• Heater - Hydor 100 Watt

Stock List

Item	Source	Cost	Sponsor	Hit to Nano Spending Cap	Remaining Cap
					$400.00
6 Ricordia ($99/16=$8.25 ea)	CoralMorphologic	$49.50	Yes	$24.75	$375.25
16 frags from Monti Pack ($199/20=$9.95 ea.)	Private sale	$132.00	No	$132.00	$243.25
2 Polyps Grandis Paly *	Own Tank	$10.00	No	$10.00	$233.25
2 Polyps Cinnamin Paly	CoralMorphologic	$12.00	Yes	$6.00	$227.25
4 Acan Lord Frags	Mr. Coral	$40.00	Yes	$20.00	$207.25
Galaxia	Mr. Coral	$10.00	Yes	$5.00	$202.25
3P - Purple Deaths	SirPatrick	$9.00	No	$9.00	$193.25
3P - Pink Zippers	SirPatrick	$18.00	No	$18.00	$175.25
3P - Tiger Tails	SirPatrick	$9.00	No	$9.00	$166.25
6P - Kedds Reds	SirPatrick	$12.00	No	$12.00	$154.25
4P - AOG *	Own Tank	$20.00	No	$20.00	$134.25
4P - Nuclear Green*	Own Tank	$20.00	No	$20.00	$114.25
Purple Photosynthetic Gorgonian Frag *	Own Tank	$10.00	No	$10.00	$104.25
Clove Polyps	Mr.Coral	$10.00	Yes	$5.00	$99.25
3X Gonipora	Mr. Coral	$30.00	Yes	$15.00	$84.25
Toadstool Frag *	Own Tank	$25.00	No	$25.00	$59.25
GSP frag *	Own Tank	$10.00	No	$10.00	$49.25
Sympodium	Mr. Coral	$10.00	Yes	$5.00	$44.25
1P - Unknown Paly *	Own Tank	$5.00	No	$5.00	$39.25
2P - Sunflower Paly *	Own Tank	$4.00	No	$4.00	$35.25
Pectinia	Mr. Coral	$10.00	Yes	$5.00	$30.25
		$455.50		$369.75	$30.25

[larryandlaura]

Sweet tank and ideas.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Originally Posted by larryandlaura

Sweet tank and ideas.

Thanks!

We'll I've decided which concept I'm going to build I think I'll keep the details under wraps until I've got some photos to share. This design will require quite a bit of work on the tank while dry, so rather than close down my existing desktop tank and move the livestock, I've decided to order another identical tank. They are back-ordered at the moment so it might take a week or two before work on the tank itself begins.

In the interim, I've placed a few orders for the materials and tools needed. I've also decided to upgrade the filtration to a large canister filter (Fluval 406) which will be modified to function more as a sump. This will allow me to remove multiple pieces of equipment that detract from the look of the tank including the HOB AC filter, Tunze 9002 skimmer and 6015 power-head.

I'm excited to get it going

[creefer]

Very interested to see what you do with this, Tom.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Originally Posted by creefer

Very interested to see what you do with this, Tom.

Thanks Chris - Me too!

Big box from US Plastics on the porch - I guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend

[rosebud161616]

Ooooooo building your own acrylic tank? Or is this acrylic to add to something else? Come on, give us a hint!

[CalmSeasQuest]

Originally Posted by rosebud161616

Ooooooo building your own acrylic tank? Or is this acrylic to add to add to something else? Come on, give us a hint!

Aaaalright - I'll answer one question...Yes

[rosebud161616]

Originally Posted by CalmSeasQuest

Aaaalright - I'll answer one question...Yes

Ahhhhhh which question are you answering????

[MizTanks]

This is going to be fun!!

[CalmSeasQuest]

Originally Posted by MizTanks

This is going to be fun!!

Thanks Jamie - I spent a few more hours last night (early this morning) on the designs. I must say, I'm very excited about this concept and build.

I hope it works in actuality as well as it does in my "minds eye"