CalmSeasQuest's 36" Nano Build

[CalmSeasQuest]

Sorry for the delay in updates - I've been traveling on business for most of the past week.

It took a long time for an outbreak of cycle hair algae to subside. Much of the rock came from prior builds so it's possible there were phosphates trapped in the rock (released when the rock was slabbed) that extended to time required to rid the algae.

I FINALLY started adding corals. I got 20 of the planned 80 pieces placed today. I'm starting at the bottom with chalices and Acans and will work my way up to SPS on the top. I'll be back in my office on Wednesday and will take some photos after the next round of additions.

[pjr]

This is so cool! I am suprised no LEDs though. Do you still have the two tanks running at home with AI & MaxSpect?

[CalmSeasQuest]

This is so cool! I am suprised no LEDs though. Do you still have the two tanks running at home with AI & MaxSpect?

Hi Pat,

You know I couldn't go sans LED In addition to the 4 T5s, this tank uses a 36" ReefBrite fixture with 18 LEDs 50%W/50% Royal Blue - Totaling about 30 watts.

My home tanks are still all LED (DT uses the AIs and the FT with the Maxspect G2.)

[Sir Patrick]

Cant wait to see this tank full, all light up with your light combo.

[nate_newton]

I didn't know you were doing chalices also. Looking forward to see the tank stocked.

[CalmSeasQuest]

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning..." Sir Winston Churchill

Churchill's quote felt fitting - Still a ways to go, but it feels great to finally have corals in this tank

The photos look rough as they were taken literally minutes after adding the second batch of Frags. The last of a cycle hair algae bloom are still visible.

There are 77 frags of Chalice, Acan, Milli, Acro, Favia and Rics added so far. The corals aren't in their their permanent locations, Most will be removed from the plugs and affixed directly to the aquascape.

It beats looking at an empty tank









A few things I've learned on this build...

I've avoided adding any clean up crew to this tank, instead just waiting for the cycle algae to dissipate on it's own. It's a pleasure to place a Frag in a location and have stay there without having to worry about an snail, crab or fish moving it.

The space is so tight (especially in the bottom of the tank) it requires the use of forceps, a lot of time and patience (not my strong suit) to manuever Frags into the desired locations. It's so tedious, I find my patience lasts only about 30 minutes before I need to take a break.

I'm still undecided about the dosing plan. I have BRS dosing and top off pumps that can be used for 2-part, but in a tank this small (7.5 gallons actual), salinity creep will be problem. I had believed that daily water changes equalling about 100% per month would be enough, but I just found an article on water change by Randy Holmes-Farley that demonstrates if using water changes alone, it would take daily changes of greater than 50% to maintain CA/Alk and MAG levels in a high demand tank.

Based on this, in addition to the daily water changes equaling 100% per month, I'll start with Kalkwasser dosing using a BRS top-off pump and a Tunze 5074 Kalk dispenser (I can't use the Osmolator as it runs for a minimum of 10 seconds and would overdose the Kalk causing pH spikes.) Then depending on demand, I'll add 2-part pumps later.

Thanks for tagging along - I'll shoot more photo's once the rest of the livestock has been added.

[Heidi]

Dear CalmSeasQuest,
Your nano is BEAUTIFUL! Can't wait to see more.

Heidi

[CalmSeasQuest]

Dear CalmSeasQuest,
Your nano is BEAUTIFUL! Can't wait to see more.

Heidi

Thanks very much Heidi

It's been a lot of fun creating this tank and the rock-work. Another advantage I've found with the puzzle-rock design is that there are lots of "nooks and crannies" in which to place these tiny Frags. Far more than in a traditional aquascape. The voids in all the slabs allow a lot of light and flow to pass through to the lower levels and I created overhangs throughout the build specifically to allow for shaded, lower-PAR areas that chalices could be tucked into. In fact, there is so much surface area in the rock work, I could easily add another 50-60 Frags, especially slow growing items such as chalices. The problem is, I beleive it would be very difficult to manage water quality (specifically CA/ALK/Mag uptake) with so much life crammed into only 7.5 gallons of water.

The other amazing thing about this tank is the close-up viewing. I've always wondered about those that have huge tanks that are located in areas that don't promote close up viewing (i.e. in-wall tanks in dining rooms far from the seating/living areas.) To me, I enjoy having my nose virtually pressed to the glass, in fact - I've placed a leather chair and ottoman directly in front of my tanks at home which are located in the living room - It's the best seat in the house and is rarely empty.

Having it sit on my desk, inches away is wonderful as there are surprises hidden throughout - you just have to look for them. I'm looking forward to watching the entire tank fill in. Over time, it should evolve into puzzle-like pieces of color winding throughout the tank.

[Heidi]

I just think it would be a phenomenal grow out/ frag tank alternative. If I ever have a frag tank down the line, it would be something like this, that is beautiful to look at and decorative, yet has shelves of rocks instead of acrylic frag shelves. Only thing is I would play w/ the width so I could stick my hands in there, I shake way to much for forceps. lol
-Heidi

[CalmSeasQuest]

Here's another advantage of having a controller...


This graph displays the pH and ORP reading on this tank for the preceding 7 days. You can see the impact adding the corals to the tank has on pH. The increased photosynthesis (Co2 uptake) increases pH during the daylight hours, whereas coral respiration produces Co2 and depresses overnight pH.

I joke with my kids, I can tell when they have friends over as CO2 levels in living room where the tank resides, increase and lower pH