Shoelace December 21, 2014 December 21, 2014 Happy Holidays, WAMAS. I'm unfortunately getting the "build bug" again. My 180 softie rebuild is finally starting to settle down. However, I recently remodeled my small basement home office with Ikea and I am on the kick of having a nano there.
Shoelace December 21, 2014 Author December 21, 2014 There is a 4' long cabinet that was begging to be nano'ed: So I went looking for something small but was horribly unsatisfied:
Shoelace December 21, 2014 Author December 21, 2014 And then I saw this build and I was hooked on a 12G long. So this is going to be my very long, slow, drawn-out build thread. I'm gonna need a lot of help for ideas on this one because I'm going places I've never been. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/296235-3-foot-office-nano-mr-aqua-12-gallon-long/
YHSublime December 21, 2014 December 21, 2014 Awesome! I love the second picture. IMO, anybody can have a large tank, but the talent to put together a beautiful nano is learned by practice and education. I look forward to this build.
DuffyGeos December 21, 2014 December 21, 2014 Nice second pic. The big problem with a small tank (I have a 16g IM) is the stability of parameters since just a small volume change is a large percentage. A good ATO is a must. Good luck
20LogR December 21, 2014 December 21, 2014 Love the Mr Aqua 12!! I was eyeballing one of these a few years back when I was into planted tanks. I have too many tanks in the house to start up a planted again.
Shoelace December 22, 2014 Author December 22, 2014 So here is my equipment list so far. Too many times in the past, I've gone through "buy cheap, buy twice" so I don't mind splurging a little here. I already have things listed in italics. Those with a "vs." means I'm still deciding. Tank: Mr. Aqua 12G Long, low iron Stand: DIY Stand of 2x3’s with Ikea Besta white stand shell Lights: ATI 36” 4 x 39W T5HO + ReefBrite 36” Actinic LEDs vs. AquaticLife 36” 4 x 39W T5HO + Lunar LEDs Circulation: Vortech MP-10 Return: Eheim 1048 (158 gph) vs. Sicce Syncra 0.5 (185 gph) Heater: Cobalt Aquatics NeoTherm 50W Overflow: 3/4” Lifegard Aquatics low profile strainer Return: 1/2” Lifegard Aquatics low profile strainer 1/2” ATO: AutoAqua Smart ATO vs. Tunze Osmolator Nano Sump: NextReef NRS-20 Skimmer: Reef Octopus BH-50 vs. Tunze 9002 Dosing pumps: BRS 1.1 ml/min vs. Apex DOS Controller: Neptune Apex vs. ReefKeeper Lite Rock: BRS Reef Saver vs. BRS Pukani Questions 1) Do you think the ATI is worth it over the AquaticLife for such a small tank? 2) If I get the ATI, should I splurge for the dimmable model? 3) Has anyone used the AutoAqua ATO? 4) Has anyone had a NextReef sump?
20LogR December 22, 2014 December 22, 2014 I would pass on either of the 4 bulb T5 fixtures. The fixture will be a few inches wider than your tank, with light spreading out from there. I would go with some 36" LED strips... You would have to worry about heat either.
DuffyGeos December 23, 2014 December 23, 2014 How long is that tank? It can't be 36"???? can it? if not, why such a wide light? and 4bulb??? how wide is the tank???? I have the Tunze Osmolator Nano and love it.
Shoelace December 23, 2014 Author December 23, 2014 (edited) I would pass on either of the 4 bulb T5 fixtures. The fixture will be a few inches wider than your tank, with light spreading out from there. I would go with some 36" LED strips... You would have to worry about heat either.I totally hear you on the LEDs, but I was thinking of trying something new since I have LEDs on my 180g and I'm digging the uniform light output of the T5s. I can be persuaded. What 36" strips would you recommend? The group buy ReefBrite XHO 50/50 looks snazzy! Edited December 23, 2014 by Shoelace
Shoelace December 23, 2014 Author December 23, 2014 How long is that tank? It can't be 36"???? can it? if not, why such a wide light? and 4bulb??? how wide is the tank???? I have the Tunze Osmolator Nano and love it. Yes. It is 36". That is why that tank is so cool and unique, IMO. I also have a Osmolator Nano on my QT. But the all optical AutoAqua caught my eye.
Shoelace December 23, 2014 Author December 23, 2014 Oh, and the tank in my second picture is NOT the final tank. That's only 18" in my pic. I bought that on a whim.
Orion December 23, 2014 December 23, 2014 If you want to go T5s a 24" fixture would be fine on a 36" tank. T5s provide plenty of coverage beyond the length of the fixture! I vote 24" ATI Sunpower, but I'm biased. 2 coral plus 2 blue plus
DuffyGeos December 23, 2014 December 23, 2014 Yes. It is 36". That is why that tank is so cool and unique, IMO. I also have a Osmolator Nano on my QT. But the all optical AutoAqua caught my eye. I am not familiar with this tank, but by my calculations if the tank is 36" long, then is it 10" wide and 8" tall? that would be 12.46g That is pretty cool looking.
Shoelace December 23, 2014 Author December 23, 2014 If you want to go T5s a 24" fixture would be fine on a 36" tank. T5s provide plenty of coverage beyond the length of the fixture! I vote 24" ATI Sunpower, but I'm biased. 2 coral plus 2 blue plus Ryan, I didn't want to call you out, but yes, your rig is the reason why I want to try the T5's! Your tank is pretty awesome. Do you think there will be much drop off at the ends with a 24" or would it be pretty well covered?
Shoelace December 23, 2014 Author December 23, 2014 I would just do 2 T5's. Any thoughts if there would be less room to play with bulb color mixing and matching with only 2?
BowieReefer84 December 23, 2014 December 23, 2014 I have a 24" 4 bulb powermodule with 2 blue+ and 2 coral+. I am right around the corner from Ryan if you want to come check it out. The 50/50 ratio would remain the same with 2 or 4 bulbs. Shoot me a PM if you want to come over.
Orion December 23, 2014 December 23, 2014 Ryan, I didn't want to call you out, but yes, your rig is the reason why I want to try the T5's! Your tank is pretty awesome. Do you think there will be much drop off at the ends with a 24" or would it be pretty well covered? There are plenty of T5 fixtures over tanks that are a foot longer. Won't be an issue with coverage.
Shoelace December 23, 2014 Author December 23, 2014 http://sevenports.com/brand/ma-730-serene-12-gallon/ I am not familiar with this tank, but by my calculations if the tank is 36" long, then is it 10" wide and 8" tall? that would be 12.46g That is pretty cool looking. You are pretty spot on: http://sevenports.com/brand/ma-730-serene-12-gallon/ If I'm going to do a nano again, I would like it to be unique. This will have its own challenges.
DuffyGeos December 23, 2014 December 23, 2014 So it looks like you are going to do the same strainer also, looks very cool.
Leishman December 23, 2014 December 23, 2014 (edited) Here's my old 12 Long. Tore it down way too quickly. Should have kept it. Edited December 23, 2014 by Leishman
Shoelace December 23, 2014 Author December 23, 2014 Here's my old 12 Long. Tore it down way too quickly. Should have kept it. Nice! Could I please ask you for some specs?
Leishman December 23, 2014 December 23, 2014 http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=537698
Shoelace December 24, 2014 Author December 24, 2014 http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=537698 Thanks, that helped a lot and gave me some ideas.
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