Print Page - 16 gal nano reef

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: gator on October 25, 2005, 06:39:49 PM

OK...all the recent talk about nano reef tanks has driven me to action. I started a 16 gal tank last night. 2-3 inches of sand grade aragonite, no protein skimming or mechanical filtration. Tonight, I added 19 lbs of well cured live rock from oakville reef gallery. I have seeded the tank tonight with 1/2 lb of "live" sand from my 65. For water circulation I am using an old, coralline encrusted, maxi-jet 900. If, after cycling and cautious stocking, the tank fails to stabilize (using a 5 gal per week water change), I will set-up a spare protein skimmer I have lying around. For lighting, I will be using one of those 20" 96W coralife fixtures with the 50/50 bulbs. See picture below for last night (not much to see, but stay tuned!).

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: gator on October 25, 2005, 07:51:10 PM

:shock:

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: gator on October 25, 2005, 07:51:37 PM

Below is pic -day 2 - if you squint you can make out the live rock in the murk.

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: Mettle on October 25, 2005, 07:58:11 PM

Very sweet.

Where does one get those bulbs? And how long is the fixture/bulb combined? And can one get a retrofit kit for said bulbs? I'd like to double 'em up and get 2x96w going on. Obviously I want to make my own hood. And of course... Cost?

Thanks!

Can't wait to see this progress.

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: BigDaddy on October 25, 2005, 08:01:05 PM

Coralife only makes the 96 watt 20 incher. It's a special quad tube bulb.

You can get 'em at J&L the cheapest.

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: Aiglos on October 25, 2005, 08:07:09 PM

Good call on the 96W; I wish I had of made that desicion, now I have to go back and buy another light strip.

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: gator on October 25, 2005, 08:10:58 PM

Aiglos - thanks. I've had the fixture gathering dust for a few months now.

Mettle - The fixture, as big daddy said, is made by coralife, i think i paid about 200 bucks for it. They may make a retrofit kit for it, but i'm not sure.

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: Mettle on October 25, 2005, 08:17:51 PM

Quote from: BigDaddyYou can get 'em at J&L the cheapest.

Is this online? If so, url? If not... :? ?

Thanks.

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: Aiglos on October 25, 2005, 08:24:35 PM

Quote from: BigDaddyCoralife only makes the 96 watt 20 incher. It's a special quad tube bulb.

You can get 'em at J&L the cheapest.

Coralife also makes the 28Watt 20 incher; Its just 1 bulb; I paid 80$ for it.

check out J & L Aquatics; remember big als online will price match and beat by 5%;

Edit:

28 Watt 20"
http://www.bigalsonline.ca/catalog/product.xml?product_id=24049;category_id=1875;pcid1=1843;pcid2=

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/tlist/pc/hoods.php?category_ID=87

This will take you right to the PC lighting page.

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: Julie on October 25, 2005, 08:59:28 PM

Pretty neat looking through the fog. I am curious what exactly will you be stocking it with?
Do you have pics of your larger tank?

tx,
Julie

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: gator on October 25, 2005, 11:20:59 PM

Hey Julie, I'm not sure what Ill be stocking with yet, but I've got some time to think about it.

I don't have any current pics of my whole 65, here's two bits of it:

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: Julie on October 26, 2005, 08:07:29 AM

Nice. How long will it take for your new tank to cycle?

Julie

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: gator on October 26, 2005, 09:19:52 AM

well...even though the live rock was well-cured, there will still be some die-off(there always is in my experience), so it will take about 3 to six weeks for it to fully cycle. I may run a protein skimmer during this process, just to remove the vast majority of the decaying materials, but remove it after cycling is complete. I want to try out a "natural" type of system with no skimming, filters, etc, only lots of live rock, live sand and good water motion. Since my main tank is what would be considerd "high tech", I want to find out of the low-tech natural system works. If it does, I'll be a convert.

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: Julie on October 26, 2005, 09:22:23 AM

What a great experiment. Keep us up to date.
Just curious though, what fish will you add?

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: gator on October 26, 2005, 09:29:37 AM

not sure if I will add ANY fish, but if i do it'll only one, a yellow watchman goby or some similar small perching fish.

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: 93GTCANADA on October 26, 2005, 10:55:14 AM

i am looking to go with the low tech route also gator. i will be checking your progress since this could be really helpful with mine.

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: gator on October 26, 2005, 11:16:53 AM

I'll keep you guys posted, and begin posting parameters in the next two or three days. 8)

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: gator on October 26, 2005, 06:39:19 PM

Well - here's the 16 gallon at day three. I added an MJ 1200 to really make the water flow...
Tested parameters:
specific gravity - 1.024
temp - 80 F
pH - 7.82
I'll start measuring the nitrogen cycle parameters a little later on, when I'm convinced that the cycle has started in earnest.

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: gator on October 26, 2005, 09:34:08 PM

here's a pic of my 65 for julie ... sorry the glass is a little dirty from salt streaks :oops:

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: Julie on October 26, 2005, 10:55:23 PM

Nice, thanks for posting the pic of the host tank.
I swear that anemone/coral is glowing, sure you haven't found another form of life in there? :wink: :D

Julie

Title: 16 gal nano reef
Post by: kennyman on November 12, 2005, 04:46:55 PM

How's this working out Gator?

OVAS

Aquarist Forums => Saltwater General Discussions => Topic started by: gator on October 25, 2005, 06:39:49 PM