So i finally got down and made me one of those 5.5 AIO tanks. I have been thinking about it for some time now and just decided to do it. I made a false wall out of 1/4 acrylic and used weld-on to connect a brace/divider. Then siliconed it in. This + paint + cure time + 6lbs of live rock and some sand = .

I did like the rock i got since it had some coraline and feather dusters . I had it set up for a few hours and got all happy when i saw some polyps . One two then three. It was amazing........ that is till i realized it was aptasia .

Not sure if you can see it but thats the big one. Boy was i mad. I was thinking about going to the LFS after work and throwing a fit but decided against it. Im just going to get a bottle of joes juice and zap them and keep on top of it. I was also thinking of getting a shrimp to eat them. I dont remember what type but we use them at work all the time to snack on those stupid things.

So here i sit waitng to see how bad the cycle is going to be. I did add a poly filter to filter out some amonia from the cycle so we'll see how well that works out.

And im also watching for the mail man to bring my light fixture. I decided to go with the 12'' 36w coralife fixture (And no the 36'' fixture is only temperary to make it look snazy).

Peppermint shrimp is probably what you are thinking. Just be watchful, they are known to nibble on coral if they aren't fed well.

Looking good either way. Keep them pics coming .

Looks great so far, good job

So i got my light in the mail today. 12'' 36w coralife. I whiped up an egg crate top for the light to sit on also.

Other than that all is ok. Waiting for the cycle to end. I have been doing 5 gal water changes every day to try and keep the cycle short and thin. I found a few more aptasia today. That makes like 10 . Im probably going to get a pepermint shrimp to start with. I did see a few feather dusters that are small and opening up now. Plus a few sponges and even saw a few critters(pods and worms and such).

I tested for amonia and sure enough theres plenty! I feel like im having a staring contest with my tank.

Grow up with the aipstasia complaints throw a peppermint in he will get rid of them very quickly! You picked the L/R not the fish store!

Yeah i know. We have some shrimp at work so when the cycles over ill add a cuc and then a Pepermint shrimp a bit later.

So its about time to start adding stuff to my tank! The cycle is over and almost all the life on my rocks are still alive. It only took 50% daily water changes and a poly filter . Im starting to get some algae so i added my CUC just 3 small reef hermits and small snail. Also added macro algae which is in the display untill i get my submersable light ordered.

As far as hitchhikers i have a few. One rock has about 200 small feather dusters which is say half are alive, Some small sponges, several pods, and all the coraline is still looking good.

Im going to add a pepermint shrimp on friday after i get off work. But as far as stocking im not too sure. We got some cool frags in at work which i cant help but take a gander at.

I am having some heat issues. The tank runs about 78 without the light on. Then when i added the light it went up to about 90. Since then i elevated it about 2'' of the surface but its still 83-84..... What do you guys thing about elevating it 2'' and then a clear sheet of acrylic 1/2''-1'' below the light. Do you think this would dissipate some of the heat before it gets to the water?

So i picked up a pepermint shrimp today. I spent a good LONG time acclimating him to make sure he doesnt get shocked from a salinity change. Less than 10 secconds after i put him in hes roaming arround. Aptasia, say good bye!

wowzer thahts a bright PC.....

Yeah it is. Its about the most powerful light that would fit/i would put on.

So The tank has been stable for a week now so i figured i would go down to a LFS and grab a few pieces of coral. I had been there several times but WOW i never realized how good their prices are. I got 3 corals. A pulsing xenia , colony of about 25 small green zoas, and Galaxy. I know people say its not good for a nano, let alone a pico but i hasent sent out any sweepers so im thinking im in the clear. After acclimating them the kenya tree was being blown arround too much no matter where i put it so i trimmed the impeller a bit and now its perfect. Everything is opening up nicely!

Pulsing xenia

Zoas starting to open

Galaxy

I thought it was time to update this thread a little. My little tank is thriving and i have added many more corals. The light seems to be working great and the water spece are all in place.

As far as live stock i have
4 different colonys of zoas(ranging from 3 heads to is say 250)
Pulsing xenia
misc mushrooms
galaxy
small frag of gsp
Good colony of daisys
A soft coral that looks like a blue xenia
and 2 other soft corals that im too lazy to id

looks good. i hope my future 5.5g aio looks that good

happy xenia

Oh yeah. It has grown a bunch in the month or two that i have had it. It has split off into 2 large branches so i think im going to frag iit into 2 parts when i add them to my 75gal.

Do you still have this tank set up? I have one in the works and I can't wait. What was the return pump in your back compartment? Are you running a heater? Thanks!