Newbie Fluval Chi Nano Build.

[VeeHa]

Hey Everyone,

New to the forum. So i just picked up a Fluval Chi 5 gallon tank at a garage sale for $10 bucks lol and want to make it into a nano reef. I've been reading on the site (btw tons of great information on here) and saw other Fluval Chi Nano tanks. This will be my first saltwater tank and I'm in no rush but super excited. So far i've have:

 

- Fluval Chi 5 Gallon Tank (10"x10"x12") (Garage sale $10)

- Hydor 425 Circulation pump (Amazon $21.99)

- Hydor 50 Watt Theo Heater (Drs.Fostersmith.com $14.99)

- Aquatop PF-600 Hang-On Filter (Truaqua.com $15.99)

-Hydor Flow Ratating Water Deflector

(thought it would connect with the pump but don't know what to do with it)

 

Total so far spent around $100 bucks. (taxes shipping etc...)

 

Future items:

-Light (So expensive... ) - Thinking getting a par38 from boostled.com or running a coralife mini not sure yet.

 

I'll post pictures when I start my cycling and get my sand, water and live rock ready. I want to build a box/stand so i can hide all my wires got the idea from

BananaSlug79. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/263877-custom-chi-stand/

 

As for the tank like it to look like similar to Bruinhd. Just a clown fish and a goby and easy corals.

bruinhd http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/290582-bruinhds-114g-paradisio/

 

Question: Do I have enough flow??? Light suggestions??? anything else I might need?

 

Glad to hear any suggestions first build so hope everything works out.

Thanks

 

 

 

 

[seabass]

to Nano-Reef.com!

 

Question: Do I have enough flow???

You have a 425gph powerhead in a 5 gallon tank. That's 85 times turnover (which sounds like it might be too much). I was thinking a 240 would still give you tons of flow (and might be more suitable).

 

 

Light suggestions???

IDK, the PAR38 isn't a bad idea. Read some other threads from people with similar tanks (to get some ideas and see what they have done): http://www.nano-reef.com/index.php?s=3d7434ba5c3a80bb8c2daec20a4a084d&app=googlecse#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=fluval%205

[VeeHa]

Hey SeaBass

 

Yeah i got the 240 from Amazon but it was broken so upgraded to the 425 thinking hey more flow. Pluged it in and tested it on a beta fish (poor fighting fish flew across the tank and stuck to the glass) so I unplugged it.

 

*Update: Good news I got a larger tank now so the 425 is going to be perfect.

 

Girlfriend found a 10 Gallon (10wx18lx12h) for $6 bucks at goodwill. The gf gets the fluval chi and fighting fish. I get bigger tank. I was thinking about getting a hydor pico evo - 300 mag and put the rotating water deflector so I have two circ pumps going one on each side of the tank maybe alternating.

 

Think thats still too much flow? (think I got the I NEED MORE FLOW bug going)

 

Still going to weld up a box to hide all my wires and Hang on back filter and lighting for that clean look.

 

 

[seabass]

I'd probably just stick with the Koralia 425 for flow. What's your plan for lighting? Two PAR38 bulbs?

[VeeHa]

Not sure yet. I like to just go with the par38 from Boostled because they are cheap, reliable and easy.

but I don't think I will have enough space for it if I want to design a box to hide everything.

 

Thinking of playing with LED strips or TONS LED Christmas tree lights and peg board hahaha or trying one of these: http://www.truaqua.com/aquarium-led-light-nano-tr.html

 

This is what I want to design out of some sheet metal.

Keep wiring hidden, add a couple of toggle switches so I can turn on and off lights, maybe a fan to keep some air circulation.

[seabass]

TONS LED Christmas tree lights and peg board hahaha

Maybe a lighted Christmas tree?

[Tamberav]

lite bright imo

 

[VeeHa]

Update: Christmas Tree LED lights

 

Still going to build a box when i get a chance and hide all the wiring.

So what do you think will it work for some softies. mushrooms?.

 

Took a:

- Mesh baking sheet $5 big lots.

- Zippie ties

- 1 string of White LEDs

- 1 String Blue LED Christmas lights.

- Thinking of adding a computer fan so if i need to cool down the tank?

 

I even can change settings so my tank can have a party lol

What do you think? Suggestions?

[seabass]

Hahaha... I thought you were kidding. But that looks surprisingly good.

 

Should be fine for a FOWLR tank; but I'm not sure if the spectrum/intensity is any good for coral growth. The blue LED lights are probably just white LEDs with colored glass. IDK, after you get the nitrogen cycle established, you might try putting a couple of mushrooms in there to see how they do (they don't require much and are pretty hardy). But I'd think that a couple of PAR38 LED reef bulbs would be better for a reef tank.

[skyscraper2290]

Also look into getting an ATO, or even a DIY one if you feel up to it, this will help keep salinity stable