HotRodScamp Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 I left my 2 12-gallon Aquapods with my "ex" when we split about 3 years ago. I chronicled my build in this forum back in 2007 http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/112422-hotrodscamps-12g-aquapod/The tank and system were so much fun to build. After a few years away I ran across an ad on Craigslist for a Nuvo 8 gallon from Innovative Marine. I went to IM's website and saw that they had a white version and I was positively hooked.I dropped by my LFS and they had their last white Nuvo 8 for $200 with a $50 livestock credit.Next day I went to my not-so-local Ikea to find a suitable stand. A Lillangen sink base was just the right fit! And in the "scratch-and-dent" room they had the perfect top for it for $5. A quick trip to the hardware store for some supplies and home to build a stand for my new little tank! Next day another trip to the LFS for sand/rock, water and a test kit, along with a few odds-and-ends. I filled the tank, no leaks. Put in almost 20lbs of Caribsea Fiji Pink sand and a 5lb rock. Nice rock. The LFS said it came from a customers tank, and it was much nicer than all the rest of the rock they had. Link to comment
acrab78 Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 Yes it is a nice rock. Alot of sand in there though. Maybe you like it like that... Did you clean the sand out really good? Lots of nasties can build up in there... Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted October 29, 2014 Author Share Posted October 29, 2014 I like the deep sand bed for a couple of reasons. One, a deep sand bed can promote larger bacteria colonies and provide better natural filtration. Two, I am considering adding a goby/pistol shrimp pair, and the pistol shrimp prefers a deep sand bed for burrowing. I have read many discussions on using a DSB in an aquarium and there are usually very strong opinions for and against. I have had good luck with a DSB in the past. And no, I didn't rinse the sand at all. The reason I use Caribsea live sand is to get the benefit of a head-start on bacteria colonization. Rinsing it would likely defeat that purpose. Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted October 29, 2014 Author Share Posted October 29, 2014 I added a cleanup crew a few days later (10/13/14) 6 blue-leg hermits 3 Astria snails 3 Nassarius snails 1 Turbo snail 2 Scarlet red-legs 1 Orange leg hermit Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 Today I am expecting my new gear, mainly: AI Hydra 26 Apex Gold Tunze 9001 skimmer I'll take pictures! Link to comment
acrab78 Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 Looking good man!!! That light is super bright in the pics... needed my shades on haha.... Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 That's the 8w fixture that came with the Nuvo 8, Today I'm picking up my 95w AI Hydra 26. NOW I'll need shades to look at it! Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 Started getting some of my new tank goodies last night! That Tunze skimmer is going to be a TIGHT fit, if at all The AI Hydra 26 is an awesome little light! Looking forward to spending some time setting it up. Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted November 7, 2014 Author Share Posted November 7, 2014 The Hydra is hung from the ceiling with care, Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 .Today I added my new pump and protein skimmer. I just love unpacking new toys! Not much room in the back of a Nuvo 8, but I managed to fit the skimmer. I still have an Apex Gold coming, and I think I'll be able to fit the 4 probes back there, but boy is it going to be a squeeze! The skimmer started foaming right away, about halfway up the "foam reactor". I know the skimmer needs some break-in time (some say 2 weeks), but I think it's off to a very good start. And quiet as can be. I sit about 8 feet from the tank and I can't hear a sound from it. I also switch out the pump that came with the Nuvo for a Cobalt MJ600. It gave significantly more flow and is also quiet enough that I can't hear it from where I sit. The Apex controller should be here on Friday. Can't wait! Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 I've also spent some time dialing in my new light the AI Hydra 26. 6:00a 7:00a 8:00a 7:00p 8:00p 9:00p UV 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Violet 1% 5% 50% 50% 5% 1% Deep Blue 1% 5% 50% 50% 5% 1% Royal Blue 0% 5% 50% 50% 5% 0% Green 0% 5% 40% 40% 5% 0% Deep Red 0% 5% 40% 40% 5% 0% Cool white 0% 0% 15% 15% 0% 0% I've also set the acclimation mode to 50% from 11/5 to 11/12 so these values will be reached at the end of the acclimation cycle. Link to comment
Mathew18 Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Looking forward to seeing more on that light. Tank looks good as well. Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted November 12, 2014 Author Share Posted November 12, 2014 Today I added a Tunze Calcium Dispenser to my top off reservoir. Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 I finally got my Apex Gold yesterday! Then spent the next 7 hours mounting, wiring, calibrating etc... Today I'll start with software setup. programming, etc... Small box at a big price: Lots of goodies in that little box: Mounted inside my cabinet: Started wiring: Wiring from the back of the cabinet: Wiring completed!!! Link to comment
Psychosis Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 That has to be the best equipped 8 gallon I've seen in some time. Luckily 80%of that hardware is upgrade compatible, party on Garth. Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 Before summer comes around again, I'm going for a JBJ Arctica Nano 1/15hp chiller! The tank is running 6-7 degrees above room temp, so 81-82 in the peak of the day. I think It'll have to live on the outside of the cabinet, though. Next up is a Ecotech MP10w ES for a little wave action in there! Link to comment
HotRodScamp Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Got my camera working with Apex Fusion. So cool... Link to comment
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