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Just another 3 foot nano


mechishark7

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So I have been bitten by the "Mr. Aqua 12 gallon long" bug thanks to the TOTM version of this tank by Scorched.

 

If you haven't then you really ought to take a look at his TOTM or see his full thread.

 

I find the long and low dimension of this tank to be quite appealing, along with the fact that fish have more horizontal room to swim than a 12 gallon cube, for example.

 

Either way, I love it and I'm gonna build one like so many other threads I've seen pop up with this tank since Scorched won TOTM.

 

So lets get started...

 

This tank is going to be super sexy and clean in terms of hiding equipment, but I have absolutely no idea whats going on in the world of LEDs and my lighting choice will be almost entirely decided on what people recommend here.

 

Placement of this tank will be at the foot of my bed on my white oak dresser which measures 61"x19"x30", making for an awesome view from my bed; way better than a tv in my opinion :D . The tank won't take up the entire dresser, but I have to save some room for my secret plan to hide the AC 50s ;) .

 

So here is my plan in the works;

 

EQUIPMENT

 

Tank: Mr. Aqua 12 gallon long low iron 35.4" x 8.3" x 9.4"

 

Light: Some type of 36" LED fixture

 

Filtration: 2 AC50s, one at each end running surface skimmer boxes; one with media basket and one with chaeto - Two, 2gal glass mini sumps, one on either side of the tank running 300gph Hydor centrifugal pumps, soon to run heaters and maybe reactors

 

Heater: Some heater that will fit in each AC50 - Two Cobalt Aquatics 50watt Neo-Therm heaters

 

 

 

SUBSTRATE AND ROCK

 

Dry Pukani rock - about 15-20lbs dry base rock from LFS

 

Either super black or super white sand - 20lbs CaribSea Alive Fiji Pink sand

 

 

LIVESTOCK

 

Ocellaris clown (from current 5g) - I would like to add another to make it a pair

 

High fin red banded goby (from current 5g) Jumped :(

 

2 Sexy shrimp (from current 5g)

 

Probably another fish Assorted gobies and other small fish

 

Zoas

 

Palys

 

I've never kept any SPS or LPS but I'd like to give them a shot

 

 

Let me know what you think, I'll add some photos of where its going to go/sketches of my ideas

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CatfishSoupFTW

looks like the lights have limited functions on whats on and what isnt. mode 1 is all lights, mode 2 is channel 1 and 4. the chinese lights Scorched has are pretty impressive. why not pick those up?

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looks like the lights have limited functions on whats on and what isnt. mode 1 is all lights, mode 2 is channel 1 and 4. the chinese lights Scorched has are pretty impressive. why not pick those up?

 

 

I tried, the seller doesn't sell them anymore. He picked those up a few years ago. Believe me...myself and everyone else with this tank was looking for those same lights...cause they were great for what they were

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Also I just moved to the Melbourne, Florida area from Long Island, NY so if anyone has suggestions on good LFSs to check out please let me know!

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I forgot to mention, but I will add it to the OP...

 

With the two AC 50s, I plan to make surface skimmer boxes for them and run one as a dedicated chaeto fuge and the other to run a media basket with assorted filtration media; floss, heater, purigen, etc.

 

 

I will also put AC 70 or AC 110 impellers in them if I'm not getting enough flow from them.

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Hey man. Wanted to wish you luck on your tank build. I'd like to know how you plan on hiding your AC50s. I have one and its got some pretty good flow for the tank. Check my setup out sometime. I'll give you a follow. :)

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I don't know what your budget is or what your goals are for your light but here are some other options. Some of these I was even thinking about for my new light before I settled on the AquaSunrise one.

 

Blue/White only but its dimmable and looks to be less than $175

www.alibaba.com/product-detail/3w-cree-led-aquarium-light-brightness_1461943156.html

 

Another controllable Blue/White fixture but it looks like the manufacturer will let you customize the LEDs if you wish (Available White10000k /White 14000k / white 18000k/ blue 460nm /moon blue453nm/ purple427nm Color Ratio Customized)

www.alibaba.com/product-detail/multi-function-remarkable-intelligent-and-automatic_647476966.html

 

Tons of LEDs with 3 channels of control, lots of different colors. (Only thing I don't like is the red/green on the white channel. Its hard to get those colors to mix correctly, maybe you could have them switch them around)

www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Hot-Sale-Dimmable-And-Programmable-Cost_1870474732.html

 

Another one I was considering a few months ago (622mm or 24" felt a little short for me though)

www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Full-spectrum-marine-cree-led-fish_60081729020.html

 

Probably the most expensive but it was a top contender for me when I was picking a new light. Its commonly referred to as the Zetlight on other reef forums. It is sold as the HS660 There is also a similar model called the ZT6100

www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Marine-sunrise-and-sunset-dimmable-remote_1992375195.html

 

 

Different lights models from the same manufacturer that I bought my light from.

4 Channel dimming control

www.alibaba.com/product-detail/The-most-powerful-planet-dimmable-aquarium_1473950517.html

2 Channels of control

www.alibaba.com/product-detail/hot-sale-Intelligent-led-aquarium-lights_1214763693.html

 

With all of these Chinese Alibaba fixtures and manufacturers. When you contact them asking for a quote mention that you are very interested in being a reseller for their light and that you want to try a sample. Again. Saying you want to try a sample before you buy more is very important. If you just say you want to buy one and thats it they are less likely to sell to you or the price goes up.

 

You can also look at Aliexpress. That is made for buying single items rather than in bulk but you usually pay more than if you contact someone on Alibaba and request a "sample"

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I was considering the Current USA Orbit Marine LED Aquarium Light and I've heard its not super powerful, but for a tank thats so narrow and shallow, is that really going to make a huge difference?

 

Check got2envy's thread.

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/338405-got2envys-mr-aqua-12g-me-love-u-long-time/

Drop her a note and see what she says. She used the Current Orbit on her 12L. She's claiming good results. I saw it this summer and it looked great.

 

I'm using one on my Frag tank I'm getting mixed results - but I think it's a user error thing..

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I don't know what your budget is or what your goals are for your light but here are some other options. Some of these I was even thinking about for my new light before I settled on the AquaSunrise one.

 

Blue/White only but its dimmable and looks to be less than $175

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/3w-cree-led-aquarium-light-brightness_1461943156.html

 

Another controllable Blue/White fixture but it looks like the manufacturer will let you customize the LEDs if you wish (Available White10000k /White 14000k / white 18000k/ blue 460nm /moon blue453nm/ purple427nm Color Ratio Customized)

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/multi-function-remarkable-intelligent-and-automatic_647476966.html

 

Tons of LEDs with 3 channels of control, lots of different colors. (Only thing I don't like is the red/green on the white channel. Its hard to get those colors to mix correctly, maybe you could have them switch them around)

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Hot-Sale-Dimmable-And-Programmable-Cost_1870474732.html

 

Another one I was considering a few months ago (622mm or 24" felt a little short for me though)

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Full-spectrum-marine-cree-led-fish_60081729020.html

 

Probably the most expensive but it was a top contender for me when I was picking a new light. Its commonly referred to as the Zetlight on other reef forums. It is sold as the HS660 There is also a similar model called the ZT6100

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Marine-sunrise-and-sunset-dimmable-remote_1992375195.html

 

 

Different lights models from the same manufacturer that I bought my light from.

4 Channel dimming control

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/The-most-powerful-planet-dimmable-aquarium_1473950517.html

2 Channels of control

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/hot-sale-Intelligent-led-aquarium-lights_1214763693.html

 

With all of these Chinese Alibaba fixtures and manufacturers. When you contact them asking for a quote mention that you are very interested in being a reseller for their light and that you want to try a sample. Again. Saying you want to try a sample before you buy more is very important. If you just say you want to buy one and thats it they are less likely to sell to you or the price goes up.

 

You can also look at Aliexpress. That is made for buying single items rather than in bulk but you usually pay more than if you contact someone on Alibaba and request a "sample"

 

 

Thanks for the all of those options, unfortunately none of those links worked. They all redirected to the aliexpress homepage :(

 

I guess I'll have to do some more searching

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Check got2envy's thread.

http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/338405-got2envys-mr-aqua-12g-me-love-u-long-time/

Drop her a note and see what she says. She used the Current Orbit on her 12L. She's claiming good results. I saw it this summer and it looked great.

 

I'm using one on my Frag tank I'm getting mixed results - but I think it's a user error thing..

 

Thanks, I'm reading up on her tank thread now.

 

Worst comes to worst I just wait a little while with the light. I'm planning on ordering the tank after christmas, and then it'l take a while to get it here, get sand and rocks and set up the AC50s etc and then its all gotta cycle a while. So its not super imperative I get this ordered now.

 

And Scorched I'd say my budget is below $300 for the light. I'm buying the low iron tank now because thats not the easiest thing to upgrade down the road, unlike the light. I like the idea of being able to buy a chinese fixture that will work ok, as I know you have have success with them.

 

And I just got a job out of college and I'm saving up to buy a house in a year or two so I actually own the house I have tanks everywhere in :D

 

I would love to have a Nanobox Quad over this, however the $650 price point is way out of my league.

 

I also have no experience keeping SPS and LPS, to be honest I couldn't tell you which is which, however I would like to have the ability to keep some if I wanted.

 

Oh and for hiding the AC50s I'll give you a hint...books ;). I think it'll be clever but we will see when I get there.

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Hey man. Wanted to wish you luck on your tank build. I'd like to know how you plan on hiding your AC50s. I have one and its got some pretty good flow for the tank. Check my setup out sometime. I'll give you a follow. :)

 

Are you using the AC50 on the end of the tank or just on the back? I was comparing its dimensions to what I could find on the tank and I'm hoping it will fit on the end. Can you clarify this for me, or just test fit it on one of the ends? B)

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Just checked out got2envys' thread, looks like the light is working well. I am planning on hanging mine with fluorocarbon monofilament fishing line which is just about invisible, so mine will be above the tank a little more than hers is.

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www.lumentek.com has a nice variety of lighting options for aquariums. I just bought the DM-132e for my 29gal and it is a great light for the price point. They have full spectrum par bulbs as well which I thought about getting as well as fully programmable lights for far less than what I've seen for comparable products.

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www.lumentek.com has a nice variety of lighting options for aquariums. I just bought the DM-132e for my 29gal and it is a great light for the price point. They have full spectrum par bulbs as well which I thought about getting as well as fully programmable lights for far less than what I've seen for comparable products.

 

Not really what I'm looking for. I want it to extend the entire length of the tank, there is a mirror hanging on the wall behind where the tank is going and the view from my bed is looking upwards slightly at the tank. So using any of those would require me to hang it, a: high enough to cover the entire tank which would be blinding me and b: would be in the way of the mirror

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Thanks for the all of those options, unfortunately none of those links worked. They all redirected to the aliexpress homepage :(

 

I guess I'll have to do some more searching

 

All of the links are correct. They are just screwing up the hyperlink. I removed the link but it still seems to let you click on them. Instead just copy and paste the address into a new browser tab.

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I've been using Orbit Marine LED on my tank for almost a year and have good result even with SPS but I'm looking to do a DIY fixture as I want to hang it about 7-8" above the tank so I get more shimmer and better clearance for tank maintenance. Orbit will be ok if it sits right on top the tank but not powerful enough anywhere above that unless you turn both channel up 100%, then you'll get an almost freshwater looking tank (too much white). That's the reason im looking for another light and already getting parts together for a DIY one.

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All of the links are correct. They are just screwing up the hyperlink. I removed the link but it still seems to let you click on them. Instead just copy and paste the address into a new browser tab.

 

Got it thanks, this one looks pretty similar to the first one you had on your tank doesn't it?

 

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/tank-led-CREE-3W-LED-Aquarium-Light-3feet-36-no-fans-for-coral-reef-fish-aquarium/662061428.html

 

also claims to use CREE LEDs

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Are you using the AC50 on the end of the tank or just on the back? I was comparing its dimensions to what I could find on the tank and I'm hoping it will fit on the end. Can you clarify this for me, or just test fit it on one of the ends? B)

 

 

The AC50 fits just fine on the end of the aquarium. I had it there for a while until me rw-4 came in.

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Cool thanks.

 

Alright so i guess I'l spill the beans on my idea for hiding the AC50s...

 

So my idea will look like the tank has some books leaning up against either end, however, I want to glue the books to one another and cut out a space in them so that I can slide the glued block of books up against either side of the tank and the AC50s fit perfectly in the slot.

 

This will also hide all of the wires coming from the AC50s, fugue light and heaters as they will come out of the base of the block o' books and go straight to the back of the dresser to the wall and down to the powerstrip. either that or the powerstrip will be hidden in the book block and only one bigger wire goes to the wall.

 

Kinda sneaky eh?

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Got it thanks, this one looks pretty similar to the first one you had on your tank doesn't it?

 

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/tank-led-CREE-3W-LED-Aquarium-Light-3feet-36-no-fans-for-coral-reef-fish-aquarium/662061428.html

 

also claims to use CREE LEDs

 

Yes that is the first light I had. It does work. You can get colorful corals with some tweaking. (I covered half of my white LEDs with cut up business cards taped to the bottom) The main reason for switching was because I didn't like that it wasn't controllable or dimmable. And I wanted to try out some of the newer full spectrum fixtures.

 

For that fixture you need to buy 2 timers which adds another $10-20 and it just turns on and off.

 

All of the lights I listed before at least have control or dimming, some are blue/white only. Some are more full spectrum with more channels of control.

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Hmmm...looking into all these sketchy Chinese listings on Alibaba with ridiculous shipping costs is kinda pushing me towards getting a more legit fixture stateside...



but I did sent one of the manufacturers a message asking for a sample :P so we will wait and see what happens

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CatfishSoupFTW

allibaba is weird. But it shows up more and more everyday. And oddly enough I have messaged a supplier before for a tank. Which I did buy but from a store locally that sold them. Prior to that, I was going to order it online. Not sure If i have been sold on it yet,but it seems to be making progress.

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