justinfox Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 Long time member, big time stalker (I've never posted before!).My name is Justin Fox and I'm from Sydney Australia. My father used to own and run an Aquarium shop when I was growing up. He was crazy into marine fish and in the 70's he was one of the first people to sell marine fish in Sydney. When I was in my 20's I got into aquariums, hard. I set up a LOT of different freshwater tanks, mostly cichlids. I've always wanted to give marine a go, but I've always feared it. In 2007 I finally gave saltwater a go by converting my 6ft freshwater tank into an SPS dominated tank. I still miss my old setup so much to this day (I had to give it all up due to opening up a shop in 2011/2012). I'm working from home again these days, and recently my mother asked if I'd set up a small tank for her so my nephews could enjoy it. This was music to my ears as I've always had tanks around the house when I was growing up, and I love the idea of my nephews enjoying a fish tank. I ended up buying her a Fluval Edge 1, and whilst I was at the shop I also bought myself a tank! A Fluval Edge 2. Initially I was just going to keep a bunch of electric yellow cichlids and call it a day, but once the coral sand went in... everything changed! Next minute! Saltwater Reef!!!I understand Nano tanks aren't easy to keep. My 6ft Marine Setup was super automated. Dosing, ATO, you name it. I luckily have a boat ramp a stone throw away from my house, so 20% weekly water changes with NSW are quite painless for me (and besides, it's fun to get off th me computer and out of the house to collect water!). First up, here's a photo of my old 6ft tank. Tank Diary can be viewed here: http://www.masa.asn.au/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=148&t=183493Now onto the new set-up! SPECIFICATIONS:Strike up Date: 6/6/15Display Tank: Fluval Edge 2 46LFilter: AC20 with inTank media basket running Purigen/Chemipure EliteDisplay Lighting: 36W Ultrabrite Automated Reef LED System with Programmable System (Timer & Dimmer)Heater: Ista 50W Flow: VorTech MP10WQD System Water: Natural Sea Water------------------------------------------------------------------- FTS SEPTEMBER 2015. VIDEO SEPTEMBER 2015 (August Video Page 13). A few previous set-ups. Much more growth and colour than the previous older photo. Old school planted tank. Small ADA tank set up in the same spot that my current tank is. Another freshie. 14 Quote Link to comment
justinfox Posted June 22, 2015 Author Share Posted June 22, 2015 The Edge 2, in the box, and the location chosen behind it (replacing the wine rack).Tank in situ. Damn that fine Red Sea substrate is hard to clean!!! When I collect water I like to go rock pooling too. Spotted this guy in a rock pool today. He was actually pretty big! And super aggressive attacking my net more than a few times. I saw this shrimp move like a roach, it looks a lot like a pistol shrimp (but with 2 long claws). Hands down the nicest star fish I’ve ever seen in a rock pool. There were heaps of these big slugs too. I ended up catching 4 glass shrimp for my tank. 13 Quote Link to comment
Slowtwitch Posted June 22, 2015 Share Posted June 22, 2015 That first tank looks amazing! Can't wait to see what you do with the little guy. Quote Link to comment
justinfox Posted June 22, 2015 Author Share Posted June 22, 2015 Yesterday I received my custom built Fluval Edge UltraBrite Reef LED System which I upgraded with an automated controller that sets the unit to go from sunrise to sunset then moonlight over a 10 hour light period. SO COOL! It’s so much brighter than the stock LED unit. I should be able to keep just about any coral that needs light to thrive. What’s especially awesome about it is that it looks no different to the OEM unit. IE: From the outside, nothing has changed. I’ve seen people go without the hood altogether and really cut up their Fluval Edge tanks which IMHO defeats the purpose of having a Fluval Edge! These guys don’t have a site, but you can find them on eBay. PS: 4 x shrimp are going well. They're actually amazing to watch, especially during feeding time! And yes that's a hammer coral in there. Yes I was impatient. Yes I hope it makes it. The LED unit is actually built into a factory Fluval Edge hood so that it looks exactly the same as the standard set-up. The hood flipped to reveal the LED unit, with built in fan and splash guard underneath. Above it is the LED controller, which comes with software to program your sunrise to moonlight on a PC. The old LED unit came off pretty easily. The LED Controller (which can be hidden in the back of the Fluval Edge, out of sight). All LED’s on. Full tank shot. Crazy bright in comparison to the stock unit. Horrible shot though. I’ll have to shoot a video, the rippling water surface and the LED’s shining through it make for a really nice effect. 10 Quote Link to comment
JimmyDang Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Nice dude! Nano reef always been a sweet place to check out what the rest of the world is doing in terms of reefing. I prefer the layout of this over reefuge.. no hate. Followed dude. Quote Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Following along! Nice! Quote Link to comment
justinfox Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 Thanks for all the positive vibes guys. It's great to see a healthy forum in this day and age (facebook has really destroyed a LOT of forums out there and it's kickin' in here!!!). Looking good man! Neill! You know I'm starting to kick myself for not going for one of your upgrades as it's all starting to add up!!! I might just have to go further to make it worth my while. IE: An overflow box and sump!!! 1 Quote Link to comment
ImNew:] Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I want to see how the tank looks but the picture links are broken! Quote Link to comment
justinfox Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 I want to see how the tank looks but the picture links are broken! That's strange? Working for me/others above! Perhaps my web host went down in the middle of the night and is back up again?! Quote Link to comment
mpad Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 nice, I like the scape. how did you get it in there :-) ? must be lots of pieces... I want to start with a fluval edge soon, waiting for neill's awesome stuff - he's probably puttin it all together now pics work fine fo me btw, also a few hours ago. 1 Quote Link to comment
justinfox Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 nice, I like the scape. how did you get it in there :-) ? must be lots of pieces... I want to start with a fluval edge soon, waiting for neill's awesome stuff - he's probably puttin it all together now Yup! I'm going for the top heavy look. If anything I wanted more height. Hopefully, later on I can place a coral that grows upwards at the top to create more height. I managed to get a big piece of rock at the base, and there are about 4 pieces on top. I actually had just the one huge rock in mind initially, but that went out the window when I saw how small the opening was! And in retrospect, I would definitely have paid up for Neill's system. I knew I should have!!! Regretting it a little now as the AC20 HOB filter is just SO tiny and limited in comparison to his setup (which hides your heater, has a skimmer and much more volume too). 1 Quote Link to comment
mpad Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 yeah, the edge is definitly the tank to think vertical. I really like the look of loooong tanks too (like your old one -amazing!!!) I have so many ideas for the scape, but I fear how I will manage to put it in there. It's gonna be a "ship in a bottle" kind of task... did you just stack the rocks? saw another great idea here http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/355402-jjs-fluval-edge-12g/?p=4927505 maybe I do some hidden support structure like this. about the mp3: there's always time for an upgrade Quote Link to comment
justinfox Posted June 23, 2015 Author Share Posted June 23, 2015 did you just stack the rocks? about the mp3: there's always time for an upgrade Yup! Just stacked. The piece on the far right isn't quite wedged in as tight as I'd like. I've still got time to play with the scape I suppose. I've got so much left over gear from my big tank that I'm gunning for an overflow box + sump set-up at some point. I've got a Tunze Osmolator, Marine Sources Dosing Pump and a lot more gear just sitting there ready to go! Quote Link to comment
Zia Posted June 23, 2015 Share Posted June 23, 2015 Omg that 6ft tank Great quality photos. This will be a fun build to watch. Welcome to NR. Quote Link to comment
JimmyDang Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 yeah, that 6ft was prety umph... Quote Link to comment
justinfox Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Cheers guys. Yup I miss the 6ft SO much. Still waiting for my nano to cycle! MUST BE PATIENT! Still getting readings for ammonia and nitrite... In the meantime. Some photos of my old 6ft tank: 12 Quote Link to comment
vlangel Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 What a great use of the space where you placed the tank. It looks great there. It will be fun to watch it progress. Welcome to NR! 1 Quote Link to comment
RollaJase Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Your previous tank was stunning Justin, caught a few photos of it on facebook a few weeks ago I think (I follow your own page and the Zen page intently). Glad to see your return to the hobby, can't wait to see how this turns out . 1 Quote Link to comment
Addinali Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Your old tank was beautiful can't wait to see how this one comes along. Quote Link to comment
tibbsy07 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Digging the tank(s) and the blog! Welcome to NR (formally, now that you are posting ) The food you post looks aaaaawesome. Randomly - are you left handed? Quote Link to comment
justinfox Posted June 24, 2015 Author Share Posted June 24, 2015 Cheers for the welcome guys. I'm SUPER impressed at how healthy this forum is! Great vibes, lots of activity! Randomly - are you left handed? Random! But yes! I am! How did you know/guess?! 2 Quote Link to comment
tibbsy07 Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Cheers for the welcome guys. I'm SUPER impressed at how healthy this forum is! Great vibes, lots of activity! Random! But yes! I am! How did you know/guess?! A guitar in one of the pictures I was mainly trying to figure out what kind it was then realized it was a lefty. Thought it was a Schecter but I don't recognize the inlays in the frets. Edit: Is it an Omen series from Schecter? Quote Link to comment
MrNanoReef Posted June 24, 2015 Share Posted June 24, 2015 Cheers guys. Yup I miss the 6ft SO much. Still waiting for my nano to cycle! MUST BE PATIENT! Still getting readings for ammonia and nitrite... In the meantime. Some photos of my old 6ft tank: What a show tank! looks like something out of a magazine 1 Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.