My Mr Aqua 11.4 Bare Bottom Nano Reef

[stash98]

Update : I have migrated everything to a new tank here - http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/376374-my-low-iron-mr-aqua-12-gallon-long/

 

 

 

Well it has begun. I received my tank and all parts and have just spray painted the outside bottom white. I will post a photo in a bit. Just letting it dry outside.

 

Here is what is powering the tank :

 

Tank - Mr Aqua 11.4 (with Krylon white spray paint for outside bottom)

Lighting - NanoBox Reef Tide with Moonlight

Filter - AC70

Powerhead -Hydor Koralia Nano 565

ATO - Autoaqua Smart ATO

2.5 gallon slimline water container for ATO supply

Heater - Hydor Theo 50 (to go in AC70)

Blue Ribbon Floss

Black Diamond Carbon

Boyd Chemi Bags

HDE LCD Digi Thermometer

2 Little Fishies Glass cleaner

I put in an order for 15 pounds of Reef Cleaner rock. I will use that for a base and also buy a piece of small cured Fiji rock plus the One and Only bacteria to start the cycle. I expect to have that on Wednesday and will purchase the live rock and salt water the next day.

Once running, I will be keeping a close watch on the ATO to make sure I set it up right and then Ill let it cycle for a while. I will let the tank dictate to me what livestock I should start with.

[shaner014]

Awesome stuff! Excited to see it set-up.

 

My old build was very similar! http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/315633-shaner014s-114-new-photos/

 

I'm trying to get a guy in the hardware classifieds to build the old badfish surface skimmers. Keep an eye out as I'm sure you'd benefit from running one, not to mention aesthetically it cleans up the look of the AC70.

[stash98]

Awesome stuff! Excited to see it set-up.

 

My old build was very similar! http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/315633-shaner014s-114-new-photos/

 

I'm trying to get a guy in the hardware classifieds to build the old badfish surface skimmers. Keep an eye out as I'm sure you'd benefit from running one, not to mention aesthetically it cleans up the look of the AC70.

 

 

Oh man I can't believe I missed your thread. Awesome. Let me know on that surface skimmer because I'm thinking about getting one too. OceanBox makes a magnet one that looks pretty cool. Anything with magnets would be great. InTank wrote me and indicated that he was thinking of making them too now that there is a hole in the market, but he has none for sale now.

The paint job, or how the tank is looking currently. I believe the white bottom is a must if you go bare bottom, but that's just my opinion.

 

[stash98]

Ok, a better picture of everything in the tank. I have it all on the left side. I think this looks rather clean considering it all.

 

 

Also thinking of just keeping the heater there as well since there is space. I figure why not just keep it in the tank if it's not an eyesore, and it really wont be in this situation.

 

I also ordered the InTank media basket for the AC70. I plan to run floss and carbon and want it to be efficient, and easy to change, so this was a no brainer.

[stash98]

Here is the scape I came up with after some fiddling around. No rock touches the glass and I have some natural shelve pieces to stock corals. At least I am thinking this should work pretty well. Its been a while since I have done this so if anyone sees anything wrong please let me know

 

 

 

Here is a top view for more perspective of the rock.

[stash98]

I changed it up a little. Like this better so far. If I go with this scape, what corals could I put on the different level shelves? Would anything like being up high? I was thinking something like a Yellow fiji on the top part right under the flow of the AC70 could be perfect down the road.

 

I also see a lot of people have two separate rock islands in their scapes. I can do that because the bridge part is its own rock, but in this case I feel like it may work aesthetically and to keep the bridge as a safe spot for a fish to hang out in. Still going back and forth on that one though.

 

[stash98]

Ok this is my last two scapes before bed. I think the bridge may work better because the tank is bare bottom and it gives me more areas for corals. Still lots of floor space so its not too cluttered. I think of these two, I will go with the bottom one, but its nice to have the pics to see for sure.

 

 

 

[Weetabix7]

I like the ones with a bridge better.

[stash98]

Thanks,I agree. So does the GF, so that seals it. Going with that layout as I think it will be better for corals too.

 

Next steps, awaiting lights and will be seeding with live rock and getting the tank wet this weekend.

[Reefer69]

I just bought the 17.1 gallon. They are really beautiful tanks. Looking good so far.

[stash98]

Well, its now wet. Let the cycle begin. I have added a nice piece of cured live rock to seed the tank and will put some One and Only in later this week. When I figure out how to take a good photo with just the NanoBox LEDs on, I will do better. So far, it is verrrry blue. But it looks great in person.

 

 

 

Back Side of tank :

 

 

Surface flow shot :

 

 

 

 

 

So far the Smart ATO works as advertised. It is dead silent and really easy to set up.

 

Salinity is at 1.025, Temp is at 77.

[stash98]

I have added even more flow. Found an old Tunze Mini pump that still works. I raised the Hydor pump up a little and pointed it down so the flow is still in the same direction. I put the Tunze under it and that points to the front glass. I basically have flow at 90 degree angles and also from the AC70 up top. From initial impressions, it appears all the detritus now settles right at the front of the tank for easy siphoning. Can never have enough flow in a bare bottom tank and it looks like mine is at around 800GPH.

[ml86743]

Diggin the tank man...I have an 11.4 waitin to be setup...Just need a sump:) Good start!

[stash98]

Diggin the tank man...I have an 11.4 waitin to be setup...Just need a sump:) Good start!

 

 

Thanks. I don't have room for a sump so I went AC70. It works rather well so far, but lets see how it matures over time.

 

Im still in cloudy water stage, so this tank is super new..lol.

[ml86743]

 

 

Thanks. I don't have room for a sump so I went AC70. It works rather well so far, but lets see how it matures over time.

 

Im still in cloudy water stage, so this tank is super new..lol.

Still looks nice! Mr. Aqua makes some quality glass IMO. I picked up the mame overflow for mine..I just need to move into my new place this summer.

[ninjamyst]

looking good! i like the scape alot.

[stash98]

Thanks! Yeah, I really love these rimless tanks and LED lights we can get now. It looks so modern. Keeping the back opened up and not painting it black, and adding all extras on one side is a first for me, but it looks rather clean for not using a sump system.

 

I lean more and more towards just going SPS and maybe brains, but I need to research a lot before I make that decision. I do have the time though while this tank cycles.

[Reefkid88]

Okay,now I'm actually following along lol. Looks awesome thus far !!!

[stash98]

I put in Dr Tims One and Only yesterday and oh my the cloudiness of this tank. lol. I am hoping it is bacterial bloom and will go away soon. I am not filtering the tank at all - the AC70 is clear of all floss and media. That will change once things settle down. I did have floss in there overnight before I put in the Dr Tims and the tank was still a bit cloudy most likely due to dry rock. I washed it off pretty well but this new cloudiness is thicker.

[texanreefer]

Hey stash98 I was reading your other thread which led me here. I can't wait to see the outcome of this tank. Funny thing is I've been plotting a new build in my head almost exactly like this one. Only been debating between the Mr. Aqua 17 gallon or 11.4 gallon. Anyways just wanted to let you know about the trouble I had with the hydor theo 50w heater you have. I absolutely hated mine and eventually got rid of it for a cobalt neotherm (which is fantastic). My theo would fluctuate 6-8 degrees daily not to mention the dial on it was off by 6 degrees as well. Mine was always running was hotter than the indicated temp on the dial. I would suggest getting a Cobalt accu-therm heater if the hydor doesn't work for you as it is the same shape and should work great in the AC70 chamber. Good luck with the build and I can't wait to see your progress!

[stash98]

Hey stash98 I was reading your other thread which led me here. I can't wait to see the outcome of this tank. Funny thing is I've been plotting a new build in my head almost exactly like this one. Only been debating between the Mr. Aqua 17 gallon or 11.4 gallon. Anyways just wanted to let you know about the trouble I had with the hydor theo 50w heater you have. I absolutely hated mine and eventually got rid of it for a cobalt neotherm (which is fantastic). My theo would fluctuate 6-8 degrees daily not to mention the dial on it was off by 6 degrees as well. Mine was always running was hotter than the indicated temp on the dial. I would suggest getting a Cobalt accu-therm heater if the hydor doesn't work for you as it is the same shape and should work great in the AC70 chamber. Good luck with the build and I can't wait to see your progress!

 

 

 

Thanks a lot for the heater suggestion.I do notice that my Hydor runs a little off, but so far it seems to be ok. It easily holds temp at 79 for me, after I decided to bump it up from 77.

 

That being said I have read good things about the Cobalt and I may order one and use the Hydor as a backup. It seems like the Neo Therm may be a better fit as it says the Accu therm is 11 inches high.

 

The reason I want 11.4 is because it perfectly fits the counter I have it on. If I had more space, I would have probably gone with the 12 gallon long (amazing) or the 17.As it is, I love this 11.4. It is amazing and just looks really clean and modern. Can't go wrong.

 

 

 

The water is starting to clear up, so this is a good sign. I decided to hold off on floss for a few more days while the bacteria builds in the tank.

[stash98]

The water continues to clear up without any filter media or floss in it at all. This is a great sign, and I will be putting in the floss when it arrives Friday. Ill hold off on using the ChemiPure Blue until the cycle is done.

 

Im thinking about corals to get and this tank is rather inspiring - http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2010/4/aquarium

 

I really like brain and LPS's in general. I believe I will base the tank on that. And I may get one or two hardy SPS for the top, just because they are very cool, I have the flow and I can keep the nutrients under control in a BB.

 

Debating if I should add cheato or not, and a fuge light down the road.

[texanreefer]

Very interesting read of the link you posted. What are you plans for stocking fish?

[ml86743]

That article was so cool to read!!

[stash98]

Very interesting read of the link you posted. What are you plans for stocking fish?

 

 

Yeah it is. While I don't plan to copy it, I really like how many LPS he put in the tank. I think I will just do one small clown and that's it. I'd like to keep the bio load low. The rest will be corals.