gulfofmexico Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 Hi guys, I'm new to the forum and just starting out my second nano tank. I started off with a Fluval Evo 5 gallon and after having it for a long time I realized how annoying it is to do maintenence. On top of that, the evaporation is insane. I looked for a larger nano tank and found the Mr Aqua 12 Gallon long tank from Marine Depot. I then started researching and found MrReefer's POB Sump, and ordered one from him. I have setup many saltwater tanks in the past, my first being a BioCube. TANK SETUP Tank: Mr Aqua 12G LongEquipment: Oceanbox Designs POB Mini Sump w/Eheim Compact 600 intake pump Orbit Marine LED Eheim 75W Heater AquaticLife Mini 115 Skimmer (In POB sump) Vortech Wave Maker Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted September 9, 2016 Author Share Posted September 9, 2016 Got the overflow boxed installed this afternoon. I am just now starting to aqua-scape. I got 10 pounds of BRS Pukani and I am using a hacksaw and hammer to create the bits and pieces that I need. Link to comment
CrazyEyes Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 I love the mr aqua 12g longs, and those mini sumps are sweet. Looking forward to see some pics of this. Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted September 10, 2016 Author Share Posted September 10, 2016 Finished up the rockscape. What do you guys think? I am going to rinse the sand tomorrow morning and add water after that. Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted September 12, 2016 Author Share Posted September 12, 2016 Got mostly everything in the tank today. The only issue I had was the leveling of the tank. The aquarium is not level, the water on the left side is about 1/4" higher than the right. Link to comment
xilez Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Awesome man I am currently starting my 4th week of the cycle and have a very similar setup! (link below) The POB sump is so sweet, I love mine. What color inserts did you go with? Also, highly recommend the ATO Smart Micro for the ATO, super simple to setup. Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted September 12, 2016 Author Share Posted September 12, 2016 Awesome man I am currently starting my 4th week of the cycle and have a very similar setup! (link below) The POB sump is so sweet, I love mine. What color inserts did you go with? Also, highly recommend the ATO Smart Micro for the ATO, super simple to setup. I decided on the orange inserts but the green look pretty sweet. I will probably end up getting that ATO very soon. I am using AquaVitro seed in hopes of speeding my cycle up because I am using dry rock and sand. Link to comment
SunWyrm Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 You can get some wedges to help level. Probably won't cause any damage other than drive you bonkers. I used a few of these on mine: Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 I used some felt furniture pads to level the aquarium. There was no way I'd be able to lift the stand by myself without completely draining the tank so I used my car jack to lift it up. I'm going to get the 36" Current Marine light this weekend and I also plan on ordering some OceanBox Designs light risers to go with it. Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted September 13, 2016 Author Share Posted September 13, 2016 Everything is going as planned with the aquarium. When I tested the water today the ammonia had spiked up to about 1.0 ppm. Link to comment
Halo_003 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Looks great. I love the 12G longs. Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share Posted September 15, 2016 Skimmer is finally starting to break in. Those micro-bubbles were driving me insane. Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted September 17, 2016 Author Share Posted September 17, 2016 Tank is continuing to cycle. This weekend I'm going to my LFS to pick up the light and a few other things. Definitely need to order the ATO soon because the water in the overflow drops over an inch every day and is very hard to keep up with. Link to comment
Oceanbox Designs Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Just got back from MACNA trip. Glad to finally seeing this up and cycling! I love progress pics, keep them coming Link to comment
Cintax Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Awesome! I love the aquascape. Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted September 19, 2016 Author Share Posted September 19, 2016 I finally purchased the AutoAqua Smart ATO. It is almost perfect for my setup. I have the sensor in the overflow box with the waterline running over the sump. I'm using a temporary reservoir at the moment but I am looking for one that will fit behind my tank. While I was at the LFS, I purchased some Weiss Organics Bacteria Boost because the bacteria supplement I was using gave little to no effect on my cycle. Even though I am going through the cycle with the lights off I am still starting to see some algae growth in the aquarium. There are a few promising spots on the rock that look like developing coralline. Link to comment
Oceanbox Designs Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 I finally purchased the AutoAqua Smart ATO. It is almost perfect for my setup. I have the sensor in the overflow box with the waterline running over the sump. I'm using a temporary reservoir at the moment but I am looking for one that will fit behind my tank. While I was at the LFS, I purchased some Weiss Organics Bacteria Boost because the bacteria supplement I was using gave little to no effect on my cycle. Even though I am going through the cycle with the lights off I am still starting to see some algae growth in the aquarium. There are a few promising spots on the rock that look like developing coralline. Also, has anyone ever had green algae like this on their silicone? I've never had it before so it is new to me. For the ATO container, you can always go with my custom one or the Walmart 2g water jug/dispenser, it fits perfectly behind the tank. Link to comment
xilez Posted September 19, 2016 Share Posted September 19, 2016 ATO is so crucial. Hard to tell from the photo, but it looks like the ATO tube is IN the water....I would make it go above the surface, it makes a little more noise when dropping out the water, but I have noticed it may help with backflow. Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted September 19, 2016 Author Share Posted September 19, 2016 ATO is so crucial. Hard to tell from the photo, but it looks like the ATO tube is IN the water....I would make it go above the surface, it makes a little more noise when dropping out the water, but I have noticed it may help with backflow. I had the tube positioned just above the water, but the bubbles made it look like it was submerged. I went ahead and raised it up a little more. For the ATO container, you can always go with my custom one or the Walmart 2g water jug/dispenser, it fits perfectly behind the tank. Sent you an email, maybe we can work out a deal. Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted September 22, 2016 Author Share Posted September 22, 2016 I added some frozen food in a couple days ago. Ammonia is still rising. Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted September 24, 2016 Author Share Posted September 24, 2016 Tested my water this evening and I've got nitrates! I'm going to continue to monitor the parameters but more than likely I'll be adding a clean up crew this week. I found a 2.5 gallon aquarium at Petco that will be perfect for my ATO reservoir. Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted October 13, 2016 Author Share Posted October 13, 2016 Tank is doing well. Link to comment
asting Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 Are you worried about any particles getting in the ATO reservoir? Link to comment
gulfofmexico Posted October 14, 2016 Author Share Posted October 14, 2016 Are you worried about any particles getting in the ATO reservoir? I got a lid for it. Link to comment
asting Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 ah gotcha. Very nice setup though. New FTS? Did you add a pistol shrimp with the goby? Link to comment
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