Jump to content
Pod Your Reef

Jay's 5.5 Pico


JayPagi

Recommended Posts

Hello folks,

 

So I've been planning it for a while and here is.

 

Equipment

 

Standard 5.5 Gal AGA Modified to AIO

Maxi-Jet 400

Maxi-Jet 600

Hydor 25w Heater

Custom LED Fixture (3 x Cree RB, 3 x Cree White)

6lbs Live Fiji

3lbs Live Sand

 

Livestok

 

2 x Porcelain Crabs

1 x Blue Hermit

3 x Astrea Snails

1 x Yellowtail Damselfish aka. SPUNK... RIP

 

Corals

 

Sebae Anemone

Green Star Polyps

Ricordea

Duncan Coral

Zoanthids

 

Current FTS: Oct-1-2011

6206087586_a7dc0f871c_z.jpg

 

Notes

 

LED's on order so I have this temp desk lamp set up right now.

 

It's nothing grand yet but it's a start for me in the salt water world that fits my budget.

 

My rock was added on March-7-2011 and the cycle begins...

 

5513826674_f251626208_z.jpg

 

5538117441_79bcd8a732_z.jpg

Link to comment
  • Replies 166
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Very nice so far! Do you have any more pics of how you made the rear chambers? Any plans for carbon or chaeto? I started out with a mj-400 and then went to an ehiem compact 600 (160 gph).

Link to comment
Very nice so far! Do you have any more pics of how you made the rear chambers?

Thanks...I do yes but it is very similar to the design of your tank... basically tried to copy sandeeps original design.

 

Any plans for carbon or chaeto?

Chaeto yes once my cycle is complete.

Does carbon just aid in polishing the water? It's an option I'm still considering.

 

I started out with a mj-400 and then went to an ehiem compact 600 (160 gph).

Did this upgrade provide alot more flow? I'm worried because I went with a fine sand base and I don't want sand blowing around everywhere.

Link to comment

With such a small volume of water and no skimmer, I feel the carbon helps a lot. I use the small 5 oz ($10) of chemi-pure elite, and change it religiously every 2 months. It aids in removing excess phosphates, and does polish the water!

 

Yes, the flow was increased quite a bit. I had the exact same setup you have when I first started. But over time even with the powerhead pointed up, It wouldnt break the surface for better gas exchange. I upped the gph output and installed some 1/2" pipe near the surface. While breaking the surface of the water, it still provides great flow in the tank! I have somewhat fine sand as well, and it hasnt been issue. The reason I went with the compact 600 was to have the adjustable flow. However, it is has been full open ever since :)

 

What are your stocking plans? And how soon until you get your light setup?

Link to comment
Yes, the flow was increased quite a bit. I had the exact same setup you have when I first started. But over time even with the powerhead pointed up, It wouldnt break the surface for better gas exchange. I upped the gph output and installed some 1/2" pipe near the surface. While breaking the surface of the water, it still provides great flow in the tank! I have somewhat fine sand as well, and it hasnt been issue. The reason I went with the compact 600 was to have the adjustable flow. However, it is has been full open ever since :)

I see your point... I noticed that I don't get much surface break either; maybe I will create a mod like yours but use the same maxi 400.

 

What are your stocking plans?

Zoa's, Softies, etc... maybe a shrimp or crab. I haven't given it much thought yet as I'm still learning and I have a move coming later this year.

 

And how soon until you get your light setup?

Hopefully this week or next. I purchased this system from Rapid LED... what kind of coral life do you think it can support? I plan on mounting the LED's fairly close together in a circle pattern... I realize this may create "dark spots".

http://www.rapidled.com/servlet/the-38/06-...Yourself/Detail

Link to comment

I am no LED expert by any means, but with those CREE led's you should be able to keep some higher light corals. Maybe someone else will chime in on that?

 

Probably not an issue yet, but what do you have for temp control. Are you manually topping off fresh water? If you ever want to setup a cheap automated top off system, send me a pm and I will walk you through that.

 

Cant wait to see this tank mature!

Link to comment
Mr. Microscope

Nice looking tank! I really like your rocks. You might want to find a way to move that smaller rock away from the glass so that you can clean it easier.

 

Have you found any hitchhikers yet?

Link to comment
Probably not an issue yet, but what do you have for temp control. Are you manually topping off fresh water? If you ever want to setup a cheap automated top off system, send me a pm and I will walk you through that.

Currently using the Hydor Theo 25w heater it seems to be working well and the temp is holding fairly steady at 77... 78 with the light on... what temp does everyone else try to achieve? Once the summer arrives temp control might be an issue. Currently using RO to top off about every 3 days I have a glass cover so it doesn't seem to evap very much but an ATO is something I may add later on.

 

Nice looking tank! I really like your rocks. You might want to find a way to move that smaller rock away from the glass so that you can clean it easier.

Thanks... I have been thinking of a solution for that problem; but because the rocks are actually touching at the base right now there isn't much I can do. I may have to search for a special scrubber or break one of the rocks.

 

Have you found any hitchhikers yet?

I did... there are a few little feather dusters and I mean little. I also found a small snail beige in color with red spots. I will try to find it again later to snap a pic but it's really small.

Link to comment
Currently using the Hydor Theo 25w heater it seems to be working well and the temp is holding fairly steady at 77... 78 with the light on... what temp does everyone else try to achieve?

You mostly want to keep the temp consistent, trying to maintain a temp swing no greater than 2 degrees a day. Temps can range anywhere from 76-82 degrees F. If you think you can maintain that 77 all summer then go for it. If not, turn the heater up to maintain that 2 degree swing. You'll just have to play with it when the temps get warmer.

Link to comment

Week 1

 

Salinity: 1.024

PH: 8.0

Ammonia: 0.20ppm

Nitrite: <0.3ppm

 

The cycle process seems to be on its way I will keep checking weekly.

 

Still waiting on LED's...

 

One of a few dusters on my rock.

 

5530630742_89b0d4c400_z.jpg

Link to comment

So I finally got my LED light up and running... it looks awesome!

 

I will be posting some pics ASAP.

 

I do have a concern regarding my photo period to me it seems long as the tank is cycling. The room the tank is in gets partial sunlight in the morning around 9AM my LED's turn on at noon and run until 9:15pm. No real direct sunlight but the room is light.

 

What do you think?

Link to comment
Drift Monkey
So I finally got my LED light up and running... it looks awesome!

 

I will be posting some pics ASAP.

 

I do have a concern regarding my photo period to me it seems long as the tank is cycling. The room the tank is in gets partial sunlight in the morning around 9AM my LED's turn on at noon and run until 9:15pm. No real direct sunlight but the room is light.

 

What do you think?

Sweet! Pics asap!

 

If you have any photosynthetic hitchhikers you wanna keep, I'd leave the light on for maybe 8-10 hours while cycling...if not...you can cut it down more to avoid algae blooms.

Link to comment

New FTS with new LED's... concerned the light might be a little too bright.

 

There is something growing in the middle of the first picture... does anyone know what it is?

 

5556736851_931635ae6e_z.jpg

 

5557229782_bfa9066c44_z.jpg

Link to comment
Very clean! I love it so far!

 

Thanks... I have been watching your tank closely its easily one of the nicest ones on Nano-Reef! Congrats!

Link to comment
Thanks... I have been watching your tank closely its easily one of the nicest ones on Nano-Reef! Congrats!

 

 

Thanks for the awesome compliment!

 

How do you like the LEDs? Can you vary the color temperature on them since it was a DIY kit?

Link to comment
How do you like the LEDs? Can you vary the color temperature on them since it was a DIY kit?

The LED's are amazing but it did take a day or two to get used to them. Unfortunately it's not a dimmable driver but I'm pretty satisfied right now with the color temp. This is my first tank and I didn't want to over complicate things.

 

Here are my parameters for...

 

Week 2

 

Salinity: 1.024

PH: 8.0

Ammonia: 0.20ppm

Nitrite: <0.3ppm

 

Pretty much the same as last week.

Link to comment
The LED's are amazing but it did take a day or two to get used to them. Unfortunately it's not a dimmable driver but I'm pretty satisfied right now with the color temp. This is my first tank and I didn't want to over complicate things.

 

I felt similar after I initially switched over from MH. I agree with you on not complicating things on the first tank. It's much better to stick to the KISS method.

 

Have you figured out how to get more surface agitation? I know there was some prior discussion about using a different pump or modifying the existing one.

 

Should only be a couple more weeks before the cycle is over hopefully. What are you planning on adding first?

Link to comment
Have you figured out how to get more surface agitation? I know there was some prior discussion about using a different pump or modifying the existing one.

I ended up pointing the stock outlet up a bit higher and I'm getting better agitation now. So for the time being I won't be doing anything.

 

What are you planning on adding first?

Well a CUC first... after that I'm really not to sure. I will be quite selective. Also I'm afraid of adding too much as I have a move to make later this year... not to far just a 10 minute drive.

 

Looking good! Would love to see a shot of that new LED fixture!

I will shoot some pics of my lights and fuge area for you this week.

 

Thanks for the support guys. :D

Link to comment

So as promised here are some pics of the equipment!

 

Here is my fuge area with media basket (Holding LR right now... cheato to come)

 

5575574556_04531b1a65_z.jpg

5574987237_59a0edb38b_z.jpg

 

Here is my LED set up which includes a small 4" square heat sink; wrapped with a custom black acrylic box. There are tabs inside the acrylic shell that holds the heat sink off the tank top.

 

5574990841_6718f9e7a8_z.jpg

5574989561_6ed8ea944c_z.jpg

5574991987_c14559baae_z.jpg

 

I left the acrylic shell untouched but I'm now thinking i will sand and paint it with the black krylon i used on the tank. Only because there are some krazy glue spots showing and some uneven corners.

 

Let me know what you think.

Link to comment

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recommended Discussions


×
×
  • Create New...