watercrawl Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Adam's 8g IM Nuvo With the addition of a baby to the house, we needed to remodel our basement which meant I had to get rid of my Tanganyika cichlid community tank. I spent a lot of time on that tank. It was a 75g with a 20L sump, a custom stand, and lots of time. I missed it a lot, and really wanted a new tank project. However, the wife said no more tanks in the house....we still have our sons 37 gallon. So I convinced her to let me get a small, inexpensive tank for work. I decided on a small reef tank as they always interested me. However, funds are tight so this needed to be done as inexpensively as possible. I researched and researched and researched. It seemed like it wasn't going to be possible...$200 lights, $100 in LR, $100 tanks....and all of the trimmings. I initially thought I was looking at atleast $500 to set up even the smallest tank before any livestock. A little more research, and it became my project to get a decent reef tank for as little as possible. I have a little patience....and I love projects. So I began my hunt. I came here looking for information, and stumbled upon a used IM Nuvo 8 for $100. Sign me up. Seller was nice enough to include a few extra's as well. Next I ordered some dry base rock from ReefCleaners, and then placed an order at DrFosterSmith for live sand, test kit, CPE, and Reef crystals. Today I sit with: Equipment Tank: Innovative Marine 8 gallon Lighting: Stock 8w 10,000k LED lighting with separate plug for night light Circulation: Stock Pump pushing approximately 100 GPH Heater: 25 watt heater included with tank deal...unknown maker Biological: 7 pounds of live sand & 10 pounds of base rock....currently cycling Timer: Cheap mechanical timer for day lights Chemistry RODI water from LFS Instant Ocean Reef Salt Misc. Items Thermometer Hydrometer Two Little Fishies magnetic glass cleaner Filter floss Chemi-Pure Elite carbon (to be added after cycle) Misc. other items like buckets, RODI jug, siphon for WC's, etc. Livestock I'm pretty set on getting a pistol shrimp and goby pair. No idea on corals yet Probably order a CUC from ReefCleaners in the next couple weeks. *I stole the above formatting from another tank thread....hope no one minds. So I'm right at $200....and I don't really NEED anything more that I'm aware of other than livestock of course. I'm fairly happy with that. Current "To Be Bought in The Near Future" list: Nano Koralia 240 GPH or upgrade return pump for more flow Cheap light to grow chaeto Purigen Now, don't get me wrong....I'd love a DA Reefkeeper, an auto top off, an Ecotech MP10, a high end LED light....and all the trimmings. But, and especially with a limited budget, I'm finding it fun to try and be cheapskate and still have a nice tank. Link to comment
lgreen Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 *I stole the above formatting from another tank thread....hope no one minds. lol So I'm right at $200....and I don't really NEED anything more that I'm aware of other than livestock of course. Looking good! I would definitely add the Koralia nano or upgrade the stock pump. Now, don't get me wrong....I'd love a DA Reefkeeper, an auto top off, an Ecotech MP10, a high end LED light....and all the trimmings. But, and especially with a limited budget, I'm finding it fun to try and be cheapskate and still have a nice tank. Those things are nice sometimes, but definitely not necessary to have a nice tank. Link to comment
Gramophone Posted September 17, 2012 Share Posted September 17, 2012 Looks like a great start! Would like to see where this goes Link to comment
watercrawl Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 A week plus with zero nitrites, zero ammonia, and a few water changes to get the nitrates down and I added a CUC from ReefCleaners. I also added their $0.01 macro algae (glued to a small rock piece) and some chaeto I added to the back. Now to wait another couple weeks. I also added a Koralia Nano to the tank. Still playing with placement. Link to comment
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