If given a chance...

[sumer]

Hello guys,

 

Hope you all are doing great.

So finally I turned in the last submission of my grad school. Just a thesis left but I have 8 months to finish that. I will have some good amount of time (which was the only thing that was stopping me from making a nano-reef).

I have read quite a lot threads here and the book from Mr Albert Theil too. So I know a few things about nano-reefs. I am going to start reading more here.

 

My question to you is, if given a chance, what equipments would you chose to make a nano-reef. They do not have to be top notch. I mean spending the money is not a problem but still..

 

Tank size should be smaller than 15G. Links would be great but just writing the names would also work

Tank, lights, skimmer, lights, wave maker, salt, additives are a few things that I know are required.

Please chime in.

 

Thanks,

Sumer.

 

[patback]

What do you want to keep?

 

 

Good luck finishing up school.

[malawian]

"if given a chance" that sounds like money no object?

 

15g display but sump? Am I allowed to design a 400g system with a 15g primary display ?

[gabe3eb]

My non-negotiables:

 

Solid Auto Top-Off (Tunze makes the best).

Aquarium Controller (RKL)

LEDs - preferably dimmable with a full spectrum

Tank style: Rimless Low Iron

As little equipment in the tank as possible.

Dry rock

Vortech MP-10 (single for a 15g)

I dose 2-Part and a handful of other supplements. I would like to use Zeovit on my next tank as well.

Protein Skimmer - I am not married to one after trying a few over the years and the model will depend a lot on the tank itself too.

RO/DI Filter - even my best LFS has issues with their water sometimes and when I can't get onto that side of town.

 

 

This represents a pretty hefty investment of at least $1000 into a tank, but gives you a very solid base to work with. You can skimp here and there, but for me with a busy work schedule, I really need the ability to leave the tank alone for a few days at a time aside from feedings.

[Illuiix]

picO aquarium.

Nanobox or nano razor

Done.

[Gilligan]

My non-negotiables:

 

Solid Auto Top-Off (Tunze makes the best).

Aquarium Controller (RKL)

LEDs - preferably dimmable with a full spectrum

Tank style: Rimless Low Iron

As little equipment in the tank as possible.

Dry rock

Vortech MP-10 (single for a 15g)

I dose 2-Part and a handful of other supplements. I would like to use Zeovit on my next tank as well.

Protein Skimmer - I am not married to one after trying a few over the years and the model will depend a lot on the tank itself too.

RO/DI Filter - even my best LFS has issues with their water sometimes and when I can't get onto that side of town.

 

 

This represents a pretty hefty investment of at least $1000 into a tank, but gives you a very solid base to work with. You can skimp here and there, but for me with a busy work schedule, I really need the ability to leave the tank alone for a few days at a time aside from feedings.

 

Pretty much this. I don't dose right now and might have to choose between RKL and Apex, but other then that this is a solid system.

[masterbuilder]

Elos Mini. I know its larger than 15G but it has about the same dimensions. Beat me with a stick for screwing up your thread but if you want the "best of the best". For a light I would go with a Radion or Maxspect Nano Razor. Again, sorry for being slightly off topic but this is what I would choose and its soooooo close.

 

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/elos-mini-marine-system-20-gallon-with-sump-and-ps200.html

[KeTos]

I have a 15. Without question the three best purchases I have made are a Tunze ATO, an AI Nano light, and a cheap $9 surface skimming filter attachment. I also eventually replaced two Koralia nano powerheads with an MP10. The koralias were great, but the MP10 is just so darn sexy and takes up so much less space.

 

My biggest regret: going with a hob filter. It's an AC70 modded with a refugium, does a great job but it's so loud and splashy. If I could do it again I would look for an AIO tank or better yet drilled with a sump.

[D Z]

picO aquarium.

Nanobox or nano razor

Done.

+1

 

I am definintely leaning towards a picO aquarium for my next tank. They have some of the nicest and sexist looking tanks/dimensions I have seen lately. They have some great choices for an AIO, and even better choices if you are going to go the route of drilling and adding a sump. I presently have an AIO(Nuvo 8) and plan to go sumped on my next build, for what its worth.

 

Nanobox Reef is definitely the way to go for lighting right now. I just recently got one and love it. If you stick to a 18x18 footprint of smaller, you can get away with just using a Nanobox mini tide. If you go any bigger, you would have to step it up to the Duo.

 

As far as a controller, I would go more towards the Apex. A lot of people like the reefkeepers, but I think you get more usability out of the Apex.

 

If money is not an option, MP10 would be the way to go for the powerhead. It allows you to have many options for types of water movement. If you want so save some money in this catagory, the WP10 is similar to the MP10, but is much less. It has its tradoffs, though.

 

For heaters, the Cobalt Neotherm is definitely worth the money.

 

If you go the route of running a sump, CADlights makes a nice skimmer that will work for a sub-15 gallon system. It is the PLS-50 skimmer.

 

As for the sump itself, I plan to build one using a second tank from picO. If you are not the DIY type of person, there are plenty of good sources for pre-built sumps.

 

A lot of people like the Tunze products for auto top off units. I personally am using the Avast marine top off unit with their diaphram pump and love it. The only drawback I have found is it sticks out of the back chamber of my AIO further than I would have liked. If it were in a sump through, it would be absolutely perfect. It uses a pressure sensor so you do not have to deal with float valves getting stuck or power outages causing problems with the optical sensors. Their diaphram pump is by far one of the best options for a top-off pump.

 

You are definitely going to want to invest in a good RODI unit. I skimped along for a couple months by just buying water from the LFS or getting it from fellow reefers. I kept telling myself it wasn't necessary for an 8 gallon tank. Now that I have the system set up, I can say it is definitely worth it! I am not really making enough water to be saving money, but the convenience alone is well worth it. A good one to check out is the refurbished one from Spectrapure. Here is a link:

http://spectrapure.com/FACTORY-REFURBISHED/Refurbished-90-GPD-RODI-System

 

Make sure you don't waste your money of sub-par testing equipment. Stay away from API test kits as they are known to give false readings. I mostly use Red Sea for my testing supplies and a Hanna phosphate checker. You can go the route of getting the cheaper refractometer off of Amazon, just make sure you get some salinity calibration fluid to dial it in.

 

Once you get you hardware squared away, a good choice for rock/sand is Macrorocks.com. Give them a look.

 

And once your cycle is finished, reefcleaners.com is by far the best place to get your CUC(clean up crew).

[Bobyboy]

My non-negotiables:

 

Solid Auto Top-Off (Tunze makes the best).

Aquarium Controller (RKL)

LEDs - preferably dimmable with a full spectrum

Tank style: Rimless Low Iron

As little equipment in the tank as possible.

Dry rock

Vortech MP-10 (single for a 15g)

I dose 2-Part and a handful of other supplements. I would like to use Zeovit on my next tank as well.

Protein Skimmer - I am not married to one after trying a few over the years and the model will depend a lot on the tank itself too.

RO/DI Filter - even my best LFS has issues with their water sometimes and when I can't get onto that side of town.

 

 

This represents a pretty hefty investment of at least $1000 into a tank, but gives you a very solid base to work with. You can skimp here and there, but for me with a busy work schedule, I really need the ability to leave the tank alone for a few days at a time aside from feedings.

Good list but I'd make a few modifications.

 

I'd recommend the Innovative Marine Nuvo 16G(~10g of water after rock/sand)

- Drop the ATO and get the Reefkeeper Light plus with float switches and buy a aqua lifter water pump.

- No need for a skimmer and dosing in such a small tank just do weekly water changes

- RODI is a must even if it's a cheaper portable unit

- 100w jäger shatterproof heater

- you could use a PAR38 LED light as it's on the cheaper end and can still grow most anything or spend the $$ for a nice setup such as a razor nano or AI nano

[malawian]

if I could do ANYTHING with 15g within reason (sort of) I would do this

 

-custom tank, starphire glass, external overflow coast to coast

- biggest sump I could fit. 10 at the smallest, hopefully I could squeeze a 20 in there somewhere

-skimmer (not strictly necessary but I would like to have one to have the luxury of feeding however much I like)

-MP10

-Reefkeeper Elite (you can use an RKL but hey "if I had the chance" I would prefer the elite)

-Radion Pro

-a full array of test kits from red sea (best ones Ive had experience with. everything from Ca Mg and Alk to phosphate, iron and strontium)

-RSCP salt and either red sea additives or BRS make-your-own additives. (you wont use a ton but its good to be able to add a tad here and there)

-RODI unit

and done

[gabe3eb]

Good list but I'd make a few modifications.

 

I'd recommend the Innovative Marine Nuvo 16G(~10g of water after rock/sand)

- Drop the ATO and get the Reefkeeper Light plus with float switches and buy a aqua lifter water pump.

- No need for a skimmer and dosing in such a small tank just do weekly water changes

- RODI is a must even if it's a cheaper portable unit

- 100w jäger shatterproof heater

- you could use a PAR38 LED light as it's on the cheaper end and can still grow most anything or spend the $$ for a nice setup such as a razor nano or AI nano

I have used both Tunze and The RKL ATO with switches and the tom's aqua lifter you talked about, plus a couple others over the year and I can say to avoid the RKL ATO like the plague. It failed numerous times and in a tank this size, with a 5g reservoir, it was very very wet carpet and a big drop in salinity.

 

Also, I don't think there are really any 15g footprints that will work with a single par38. It will do ok, but you will absolutely have dark spots in the sand if you have a 15"x15" footprint. I learned both of these lessons on my 12G AIO in my sig.

[Bobyboy]

I have used both Tunze and The RKL ATO with switches and the tom's aqua lifter you talked about, plus a couple others over the year and I can say to avoid the RKL ATO like the plague. It failed numerous times and in a tank this size, with a 5g reservoir, it was very very wet carpet and a big drop in salinity.

 

Also, I don't think there are really any 15g footprints that will work with a single par38. It will do ok, but you will absolutely have dark spots in the sand if you have a 15"x15" footprint. I learned both of these lessons on my 12G AIO in my sig.

I've been using the same RKL float kit for almost 3 years now and haven't had a single problem since the setup process, took a few try's to get it setup correctly but has been solid.

 

As for a par38 it is a cheaper way to start if you read I also recommended the razor and AI nano's.