frootbat Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Well, I had to take down my Fluval M60 for financial reasons, couldn't get a quick sale locally, so it is on consignment at my lfs. I sold my Nanobox Duo for some needed cash, but didn't want to leave the hobby entirely, so I just downsized a bit: It's still in the beginning stages, so be gentle Equipment: Mr. Aqua 12g (had some old store credit at the lfs, got it for $54) Vortech MP10 (kept it from the M60 I took down) Current Orbit Marine 36" (Amazon CC points) Auto Aqua Smart ATO mini (Amazon CC points and some cash) AC 50 HOB (gathering dust in a box) Neotherm 50w heater (also gathering dust in a box) Livestock: Tailspot blenny 9 assorted rock flower anemones assorted zoa frags. I get that the scape sucks, and I REALLY hate that big rock, but well, that's where 7 RFAs decided to plant themselves, no way was I going to try to remove them. I'm just lucky the rock fit. I need a couple more/better rocks, I have $25 at another lfs, I may check them out this weekend. Once I get at least one more rock, I'll probably put it in the space near the MP10 and mount the zoa frags on it. I decided to go bare, the bottom glass is 8mm, and I'm not stacking rocks, so I'm not too worried about cracking. As for the detritus from the rocks, I'll probably just pick up one of these so I can clean the floor without losing the water: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003OYOPNW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00 Link to comment
BulkRate Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Don't sell yourself short... that's a very promising tank build. Nice hardware, decent space to fill in and nice starter selection of RFA's. Rather than adding more rock you might want to do a shallow sand bed. Rock flower anemones will also plant their foot through it and open up in different ways than they do on rocks... would add some variety to your planned stocking while keeping requirements simple. Link to comment
frootbat Posted January 27, 2016 Author Share Posted January 27, 2016 Thanks! I really wish my phone would take a decent pic with the blues on, these guys just pop! As for the sand, I do think about it as I have seen photos of RFAs in the sand, but that's countered by the bad luck I have had in the past with sand...blowing around because of flow, clumping together with detritus or whatever (not sure why it does that, it was just gross). Good thing is, if I change my mind down the road, it would be really easy to add in a tank like this. This tank will be RFA heavy, and the blenny will be the only fish. I may even 86 the zoas and get some sexy shrimp/porcelain crabs, if I can find them at a good price. I have an old picotope and a PAR bulb in the box o' fish stuff I could use for the zoas. Link to comment
spectra Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 Great start with he nems! I love these little guys and gals and as for sand they love it just like a rock...... Link to comment
BulkRate Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 Yeah, you might have some sandstorm issues with the lighter grain sizes, especially with the undertow an MP10 can make. In mine I found a grain of around 1.5 to 2mm had a lot less tendency to blow around while still looking like "sand". You can also sift a back of off the shelf sand for only the larger grains by sifting it through a nylon window screen (mosquito mesh) to get only the larger bits. Regardless, I know you say you hate that centerpeice rock but you've managed to throw together in one go what I've been working on for 3-4 years. Good luck! Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 I'm with spectra! I love the RFAs and I'm really looking forward to watching this build! I also have a 12 long (in the process of being rescaped) and have thought about making that a macro/RFA tank Link to comment
frootbat Posted January 27, 2016 Author Share Posted January 27, 2016 Once money gets less tight, I'll start looking for some new RFAs, I love the little things, especially the way they pop in blue light! Link to comment
frootbat Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share Posted February 6, 2016 Small update... 1. Lost the blenny, he likely jumped. Will stay fishless from here on out. 2. Replaced the AC50 with an AC70. The intake was a little too long, so I had to saw a half an inch off. Hopefully that plus an MP10 at 25% or so isn't too much flow. 3. Considering adding an inch or so of rough substrate of some sort so that I can have anemones on the floor as well. I just hate sand. 4. Added a rock for the bare spot on the right, and got 3 new RFAs for it. I'll update the tank pic when I make a decision on the substrate question. Link to comment
DaveFason Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 Great little tank! -Dave Link to comment
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