sabrefencer Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 I have to start by thanking @metrokat by asking me to join this contest. She is a cool cat and certainly one of the most amiable, knowledgeable and creative person that I know of in the reefing community. I was seriously thinking of taking a break from this hobby, due to my other competing hobbies, but @metrokat renewed my interest with this contest. Thanks @metrokat. I'm certainly looking up to @metrokat's passion for this hobby and her amazing tanks. Certainly have a lot to look up to in terms of reefing skills. I have no reefing skills for sure but I do have other great skills. Lack of time will be my biggest obstacle - I'm typing this up on my iPhone on my home bound train. However I'm a bit more motivated now that I've officially entered the contest. The tank will sit on a formica kitchen counter in my basement bolted to the wall where the Olympia Cremina espresso machine is - out goes the espresso machine in comes the IM peninsula. I use this space to do some work and to chill watching sports. At one point in time in my s/w aquarium journey I had a nice inwall tank where the tv is now - (will have to dig up some pics) I have a 30gallon breeder I've been neglecting with some corals and live rock and a few fish - 1 saddle back clown , 1 PJ cardinal and two damsels so I will mostly pull from there and give them a new better cared for home. I usually go bare bottom but for this tank I'm going with a substrate and using tropic eden. For livestock I think I'm going to go with mostly hammers and frogspawn and a pair of clowns. Haven't thought about the aquascape yet and will most likely run a phosban reactor with rowaphos - one of my favorites for GFO since I already have it. I'm a big tank guy for the most part but have been intrigued by smaller tanks and especially desktop / counter top setups so I hope I know what I'm getting into. If I'm allowed I'll definitely tap into @metrokat's great reefing skills. That's it for now - will post some dry pics of the tank as soon as I get it. Let the fun begin. 8 Quote Link to comment
metrokat Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Thank you for your kind words, can't wait to see what you do with the tank. Quote Link to comment
Coral_chef Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Welcome to the contest!! Quote Link to comment
Lula_Mae Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 to the nano side! Sort of like the dark side, but small. 2 Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 11, 2017 Author Share Posted May 11, 2017 Funny @Lula_Mae and thanks @Coral_chef I'm gonna blame @metrokat for bringing me to the nano dark side . Received notification that the tank shipped today - oh yeah - I've never had an all in one - always had sumps 3 Quote Link to comment
Mariaface Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Can't wait to see this! Quote Link to comment
spectra Posted May 11, 2017 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Welcome aboard and well you will have fun with the AIO...........I have a love hate relationship with them but still got the 14............ 1 Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 12, 2017 Author Share Posted May 12, 2017 Thanks @spectra. @Mariaface I have no great reefing skills only other great skills so I'm shooting for next to last place. Can't believe the tank is arriving today 2 days total transit For corals as mentioned going to pull from my bubble algae infested tank Here is a green hammer - thinking of transferring over 8 Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 12, 2017 Author Share Posted May 12, 2017 Obligatory dry tank picture - no post it 5 Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 12, 2017 Author Share Posted May 12, 2017 I can see that wire management is going to be an issue and I don't want to drill any more holes since it's kind of tight behind the tank - not much room but it can be done - what's one more hole for the sake of a contest right ? 2 Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 12, 2017 Author Share Posted May 12, 2017 But I could put the tank on top of the existing hole and cover part of it so that may work 1 Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 12, 2017 Author Share Posted May 12, 2017 Final resting place I think - well nothing like a dry fit for everything - just need to perhaps reinforce the counter top- not much weight to support with about 150 lbs give or take - counter top is supported to the wall behind the tank and partially to the left of the tank on the side wall - I may just have some vertical posts cut for extra support - length of this tank worked out perfectly for this space. Lucked out 6 Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 15, 2017 Author Share Posted May 15, 2017 Front and side views - going to try to leak test it tomorrow 6 Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 17, 2017 Author Share Posted May 17, 2017 Wondering if I should place an order from Tampa Bay Saltwater - and get the package - I have some nice live rock pieces with tons of life on it - sponges, tube worms , feather dusters and all sorts of little critters on it from my 30 breeder but the bubble algae on it makes me think twice - even if I successfully take it off without bursting the bubble also need to order a new eheim 50w heater and an intank media basket - I gave away my other 50w eheim / ebo-jager heater - thinking there's no way I'm starting a nano - unfortunately the 100w heaters I have don't fit. the current USA arm comes in today - might do some local scouting for some live rock Lastly I will need to get some sort of temp controller - the Neptune apex jr I have went kaput so thinking of a good old industrial ranco. As far as ATO I have a JBJ but one of the float valves needs to be replaced - but thinking tunze micro or smart ato 3 Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 17, 2017 Author Share Posted May 17, 2017 I decided to order a tunze nano ato- I've dealt with roger vitko before and he's a class act. Love tunze products. Wasn't worth replacing the sensors and ordering new brackets for the JBJ which added up to about $50 shipped + I'd have to buy a new pump and tubing so not worth IMO. Still undecided on a pump for circulation - spoke with marine depot and they recommended a current USA pump - but I think I'm leaning toward a tunze again for this - 1 Quote Link to comment
Coral_chef Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 1 minute ago, sabrefencer said: I decided to order a tunze nano ato- I've dealt with roger vitko before and he's a class act. Love tunze products. Wasn't worth replacing the sensors and ordering new brackets for the JBJ which added up to about $50 shipped + I'd have to buy a new pump and tubing so not worth IMO. Still undecided on a pump for circulation - spoke with marine depot and they recommended a current USA pump - but I think I'm leaning toward a tunze again for this - The return pump has to be stock per the rules. the tunze ato is working great for me. Tank seems to be going through a little over a gallon a week. Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 17, 2017 Author Share Posted May 17, 2017 1 minute ago, Coral_chef said: The return pump has to be stock per the rules. the tunze ato is working great for me. Tank seems to be going through a little over a gallon a week. Thanks ! I was referring to the power head and not return pump - Appreciate the feedback on the tunze nano ato though - I have the 3155 on my larger tank 1 Quote Link to comment
Coral_chef Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 1 minute ago, sabrefencer said: Thanks ! I was referring to the power head and not return pump - Appreciate the feedback on the tunze nano ato though - I have the 3155 on my larger tank My bad. Quote Link to comment
metrokat Posted May 17, 2017 Share Posted May 17, 2017 On 5/12/2017 at 5:45 PM, sabrefencer said: Obligatory dry tank picture - no post it 1 Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 Back from the dead - from a bout of food poisoning - not pleasant I'm going to use the big tunze nano osmolator 3155 with the optical sensor - found one used locally for a good price and I know the seller who is a moderator on Manhattanreefs.com. I just need to get a temp controller. Ebo jager eheim 50w heater, Current USA Powerhead and intank basket due to arrive mid next week and I should be set as far as equipment. Hopefully I can water test today 4 Quote Link to comment
ReefWeeds Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Glad you're back and sorry to hear about the food poisioning! Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 Thanks StellaBlue. Those late night sandwiches with mayo may turn out to be no good. 1 Quote Link to comment
Coral_chef Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 4 hours ago, sabrefencer said: Back from the dead - from a bout of food poisoning - not pleasant I'm going to use the big tunze nano osmolator 3155 with the optical sensor - found one used locally for a good price and I know the seller who is a moderator on Manhattanreefs.com. I just need to get a temp controller. Ebo jager eheim 50w heater, Current USA Powerhead and intank basket due to arrive mid next week and I should be set as far as equipment. Hopefully I can water test today Will the sensor fit in the third chamber? Quote Link to comment
spectra Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 3 hours ago, sabrefencer said: Thanks StellaBlue. Those late night sandwiches with mayo may turn out to be no good. They need refrigeration warm mayo the end results are usually not good. Quote Link to comment
sabrefencer Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 2 hours ago, Coral_chef said: Will the sensor fit in the third chamber? Thanks for the heads up . I should check to see if the magnet will fit and yes @spectra warm mayo no bueno. 1 Quote Link to comment
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