mollylope Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 After 5 years of living in the Bay Area I have finally convinced my now husband to let me start another reef after the holiday season. (Why is it now a theme on Nano-Reef that we have to convince people to let us have tanks that we buy and we take care of?) I had planned to start a simple pico with a HOB filter similar to my old 10 gallon tank which I had for 3 years. while getting tipsy in my back yard in SF and researching tanks I saw the 365 day challenge and thought well hell, this will work. Within an hour I ordered the Lifegard Aquatics 4.1 gallon AIO online! Odell Easy Street Hot Sauce I generally prefer external filters so I can clean them out in the sink, but I will say this tank is SLICK! Kev (the husband/non-reef keeper/spending discourager) and I went to Komodo for part of our honeymoon and I would LOVE to do a Komodo-Flores biotope in this tank. Soon I will post the amazing photos from Komodo Resort's house reef that will serve as inspiration. Equipment Lifegard Aquatics 4.1 gallon AIO (display is like 2.9) Nanobox Tidebox (still being made) Colbalt Neo-Therm (still shipping) Stock pump - will have to replace Stock media - will also have to replace ADA lid- also will need to be replaced because it is a bit too big In the Tank 3 LBS of Real Reef live rock (I have a serious phobia of bristle worms, so much so I still have nightmares about them from past tanks) Samoa pink live sand Set up Feb 15th !!!! Going to be cycling a while Pictured with our cat's betta fish Spots' tank More to come soon! Xx 15 1 Quote Link to comment
This guy is extra salty Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 Lurking here don’t mind me 1 1 Quote Link to comment
ef4life Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 Looks like you have a solid start, I like the 2 rocks you have, they look really good and natural in there. 1 Quote Link to comment
seabass Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 I don't have the confidence to put tanks on our regular furniture. Looks great though. Quote Link to comment
Tired Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 Looks like a nice start! I'd considered this tank for mine, but decided it was a bit too tall and narrow. It'd be great for gorgonians or tall macros, though. Betta tank looks nice, too. If I were you, though, I'd pop a lid on that and fill it up all the way- or, not quite up, just enough space left to give a small air gap for him to breathe from. That's a super tiny volume of water, it doesn't need to be made any smaller by only partially filling it to prevent jumping. And no worries about the little idiot inside wiggling right into a venturing claw. Must be fun for your cat, though. Quote Link to comment
Lypto Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 this little tank looks like it has potential! 1 Quote Link to comment
devaji108 Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 nice! yup looked at that tank too. great to see someone use it. 1 Quote Link to comment
Ratvan Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 "Komodo-Flores biotope" Following 1 Quote Link to comment
TatorTaco Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 I have this tank too and agree that it's really beautiful. I wasn't happy with the return pump and upgraded to a MaxiJet (I think it's in my signature). If you decide to get a filter floss holder, the smallest version oceanbox carries will work - but the next size up is too big. Quote Link to comment
mollylope Posted February 18, 2020 Author Share Posted February 18, 2020 13 hours ago, seabass said: I don't have the confidence to put tanks on our regular furniture. Looks great though. It's just a cheap Ikea buffet table, it only looks nice but totally is veneer. 13 hours ago, Tired said: Looks like a nice start! I'd considered this tank for mine, but decided it was a bit too tall and narrow. It'd be great for gorgonians or tall macros, though. Betta tank looks nice, too. If I were you, though, I'd pop a lid on that and fill it up all the way- or, not quite up, just enough space left to give a small air gap for him to breathe from. That's a super tiny volume of water, it doesn't need to be made any smaller by only partially filling it to prevent jumping. And no worries about the little idiot inside wiggling right into a venturing claw. Must be fun for your cat, though. Totally agree! I actually JUST got a lid for that purpose 🙂 ... well not exactly a lid but a plastic plate that fits well enough to have an air gap. It was actually halfway filled bc my cat thought the fish water was delicious but her stomach did not. 4 hours ago, TatorTaco said: I have this tank too and agree that it's really beautiful. I wasn't happy with the return pump and upgraded to a MaxiJet (I think it's in my signature). If you decide to get a filter floss holder, the smallest version oceanbox carries will work - but the next size up is too big. I've seen your tanks, I love the pest idea! Thank you for the tip about the return pump & floss!! 1 Quote Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 Such a nice looking tank. Love how you can just plop two pieces of rock in there and create a perfect scape. Can’t wait to see what you come up with. 3 Quote Link to comment
kimberbee Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 It's really pretty in that natural sunlight! 2 Quote Link to comment
mollylope Posted February 19, 2020 Author Share Posted February 19, 2020 6 hours ago, Elizabeth94 said: Such a nice looking tank. Love how you can just plop two pieces of rock in there and create a perfect scape. Can’t wait to see what you come up with. The smaller rock is actually 6 small rock pieces and it took me like an hour to get right 🤣 I really wish I could have found 2 smaller rocks but the aquarium store here in sf (lucky ocean) really only had big rocks. This is another scape I tried 3 2 Quote Link to comment
Elizabeth94 Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 1 minute ago, mollylope said: The smaller rock is actually 6 small rock pieces and it took me like an hour to get right 🤣 I really wish I could have found 2 smaller rocks but the aquarium store here in sf (lucky ocean) really only had big rocks. This is another scape I tried Oh! Well you did a fantastic job haha! It really does look like two perfectly fitting rocks for this tank. 2 Quote Link to comment
RedTheReefer Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 On 2/18/2020 at 9:28 AM, TatorTaco said: I have this tank too and agree that it's really beautiful. I wasn't happy with the return pump and upgraded to a MaxiJet (I think it's in my signature). If you decide to get a filter floss holder, the smallest version oceanbox carries will work - but the next size up is too big. Can you link the filter floss holder? I'm not seeing it. I have the 3.8 gallon peninsula version of this tank and was.lookong for a nice filter floss holder. I wonder if it will work. Quote Link to comment
Tempestas Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 You had me at "Komodo" 1 Quote Link to comment
TatorTaco Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 2 hours ago, RedTheReefer said: Can you link the filter floss holder? I'm not seeing it. I have the 3.8 gallon peninsula version of this tank and was.lookong for a nice filter floss holder. I wonder if it will work. My mistake! It’s made by inTank, and I’m pretty sure I bought the “7” size. Here’s the link: https://intankaquatics.com/intank-filter-floss-holder-for-waterbox-cube-7/ 1 Quote Link to comment
Ratvan Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 5 hours ago, RedTheReefer said: Can you link the filter floss holder? I'm not seeing it. I have the 3.8 gallon peninsula version of this tank and was.lookong for a nice filter floss holder. I wonder if it will work. @kimberbeewant to show off your work here? Quote Link to comment
kimberbee Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 39 minutes ago, Ratvan said: @kimberbeewant to show off your work here? My janky racks using eggcrate and zipties or the weird baskets from plastic mesh and fishing line? 🤣 Sometimes it's a little cheaper to DIY a basket or floss holder than to buy something, especially if you are particular about size. 2 Quote Link to comment
Ratvan Posted February 19, 2020 Share Posted February 19, 2020 4 minutes ago, kimberbee said: My janky racks using eggcrate and zipties or the weird baskets from plastic mesh and fishing line? 🤣 Sometimes it's a little cheaper to DIY a basket or floss holder than to buy something, especially if you are particular about size. Yeah, I'd like a combo. Eggcrate rack and fishing line and mesh baskets Quote Link to comment
mollylope Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 Update! Tank is nearly cycled, and just added the heater and a upgraded pump. I also had my order canceled by Dave of Nano Box last week, which you can read more about here if you're interested, so I am searching for a used one. I am also considering a Kessil A80 as I am not sure I need all the options that a Nanobox or Ai prime offer, but also not sure a A80 can support the kind of SPS you see in Komodo. I have been researching A LOT about what species I can get for a Komodo biotope and wanted to share. Also below are some snorkeling photos from my husband & I's honeymoon to Komodo Indonesia (Labuhanbajo region). I did dive but did not have a camera, so all of my photos are of the house reef at Komodo Resort seriously steps from our little bungalow. Based on what I saw, and additional research below are animals that could work for my Komodo biotope- I don't plan to stock all of these but wanted to share for anyone else who is interested in species for a Komodo Biotope! Coral -Toadstool (Sarcophyton) -Tree Coral (Nepthea & Scleronephthya sp) -Acropora (Suharsonoi, polystoma) -Sinularia - If you can identify any in the photos below let me know! Fish -Chromis / Clowns (obviously) -Sailfin Goby (saw one of these!) -Spotted Prawn Goby -Evoita Gobies (** what I plan to get if we do get a fish) Inverts -Porcelain anemone Crab -Sexy Shrimp -Pistol Shrimp (though not all species) -Mantis Shrimp (saw one of these too!) Clean up crew -Nassa Snails -Anyone else have other ideas here? Komodo inspiration photos (taken with a gopro so not that clear) me and a turtle- note I do not plan to keep a sea turtle in the biotope 🤣 Great inspiration photos can be see here as well!! - https://www.mantarhei.com/common-corals-of-komodo/ -https://www.erikastravels.com/snorkeling-in-komodo-national-park/ Will be posting an update photo of the tank soon once I put something in it!! 6 Quote Link to comment
mollylope Posted April 1, 2020 Author Share Posted April 1, 2020 I have a light!!! 👏👏👏 Thank you so much to everyone who offered to sell me a nano box after Dave from nano box couldn’t fulfill my order. It was lucky as it turned out because when I bought a used one from @NoOneLikesADryTang (particular thanks here) it turned out my WiFi isn’t strong enough to connect via blink up. This was confirmed by Bluefish when I emailed them the mac id on the imp card. Anyway I got a kessil a80 which i think may work for some not so fancy SPS given this tank’s display is 3.2 gallons. I placed an order for a few Indonesia relevant corals + a clown goby! Should ship tomorrow & will post update when they arrive. 7 Quote Link to comment
NoOneLikesADryTang Posted April 1, 2020 Share Posted April 1, 2020 I’m so happy you found one that will work for you! Clown goby’s are so cute! Keep an eye on him though, because some (hopefully yours isn’t one) of them like to eat the polyps of SPS. I look forward to seeing your order! Quote Link to comment
mollylope Posted April 11, 2020 Author Share Posted April 11, 2020 Update. Got coral but not easily. First order was canceled as they said the coral did not look good. I found yourreef.com and ordered a 4 frags which I know would be in Indonesian reefs- birdsnest (wouldn't be seen in Komodo though, maybe Raja Ampat), xenia, kenya tree, and montipora. The fellow threw in a favia, which you can also see in Komodo! The coral was super healthy, and working from home allowed me to acclimate them nicely. Additionally there was an acan attached to my xenia frag! On a bummer note I tried to order a tail spot blenny (question on that below), from Azgardens.com, and while even though I work in commence, I didn't google the company before I placed an order. Seems that they are fraudulent and regularly do not fufill orders or ship dead fish and plants. I'm trying to cancel my order but honestly am a bit nervous about security of the website now... Anyway rented a getaround car and going to Aquarium Collection in Hayward tomorrow. Will also be my first time out of my neighbored in a long long time. My tank has some primo hair algae growing, probably because I've been feeding my only snail Gary, a nassarius snail (all time favorite snail) betta food. Now I need to get real food and also want a fish. I bought a goby at first but am nervous about nibbling SPS. Is a tail spot blenny too much for a 3 gallon display tank long term (i.e., past juvenile)? I think one could really dig the algae and the cave I've got going on, but also want a happy fish Oh I also need a pico size magnetic glass cleaner! Anyone else hate with this tank hate the semi clear back panel? Also anyone with this tank have a POV on the angle of the pump nozzle? I've been playing with it. FTS of day coral was added Few days later nighttime... Though I do turn my light all the way off at night night Free acans. pretty scape. terrible glass cleaning... 3 Quote Link to comment
debbeach13 Posted April 11, 2020 Share Posted April 11, 2020 Free acans with 3 heads is a pretty nice score. Tank is looking good. 1 Quote Link to comment
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