KevMax Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 Maxspect Dice AIO Nano I have been keeping marines for quite a few years and have downsized to my current new setup, a Maxspect Dice AIO Nano reef tank. The system holds 12 gallons and is now in its 7th week. So far, so good. I built the small reef structure outside of the aquarium using Caribsea Liferock. I used my own RO/DI water and RedSea Salt. After the water reached an appropriate temperature and salinity I added a shallow sand bed using Caribsea live sand. As soon as the water cleared I used ATM colony to very quickly allow me to add a clownfish that came from my previous SPS setup. My gear includes: AI Blade Grow which had to be replaced as the first unit I received did not work properly. AI Nero 3, currently waiting for a replacement as the first unit was faulty and running very loud. DD H2Ocean ATO 100 wt titanium heater. TMC compact 1500 return pump. DC and controllable. Additional biological filtration is provided by: Maxspect Nano-Tech Biosphere balls Maxspect Nano-Tech Clear Cubes So far I am enjoying the simplicity of this small reef system. I am going through a few expected “blooms” and just patiently sitting this period out. In a few weeks time I will review progress and make a decision about additional stock. I am sure that I will come across some problems as this system progresses and will likely ask for some input. Thanks for reading. Kev 7 2 Quote Link to comment
Crawford_T Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 I like the tank and stand, very clean. So you had a faulty AI blade and AI Nero? That’s rough… 1 Quote Link to comment
KevMax Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 Thanks. I bought the Blade and the Nero in the same order. Both faulty. To be fair the supplier has already replaced the Blade and the replacement Nero will be despatched later this week when they restock. It's annoying but these things happen, not getting too upset by it, although it does leave me questioning the quality of AI products. 1 1 Quote Link to comment
Crawford_T Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Your tank is incredibly clear. Very nice 1 Quote Link to comment
KevMax Posted May 6 Author Share Posted May 6 7 minutes ago, Crawford_T said: Your tank is incredibly clear. Many thanks. Pleased with progress so far as this system settles in. I am sure that there will be some challenges in the months ahead. Quote Link to comment
geekreef_05 Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Interesting that your two AI items came faulty. I have an AI prime and Nero 3 on my waterbox 20. I honestly think very highly of them. Hope the replacements work as intended! Your reef looks great. Its a nice aquascape! Looking forward to seeing how this evolves! 1 Quote Link to comment
KevMax Posted May 6 Author Share Posted May 6 31 minutes ago, geekreef_05 said: Your reef looks great. Appreciate this. Thanks dude. The AI kit was I am sure simply bad luck for me. The replacement blade is fine and working great. I am still waiting for the Nero 3 but I am expecting it very soon. I am thinking about buying one of the new AI Axis return pumps for this system. Then the lights, wavemaker and return pump will be all on the AI app. 1 Quote Link to comment
ml86743 Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Did that lid come with the kit too? Tank look great, I've always loved the simple look of a stand 12 gal AIO. Can't wait till it starts filling in! 1 1 Quote Link to comment
KevMax Posted May 6 Author Share Posted May 6 12 minutes ago, ml86743 said: Did that lid come with the kit too? Tank look great, I've always loved the simple look of a stand 12 gal AIO. Can't wait till it starts filling in! Thanks for the positive comment. Appreciated. I am looking forward to getting some coral in there. I purchased the lid as a separate item, not the cheapest option, but it looks nice to my eyes. Quote Link to comment
ml86743 Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 11 minutes ago, KevMax said: Thanks for the positive comment. Appreciated. I am looking forward to getting some coral in there. I purchased the lid as a separate item, not the cheapest option, but it looks nice to my eyes. Kraken? I thought that's what is was initially. Quote Link to comment
KevMax Posted May 6 Author Share Posted May 6 1 hour ago, ml86743 said: Kraken? I thought that's what is was initially. I am on the other side of the Atlantic. The lid was supplied by a UK company. Quote Link to comment
KevMax Posted May 7 Author Share Posted May 7 Date Salinity Nitrate Phosphate Calcium Magnesium Alkalinity PH 2 Apr 2024 34.6 2.0 0.02 440 1395 7.7 8.0 9 Apr 2024 34.6 2.0 0.00 425 1470 8.0 8.1 16 Apr 2024 34.5 0.0 0.01 450 1350 7.2 8.0 23 Apr 2024 34.5 0.2 0.01 465 1410 7.7 8.0 30 Apr 2024 34.4 0.0 0.00 455 1410 7.3 8.1 7 May 2024 34.6 0.0 0.01 475 1395 7.6 8.1 Overkill, but I have been measuring parameters since 2nd April, week 3, just to confirm where the numbers are landing. I have not started any dosing for calc / mag as there is nothing to remove these elements from the water as of yet. Alk looks ok and is currently being topped up by 50% water changes every second week highlighted by the blue cells. I am happy with these figures. Phosphate and nitrate may need a little bit of work. I will be letting this system continue with no further changes for the next few weeks. 1 1 Quote Link to comment
KevMax Posted May 10 Author Share Posted May 10 Allmost at the 9 week point. Soon be time for some coral. 2 Quote Link to comment
Airedale.Reef Posted May 10 Share Posted May 10 Any first coral ideas? I think I read in someone's AJ recently , that you were a fan of Acans? 1 Quote Link to comment
KevMax Posted May 10 Author Share Posted May 10 1 hour ago, Airedale.Reef said: Any first coral ideas? I think I have made my mind up to focus on Micromussa Lordhowensis type coral. I think lots of differing colours would look really nice. 2 1 Quote Link to comment
anizato Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 Very nice setup man. I like the stand/drawer you are using. It's like a cottage elegance, it gives it a nice look. Looks like our tanks are the same star sign 😄 I have had good experience with my AI light fixture. It's the same lamp since 2017. I only had to replace the LED-puck (which is the plastic covering that has little magnets for each LED) because the original melted because my noob-ass had it on too high for too long, I told AI about this and they not only replaced the puck, they sent me two! They also recommended I set up my lamp to use one of the expert-series program schedules and my tank has never had lighting issues since. That is a fancy ass fan my friend. Looks like a spaceship! Yo, what test kits are you using? I still haven't decided what to get for reading pH. So the Micromussa Lordhowensis is going to be the main focus of this tank? Do you already have it in another one of your tanks? What about fish? Do you plan on adding any more fish? 1 Quote Link to comment
geekreef_05 Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 6 minutes ago, anizato said: Very nice setup man. I like the stand/drawer you are using. It's like a cottage elegance, it gives it a nice look. Looks like our tanks are the same star sign 😄 I have had good experience with my AI light fixture. It's the same lamp since 2017. I only had to replace the LED-puck (which is the plastic covering that has little magnets for each LED) because the original melted because my noob-ass had it on too high for too long, I told AI about this and they not only replaced the puck, they sent me two! They also recommended I set up my lamp to use one of the expert-series program schedules and my tank has never had lighting issues since. That is a fancy ass fan my friend. Looks like a spaceship! Yo, what test kits are you using? I still haven't decided what to get for reading pH. So the Micromussa Lordhowensis is going to be the main focus of this tank? Do you already have it in another one of your tanks? What about fish? Do you plan on adding any more fish? Have you considered a pH probe vs test kit? Give yourself a live reading. Usually has temp too. They are not expensive these days and beats testing Quote Link to comment
anizato Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 11 minutes ago, geekreef_05 said: Have you considered a pH probe vs test kit? Give yourself a live reading. Usually has temp too. They are not expensive these days and beats testing Yeah I was looking at the HM digital 200. Do you recommend one? What do you use? Quote Link to comment
KevMax Posted May 12 Author Share Posted May 12 14 hours ago, anizato said: Very nice setup man. I like the stand/drawer you are using. It's like a cottage elegance, it gives it a nice look. Looks like our tanks are the same star sign 😄 😀 Thanks. The cabinet matches other furniture in the living room. I keep a few bits and pieces such as test kits, glass cleaner etc in the drawer. The cabinet hides a 5 litre ATO reservoir. 14 hours ago, anizato said: I have had good experience with my AI light fixture. I like the simple look of this light. The specs suggested it was more than adequate for my nano. I have a Radion XR15 from my previous reef tank as a fallback. But, I doubt the Radion will ever be needed. 14 hours ago, anizato said: That is a fancy ass fan my friend. Looks like a spaceship! My preference is for a simple minimal look, keeping things like wiring out of view. Some equipment can be a distraction. The fan fits the aesthetics I am trying to achieve. I am still waiting for a replacement Nero 3 but this will not change the look when it finally arrives and gets installed. 14 hours ago, anizato said: Yo, what test kits are you using? I still haven't decided what to get for reading pH. Alk / Nitrate / Phosphate - Hanna checker Calc / Mag / PH - Salifert test kits. I am considering Hanna checkers for mag and calc. I will not be monitoring PH for much longer. Salinity - Hanna salinity tester calibrated monthly, which is regularly double checked by a DD H20 refractometer, calibrated every 2nd month. I am considering a Milwaukee salinity checker. Temp - DD heat controller connected to a titanium heater and the Tunze cooling fan. 14 hours ago, anizato said: So the Micromussa Lordhowensis is going to be the main focus of this tank? Do you already have it in another one of your tanks? All of the Lords will be newly purchased frags, with hopefully a good colour mix. Whilst this is the plan, if for any reason it is not working out, I am not against changing things. 14 hours ago, anizato said: What about fish? Do you plan on adding any more fish? Now we get a little bit controversial. 🙂 I was about to put a Cherub Angel (Centropyge Argi) into the nano from my previous SPS setup. I was really annoyed with myself as I had kept this fish for 5 years. It jumped when I had the lid off at the time of stripping down my previous aquarium. I may well be getting another. I just love this busy small Dwarf Angel. The current Clownfish I have had for 3 years. Not my personal favourite in a nano. I am think about taking this fish out and replacing it with a Geometric Pygmy Hawkfish (Plectranthias inermis). 1 Quote Link to comment
KevMax Posted May 12 Author Share Posted May 12 13 hours ago, anizato said: They also recommended I set up my lamp to use one of the expert-series program schedules and my tank has never had lighting issues since. Please can you tell me where I can find the AI Blade programme schedules? Thanks. Quote Link to comment
anizato Posted May 12 Share Posted May 12 Sorry about the fish! Jumpers are always a pain in the gut, no? It's like, what? you didn't like your new house? I highly recommend you do the Milwaukee Salt Checker... BEST thing I've bought for my tank since the RODI. 7 hours ago, KevMax said: Please can you tell me where I can find the AI Blade programme schedules? Thanks. Yes, on the main website, it's the link that says "signature" https://www.aquaillumination.com/lightsciences/signature-series I use David Baxby's... if you youtube his tank you will see why. Quote Link to comment
KevMax Posted May 12 Author Share Posted May 12 18 minutes ago, anizato said: I highly recommend you do the Milwaukee Salt Checker... BEST thing I've bought for my tank since the RODI. I think you have just helped me with the decision. 😀 18 minutes ago, anizato said: https://www.aquaillumination.com/lightsciences/signature-series Appreciate the link, thank you. I am in France for a week right now, but as soon as I get home, I will be taking a look. 1 Quote Link to comment
anizato Posted May 12 Share Posted May 12 5 hours ago, KevMax said: Appreciate the link, thank you. I am in France for a week right now, but as soon as I get home, I will be taking a look. Dude! that's hella cool! where in France? business or pleasure? any aquarium visits while you are there? Quote Link to comment
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