SpaceNano Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 So I'm looking into making a 5.5g Nano, and I've been looking around, I'd love any suggestions you peeps might have for me. Question 1: Would the black volcanic sand be more difficult to bring to "life" than other substrates? I was thinking of using the black sand and adding some garf grunge to liven it up. I wonder since this sand is more glassy and less calcerous than other substrates. Question 2: What do you guys think of Kailini LR? I have an LFS that sells it, and it looks pretty spiffy to me... This is what I'm looking at for equipment: All-Glass 5.5g tank 2 x 20W 50/50 mini compact flourescents (Coralife) AquaClear 300 (as refugium) Aquaclear Surface Skimmer Black sand or Arag-alive 1-3/4" depth (1" or so in refugium) 12 lbs Kailini LR (1lb or so in refugium) Haven't decided on Macro Algea for 'fuge yet... As far as fish, I'm looking at maybe eventually a goby/shrimp pair or some perculas... haven't decided. As for corals, I want to see what pops out of my LR first, then maybe add some soft corals and low light stuff (can't afford the metal halide lighting... eek!) Hints? Tips? Admonisments? All are welcome! Thanks all! Link to comment
SpaceNano Posted November 16, 2004 Author Share Posted November 16, 2004 Oh yeah.. forgot about the heater... looking at putting a 50W titanium heater in the refugium... Link to comment
EtOH_is_good Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 welcome to the nr. dont know so much about black sand, but probably just losing out on the potential buffering capacity. the lr will be more important in a nano than the sand. i really like kailini lr. although you may want to reduce the total amount you plan on buying (~1.5lbs per gallon). concentrate on finding pieces for scaping in a small tank. look for pieces no larger than two palms wide because bigger pieces will make scaping hard. pieces slightly larger than your fist would be ideal. Link to comment
ookinohito Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 I'm in a local reef group with a guy who owns his own company selling corals that he grows. He tells me that (in his opinion) Kaelini rock is the best out there right now. Once massive amounts of the rock start being sold, the quality is likely to drop, as has been the case with the fiji rock, but right now, it's very good. Of course, this will also depend on your LFS's handling of it. Mine has a big tank with live rock that's been there for years it seems. The stuff is nice and purple, but there's no other life on it. I'd rather get some uncured and cure it in my tank so that some of the other stuff will be there. Link to comment
SpaceNano Posted November 17, 2004 Author Share Posted November 17, 2004 Thanks alot for the input! I think some of it is really starting to take perspective... here's another thought... what about putting some regular LS in the refugium and then using the black in the tank with the grunge? I'm thinking that might help with the buffering issue. Just a thought! I've already ordered my surface skimmer, and I believe the AC 300 is next! Slowly but surely building the beast! Link to comment
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