Help with my first nano (56k, I feel your pain)

[random_alias]

AFAIK that is driftwood. I pinched off some ends from some Wandering Jew (a houseplant). You can start the cuttings off in water and then move the plant to soil. They do pretty well in aquariums with their stems just under the water.

Someone sent the wood to me. No idea where they get it.

[bpm2000]

Very curious to see how HC does under 13w in tank of that size.

[random_alias]

Hi. Which tank are you referring to? There's 13w over my 1.3 but there's 2x13w over this 2.5 now. 2 tanks, 3 galaxy lights is the current situation. The above photos were taken with the room lights still on and the camera brightness was low. It's brighter than the photo makes it look. Visually, I'd say it's about perfect. Things are well lit without looking washed out and the wood is able to cast a few shadows directly beneath.

Also, currently no filters. Each tank has a small water pump for circulation. Both use Aquasoil.

Beginning to get my nutrient dosages in order (having to mix very diluted solutions to properly dose).

So far, the greatest challenge has been doing any kind of work in the tank without disturbing the hardscape. I'm getting very good with tweezers. Tweezers holding cotton balls is my current method of glass cleaning and making small adjustments to the aquasoil.

I figure if the HC doesn't do well then I may try mini moss as a carpet.

[bpm2000]

Oh I see. Is HC going in both tanks?

[trckrunrmike]

This tank is very cheap and mass produced in HK. I was going to bring one to the US but I was afraid it'll break on the plane ride.

[random_alias]

Well, I'd love to see someone sell them here, cheap or not.

[random_alias]

Originally Posted by bpm2000

Oh I see. Is HC going in both tanks?

That's the plan. I've ordered a 5lb Co2 cylinder and Azoo regulator and a 6 port splitter with 2 needles and 4 plugs. I'm gonna try injecting both tanks. Right now, the HC is just "sitting there" and not doing much one way or the other.

There's a wonderful green algae growing on the wood and substrate that looks like a very fine low growing moss. Pretty cool as long as the shrimp keep it in check. This look is actually exactly what I had envisioned so I'm hoping I can keep the algae. The mini moss still hasn't gotten here.

Still have high ammonia in the tank. Put one of the filters back on to get some bacteria cycling.

[BigB]

cool sounds liek urs is goin nicely, I got my shrimps in my and had an algae outbreak sigh. hahaha all part of the fun keep it up

[random_alias]

I've cleaned out some of the repetitive pics to help the thread load faster. I still can't get my photo exposures right though. They're either too dark or too bright. Must be the lighting.

Looking over the photos it's nice to see how the tank has become more and more natural looking. I cringe at how sharp, arachnid and posed the original hardscape looked. All that's really happened since then is I've accidentally knocked stuff over while fiddling inside the tank and things literally "fell" into place.

Originally Posted by BigB

cool sounds liek urs is goin nicely, I got my shrimps in my and had an algae outbreak sigh. hahaha all part of the fun keep it up

Yeah, these nanos are a blast. I've been neglecting my 55g the last couple of weeks. What can I say, this 2.5 is way more fun!

Seems like nanos are catching on and becoming more popular.

[BigB]

i think they are getting more popular because they are cheaper and easily to maintain. When you get an algae outbreak its a little easier to deal with then in a larger tank. Also the cost of plants and the amount of time spent aquascaping is liek 90% less

[Marc]

RA- would you be able to tell me where you got you ViaAqua pump from? Does it have to be submerged in water? I'm looking for a pump that will allow me to pipe and in and out hose.

[random_alias]

Greystone Creations. http://www.graystonecreations.com/acc.htm

This pump must be submerged. It uses a grate as the intake and cannot accept a hose for water feed.

Further up the thread I posted a link to a chart with info on the various models.

[MercuryShrimp]

awesome tank random alias love the driftwood and the substrate

[melbourne]

I love your tank. Its looking very nice. What are the dimensions on that tank? I'm having a hard time locating something similar online. I found this tank but haven't found a dealer that is carrying it yet.

http://www.jbjlighting.com/sys_pico.html

Also is there an online vendor in the US that carries the ADA Aquasoil? I really like the way it looks compared to Eco-complete.

I also did a bit of experimenting tonight with lighting solutions for small tanks, I found that a few Nano-reefer's were using the Corallife Mini Aqualight as a pendant and also fitting in 2x13w PC versus the 2x9w that it comes with. I had to give it a try. I was able to fire up the 7000k 13w Aqualux bulbs that my Galaxy's came with, they flicker for a few seconds before firing up. I was not able to fire the $8 Home Depot 13w bulbs they just flicked for a few minutes before I turned the unit off. So that may be an alternative to the Galaxy's if you want a pendant instead.

I like how your tank has depth, which gives the appearance of a much larger tank. The driftwood arrangement is also very nice. Very inspiring.

-Mike

[random_alias]

I've tried getting these tanks available in the US. So far, all I've been able to get are people saying they can buy them in other parts of the world, like Singapore. I asked if someone would buy the tanks and ship them here but they said the cost of shipping would make the final price unreasonable. So, at the moment, I don't think I could buy one in the US without paying someone to fly to Singapore and back.

Dimensions of the 1.3g are 9x6x6.5 (lxwxh), the 2.5g is 12x7x7.5, the 10g is 23.5x8.5x12.

I got my aquasoil from Aqua Forest. Nice guys. Very helpful, very informative, communicative, fair, you get the idea. I've never felt the need to look for other sources of ADA products. Expecting some Ohko stone from them any day now, too. I'll email you a .pdf on ADA substrates if you want to know your choices.

I prefer pendants but the nature of these small tanks has them moving around or sitting on desks, etc. I haven't found a permanent home for them yet. Looking to make a table to line them all up on kinda like you've done. Once I do, I may use pendants. I do plan to use a pendant on the 10g once it's setup. The clipons are a nice compromise when a pendant just can't be used.

I'd like to know more about your nano reef. I'll email you.