law1210 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 After so long, finally decided to start a thread on my office nano tank. Well, the whole idea of starting a marine tank started off when I was impressed and mesmerized by bro peacemaker's office tank thread few years back. So when he posted his 1ft IOS tank for sale, I grabbed that and started my own nano tank journey. Soon, the 1ft tank is no longer big enough for me, so I got myself a custom built 1.5ft cube that comes with an overhead filter with refugium. Here's how it looked: But after getting this tank, super regret because I've built the height too high. My light at that time wasn't strong enough and the overhead filter blocked the light towards the end of the tank. So only the front part of the tank is lit. Scratched my head for very long. After some time, decided to upgrade my light and got myself a Maxspect 60W LED from Irwana. And one underwater light to put under the OHF and one more normal light to squeeze in behind the tank. Made the whole tank abit brighter but the second half of the tank still not bright enough for corals. Haha...that's why never like to take full tank shots. Because the tank looks empty with second half not filled with anything. Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 For the past 3 years, corals and fishes come and go. This maroon clown is the only one that stays with me throughout. For that 'loyalty', I got him a partner. Though they fought like crazy in the initial stage, patience and some lockup & timeout period finally reconcile the two and both are happily one pair now. Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 I love zoas. But somehow zoas don't seems to do well in my tank. They will usually melt away or 'disappear' a few months later. However, my Ric did quite well. From that one single piece bought from GO... To 2 pieces 6 months later... To this little colony in Oct'11 (1 year 2 months later) Even the one piece that fell off from this colony back in Oct'11 has split into 3 now Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 Well unfortunately, Rics are not the only one that had good growth in the tank. A much unwelcome 'guest' had also thrived. From this one little stalk below (bottom left hand corner)... It overrun the whole zoa colony and became this few months later... To this 3 month later... And finally this one whole big bunch now... Give away to people scared it will create havoc in people's tank. And I don't have the heart to throw it away. So now just put at the back of the tank and let it fend for itself. Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 7, 2012 Author Share Posted April 7, 2012 Ok now, enough intro. I believe the true journey for this nano tank begins from here. Just last week, I've finally upgraded the filtration system to sump. Gone with the bulky OHF. In its place is an overflow box and a sump tank. First time using a sump and had a few mini disasters when setting it up. Finally managed to tweak the setup such that it doesn't flood the place when power fails and there isn't bubbles flowing back into the display tank. That's all the photos I have now. When I transferred the rest from camera to laptop, will show you how bright it is now with the OHF gone and Maxspect put in the middle of the tank. Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member peacemaker Posted April 7, 2012 SRC Member Share Posted April 7, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member vinccc2009 Posted April 8, 2012 SRC Member Share Posted April 8, 2012 For the past 3 years, corals and fishes come and go. This maroon clown is the only one that stays with me throughout. For that 'loyalty', I got him a partner. Though they fought like crazy in the initial stage, patience and some lockup & timeout period finally reconcile the two and both are happily one pair now. Where is his partner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 8, 2012 Author Share Posted April 8, 2012 Where is his partner? There they are, picture taken in 2009. And here they are, taken today. Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 8, 2012 Author Share Posted April 8, 2012 As promised, these are the photos to show the before and after of having OHF and having sump. With the OHF, the back of tank is darker and my algae crapper cannot reach the back and one side of the tank due to the LED light stand and OHF. So two sides of the tank are full of algae. Before After Hope with not much obstructions at the top of tank, I can clean up those tough algae on the wall soon. Hope I won't slack. Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 8, 2012 Author Share Posted April 8, 2012 My two new additions over the weekend from AM. Urchin Hermit Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member jxlex Posted April 8, 2012 SRC Member Share Posted April 8, 2012 Nice tank Wished I had the space for a sump too... Quote :: just a noob :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 8, 2012 Author Share Posted April 8, 2012 Nice tank Wished I had the space for a sump too... Thanks bro. I sacrificed leg room under my work desk. Luckily I'm not tall or big. Else sure cramped like mad. lol. Now I can slowly build my scaping upwards and maybe have some light demanding corals. Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member jxlex Posted April 8, 2012 SRC Member Share Posted April 8, 2012 Haha... I ever thought of that but unfortunately I am fat... Hahaha Quote :: just a noob :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 8, 2012 Author Share Posted April 8, 2012 Actually the sump quite small only. The bro I bought it from have it custom made. It's only 33cm in length and 23cm in width. Haha..bro jxlex, maybe can still squeeze in under your desk. Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member jxlex Posted April 8, 2012 SRC Member Share Posted April 8, 2012 Nvm la, shall just make do with what I have now first.... Quote :: just a noob :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 8, 2012 Author Share Posted April 8, 2012 One last post to end the day. My lovely 'Dory' has found a new home and will be leaving the tank soon. Will be going to a bigger tank with more room to swim. Good for her. She shall be missed. Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 How deserted the whole tank looks after 'dory' and her fren, Domino (damsel), are gone... Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 As compared to this... Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Ah-lim Posted April 11, 2012 SRC Member Share Posted April 11, 2012 Hmm I think it will be cool if you can add a scotter blenny or some very small and shy fishes, or just one flame angel. Something that my tank can't... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 I like flame angel too...but it seems to be known to nip at corals...something I would like to avoid having in the tank. But I'm looking out for potential fish I can keep in this nano. Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Ah-lim Posted April 11, 2012 SRC Member Share Posted April 11, 2012 Royal gramma or just a watchman Goby with Pistol shrimp is also interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 Ooo thanks Ah Lim. Royal Gramma Basslet looks nice. Good choice. Will look for it in the LFS. And how come I never thot of getting a pistol shrimp for my watchman goby? My goby sucks in maintaining caves. he has to constantly change cave entrance because the entrances always get blocked by 'debris'. Thanks for the great suggestions. Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 13, 2012 Author Share Posted April 13, 2012 Went Pasir Ris farm today during lunch. Got myself 2 cardinals and 1 pistol shrimp from Ah Beng and Irwana respectively. Cardinals Pistoal Shrimp Was in too much a hurry. So didn't check the shrimp properly. Got one that has 2 of its right legs as skinny as fishing lines. Only left one leg that is strong enough. So basically it can't really keep itself upright. Lean one side. And I saw the six-line keep checking it out. But I managed to keep it away. What I didn't expect is my two snails from the sandbed sprawling an ambush on the poor shrimp. Too late for me to save it... Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 Till today, the cardinals are still not feeding on mysis or formula one/two pellets. Anyone has tips on how to get them to feed? They always try the food and then spit out. Meanwhile, I think I can sort of conclude the reason why my zoas are always dying off while other corals thrive. I guess my Blue Tang has been eating them. Cos when it is around, my rock of zoas went from this To this in 3 months... 1 Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
law1210 Posted April 19, 2012 Author Share Posted April 19, 2012 And now a week after the tang is sold, this same botak rock has now small pnk zoas re-growing on it. So nice to see all the baby zoas popping out. Quote My 1.5ft Nano tank Equipment: Sump with chaeto, hydor nano wavemakers, Maxspect 60W LED, return pump Rio 12HF Livestock: 2xMaroon Clown, Yellow Watchman Goby, Algae Blenny, six-line wrasse, Fire & Skunk Shrimp, turbo snails, hermit crabs. Corals: Zoas, Rics, Hammer, Blue & Green Starpolyps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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