My Humble Nano

[law1210]

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.

[law1210]

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.

[law1210]

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

[law1210]

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.

[law1210]

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.

[peacemaker]

[vinccc2009]

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?

[law1210]

Where is his partner?

There they are, picture taken in 2009.

And here they are, taken today.

[law1210]

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.

[law1210]

My two new additions over the weekend from AM.

Urchin

Hermit

[jxlex]

Nice tank

Wished I had the space for a sump too...

[law1210]

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.

[jxlex]

Haha... I ever thought of that but unfortunately I am fat... Hahaha

[law1210]

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.

[jxlex]

Nvm la, shall just make do with what I have now first....

[law1210]

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.

[law1210]

How deserted the whole tank looks after 'dory' and her fren, Domino (damsel), are gone...

[law1210]

As compared to this...

[Ah-lim]

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...

[law1210]

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.

[Ah-lim]

Royal gramma

or just a watchman Goby with Pistol shrimp is also interesting.

[law1210]

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.

[law1210]

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...

[law1210]

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...

[law1210]

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.