14gal Nano Reef Build

[Anders247]

That's cool! Why not simulate a tornado? lol

 

[Slug]

My Vortech MP10 does that inside the tank Anders! LOL

 

[Anders247]

My Vortech MP10 does that inside the tank Anders! LOL

Then it's a whirlpool, not a tornado, lol

 

[Slug]

I'm going to start dripping Kalk in this tank. Got the stuff coming Mon/Tues probably. My pH is to low and this will give me a way to raise it safely and keep the other values more stable. As well as hopefully help with my algae issues.

Also, my Tailspot Blenny jumped out, even with a screen top. Found him crispy on the carpet the other day. Going to be looking for a replacement for him soon, either another tailspot or any other suggestions people might have. Would love to have something that comes out from a bit more.

 

[Slug]

How is this only 3 pages?? Have I been slacking on updates? Well here is a juicy one for you!

I've glued more frags to the rocks, free'd up a frag rack and got that out of the tank but I am quickly running out of real estate, sucks because I constantly want more frags. Need a new tank I guess LOL. I think I might swap out some on that rack for some on my wish list soon. Have another Copps Hulk MillI frag up there as well as another Pink Lemonade that I really have no use for since I have both on my rocks already.

Anyway that's the update! Its moving right along. Still happy with it other than the brown algae that is more a headache to me than anything else. Going to try and raise the pH a bit and see what that does. Its getting warm here so I can open the windows without issue. Let me know what you think!

 

[Anders247]

Wow.....

 

[Ethan]

Props man looks awesome. I do believe I want to copy this. I know I'd be an extreme rookie but I believe I could pull it off. Thanks for the inspiration

 

[Slug]

Thanks! Just take your time and do things right!

 

[Slug]

Just updated the first post with the true equipment list and the newest FTS.

 

[RyanReef]

Too much to read lol. I'm just wondering how you like the tunze nano ato? I'm considering one for my 14 gallon biocube. Not sure if the rI'm will get in the way tho

 

[Slug]

I like it. Problem is in the main tank snails will get in it and stick it. Not to where it stays on but where it won't turn on when its supposed to. By moving it to a sump or HOB filter/Refugium I can avoid the problem. Lately I've just kept the wet side out of the tank and hit a button to fill the tank accordingly daily but I am going to put the ATO in the refugium I think so it can work as intended. Had no issues otherwise though, I like it.

 

[Claire Bear]

HI Slug!
Just went through this thread!
I backed off doing a SPS tank and in a way, I regret it but only after looking at your amazing tank! Maybe in a few years if I get really good at the salty world and get rid of my freshwater tanks. I am thinking I have just to many with the four salt waters I already have!
I absolutely love your tank though!
I can't wait to see what else you add!

 

[Slug]

Thanks! I went into this tank knowing it would be 95% SPS, to me there's nothing better coral wise.

 

[RyanReef]

By moving it to a sump or HOB filter/Refugium I can avoid the problem.

Awesome. I think the biocube has a chamber I can add it to in the back of the tank if it fits. Is this the model you got? It's the one I was looking into

Tunze Osmolator Nano Automatic Water Top-Off - 3152

 

[Slug]

Yes the Tunze Nano 3152 is what I have

 

[RyanReef]

Awesome. Thanks. Got my 14 gal biocube today. Gonna order myself one.

 

[Slug]

Like any other piece of equipment, it may be fairly plug and play, set it and forget it but still pay attention to it. Make sure the snails don't get in it or coraline is encrusting it so the float switch can't move. I'll usually just brush it out with a toothbrush each WC when it was in the tank just to be sure nothing is stopping it. And to remove any algae that might tempt snails. It's fed by a simple old salt bucket full of RO water under the stand.

 

[RyanReef]

Could you measure and tell me how big the float and case it's in is? Wanna know if it'll fit in the chamber I wanna put it in. I wish I checked the tank when I got it earlier today and filled it soon as it got here I just filled it now and noticed there are corals in it. I hope they make it. They went hours without water

 

[Slug]

Sorry I didn't see your reply Ryan, if you still need to know let me know.

Been thinking about upgrading to a larger tank lately, it was inevitable. Depending on what price the upgrade comes to. Anyone have any suggestions on Rimless tank builders? I want it to be a peninsula style tank so I'll probably have to get it custom built. Going to put in a quote request to Miracles and Reef Savvy but I fully expect both of them to be quite expensive. Don't think I can get away with cheap though for this part of it.

Thinking about a tank about 42"L x 18" W x 18" H. Would put me right around what, 59-60gal mark before sump.

I don't know that I will do this yet as I would have to buy a new light fixture, more powerheads, and everything its just something I am exploring at this point.

 

[RyanReef]

I won't be using it for a biocube now if I got one so size doesn't really matter. If you do a search on Google you'll find a calculator that you can put in the measurements of your tank size and it will tell you the gallon capacity.

 

[RyanReef]

You were correct. 59.3gal

 

[Anders247]

Looks great!

 

[James Cochran]

Nice sps

 

[Slug]

Thanks!

Well I finally did it. I just pulled the trigger on an Apex controller. I've been on the fence about it for so long but I figure I'd rather spend the money now as insurance so I won't lose more in livestock. Especially in a small tank like this where things can change so rapidly. Plus I can always use it if I upgrade, should be one of those pieces of equipment that last me a long time. I hate seeing the black eye to my bank account but I'm sure that will heal once I get it setup. Excited! I got the base unit package (lab grade probe) and the Vortech module. I will probably get the conductivity probe and the PM2 down the road but it's not something I need right now. I feel like the pH and Temp changing would be more likely.

Anyway, that's the latest update. I'm still toying with the upgrade idea....even to the point of playing in sketchup. This is only a test! Don't get to excited just yet. Tank is mocked up as a 40x24x20 with a steel stand.

 

[Mike]

Nice! Let us know what you think about it once you get it up and running. Definitely expensive initially but worth it imo when you consider how much the corals can become when full grown and are being actively fragged and the peace of mind it gives being able to check on the tank anytime and from anywhere.

 

[Slug]

Thanks Mike I will be sure to report back. How often do you find yourself using ORP? Do you even have the ORP probe with yours? I figured I could skip that one for now as its not THAT important and is usually just an indicator of water quality. Which is why I didn't go with the gold package to start.

 

[James Cochran]

ORP ... what a confusing topic... I myself still struggle at explaining it and even fully understanding it

 

[Slug]

Yeah, it is confusing. Most people don't watch it or care. I just know its a very basic indicator of water quality. It will tell you when the water quality is good and bad...but will never tell you exactly why so it's just a very general measure from my understanding. I think I'll be just fine without it and it would just be more of a toy later down the road.

 

[Mike]

ORP is more of nice to know type thing imo... If it drops significantly from its normal range you would know at a glance that some "event" just happened in the tank. If it is an unexpected drop you would then look more closely at the tank and parameters. Freshwater top offs, water changes, time of day, rising ph levels and feeding are some of the events that cause mine to drop a little. A dead fish may cause it to drop more significantly.

Attached a recent ORP graph. The big drop was a water change on the 8th and tonight.

 

[Slug]

Yeah, kind of glad I went standard rather than gold. I'll just add ORP down the road.

 

[Slug]

I find myself here constantly refreshing UPS tracking waiting for my Apex to arrive. UPS usually doesn't get here until after 3pm though, usually closer to 4 or 5.

Getting a wireless network adapter today as well, on the same truck. Will allow me to connect my Apex to wifI since I don't have a cable run to that room. Thinking about placing my Ipad or an old Iphone by the tank always on/plugged in with the Apex display pulled up....think this can work? I think i've seen it done before.

 

[Mike]

My UPS packages don't get here til the end of the day usually too. Sucks waiting.

You can get an app called IPCam that you can install on your phone to broadcast a video on your apexfusion page.

 

[RyanReef]

UPS always has my packages here between 2 and 3 pm. They never knock tho. The just drop it outside my door and boogy like they're a terrorist dropping a bomb or something

 

[Slug]

Woo hoo its here. 3pm on the dot, did I call it or what. Shows how much I order online....

Going to unbox it and start setting it up!

 

[Slug]

This has been the most frustrating piece of equipment to setup. Still not done, just need a break. Finally got firmware updated, now I'm trying to get Fusion to work but I can't connect to it at all, what's going on? Had it for like 5mins that's it. Installed my wifI adapter, seems to work and the downloaded app on my phone seems to work and connect to the controller but not fusion. Ughhhh want to pull my hair out. I will try and reconnect via controller when I get home.

 

[Slug]

Ok I think I got it. Not sure what exactly I did, restarted the controller maybe did it but Fusion is working now.

 

[biller]

Sometimes I feel like I'm overly ready for saltwater, then I read threads like this and get so lost and confused... It's for the better though

Sent from my P900/Q900 using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

 

[Slug]

Lol, saltwater is just so much more complex than freshwater. And not even in difficulty, just the layers you have to it and the directions you can take it. Almost endless. You always learn something or are fascinated. It can be as complex as you want to make it! Don't let it scare you away, I absolutely love this side of the hobby.

 

[biller]

Atleast I have fishlore, with people that know how to set up saltwater and have done it before.

Sent from my P900/Q900 using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

 

[RyanReef]

Sometimes I feel like I'm overly ready for saltwater, then I read threads like this and get so lost and confused... It's for the better though

Sent from my P900/Q900 using Fish Lore Aquarium Fish Forum mobile app

It doesn't have to be so confusing. It all depends really on how advanced you wanna go. Some people just like all the latest fancy gadgets/controllers etc. Definitely not needed or required. I don't bother with all that fancy stuff because I'm still a newbie and learning myself and Imo the more technical things get the more chances I would have at failing.

I see things the same way as I see vehicles. Newer vehicles incorporate new technology. There are all these new fancy options in new cars, heated seats, automatic parking features, remote starters etc. With all the new sensors and electronics etc in newer cars, the more chances of things to fail, get more complicated etc. You can have all these fancy features in your vehicle but if something goes wrong it may be harder to source the problem. With older vehicles there aren't all these fancy features and sensors etc. Like my dad can figure out and fix any older vehicle but try and have him work on a newer vehicle and he is clueless and wouldn't know where to even start. A vehicle is a vehicle. It will still get you from point A to B. There are just some people that just choose to get there with all the bells and whistles but is not required or necessary. A lot is preferance. Not sure if you understand what I'm trying to say but I prefer the K.I.S.S method. Start out with the basics and necessities and you'll do fine.

 

[Slug]

Apex Fusion still giving me issues. Tried to get on a little while ago and it was down once again. Connected through IP to the controller, hit update network settings without changing much of anything and it's working again now. I don't know....Need to keep checking it.

 

[Mike]

Are you trying to get directly into the controller using the IP address via a web browser (or the app) or are you trying to get into apexfusion.com?

The IP address on the controller sometimes changes if my router resets or something and I have to figure out what it is sometimes. Going directly to apexfusion.com though usually always works.

 

[Slug]

Direct to apexfusion is what is giving me issues. Says controller isn't connected or something. That's when I go straight through IP, updated the network settings and tried apexfusion.com again with success. I want to get to the point where all I have to do is go to apexfusion.com, that is the end goal and what I'm working to solve.

And it's weird, if I try to go through the IOS app if it's working, fusion is not. If fusion is working the app times out. Really confusing. Which is fine as I want to use Fusion full time...but if it's not working I need the app working.

Fusion is working at the moment, gotta keep monitoring it. If it disconnects and screws up again I'm going to start messing with IP changes and ports as guided by the Apex support forum.

 

[guthrieb08]

Such a nice little setup

 

[Slug]

Thanks!

 

[Slug]

Here is an update! I hadn't done a WC for close to a month. Did one in October, then the SC flooding happened delaying my next one due to boil water advisories and such that I didn't want to risk, and I finally got around to it. Should start to see more growth now. First picture is blurry, I need to get a new one but you can get an idea. I glued a few more frags to the rocks but am running out of room to allow growing space. Shame, guess I need to hurry up and move and get a bigger tank!

 

[Slug]

Hopefully will be taking some photos today. Fragged a few things including a very nice stick of slimer. Had to remount a few things as the epoxy was failing and they haven't attached themselves to the rock yet so that made me accidently frag a bunch of stuff. Mainly the Hawkins and Slimer.

While you wait always remember to wear gloves!!! I was lazy yesterday during my WC and something got me. Not sure what but it and my skin did not mix. Soon after the WC this developed on my hand, seen it happen before. Rash with small blisters that itches like crazy, much like some sort of sting. I'm guessing I brushed the rock with the palythoa on it that or my 2 brains are the only thing in the tank with active stingers that would cause this. Since its concentrated in going to blame the palys. Wear gloves!!!!

 

[Slug]

New FTS from today. Need to top it up but won't have RO water on hand until tomorrow. Still not dosing, simple WCs. Keep it simple right? More out of laziness currently I'd say though....still doing quite well though! Kind of a quick dirty shot, have my HOB on the tank on the left just to clear it up after a WC and stiring things up and still have the screen net on top...not very photogenic but it's about what's in the tank right?? Sometimes I still surprise myself how well a 15gal full of SPS is doing. So many people said it couldn't be done or would be incredibly tough.

 

[TexasDomer]

I'm always amazed by your tank. So pretty!

 

[Slug]

Thanks!