Nart's Im25 Lagoon Build

So I was thinking of re-doing my tank with this..... I'm so itching to re-do my rockscape.

View attachment 342240

Thoughts?

You crack me up with the constant redoing ... your tank is very fluid!

I need to redo mine but I just don't know where to start! I might have to do it sooner than anticipated because I can't catch this dang coral beauty!

 

Haha.... my scaping is so horrid.

It's a bonsaI tree frag rack you can either choose with or without holes
BonsaI Reef - 17L x 19D x 10H - BR0373

I might go with this route maybe... Aquascaping with Two Little Fishies Stax Rocks | AquaNerd
A new product by Two Little Fishies called Stax.

And then I thought of MACNA! Since I'm going there I'll see what's new and if they have any new rockscaping things that excites or inspires me to re-do the tank.

 

Id only get that to frag my torch in to six heads lol or use hammers, or have like a mixed zoa tree, I never really been in to them you can get the man made towers here too, the ones like George has in is college reef tank, I like smashing a big chunk and building from the pieces, for me to have one of them I think id have to dedicate a tank to it rather than sticking it in my 32g in front of my natural rocks, could do some cool stuff with it though, if I ever have another sw set up il have to do something out of the ordinary like this.

 

You sold me at bonsai! I love it.

Those Stax rocks are pretty cool too. I like the natural look while still providing frag racks.

You may want to wait till after MACNA in case there's something new to be released, but I know you can't resist...

 

It looks really neat. Made out of poly urethane some'ish.
But yeah - it's a unique taste. I'll wait for MACNA to see my options.

 

I like watching you experiment Nart. Saw those STAX too on a Reefapalooza video... they look cool too. Have you decided whether or not you'll video at MACNA?

 

Hahaha..... I should honestly be recording my experiments with my tank... so others can learn from it too.

I am still debating. It's going to be a double date New Orleans trip... Basically we are planning to spend a max of 3 hours at MACNA because I am the only fish nut out of the 4 peeps. We only bought the 1 day pass. The rest of the trip is just to see and experience NOLA. So I don't know if I want to gear my attention towards filming it, sometimes I like to just enjoy the experience if that makes sense. We'll see! If anything I might get my wife to film me and tag along side and see me geeking out.

 

Makes perfect sense... I would do the same. Will you be visiting Lafayette Cemetery? I would have to.... probably very touristy of me but hey, it's NOLA and I loved Anne Rice as a teen.

 

We are actually hitting up all the touristy spots! I think that cemetery is near Jackson's square so yeah definitely a stop. We are planning for a ghost tour guide too which should be fun

 

We are actually hitting up all the touristy spots! I think that cemetery is near Jackson's square so yeah definitely a stop. We are planning for a ghost tour guide too which should be fun

You will have so much fun! The food, the drinks, the music and an excellent aquarium! I'm jealous but very happy for you. So many of my academic conferences have been there.

You switched from the current orbit light to the aI prime. They are both cool but why the switch? You said in an earlier post because of the ease of use. The wifi?

 

KristaD because all the cool kids uses AI Prime HDs! Kidding

A few things made me switch from my Current Orbit Marines to AI Prime HDs:
1) Current Orbit lights ran the entire length of my tank whereas the AI Primes does not.
- AI Prime makes for ease of cleaning with my hose vacuum. I didn't have to re-start the siphon whereas with the Current Lights, because I had it mounted on a bracket I had to lift out my gravel to get to the back of the tank and re-start the siphon kind of a pain for me.
2) I liked the controllability on the AI's a lot better than the Currents
- The AI uses an app on my iPhone more versatile features than the Currents
3) AI Prime HDs are a lot stronger than my Current Orbits
- I knew I wanted to keep higher light demanding corals, though the Current Orbits are no slouch... AI Prime HDs has stronger LEDs. In the AI Prime HDs, if you aren't utilizing say the ultra-violet channel and you keep it at 30%... you can actually borrow the remaining juice from the UV channel and utilize the remaining % in another channel... so you can run your Blue LEDs are like 150% intensity or something. (if u ever needed to)

Lastly, the AI Prime HD's look really sleek, sexy, and appealing to me.

 

KristaD because all the cool kids uses AI Prime HDs! Kidding

A few things made me switch from my Current Orbit Marines to AI Prime HDs:
1) Current Orbit lights ran the entire length of my tank whereas the AI Primes does not.
- AI Prime makes for ease of cleaning with my hose vacuum. I didn't have to re-start the siphon whereas with the Current Lights, because I had it mounted on a bracket I had to lift out my gravel to get to the back of the tank and re-start the siphon kind of a pain for me.
2) I liked the controllability on the AI's a lot better than the Currents
- The AI uses an app on my iPhone more versatile features than the Currents
3) AI Prime HDs are a lot stronger than my Current Orbits
- I knew I wanted to keep higher light demanding corals, though the Current Orbits are no slouch... AI Prime HDs has stronger LEDs. In the AI Prime HDs, if you aren't utilizing say the ultra-violet channel and you keep it at 30%... you can actually borrow the remaining juice from the UV channel and utilize the remaining % in another channel... so you can run your Blue LEDs are like 150% intensity or something. (if u ever needed to)

Lastly, the AI Prime HD's look really sleek, sexy, and appealing to me.

You had me at restarting the siphon...

 

haha - on my AIs I never have to touch it during cleaning feeding etc...

If you don't have a mount on the Currents you'll find yourself having to lift it up for cleaning, etc... I'm not able that life style moving my lights too much lol.

 

I just don't know if I have enough room for the light since my salt tank is on the bottom of the rack. I'll do some measuring. If there is not enough room I could hang either light from top rack. I do agree that if I decide to go with trickier corals in the future I will prob want the aI prime. Decisions, decisions. I already ordered the jebeo wavemaker so my zebco could mix my salt mix. You, NART are the true definition of an "dealer."

 

KristaD hahaha... what do you mean "dealer"??

 

KristaD hahaha... what do you mean "dealer"??

Like a drug dealer. Getting me hooked on a product so I buy, buy, buy.

 

KristaD you will love the jabeo, excellent product at an excellent price, id go for a orbit, I think that would be ideal for your setup. NART makes me jealous with that aI prime, id say its the best nano light out there its gorgeous.

 

Oh man.... I am so sorry hahaha. I am the worst of it. I guess when I like a product I will recommend and etc...
Seriously - stick with the lights that work for now and save up... they are so expensive makes me shiver thinking of how much I spent in this hobby.

 

Oh man.... I am so sorry hahaha. I am the worst of it. I guess when I like a product I will recommend and etc...
Seriously - stick with the lights that work for now and save up... they are so expensive makes me shiver thinking of how much I spent in this hobby.

No, I appreciate your recommendation! I really do. The money isn't really the issue here. But as I grow in the hobby I don't want to have to buy another light. I'm looking forward to getting my finnex back on my 29 gallon planted. Since my salt tank is a 29 gallon and more rectangular would the aI prime still work well? It seems perfect for square tanks. I did measure and the aI bracket would work.

 

I don't know the measurements of your 29G. but my tank has a 24x16 foot print @ 12 high and with just 1 AI Prime HD's at about 10" above the water line... it has good coverage of the 24x16. Anything beyond the 24x24 I think won't work. If you have a bigger footprint than that you might want to look into AI Hydra's

 

I don't know the measurements of your 29G. but my tank has a 24x16 foot print @ 12 high and with just 1 AI Prime HD's at about 10" above the water line... it has good coverage of the 24x16. Anything beyond the 24x24 I think won't work. If you have a bigger footprint than that you might want to look into AI Hydra's

My dimensions are30.63 by 13.25 by 19 deep. The hydras are EXPENSIVE! Back to the orbit maybe!

Have you decided on a layout yet?

 

My dimensions are30.63 by 13.25 by 19 deep. The hydras are EXPENSIVE! Back to the orbit maybe!

If you do go with an Orbit make sure you get the Marine IC or Marine Pro for that depth.


The regular ones that NART had aren't great with deep tanks. I have the Orbit IC on a 12" deep tank but would go with the Pro model for your 19" depth.

 

If you do go with an Orbit make sure you get the Marine IC or Marine Pro for that depth.


The regular ones that NART had aren't great with deep tanks. I have the Orbit IC on a 12" deep tank but would go with the Pro model for your 19" depth.

Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it!

 

KristaD hahaha... what do you mean "dealer"??

I knew exactly what she meant NART lol

 

Hydras are expensive indeed... but worth it imo! If I end up upgrading to Hydras I'll sell my AI Primes if you're in the market

One Prime could work. You just won't have coverage in the outer edges for any coral placement.

stella1979 I'm telling y'all. When I believe in a product... I'll let you know too haha

 

NART I couldn't agree more that's what the main point of a forum is for me, product reviewing, but sadly enough is not done here, its all about helping one another with product selection though.

 

grantm91 yeah I don't think they have any product review sections do they? I haven't ventured outside the Saltwater forums much lol

 

They do have a review section, I only done my skimmer as there isn't a lot of reviews out there. All my fw kit is mainstream so I don't bother reviewing that as reviews are widely available and I'm not going to waste my time talking about a fx6 or 306 canister. I will be doing the black box light as there is not many out there for that either.

 

Sooooooo lazy this morning. Just now catching up on fishlore... celebrated the wife's bday yesterday with a whole day event of eating, shopping, miniature golf, etc... I'm dreading tank maintenance day today lol

 

Happy Birthday NART 's wife!

Feeling pretty lazy myself today... Grants thread got to me yesterday and I had my own little minI party last night, lol. Guess I'm getting too old for greasy pizza and drinks at the same time... 'cause the drinks meant I'm not cooking, thus, greasy pizza delivery. Tasty, but this is how I feel today...ead: Also dreading tank maintenance. Don't want to trim plants, but I can't stand to look at it and I'll have guests tomorrow! Ugh....

 

thanks stella1979
Getting old sucks... whomp whomp. So much going on this month... also have our anniversary to prep for too lol. Talking about stressing!

 

Haha.... my scaping is so horrid.

It's a bonsaI tree frag rack you can either choose with or without holes
BonsaI Reef - 17L x 19D x 10H - BR0373

I might go with this route maybe... Aquascaping with Two Little Fishies Stax Rocks | AquaNerd
A new product by Two Little Fishies called Stax.

And then I thought of MACNA! Since I'm going there I'll see what's new and if they have any new rockscaping things that excites or inspires me to re-do the tank.

Why not just take a saw to your rock?

Id only get that to frag my torch in to six heads lol or use hammers, or have like a mixed zoa tree, I never really been in to them you can get the man made towers here too, the ones like George has in is college reef tank, I like smashing a big chunk and building from the pieces, for me to have one of them I think id have to dedicate a tank to it rather than sticking it in my 32g in front of my natural rocks, could do some cool stuff with it though, if I ever have another sw set up il have to do something out of the ordinary like this.

A hammer tree would be pretty cool! But it would definitely be a centerpiece ... I've got some pretty big hammers and frogspawn in my tank and they take up a lot of room and it's a 4' 85 gallon. Not a great pic but shows scale.

You had me at restarting the siphon...

Is restarting a siphon really a big deal? I siphon into 5 gallon buckets usually and have to stop and restart ... plus just moving around my tank. It's just a couple squeezes of the bulb and t starts back up.

My dimensions are30.63 by 13.25 by 19 deep. The hydras are EXPENSIVE! Back to the orbit maybe!

Yes hey are but I don't think they even compare!

A couple kessils (also expensive) might be an option ... I think they also have a 24x24 footprint with 18" being ideal. I have 2 on my 4' tank and they do ok ... having a third would be great for higher light but I still have options. I could move them closer to the water and turn the intensity up. But it would make the higher light area more centralized ...

The hydras are a wider light all in one piece that covers a larger area than the prime or a single Kessil ... so that might actually be a better option for your wide, skinny tank ... it wouldn't have a problem penetrating the depth either, I don't think.

Save up and get the one you want rather than settling because you'll just end up getting it later! Believe me, I know! Lol

thanks stella1979
Getting old sucks... whomp whomp. So much going on this month... also have our anniversary to prep for too lol. Talking about stressing!

Rofl ... we both forgot about our anniversary this year ... we are so sad. And this is really the first year I'm realizing I'm getting old. I turned 37 in June and it's like I see how old I am all the time all of the sudden. Like I'll see someone on a tv show and think, "they are around my age, or older ..." and then I'll look it up and they are 5 years (or more) younger! Sigh ...

 

thanks stella1979
Getting old sucks... whomp whomp.

Getting old does suck! You'll be there before you know it though, lol.

Rofl ... we both forgot about our anniversary this year ... we are so sad. And this is really the first year I'm realizing I'm getting old. I turned 37 in June and it's like I see how old I am all the time all of the sudden. Like I'll see someone on a tv show and think, "they are around my age, or older ..." and then I'll look it up and they are 5 years (or more) younger! Sigh ...

I know exactly what you mean! Our anniversary has turned into me cooking his favorite meal and him bringing home my favorite flowers... at least the flowers are a reminder of the wedding.
Turned 36 in March and I can't believe how young some of these people I watch on TV are.

 

LJC6780 I tried taking a saw to my purple life rocks 15 mins and two blades later I was 1/8" into the rock lol

Me over here trying paint an acrylic canvas painting for her lol. I might re-think that.

Finally done with water change. I decided to vinegar soak/clean all my equipment so that took awhile... going to try and get pics/vids tmrw though I need to start on the anniversary gift lol

 

Is restarting a siphon really a big deal? I siphon into 5 gallon buckets usually and have to stop and restart ... plus just moving around my tank. It's just a couple squeezes of the bulb and t starts back up.

My old siphon didn't have a bulb. Had to do it old fashion way. Since my salt tank is basically on the floor and I didn't have a good drop it didn't work too well. I bought a new siphon with a pump (like an old bike tire pump) and that works better!

 

My old siphon didn't have a bulb. Had to do it old fashion way. Since my salt tank is basically on the floor and I didn't have a good drop it didn't work too well. I bought a new siphon with a pump (like an old bike tire pump) and that works better!

Gotcha. I just use cheapo ones off of eBay. Usually they work pretty well. One I have I've used for about a year or so. It's actually my favorite one.

I have a tank on the floor and it DOES suck having to pump it out by hand ... I should get one of the ones like you have for that one! (Actually I need to get that tank sold and out of the way!)

 

Getting old does suck! You'll be there before you know it though, lol.

I know exactly what you mean! Our anniversary has turned into me cooking his favorite meal and him bringing home my favorite flowers... at least the flowers are a reminder of the wedding.
Turned 36 in March and I can't believe how young some of these people I watch on TV are.

Don't get me started about age!!!!

Gotcha. I just use cheapo ones off of eBay. Usually they work pretty well. One I have I've used for about a year or so. It's actually my favorite one.

I have a tank on the floor and it DOES suck having to pump it out by hand ... I should get one of the ones like you have for that one! (Actually I need to get that tank sold and out of the way!)

Mine is actually the pump you use when you want to change oil in a car. Walmart 17 bucks!

 

RBTA, gsps, mushrooms, and sunny d zoas...
Say wuh??



Update y'all in a bit once I get this stuff in my tank

 

lol whaaaaa? Who? What? Where? When? Why?

 

Thought it was mrs narts birthday not yours! Haha boomin.