Wanted to start a thread to track the progress.

Day 1

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/November041.jpg

Day 2 - Still a little cloudy from adding sand....not the final aquascape.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/NanowithSand002.jpg

nice.. does that have halides?

It has the double ended HQI bulb, 14k.

Im SSOOO jealous of you!! :-D

:tongue: I got lucky...and don't be...yet another way to deplate cash from my....wallet.

I hope you get one soon...I am pleased with it.

me too :) just waiting on one piece to fall into place and I will be able to get one :) but by then I will prolly be moving and will have to wait more! lol :)

Day 4

Tried aquascaping.....not 100% sure yet, and input would be appreciated. I have left an area of sandbaed for Clams and tried to create a shelf for SPS up top. I have a frag of ORA Phil's Granulosa I would like to put there.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/Day4Nano001.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/Day4NightView001.jpg

Clownfish in their new home!!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/NanowithClowns007.jpg

Looks good!!! Aquascaping something that small is ALWAYS a challange...

Thanks! It looks a lot smaller in the pic, but the 28 gallon is pretty large for a 'Nano'....it does not help that my clowns are huge, so they make it look smaller also! They have been paired and with me for over 8 years now...

:thumbs:

Rose Anemone added!

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/NeminNano002.jpg

any updates? its been almost 2 months.

Annce, will post some updates pretty soon. It will be one month tomorrow, so I am waiting a little longer while I dial everything in. Thanks!

Slacker.....I'll show you mine if you show me yours (ummmmmm......that didn't come out right:D ). Nevermind, just post'em when you can:thumbs: Got some new frags today for my JBJ too:yay:

:lol2: .....your JBJ thread needs some updated pics too man! I am still babying this new one along...it doesn't even have coraline on the glass yet.

:lol2: .....your JBJ thread needs some updated pics too man! I am still babying this new one along...it doesn't even have coraline on the glass yet.

I've got 4 frag racks in mine right now and it's ugly:sad: I wouldn't complain about no coraline on the glass...I'll me more than happy to give you mine:D About 3 months in it exploded.

I've got 4 frag racks in mine right now and it's ugly:sad: I wouldn't complain about no coraline on the glass...I'll me more than happy to give you mine:D About 3 months in it exploded.


C'mon man....don't be scared to show off yer frag racks to all of ARC :D ...post up current pics of your Nano!

Still early days. Switched to 14k Phoenix HQI today :D .

Coming together slowly.....all frags right now. I am waiting on moving my clams until the tank has matured.

My photo skills suck....:doh: Colors do not pop in the pic at all :yuk:




http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/DecemberNano007.jpg

what fish did you decide on?

i guess heat is not an issue yet but what are your plans for summer? I know they make a small chiller that fits in the stand.

I have a chiller on the ready from a fellow ARC member.....it def will be an issue when we get passed winter....

I do not run the tank on the stand, I have it on my kitchen counter top and all the equipment wired in the pantry next to it...turned out real neat.

what fish did you decide on?

I am still not sure.....

Well, making some progress...not yet hit 2 months old. Everything is not placed in its final resting place and some of the frags, especially zoas, are very small right now.

Nano Stocklist so far:

SPS
ORA Hawkins Blue Enchinata
Starry Night Acro
ORA Red Planet
ORA Orange Digi
Montipora Spongodes (Green Purple)
Unkown Acro Green Blue
Unkown Acro Slimer Greenish
ORA Purple Tip Birdsnest
Purple Tip Stag
ZOA/PALY
Nuclear Greens
Orange Bam Bams
Neon Watermelons
Red w/Purple Mouths
Lunar Eclipse
Lord of the Rings
Clams
3" Ultra Grade Crocea (Blue)
5" Ultra Grade Crocea (Blue) *Not yet in tank
6" Golden Teardrop Maxima *Not yet in tank
Inverts
Small RBTA
Fish
Mated Pair of Osc. Clowns (with me 8 years)
My Wanted List
Bright Blue Zoas/Palys x1
Bright Yellow SPS x1 (Millie or Acro)
Coming Soon....
Orange Rainbow Ricordia - 2.5" many mouths
Big Rainbow/Silver Swirl Ricordia - 2.5" 3 mouths

Updated Pic:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/NanoJan52009008.jpg

Lookin' good Jamie. Now the wait begins for grow out:D

I think my favorite is the sideways orange digitata though.

nice blue SPS on the top, looks sweet.

^^Thanks!

I think its going to take shape nicely. Stock skimmer is doing pretty good with an upgraded pump, and I am dosing Aquavitro Fuel and TwoLittleFishes part A&B for Calc/Alk and Trace.

Jonboyb is going to help me with the nanocustoms PC light addition for actinic which I will order soon.

All in all, I am really enjoying this tank.

I think my favorite is the sideways orange digitata though.

:doh:
I know....I am going to remove from that blasted ORA plug and mount is shortly. Zero aquascaping style points on that one :yes: ......

That skimmer does ok but make sure you replace the airstone monthly (don't even ask how I know:D ) I used the Red Sea wood airstones that are like 3 for $5.99 and they did well. The first time I changed it after like 3 months of use the skimmer had almost stopped skimming and the stone was coated in a protein slime.....and I mean thick! Once replaced it produced ALOT of skimmate very quickly so it was down on efficiency.....and gave me a 15 ppm spike of nitrates.

And I'm just giggin' you on the digi. At least your stuff is mounted and not sitting around on racks...LOL

Also, the RBTA hasn't moved from that location???? Isn't the Koralia pointed right at it. I wasn't so lucky.

Also, the RBTA hasn't moved from that location???? Isn't the Koralia pointed right at it. I wasn't so lucky.

The Nem been there a while and seems to be happy for now. I am glad it stays up there. Sad thing is the clowns show no interest in hosting, but they have gone 8 years without an anemone, so I am not sure they ever will...it was worth a try.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/NanoJan52009001.jpg

:yay: My clownfish spawned last night!

Part of the reason behind this nano build was that my clowns were pretty unhappy in the other display in with the purple tang, and I thought they would be better off and happy in their own territory! I did not even think they would spawn.....tank is only been up less than two months!!

This is a great day!

Anyone want some clownfish eggs to raise>? I do not have the time, setup, nor the inclination....

:D :D :D :D :D

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/clowneggs002.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/clowneggs003.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/clowneggs004.jpg

Wow congrats, and i really like that nem where did you get it?

Wow congrats, and i really like that nem where did you get it?

Tim at Keen Reef...thanks....

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/TanksJanuary242009005.jpg

Very nice Jamie. Did you get to spend your winnings? :)

Very nice Jamie. Did you get to spend your winnings? :)

Lol....that is probably the one and only time I will win at Keen Poker night!! Had a good time and it was cool to meet everyone.:thumbs:

Just want to say that it's coming along verrry nice. You have some nice choices in there. Hope it continues to go well.

Added a McCoskers Wrasse from Keen Reef this weekend. Thanks Tim!

Also got a great Yashi Goby & Tiger Shrimp pair from Mark. Goby is hiding for now. The Tiger shrimp is actually building his first burrow right at the front right hand corner of the tank, which is so cool to watch, but I can't get any good pics.

Thanks to Tim at Keen Reef, FutureInterest, Jonboyb, Flyingarmy and Cooper9177 for all the great stuff. This Nano is coming together nicely thanks to you guys. Cheers!

Still can't get great pics with my camera. Looks way better in person. I am really happy with the way this tank is coming together.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/FebNano010.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/FebNano009.jpg

Added a cheapo custom HOB fuge today!!

I managed to find a guy on Ebay called 'threebratsracing' that makes fuges and nano tanks pretty cheap. I managed to get a custom 10x8x3.5" HOB Fuge with fittings and a small 2x2 micro pump for a quarter of the cost of a brand name one from the store, including shipping!. It seems to do the job nicely.

For a light, I went to home depot and they had a Hampton Bay Natural Sunlight Full Spectrum desk lamp with a 27 Watt PC bulb for $20.00!

I am debating on adding a little sand and LR, but thew a small peice of Cheato in their to see how it goes.

The Fuge is adding around another gallon of water volume to the system.

Does anyone know if I could grow a mangrove in such a small fuge? I think it may look pretty cool...whatch think?

Here is a pic from today:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/nanofuge002.jpg

Very nice. There's no way I can swing that on my JBJ with my modded AquaC skimmer:sad: Still plan to mount one beside the tank though. Unfortunately with the JBJ there's no real way to allow gravity flow back into the tank from the fuge without serious mods. I'm not sure how much pump really hurt the pod population though, I'm over-run with them and I have 4 pumps to chew them up with:D

That is a very pretty tank!

I saw some research that said that whole pod-chewing thing is a myth.

It makes me want to get a tank like that but I don't want a chiller to deal with the heat issues.

Thanks Soarin'.....I am really enjoying the Nano side of reefing. I don't have a chiller yet, and I know people that have upgraded the fans cheap on the HQI Nano and don't need a chiller - just an ATO because of the additional evaporation.

What are your temps like now?, and how quiet is the tank?

I do have a temp swing of a couple of degrees right now. It cools overnight down to heater temp of 80 and then moves up to about 81/82 before lights off. Tank has no noticable sound....

Right now I manually top off, but there is not a lot of evap due to the cover. I also dose 2 part just after lights out.

I am going to automate top off and dosing soon, and see how it goes. I am monitoring temp closely and will try the upgraded fan kit from nanotuners.com if I need to (I think I will).

That looks very cool -- it would be great to have a tank like that with T5s to help keep it a little cooler. I just looked at your 55 thread and it looks gorgeous as well!

Looks nice. I've been watching that seller's auctions for a while now. I really want to get one but I'm going to the beach for Spring Break next week and all that money I spend on a fuge might be better spent at the beach. His prices are pretty good, but once you get to the larger size fuges, there are "ready made" options that are around the same price range. I was looking for one for my 75, but his price was actually higher than another one I was looking at. Now I'm looking for one for my 10G nano, and I can't decide if I want a fuge like that, or if I just want to use a spare 5.5G tank, seeing as I have the space, but not the drill bit...

Thanks Soarin'....=)

au01st - I would recommend using the spare 5.5 gallon tank you have. I only went HOB because I had to due to space limitations.

Yeah, I think I figured out a way to make it work without drilling. The filter I plan to use works like an overflow box with all the filtration inside. I am going to stick a spare pump in there with some 1/2" hose and run that up and over the back into the 5.5, and have some 3/4" PVC running over the other side of the fuge back into the tank. As long as the siphon stays (and it will be relatively low flow with no bubbles, it will keep the levels of the two tanks equalized. If I mount the 5.5 high enough, I can have room for extra water, as well. That way, if the siphon breaks, the pump will pump water in until level in the filter box runs low. Then I'm only out the 2 pumps instead of having water everywhere, and seeing as how the pumps are cheap, to me it's worth it.

Now you have to post an update haha

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/_test059.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/_test006.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/_test023.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/_test025.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/_test032.jpg

Nice! If I ever get another job, I plan on doing a nano for my office!

Ok....now it is time to watch this thing grow out......

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/_test041.jpg

Nice! That lil clam is awesome. What is the acro in the last pic to the left above the clam? Light green

Nice! That lil clam is awesome. What is the acro in the last pic to the left above the clam? Light green

Thanks!! ORA Borealis Acro....the thing is super bright - my pics just don't pull out the color like standing in front of it, I love this coral. It has a little blue to it also. I can't wait to see it grow out.

My new Skimmer came in today. Wow! It is awesome.

Euro-Reef NANO Skimmer Video - Day 1 break in:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/th_EuroReefon28JBJNano_June09.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/?action=view&current=EuroReefon28JBJNano_June09.flv)

that looks splendid, great job

that looks splendid, great job


You are a scholar and a gentleman - Thanks. Hopefully I will have some good progress over the coming months.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/th_VID00002.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/?action=view&current=VID00002.flv)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/August12thNanoReef.jpg

thats nice jcus, i havent seen it for a while. alot of good growth.

So, this lil' dude will be leaving in a couple of days and he is my first split nem.

G'bye :sad:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/babynem002.jpg

I want him!

Vortech MP10 should be here in a couple of days....

Nano Media reactor up and running w/Phosban today.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/NanoMediaReactor002.jpg

That reactor is awesome

Sapphire aquatics makes some great stuff!! I met them at MACNA last year they've got some cool ideas.

Tank is still looking great!

Added Vortech MP10

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/TankSept28004.jpg

ORA Corals - Acro Verde, Purple Plasma, Borealis, Pearlberry, Hawkin's Blue Enchinata, Green Spongodes, Red Planet

Other SPS - Tyree Pink Lemonade, Purple Polyp Birdsnest, Garf Bonsai, Mixed Berry Acro, Green/Pink Millie, Unknown Blue, Unkown Green

Encrusting - Tyree True Undata, Superman Monti, Purple Haze Monti

Monti Caps - Idaho Grape, Leng Sy, Tyree Baby Blue Polyp

Favites - Aussie War Coral (Red w/Green Eyes)

Chalice - Tyree Pink Watermelon

Zoas/Palys - Nuclear Green Palys, Purple Death Palys, Orange Bam Bams, Lord of the rings, Neon Green Dragon Eyes, Red w/Purple Mouth

Livestock - RBTA x 2, Ultra Grade Maxima Clam (Blue), Coco Worm, Pair of Oscellaris Clowns, 1 Peppermint & 1 Cleaner Shrimp, Orange Spot Goby & Tiger Shrimp Pair, McCosker's Wrasse

Coming Soon - Setosa, Sunset Monti, Ponape Birdnest, Tubs Blue Zoas

Quite the coral collection! SO NICE! I love love love the pink lemonade, and I can't wait to get some tub blues too

New Aussie Acan Lord frag
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/photo2.jpg

New Sun Coral colony
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/photo.jpg

Start of a new display refugium. 22" L x 14" H x 5" D - will be on the shelf that separates kitchen from living room....
http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/FugeProgress001.jpg

Great Sun Coral! It's gorgeous!

Tank looks great :thumbs:.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/2ndattempNovember1Tank018.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/2ndattempNovember1Tank026.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/November1Tank005.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/2ndattempNovember1Tank008.jpg

I love your little goby/pistol pair. So awesome.
And that sun coral is looking good!

what did you do with the large green monti?.....looked like you had alot of growth out of it.

what did you do with the large green monti?.....looked like you had alot of growth out of it.

Cap was too large...in fact, I am contemplating trading my other caps on the right wall. Not sure though.

Cap was too large...in fact, I am contemplating trading my other caps on the right wall. Not sure though.

Well tank is awesome!

Jamie, you've done a terrific job, makes me want something bigger..


Phil :up:

Thanks!!

Should finish this soon. Jeff McPhail is building this new refuge for me and it is taking shape. Plan to finish the intake and get this online tomorrow...and paint the background black.

Water test:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/newrefuge002.jpg

Side View:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/newrefuge008.jpg

Angle View:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/newrefuge009.jpg

Here is the old refuge for reference....ugly, but it worked:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/RefugiumViews001.jpg

I love the small scale of it. Jeff does some nice work.
Dave

Nice.

Very Nice.

So, Jeff McPhail did an outstanding job with the new add on refuge.

The primary goal was to have a nice view from the living room as you could see the back of the tank that sits on the kitchen counter.

Additionally, I wanted to add more water volume and have a functional display/refuge area for some nice macro's and such.

I still have to get some nice small live rock pieces and clean the acrylic, but here goes the day one photo's:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/newrefuge2003.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/newrefuge2004.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/newrefuge2001.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/2ndattempNovember1Tank026.jpg

Looking good!

Thanks James...

It is nice to do something different and I am happy with the way it turned out. Now I need to stock it!

That does look really good! What do you plan on putting in there?

That does look really good! What do you plan on putting in there?

Thanks. I am open to suggestions....

I can't decide.

I have a 4" sandbed and a ball of cheato and I still stare at the blasted thing non stop ;)

I need help.

Sexy shrimp! Love them haha.

I've always been a big fan of the Panda and Green Clown Gobies. Very tiny, but still very cool little guys.

Jeff finally made something nice!! J/k, nice fuge!! how about mangroves?

Jeff finally made something nice!! J/k, nice fuge!! how about mangroves?


Thanks Cliff. Mangroves will be a very cool addition to this setup and Jamie has the perfect idea for the lighting for them as well!

Maybe I should have a HOB fuge for the 40B, I want mangroves....

So, I removed the Cheato and added some live rock.

My wife fell in love with a Flame Hawkfish because of its personality, so it is a dedicated Hawkfish tank. I am not adding any inverts, just the one fish.

I hope to add a couple of Sea Fan/Gorgo's and I am planning on moving my sun coral from the main 28 JBJ into it also....later.

Here is a wide room pic to give you an idea of why I decided to do this versus the old HOB fuge....it turned out way more pleasing to the eye. That reminds me, I have to move that one power cord I have running down the wall temporarily.....anyways - I hope you like. Will get some close ups later.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/PICODec1001.jpg

Dude, Sweet idea.....I love the placement in the room. How many gallons is that former refugium? (sorry if you already posted that..)

Thanks man! 7 gallons.

Here is the back view on the tank while it can be seen.

I get a lot of question from folks asking how the skimmer fits, or where did you put the Nano media reactor etc....

.....hope this helps :up:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg263/jcusmarine/backoftank002.jpg