My "Custom" 10 Gallon

[cwk132]

Well this is my first tank that belongs to just me. My brother, Fishin'MN, helped me out but I will be responsible for stocking (I stole some corals from our 40BR that could survive a nuclear holocaust for some starters) and maintanence. We got some acrylic to make a little false wall on one side for future filtration/macro algae options later down the road and the water is returned by a maxijet 900 with a locline "y". The flow seems a little strong right now but I'm sure I will be able to make it work and I will make sure to post more pictures once the cycle is over and I start adding more corals, clean up crew, and livestock (one pom pom crab).

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/P1020709.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/P1020713.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/P1020714.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/P1020722.jpg

[steve1600cc]

Awesome..Just a matter of Time now!!

[wes]

I've thought about doing this for top off reasons in a tank to keep it sumpless. Cool!

[hamdogg08]

I'm diggin' it. ...but what's the sponge for??

[cwk132]

the sponge is just in there to help clear up the water from the sand. in the pictures you can see that the water is still hazy from it. The tank is a little more clear today.

[cwk132]

well the cycle is over so i added 4 nassarius snails, 2 astreas, and my emerald crab named George Washington to the tank. I would add pictures but it is just a tile of xenia and lots of diatoms. once the tank is cleared up a bit I will be adding the rest of my corals that have been staying in our 75 (yumas, zoos, palys, and a kenya tree).

now an important question. what do you guys think I should add for livestock. I was thinking a pom pom crab http://liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1474&N=0
but I am not sure. any suggestions would be cool. thanks, Charlie

[Dragon Eye]

Pom pom crabs are neat! We have one with out Emerald Crab in our BC29- the pom pom is one of my favorite things in the tank.

[cwk132]

Do you tihnk s/he would get along with an emerald crab. I am shying away from fish because I am going for a low maintinence (less water changes hopefully) tank.

[Dragon Eye]

Do you tihnk s/he would get along with an emerald crab. I am shying away from fish because I am going for a low maintinence (less water changes hopefully) tank.

You really only see the pom pom during feeding times about every 4 days, and the emerald is out more often- Haven't seen them have a problem with each other yet. Though I should mention that we did have an emerald before that outgrew the tank, so the new one is much smaller.

[gogregerson]

What do you have for a light on there?

[cwk132]

for lighting I have two 32 watt PCs (one 10K and one actinic) in old CSL (custom sealife) hood. For what I want in the tank, the lighting is just perfect but I might switch the full actinic to this 50/50 actinic that has both 460 and 420 nm

[cwk132]

Some pictures for you all to enjoy... Note the beautiful diatoms on the sand. For CUC I have 4 nassarius, 2 astreas, 1 cerith, and 1 emerald crab, and hundreds of colonista snails. The tank is teeming with pods and it is really fun to watch them as I have never really seen pods in our 75 gallon.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2001%2020%2007/10gallonjanuary20008.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2001%2020%2007/10gallonjanuary20010.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2001%2020%2007/10gallonjanuary20012.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2001%2020%2007/10gallonjanuary20019.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2001%2020%2007/10gallonjanuary20013.jpg

[cwk132]

I have a question for you guys, would a 70 watt halide (say 14K bulb) be way more powerful than my 64 watts of pc? I guess what I am asking is would it be worth it to buy the 70 watt halide? I think the 150 would cause way to many temp problems.

[cwk132]

Well no one really reads this thread, but I'm going to update it anyways.

FTS (rights before a water cahnge so everything looks kinda bad, plus I think I need to replace my pc bulbs
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2005%2019%2008/FTS.jpg

A Red Mushroom under just actinics
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2005%2019%2008/RedShroom.jpg

George
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2005%2019%2008/GeorgeSr.jpg

Shennanigans my porcelain crab (he's got flair)
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2005%2019%2008/GeorgeJr.jpg

[wes]

you could very easily do a DIY halide added to your PC lights and that'd be a lot more power. I did that only keeping my actinic PC bulb and I liked it pretty well.

[fivesmallworlds]

Nice. Did you decide to get one of the pom pom crabs then? I really like them, think I'll get one for my 75 when I get it going. I really like your setup.

Looking good!

[cwk132]

I was thinking about getting a 70 watt halide but decided it was a little to expensive even DIY. I actually just ordered individual reflectors for my pcs and I am also going to switch out my actinic for a 50/50 since I have added cold cathodes for actinics which have worked much better than expected. I figure with individual reflectors and more white light I will get a lot more useful light into the tank. I couldn't find a pom pom crab locally but I got a porcelain crab which is also really cool. As you can see from the picture he hides under a mushroom and filter feeds all day. The only other things I want to add to the tank are some cool hermits (havent decided) and a pom pom crab if i can ever find one. Thanks for looking

[Luna81]

I really like this. Pretty darn cool if you ask me. Keep updating :)

[wes]

I was thinking about getting a 70 watt halide but decided it was a little to expensive even DIY. I actually just ordered individual reflectors for my pcs and I am also going to switch out my actinic for a 50/50 since I have added cold cathodes for actinics which have worked much better than expected. I figure with individual reflectors and more white light I will get a lot more useful light into the tank. I couldn't find a pom pom crab locally but I got a porcelain crab which is also really cool. As you can see from the picture he hides under a mushroom and filter feeds all day. The only other things I want to add to the tank are some cool hermits (havent decided) and a pom pom crab if i can ever find one. Thanks for looking

I did mine for under $70, which is a fairly trivial amount compared to some of my other expenses (sh! don't tell my wife!). In time, I imagine you'll want to get ridda the PCs

[cwk132]

I did mine for under $70, which is a fairly trivial amount compared to some of my other expenses (sh! don't tell my wife!). In time, I imagine you'll want to get ridda the PCs

wow that is a lot cheaper than what i thought it was going to be last time i looked into it. the deciding factor will be if i can get a summer job then i'll look into it again. Wes, did you buy all of your stuff for the 70 watt halide online or did you get it through the club? If you got it online I would love to know what site(s) you got all the parts at. Thanks, Charlie

[wes]

ballast: ~$40 shipped http://ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=112&FID=17&level=1
fixture: regent 300-500watt halogen $8
bulb: ebay for $15 shipped from hong kong.
http://cgi.ebay.com/70-W-14K-HQI-DE-Metal-Halide-Aquarium-Bulb-Lamp-Reef_W0QQitemZ120263652542QQihZ002QQcategoryZ46314 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

cheap! I had wires and a fixture to retrofit already at home, so I just used those. However, you can just do it just with those things I mentioned.

[cwk132]

how have the bulb and reflector been performing for you? Well my brother and I were playing with some camera settings and were able to get some really cool photos from our 75 gallon as well as this one from my tank...

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2005%2019%2008/Shennanigans.jpg

[wes]

I tore down the tank and sold it, but it was doing just great. I traded for an AB bulb and couldn't really tell the difference. I was getting fine growth from a scripps staghorn under it. I wouldn't compare it to a 400watt radium, but it works great on a nano. I had a nice sized fan in the fixture and had it only a few inches above the water with no issues. Be SURE to cover the bulb with glass or something to stop UV. any glass will do, but tempered will resist super high temps better if you don't have a fan.

[bkoppes]

Like your nano a lot. Keep posting pics. I really like the close up of your crab. Excellent.:beerchug:

[wes]

how have the bulb and reflector been performing for you? Well my brother and I were playing with some camera settings and were able to get some really cool photos from our 75 gallon as well as this one from my tank...

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2005%2019%2008/Shennanigans.jpg

calender pic!

[spectrum]

Very nice

[wolmutt]

nice kung foo.

[cwk132]

Got some really cool shots of the tank a few days ago. Please ignore the bubble algae/ pest anemone.

sponge
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2006%2008%2008/060808001.jpg

?
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2006%2008%2008/060808005.jpg

pods?
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2006%2008%2008/060808004.jpg

[hamdogg08]

looks like you have some pretty good critters in your substrate and elsewhere in the tank. Looking good!

[cwk132]

Well my porcelain crab had a failed molt last night. He had gone into the return/overflow section once, and i put him back into the main area, then he went back again so I figured he liked to flow back there better (more flow). Today he has lost both claws and a leg after I saw him in the process of molting last night. I'm worried and pretty sad for him right now.

[RaysReef]

sorry to hear Charlie...

[nano-newbie]

that sucks, probably will grow back though.

[cwk132]

Well my emerald crab george had a bad molt as well. Must be not enough of something in the water. Is it Iodine that helps with molting? My brother and I did a 50% water change

[PLNelson]

Good luck with the crabs. Tanks looks great BTW.

[morty]

Sorry to hear about the crab molts Charlie -- I did an RC search for "molt", maybe you can find some clues about what to do in one of these threads:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/search.php?action=showresults&searchid=9756779&sortby=replies&sortorder=descending

[hamdogg08]

From my research, iodine doesn't increase the quality of the molt, it increases the frequency of them. I think David Grigor posted it somewhere, but I'm not sure.

[gitsumpottery]

I've got a 70w pendant that you could put in your hood. I don't use it anymore. PM if you are interested... Wes and I both really like 70s for small tanks.

[wes]

I've got a 70w pendant that you could put in your hood. I don't use it anymore. PM if you are interested... Wes and I both really like 70s for small tanks.

yep!

if you're having bad molts, I'd guess an excess of iodine. it can cause premature molting, which can lead to bad molts. I forget where I first read that, but I've heard it a couple times now. I don't supplement anything like 'trace elements' or that bs, just kalk and carbonate/bicarbonate for me.

[cwk132]

Shenanigans the porcelain crab gave up his fight for life last night, and I figured he deserves an obituary because I am bored.


http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2005%2019%2008/Shennanigans.jpg

He led a great, but short life. I would like to think that he passed peacefully during the night, as I found him stuck to the intake of the maxijet this morning. He was a quiet leader, running his tank under President Theodore Roosevelt's motto, "speak softy, and carry a big stick." In his prime he was the alpha male of the tank, the embodiment of strength and valor. The final weeks of his life were troubled to say the least. He started going into the return section a lot (I think him and my emerald must have been fighting) and he never was the same afterwards. Things went downhill with a failed molt a week or two ago, things will not be the same without him. RIP shenanigans, you will be missed.

[hypertech]

Bummer. If you decide you want Shenanigans II, Jake at DA has them in stock - or at least he had a couple last week.

[cwk132]

Yeah I've been debating what new tankmate I want. Either another porcelain crab would be cool, I know that some come in different colors like blue, or another type of crab.

[hypertech]

Blue porcelain crab?

Oops, misread - thought you were looking for a blue crab.

[Jim E.]

Jealous of your avatar -- that's funny as hell. Also enjoyed the poignant obit. (I know -- I'm not supposed to enjoy reading obituaries til I'm 80.) Sorry for your loss.

Do you think competing crabby species (aka briny bugs) would be inclined to molest one another in close quarters? E.g., an Emerald with a Porcelain, or even just bigger with smaller...? Personally I don't trust opportunistic omnivores. I have one big Emerald Mithraculus in my 65. He's in New Ulm. I'm in Atlanta. I wonder what he is doing.

[cwk132]

I honestly do think that in close quarters two crabs with any differences are going to molest each other. My tank doesn't have a lot of rock in it so there weren't many places to hide if a conflict arose. I think that is why the porcelain crab went into the return section. I want to add two or three more bigger pieces of rock to really get a full tank, then maybe try another, larger porcelain crab.

blue porcelain crab:
http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productDetail.asp?did=2&pid=1122&cid=80

[cwk132]

Well I've got some big plans for this 10 in the coming two weeks. Plans are to go with a canopy on the top rather then open to so I can house my NEW 70W HALIDE!!!! There will be enough room in the canopy to keep one on the PC bulbs as well. So I will have 32W pc and 70w halide and two cold cathodes for actinic. I was wondering what PC bulb everyone thinks I should keep to compliment the 14K halide bulb? I have a dual daylight (6.7 and 10K) or a 460nm actinic. I think I will keep the dual daylight unless others think I should go with the actinic

[morty]

Charlie I have some spares of both types of 32w bulbs if you want to give each a try. I'm wondering if the 6.7/10K would be blue enough with the 14K.

[cwk132]

I actually have the dual daylight as well as the actinic over the tank right now, so if I don't like the look of the one its an easy switch to the other one. I am going to try some easy sps once I get the halide up, the tank already has good flow with the maxijet 1200 as the return, but I will get another powerhead if I feel more is needed. And with hardly any bioload (no fish, just my emerald crab) and such a small tank, I hope to be able to keep the water quality really good since doing a 30% water change on this tank requires about 5 minutes and 3 gallons of new salt water, which is more than is usually left over from our water changes on the 75.

[cwk132]

Marty and I got around to getting the halide in this weekend. The canopy now house the 70W DIY halide, and a 32W actinic PC. There are two layers of screen over the tank right now so the corals can acclimate. I will remove one layer in about a week, the second in another week after maybe.

Halide in back, pc in front.
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2006%2008%2008/62808029.jpg

Crappy FTS (the pipe organ was pissed off but is now open and looking great)
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2006%2008%2008/62808033.jpg

and some eye candy from the 75
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii280/cwk132/10%20Gallon%2006%2008%2008/62808004.jpg

[nano-newbie]

Both tanks are very nice. I saw them in person today. Keep up the good work.

[hamdogg08]

They've come a long way since you first set them up! Great job!!!

[Jace]

Hey I was wondering if you could post a update if your still around. And a close up to your in the tank sump or what you want to call it. And tell me how it works. I read this thread a while ago and now got everything ready... and plan on trying it..

[shadowz40]

that was a great picture of your crab

[cwk132]

This tank has been neglected for many months now which kind of sucks. It is to the point where I don't really want to post pictures. Maybe I will do some cleaning this weekend and try to get some pics... Thanks for the kind words though. My advice Jace would be to really keep up on your water changes.

Looking at the first page or two it really makes me sad to see it how it is today. I think the halide might have been overkill (maybe I will buy a 20K bulb as this one needs replacing) and the only thing that is doing good is the xenia.

[Jace]

oh cwk you should really clean up that tank and take good care of it. Your idea aws amazing. It inspired me to try it. It doesent matter if its not 100% clean as long as it looks good to you thats all that matters. Do u think you ccould atleast show me what u have in that area..? i really want to copy that idae

[cwk132]

The best pictures to describe what I did are on the first page really, and its pretty simple (why I did it in the first place haha). It only requires two pieces of plexiglass, and I think I would only use one if I were to do it again. I would use one piece of plexglass that is basically the depth and height of the tank, just a little less in both so you can actually fit it in their haha. Then just cut an overflow on the top of the plexiglass, or use the whole baffle as an overflow. I would also change how the return pump is set up, instead of using loc-line, I would cut the whole a little bit higher and use a maxi jet with a hydor flow attachment on it. Then just silicone in place, find some lights, and your ready to start it up!

[cwk132]

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=126&pictureid=2269

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=126&pictureid=2268

Some renderings I made in sketchup to clarify what my setup is currently like. The two pieces of plexi are colored differently, the black hole is cut out for the maxijet, etc. I want to get rid of the green piece of plexi when I redo this tank over spring break.

[Jace]

oh ok got it thanks are u sure its plexiglass?

[cwk132]

yeah I just used some clear plexiglass. I had the guy at truevalue cut it into the dimensions I needed. I figured it didn't really need to look nice so I went with the cheapest option, although black acrylic would look really nice

[wes]

heh, the scale of that pic must mean your tank is enormous!

[dougers31]

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=126&pictureid=2269

http://www.tcmas.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=126&pictureid=2268

Some renderings I made in sketchup to clarify what my setup is currently like. The two pieces of plexi are colored differently, the black hole is cut out for the maxijet, etc. I want to get rid of the green piece of plexi when I redo this tank over spring break.

And I thought energy's tank was huge;)

[Jace]

Will plexiglass hold well...? cause if so ill go with black plexi glass

[cwk132]

yeah I think it should, I just used silicone and it is solidly in there

[Jace]

is it hard 2 clean it? the refugium side

[Fish'InMN]

I have a feeling that if we tried to rip out the smaller piece of plexiglass, it would not come out. I would bet a lot of money on the side of the tank breaking before the plexiglass comes off.

[Jace]

Yeah i figured it would hold but i didnt kno.. is it easy to clean it cause a mag float wouldent be abile to get in there

[Mikko]

I have exactly the same thing.

only in a 5.5. Wish I did it in a 10 now, but I am quite pleased with mine.

[cwk132]

I use a nimble nano which is a really small magnet cleaner that can fit everywhere. When designing yours you could make the refugium area large enough that you could get the mag float in, or just use the magfloat sideways (tall and skinny) and it could fit in there too. I have to admit though, I have never cleaned the refugium side haha

p.s. I am also excited to see some more nanos on TCMAS. I encourage everyone to make a build thread because it really helps you look back at the progression of your tank and is a good place to ask specific questions about your system since the thread will already have all of your system details and stuff in it.