Banner image

20G Long AIO zoa garden (1 Viewer)

Wes- I think it's 4" return area, 4" refugium area, 3" intake side. The other inch is list by the baffles.

Kveekx- thanks. I like it. His kit needed done trimming but other than that was great quality.
 
If you want zoa grow out, I would put a fish or two in and feed the tank. I've had the best success with zoas when the tank is a little less clean. Still well maintained, but not crazy clean. In my current tank, I've got oversized filtration and way bright lights - SPS are doing well but the zoas don't like it. In past tanks with less agressive filtration, I've had much better zoa growth.
 
If you want zoa grow out, I would put a fish or two in and feed the tank. I've had the best success with zoas when the tank is a little less clean. Still well maintained, but not crazy clean. In my current tank, I've got oversized filtration and way bright lights - SPS are doing well but the zoas don't like it. In past tanks with less agressive filtration, I've had much better zoa growth.

Thanks for the info. Was thinking a neon goby. I'm for sure doing a fire shrimp and peppermint. If not a neon goby maybe a sixline or small blenny, but my main goal is to try to keep the tank as simple as possible. Minimal feeding. Lights on controller, all I really need to do is water hangs and clean skimmer and watch on a regular basis at least. Wouldn't mind a hi fin/tiger goby pistol combo. Or a yasha/candy. Would still be fairly simple.

Starting the tank with 10-15 lbs of live rock and adding a few pounds of tonga branch to be like trees and some tonga sheds for a nice flat surface for growth.

Really love caves I'm going to try to have as many faves as possible everywhere without have too many dead spots. Really want a tonga nassarius in the tank, few trochus.
 
The goby/shrimp would be a good fit though I might go with something bigger than a yasha/candy. They are definately cool, but I've tried pairing them up several times and they just disappear even in a small tank. I wouldn't do the sixline to reduce the risk of a jumper - don't remember seeing if you are putting a top on.
 
The goby/shrimp would be a good fit though I might go with something bigger than a yasha/candy. They are definately cool, but I've tried pairing them up several times and they just disappear even in a small tank. I wouldn't do the sixline to reduce the risk of a jumper - don't remember seeing if you are putting a top on.

Could make a top, wouldn't be an issue. I would plan accordingly. Yeah I hear ya on the yasha. I really love the hi fin or orange spot as well.

Since I'm placing in some dry rock with the live I plan on waiting for a mild cycle and just letting the tank get up and running. No hurry to add anything too soon. Trying to do this right and learn from all the mistakes over the years haha.
 
got the pump ( put hose on farther and nylon clamp )
photo-2_zps35e636fc.jpg


loc lines in, little overkill but works well. will be changing as needed.
photo1-1_zps0922c536.jpg


filling, no leaks!
photo3-3_zps9e81cde6.jpg


and the waiting game.
photo4-1_zps4ed0715e.jpg


my new rock arrived, picking up my new live rock tomorrow. so aquascape update tomorrow night!
photo5_zps7716b1c6.jpg


turned to my right and snapped a quick pic of my 95 and caught my cleaner wrasse cleaning my yellow tang.
photo6-1_zps672887a1.jpg


sorry for bad pics from my phone.
 
Very nice! I'm thinking very much of stealing your build, but doing a peninsula style tank and ripping off the rim...
 
Very nice! I'm thinking very much of stealing your build, but doing a peninsula style tank and ripping off the rim...

Sounds like a good plan I wanted to go the peninsula but no where to set it up properly.

Got all my rock. After work setting it all up.
 
Very nice! I'm thinking very much of stealing your build, but doing a peninsula style tank and ripping off the rim...

F College, I just had this idea in my head haha without the rimless part but college is holdin me back..
 
Rocks 90% in need to adda f ew pieces when it clears up.
photo7-1_zpsfa197b44.jpg

little teaser until tomorrow since its still stirred up.
 
This might of already been answered but what are you running in the AIO Box as far as filtration?
 
Nothing at the moment, with no fish, only zoas and my 50% a month water changes I feel they will be adequate. I may run ind of those jbj led that can be in the water n run a little chaeto. Otherwise I have an aqua c remora that I had thought of using as well.
 
no carbon or anything? also where did you get the fittings for the plumbing? did they come with it or no?
 
No plan to. I had this tank running with zoas ( no all in one ) very little rock and everything grew great. Even the sps I had. So I think it will again. Going for simplicity which is why I wanted zoas as I seem to be able to grow them like no tomorrow in my other tanks. I also contemplated an ac70 fuge. But I'm setting it up and letting it run and if things need more filtration I can always add.

As for the plumbing I got it all from brs and did it myself, had nvr done anything like it I'm glad I did I think it turned out well. Little long but I have decent flow in all corners.
 
Last edited:
rock is 90% scaped still. but here is a shot of the water clearing up.
1-4_zps6c47398b.jpg


2-3_zps4a0e1d8b.jpg


heater is in the display until i cut a slot int he lid for the "sump" area for the cord and what not to fit.
wish i would have sanded the stand and painted it black, but oh well no big deal really.
 
Last edited:
I was looking through Nano-reef.com and found this link to a company that makes AIO kits for 5, 10 and 20l tanks:
http://www.badfishreefsystems.com/all_in_one_kits_5.html#

Is this what you used to build your tank?

Yep! Good quality, but had to trim some like he made it kinda fast. But the quality was all there do no complaints!

Should I expect much of a cycle? All the rock in there was live except a .75lb tonga branch and I plan to add another 1-2 pound piece. Sand is live Fiji pink.
 
A "cycle" is the bacteria trying to build enough of a population to support the amount of waste in the tank. When people say "cycle" they ussually think of the adverse effects, which are from not having enough bacteria to process the waste.

When you put in a few pieces of live rock and a dead shrimp to cycle. You have a small amount of bacteria and a massive amount of waste. (No wonder it takes a month)

The way I like to do it is by putting in a large amount bacteria (in bottle) (weopon of choice Dr. Tim's) and a small amount of waste (chromis). Then slowly adding more and more waste (slowly stocking fish). There are 0 sign of a "cycle" this way. The bacteria is slowly building its population while you have a fish or two to watch.

So in your situation. You have a large amount of bacteria (rock, sand) and practically no waste. So I doubt you will get what is often reffered to as a "cycle".

(Sorry for the long answer, it is 3:30 AM and I am bored :nuts:)
 
Last edited:
Haha it's ok the more I read the more I learn, never a bad thing. I didn't think I would see much if any due to the amount of bacteria/waste we've discussed. I placed in a small tester frag of whammin watermelons as I have too many anyways lol. Ill be doing my tests here sometime when I'm not stuck at the e.r.

Would really like input from people as to do an invert tank. Blood shrimp, trochus, maybe a brittle star, small urchin and some nassarius.

Or doing the above but adding a hi fun/orange spot with pistol, neon goby, maybe a small blenny or six line?
Or what would you stick if it were your tank ( pulling ideas ). I like the idea of a half black dwarf angel. 50/50 shot of it but reading up they seem more interested in Lps than softies. I would like to find something bright green like the tail of a bicolor angel.

After I scaped it I would really like fish in there but maybe on the smaller size as I don't like keeping small fish in my large tank as you never see them.
 
Last edited:

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top