I really like the look of the Radion XR15. The AI Hydra seems a little bit more economical. I'm going to have to research the differences, but I think I would like to go with a light like these. It seems like there's a lot more options than with my Razor.
So I'm trying to get this tank going around Christmas for my nieces. I was considering building a sump, but I might just go with a canister filter and no skimmer. I've had luck in my other system with that setup. My plans for this tank is just to keep softies and some LPS. I will add maybe a clownfish and something else so my nieces have some fish to watch. I am now trying to figure out how much rock I need. I have 15lbs of it, do you all think that would be enough? I'll post a picture tonight, but it's really the right amount for the look I want to achieve. In my other tank, I basically have a rock wall. In this tank, I am wanting it to have a more minimalist look. I also want more sandbed space so some of the LPS can really grow out.
Hiya, Most folks will tell you to put 1 1/2 lbs of rock per gallon..but if you're happy with the look then I saw go for it! Kim/Benton, AR
Most of us have more live rock than we need but I'd rather have more than needed than too little. If you did use a sump you could put the majority of your live rock in the sump and be unconstrained with your aquascape in the DT.
Just throwing another idea at you. Since this is for your niece, and you mentioned clowns, why not a clown harem? Throw in a nice bubble or long tentacle anemone. As the tank matures and the nem splits add more clowns. Would stick with percula and they will create they're own pecking order and get along great. Would provide constant movement and color. Also a very simple setup, similar to softy. Sounds like you already have the lights for it.
It is really porous rock, and I read that makes a difference. I am also going to do a deep sandbed. I know that a sump is the best way to do it, and we've went over how to build them at meetings, but the whole plumbing aspect kinda scares me honestly. I'm not mechanical at all. I've really researched the DIY route, and just don't think that I can do it. And the only thing about having a lot of fish is that since I probably won't be running a skimmer, I have to be very careful how often I feed. I have a filefish in my current tank, and it eats aiptasia and pods. I will occasionally throw in some Rod's food for it and my corals. I've had luck with an anemone before. It was doing fine in my tank, but one day I was trying to move it with a powerhead and ripped a hole in its foot. So I think an anemone would be possible for this tank too. Just depending on the lights I go with. I'm not going to put anything super expensive on this tank. This is going to be more of a simple setup so the nieces can spend time watching it.
Here's two possible aquaecapes with the rock that I already have. I think I really want to have some kind of tower though.
Since today was Cyber Monday, I decided to order some stuff for the tank. Petco was doing a thing where you got a $5 e-card for every $25 you spend. So I decided to order some stuff from there. I decided to just go with the canister filter. I have had a lot of luck with it in my current reef. I got the Penn Plax Cascade Canister Filter 1000. I currently use this brand on my reef tank. I know it's not the top of the line, but I will be able to purchase all of the filters and things for both tanks at the same time. The canister filter is rated for tanks up to 100 gallons. I am not sure if that was overkill or not. But I'm hoping the larger filter will help since I will not be running a skimmer. I did not research to see if that is true or not, but it just seems like it wouldn't hurt. I also ordered 40lbs of CaribSea Arag-Alive Bahamas Oolite Aquarium Sand. I did order sand from Petco for my current reef tank, but I'm not sure if this is the same stuff. I didn't really have time to research it very good, but hopefully it'll work. I'm going for a deep sand bed, so hopefully 40lbs will cover that. I also ordered a huge box of Reef Crystals. With my e-rewards, I'm hoping that I'll have enough to buy a heater and some powerheads. Then the only thing I have left to buy is the light. I know that I'll be going LED. I'm thinking the Maxspect Nano LED will be good. I've had a lot of luck with that brand on my current tank. I would like to buy one of the nicer brands mentioned earlier in the thread, but I just can't spend the money on one right now. If anybody knows of anything that is comparable to the Maxspect Nano ($260), let me know. I've never cycled a tank. I bought my first tank used, and just moved it to my house. So I may have had a mini-cycle and didn't know it. But I'm thinking about going ahead and starting the tank when I get my powerheads and heater, and then buying the light in a couple of weeks.
Also, do I need to buy egg crate for the bottom? I didn't do that on my current tank. But it seems like I remember Greg making a point about it at a meeting. I've also got to buy some spray paint and paint the back glass black. I haven't had much luck growing coraline algae in my current tank (dunno if it's the LEDs) but I hate to see cords on the back display.
Secure your rock work and I don't think there is any need for egg crate. Many people think it's a detritis trap and prevents useful organisms like bristle worms, cerith, nassarius and conch snails from thoroughly cleaning the sand bed. There are plenty of people on both sides of this decision. If your bioload is light you will probably be fine skimmerless and sumpless. I do think you might have issues with the planned small amount of rock if your stocking list was bigger. Don't be afraid of sumps. Plumbing is not rocket science and is actually pretty easy if you just pay attention to detail (which most reefers are pretty good at).
Thanks. It just seems like I've got so much going on in life right now, that I can't pay attention to detail, if that makes sense. I will go light on my stocking list. Maybe a pair of clowns. I honestly don't keep many fish. I usually just fill with coral.
I ran a 30gallon for over a year with just a HOB. Had several SPS, did great. Skimmers simply remove waste. The same can be done numerous ways. As for the rock, build what is aesthetically pleasing to you. you can establish denitrifying bacteria colonies other places than display rock work. For lighting, I personally am using two ocean revive units on my tank. It is SPS dominated with foot print of 48 x 24 x 30 high. One unit is less than the maxspect and more light than you need. If you are going without a skimmer, no sump, and minimal rock work I would highly recommend a HOB or hang on side refugium. Your better off getting a less expensive light (that works just as well) and spend that money for additional nutrient export…macro algae. Rock rubble in the fuge would also provide a great spot for bacteria.
Well, I've got water in the tank, and going to let it cycle. I'm planning on going to the Fish Bowl tomorrow, and trying to buy more rock. If I buy 10-12 more lbs, that will get me to about 1lb of rock per gallon. I'm hoping to keep the sandbed this open, and just build the rock work upwards. And if they got a cool frag, I might buy one and keep it in my current tank until this one is ready. I'm really wanting a bubble coral. I've never had one, and they look cool. I'm also going to try and order my lights this week. I'm going to go with the max spect nano 16k. I'm running the razor 16k on my current tank, and I've been really happy with it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I liked the rock stack in the second picture but if you are adding more that will change for sure. I have been running a HOB on my tank for 15 years with no skimmer. I just do weekly 15 gal water changes. My softies do well but SPS not as well. My water is not as clear as I would like so hopefully with the new tank and sump i'll get crystal clear water. Good Luck with your new build.
Thanks. I'm going to keep softies and Lps. I'll probably keep some montioproia corals though. I have a similar setup on my current tank, and they all seem to really be thriving. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
