My DIY 25 gallon Nano

[ismvel]

Well, here we go, downsizing yet again. Wanted to go smaller for when I get an Army Commission I can move around and not have a big tank to have to break down and set up every 3 - 5 years.....so I am going from a 60 gallon cube to a 25 gallon acrylic with DIY stand.

Lighting: Evolution LED
Return: Sicce 3
Controller: Reekeeper Lite
Powerhead: Vortech 10 es w
Skimmer: Octopus 110

I am going to keep the existing sump that is on my 60 gallon (Ace built)

I still need to do some touching up on the stand, and actually lay the tile with adhesive and grout on the bar top (the face of the plywood will also get tiled). I just simply placed it on there for the picture.

I am baaaaaad with taking pictures during the progress but here are some shots.
http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/PB124971.jpg

The front panel has magnets, so it just comes out as a single piece.

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/PB295001.jpg

Left side with cut out for the controller

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/PB295008.jpg

Front with panel removed and sliding drawer where all of my equipment will go. I have two monster fans in there that will be programmed to turn on at a certain temp.

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/PB295002.jpg

Close up of the tiles

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/PB295003.jpg



I am hoping to make the move and switch things over here in the next couple of weekends. Won't do it this weekend because I have drill, but may try for next week on either a Tues or Thurs or perhaps next weekend.

I will transfer nearly all of my corals and only have two clowns in this one so I will need find homes for my current inhabitants. But that is for another post at another time. Not even trying to dig through my tank until I break it down.

I am really looking forward to getting this little guy set up. :)

[Europhyllia]

Love the tiles. Have been trying to get hubby to put some tiles like these on the kitchen wall by the stove. lol

[ismvel]

Thinking I was going to switch over from the 60 to the 25 was going to be a fairly simple task and I would have an overstocked new tank......Well it was rather depressing, and continues to be:

I had an overstock coral graveyard in a matter of a day, and casualties still wracking up. Not sure what happened, how or why.....But I lost about 90% of everything I had starting with the SPS.

Now looks like the zoas are withering away and the the hammer isn't as big as it once was. I hope that at least makes it. The only things that seem to be happy in there (which i will probably jinx now) are the two clown inhabitants, a peppermint shrimp, and some nassarius snails. :(

Once I get a handle on this thing, I guess it is time to start over........I hate this hobby sometimes. But if I quit now, I will:

1. admit defeat
2. have my wife beat my.........for spending money on the downgrade and emptying it out.

[ismvel]

Love the tiles. Have been trying to get hubby to put some tiles like these on the kitchen wall by the stove. lol
And by the way Karin, a little late, but thank you very much for the compliment. Looks a bit better now that it is finished and grouted.

[Jarob]

Oh no Im so sorry!

[justahobby]

Man, that stinks. Sorry dude. You should do some trouble shooting so you can at least learn from it. How did you do the transfer? How much existing water did you use, etc.?

[ismvel]

Oh no Im so sorry!


Man, that stinks. Sorry dude. You should do some trouble shooting so you can at least learn from it. How did you do the transfer? How much existing water did you use, etc.?
Thanks Jarob and Justin,

Trust me Justin, I am trying to figure out what I did wrong. I used about 50% of my other water. There are several variables in there that I think could have contributed but I can't be sure. I was talking to Tony in class the other night and he says it could have been something to do with my Alk. I didn't have an Alk / Calcium test and I didn't buy one the next day, so it is probably a little late (although I did order the test kits today) to determine if that was the cause.

In the meantime, things seem to be doing okay, I did a water change today, will probably do one on Monday (small 5 gallon ones) and slowly but surely start getting things here and there and watching them grow in again.

One of those things in this hobby. Frustrating? YES...depressing??? YES...Quit? HELL TO THE NAW....I am in this 4 life......or until my next crash, whichever kills me first. :)

[FireWater]

Sorry to hear it Ismael. I think I agree with Tony that a parameter change might have caused the die off - you said it started w/ sps and went from there. Possibly once the sps started dieing off it caused the chain reaction with chemical warfare - I have had that happen in the Finnex @ work but, luckily caught it quickly and saved all the lps, softies and some sps w/ water changes, carbon, and heavy skimming. Once you get back up let me know and you can come pick out some frags to start over with.

[ismvel]

Once you get back up let me know and you can come pick out some frags to start over with.
Thanks John, much appreciated :)

[aquasport24]

Sorry to hear that Ismael. Been there done that myself before, and still can't figured out what exactly happened. Keep up that good attitude man and don't give up.

[ismvel]

Okay, well we are all set up and I believe it is doing good. Looks like whatever it was has subsided. I am seeing life in those that were on the brink and I have things opening back up. There is a little bit of a diatom bloom, but it is also going away slowly. Once x-mas runs around the tank set up will be complete. Here are some shots of the tank as of last night.

ORA Borealis (Gabe)

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/ORA%20Borealis%20GABE/PC165046.jpg
http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/ORA%20Borealis%20GABE/Bor2.jpg
http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/ORA%20Borealis%20GABE/Bor3.jpg

ORA Mauve Acro (Gabe)

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/ORA%20Micronesian%20Mauve%20Acro%20GABE/mau1.jpg

ORA Purple Plasma (Gabe)

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/ORA%20Purple%20Plasma%20GABE/Plas1.jpg
http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/ORA%20Purple%20Plasma%20GABE/Plas2.jpg
http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/ORA%20Purple%20Plasma%20GABE/Plas3.jpg

Scuba Stevo Hybrid Euphyllia (Mr Cob)

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Scuba%20Stevo%20Hybrid%20Euphyllia%20MRCOB/Stevo.jpg

Tyree Flower Petal Cap (Firewater)

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/TyreeFlower%20Petal%20Cap%20FIREWATER/Tyree1.jpg

Random tank shots

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Ran2.jpg
http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Ran3.jpg
http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Ran5.jpg
http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Ran6.jpg

The lone fish in there as of now (was sold as a semi-picasso, but after talking to Gabe, i don't think it is....oh well i like the little guy)

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Ran4.jpg

FTS

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Ran8.jpg
http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Ran7.jpg

[ismvel]

Sorry to hear that Ismael. Been there done that myself before, and still can't figured out what exactly happened. Keep up that good attitude man and don't give up.


Thanks Giau, giving up never crossed my mind actually. I enjoy this hobby.

[Big_Pun]

very nice, when everything grows out it will be even better

[FireWater]

Looking good Ismael.

[allan]

Hey dude,

Love that tank.

Hate to burst your conception of what your first eight to ten years are going to be like... but here goes. Expect to move every two years. Unless you go to a super post like Bragg or Hood where jobs for your AOC run rampant you will be hard pressed to stay there. I've seen cats stay at Bragg 16 to 20 years punctuated by year long stints in Korea.

Compiled with numerous trips to either the ITO (unlikely) or the ATO you will be home for periods of about 18 months...

There's a COL here on Fort Sam that has a 45 or a 48 gallon cube. He told me it was the largest that he was able to PCS with, without fear of breaking. Not trying to disuade you, not at all.

I've been in 18 years and have been to KY (18 months), Bragg (18 months), CO (12 months), Bragg (18 Months), Korea (12 months), Sheppard AFB TX (54 months), Fort Hood less than a few months since 12 were spent in Iraq, Fort Campbell (18 months), here in Fort Sam at 24 months come January.

Punctuate that with schools lasting anywhere from two weeks to two months at a time. Captains career course is just a hair over three months depending on your AOC.

But you will absolutely ENJOY being an Army officer after you become a Captain (36 months). I almost envy you. :)

You ever want to sit down and BS Army talk, let me know.

[ismvel]

Thanks Allan, appreciate the comment about the tank.

I heard that officers usually make moves every 2 years, but wasn't sure. To be honest, not even trying to stay stateside let along stay for the remaining 12 years in a place like Bragg or Hood, but we'll see....THE NEEDS OF THE ARMY, right?

Allan are you saying I should leave my wife now before she leaves me and gets half of my retirement because I will never be home???? What kind of marriage advice is that? It reminds me of that Gieco Drill Instructor Psychiatrist commercial. LOL

Jackwagon!!!!

Kidding man, i have no doubts I'll enjoy the commissioned side of the house. I am hoping I do well enough to make the cut off for Active Duty instead of Reserve or Guard.

You know I was sitting there looking and I was thinking going to a 40-something, but decided to go smaller just to make it easier to move, set up, etc....Shooot, I may not even do that if I am moving every 2 years with like you said school and TDY's in the middle....

we'll see....I will find out my fate next December.

[allan]

Brother when I was a drill sergeant I would listen to full metal jacket before going into work. I loved it!!!

[allan]

I hope you get the medical field, not sure if you requested that though.

As for the wife thing... It takes a special person to be a military spouse. Either she can put up with it or you're either out a wife or will end up getting out of the military. Not sure what the statistics are... But Gloria and I have been married over 18 looooooonnnngggg years and still going strong. Because of the military we've only lived together for 14 of those years. But it could be those periodic breaks that have allowed her to tolerate me... I mean the military :)

You've been in before though, right?

[ismvel]

Yeah, both she and I were in the Air Force, does that count? LOL....but yes we were both in and we were both raised with fathers in the Army. She does have an idea of what is to come. We've been married 15 years (next month) so we've been at it for a while also.

As far as AOC, I haven't chosen yet. That won't happen until this summer after we go to LDAC in Ft. Lewis. At that point I will figure out if I am going Active Duty, Reserve, or Guard, depending on how I place on that OML. The OML placing will also determine the job and location I get. I am shooting for either Quartermaster or Finance. We have to rank all of the branches, so MSC will be in there somewhere. Not sure where though. My brother and a couple of his buddies branched MSC and are not liking it one bit. Who knows, we'll have to see. We'll have to get together sometime and shoot the breeze about all this.

[Scream311]

Yea knew I read this thread a time or two before. Dig the tile stand

Sorry about your loss but the new build is looking good. Great FTS and Hammer

[FireWater]

And?....... Where are the pics of the new stuff? They doing OK?

[ismvel]

John, have i said THANK YOU by any chance?? LOL...yes they are all doing well. I will get pictures up either later this evening or tomorrow sometime. I haven't been able to take photos yet (not that they turn out very good anyhow)....

But I will definitely get some pictures up..

[FireWater]

Cool. I was more worried about them making through La Cantera. Glad everything made it so far.

[ismvel]

ORA Pearlberry - Mizeny

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/ORA%20Pearlberry%20%20MIZENY/PC205117.jpg

ORA Chips - Mizeny

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/ORA%20Chips%20MIZENY/PC195087.jpg
http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/ORA%20Chips%20MIZENY/PC195087.jpg

Garf Bonsai - Mizeny and Purple Valida - Scream311

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/GARF%20Bonsai/PC195101.jpg

Bali Tri Color - Mizeny

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Bali%20Tri%20Color%20MIZENY/PC195088-1.jpg

Montipora Hispidus - Firewater

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Montipora%20Hispidus%20FIREWATER/PC205114.jpg

ORA Joe the Coral - Firewater

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/ORA%20Joe%20the%20Coral/PC205104-1.jpg

Pink Tulip - Firewater

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Pink%20Tulip%20FIREWATER/PC205107.jpg

[Scream311]

That's a Nice Validia behind the Bonsai lol.

Looking Good Ismael

[ismvel]

All of these are from Firewater, the first one was the one that was on the back that you said didn't look that great, it's awesome

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Unknown%20Corals/PC205103.jpg

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Unknown%20Corals/PC205115.jpg

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Unknown%20Corals/PC195098.jpg

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Unknown%20Corals/PC205110.jpg

Scream311

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/ismvel/25%20gallon/Unknown%20Corals/PC195094.jpg

[ismvel]

That's a Nice Validia behind the Bonsai lol.

Looking Good Ismael
Thanks brother, put the credits in there to acknowledge ya....LOL....



Now if I could only get rid of that hair algae all over the rocks.

[txav8r]

Looks like its doing great now. I totally missed this thread. The tile top is a cool idea! I love it!

[FireWater]

I am almost positive that the one you got that wasn't looking good in my tank (top pic) was a duplicate pink tulip.

[ismvel]

Now that you mention that John, that does look more like the colony I had in the other tank.

[ismvel]

In the order of the picture:

Superman Monti
Monti Setosa
Green / Purple Acan
Sunset Monti, looks good, I just couldn't get a decent picture.
ORA Hawkins

1043710438104391044010441

Thanks Rob, they seem to be doing just fine...

[ErikH]

What a selection! :)