Nuvo 8 build...

[sdunn90fowlr]

I recently picked up this tank from another member and will be starting the build soon. I will post pics as I start the build. Right now it is just an empty tank. Will be starting on the build today.

[Zack]

Can't wait to see it!

[sdunn90fowlr]

Here's a pic of the tank set up and starting to cycle. It's not to easy to tell in the picture, but the rock is stacked sort of like a staircase. Just figured this would leave as many options as possible for the small area.

I have never had a tank quite this small and am very excited about it. 16682
Not sure why it loaded sideways. Sorry!

[RayAllen]

Very cool, Good luck and take your time stocking the tank. We had another member post they have a Nuvo 8 this week also. As I told them this tank would be awesome for Zoas and Rics which would pack a lot of color in that small space.

[sdunn90fowlr]

You are so right about slowly stocking! I learned that lesson years ago and it is so frustrating. I plan on only photosynthetic corals and no fish. Just don't want the spikes to come on strong in this little tank. I have my FOWLR to enjoy the fish. I used this approach several years back with a nano and it seemed to make it a bit easier.

It has been a while since I fooled with live corals, so I will most likely be asking questions about compatibility with this tank, cause I just don't remember.

[sdunn90fowlr]

Ready for frags! All test check out good. Ammonia: 0 ppm/ Nitrite: 0 ppm, Nitrate: 0 ppm (after water change of course)

Has anyone had experience with any softies that they feel are not suited for Nano tanks?

[Scutterborn]

Kenya tree and Xenia can be an invasive sort. They can be prolific growers but would need to be kept in check as to not hog up too much real estate in such a small tank. IME.


- Ben -

[sdunn90fowlr]

I have some Star polyps, Blue Snowflake, 3 head Acans and 1 mushroom in there now. I plan on adding a couple of frags soon and will then just let things grow. I will post pics later today.

[sdunn90fowlr]

I have added an ATO to the tank. I found this basket while shopping with the family yesterday and it just happens to fit a 5 gallon bucket perfectly. I just painted the top of the bucket brown so the white would not stand out. The reservoir was going to have to be visible so I figured I better find a way to camo it to save peace at home! LOL

I should be able to go a long time before refilling this container with RO/DI.

[Scutterborn]

Nice find! Now find another one for me!! Lol.


- Ben -

[sdunn90fowlr]

The Ross on I35 near 410 has a larger one. It was just to big for my needs.

[tylermonster]

nice ATO container! ps pics of the tank! :)

[sdunn90fowlr]

I had just finished a water change and general maintenance so frags are not real happy in the pic. The green Acro at the top has actually starting to encrust more with the green color over the last week.

[sdunn90fowlr]

I purchased a Rapid LED PAR38 from psyko recently and put a lot of thought and effort into how I was going to hang the light. My opinion of PAR38 bulbs is that while they work great for Nanos, they are UGLY just hanging there. I purchased a table with a lamp that hangs over the table top and modified it a bit so that the PAR38 is completely hidden behind the lamp shade and sits about 10" over the water line. Will post pics soon.

[sdunn90fowlr]

Here goes. The picture of the light setup as described in the previous post.

[Flyride95]

WOW That looks awesome. Great thinking there.

[Mr Cob]

haha, very creative, looks nice

[sdunn90fowlr]

Thanks guys!

[BBQHILLBILLY]

Blends into the room. great job

[sdunn90fowlr]

Glad you think it blends into the room. To keep the Mrs from going crazy about another tank, I had to make it blend in so she would not want it out. I am hoping she gets hooked on the live corals and gives the go ahead to a larger reef down the road. Might try and convince her that our fish need a 300 or bigger and convert my 185 to a reef. It will be a hard sell though!

[sdunn90fowlr]

I removed the xenia and glued it to a small rock but it died in the process. I wanted that out of the display anyway. It was just a bonus on the rock with GSP.

All corals have some growth, just not enough to see a difference in a pic yet. Will post new pic when growth is more obvious.

[sdunn90fowlr]

Updated pic. Getting decent growth with the PAR38 about 12" off the water.18013

[Scutterborn]

Good looking tank. You really have a knack at spacing. It makes the tank seem bigger than it is.


-Ben-

[sdunn90fowlr]

Thinking of building a rock wall to cover the back of the tank so I can open up the sand a bit more. Any suggestions? I have some dry rock already and a separate tank to get it cycled before placing in. Do y'all think this would look good and open up the flow? Has anyone done this in a Nano before?

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[FireWater]

Depends on what you want. I think a rock wall would be fine. Ben and I are doing a wall in his new tank build and the February meeting will cover using mortar and rock. Might be helpful.

[sdunn90fowlr]

I made the rock wall Sun and let it cure. It is now cycling with a piece of seed rock and MicroBacter. Forgot to take a pic before placing in the tub to cycle. Will post a pic before and after placing in the tank. I made it with several shelves to hold the sps and a place for zoas near the bottom. I hope it works out as well as I think it will cause my Devils Hand needs more room and this should give it the space it needs. (Just not ready to part with it)

[sdunn90fowlr]

I have discovered that I may go to a larger tank. I am pleased with the look but there is NO getting around the fact that this tank is small.

[allan]

Tank looks good. There's a 240 listed here on MAAST. :)


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[sdunn90fowlr]

Not that big! Lol. I have the 185 Fowlr so I don't want to have that much maintenance.

[reefreak]

Well I have a 55g setup.... Lights sump overflow and stand.....

[sdunn90fowlr]

I will probably look for a tank that will fill the top of the table I am using completely and mod it with an internal ATS. Only the ATS and rock for filtration.

[allan]

Not that big! Lol. I have the 185 Fowlr so I don't want to have that much maintenance.

I hear you. Every time I set up a tank I get a good idea of just how much water I'm putting in my house.


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[reefreak]

Or a 46bf...

[sdunn90fowlr]

I would love to make that 240 L shaped tank my fowlr, but I can't seem to convince the Mrs. that I need it.

[sdunn90fowlr]

I will be moving to a larger tank in the near future. Some of the corals are just getting a bit cramped.