MedRed Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I've been scheming to break down my little 5.5 gallon FW tank and turn it into a softie tank. It has begun! I already have the other rock that will go in this tank, but I'm currently in the process of killing of the aggressive, encrusting coral that's on it. Just soaked that sucker in pure hydrogen peroxide, and now i'm going to leave it outside to dry for a few days. Equipment: 5.5 Gallon Aqua Design Amano Mini M ADA Solar Mini M w/ 18 watt 460nm/10,000K PC Hydor ETH 200 Inline Heater Ecco 2232 Canister Filter Do!Aqua and ADA Lily Pipe Inlet and Outlets Filtration: I went back and forth on an Aqua clear or deco art HOB. I didn't want a big filter being visible behind the tank, and I didn't think the Deco Art would be powerful enough... So I decided to use my existing Eheim Ecco 2232 canister (rated for 35 gallons and 127 gph). I think this will be a fantastic option as it will allow me to use my lily pipes for inconspicuous filtration. I also have a Hydor ETH 200 plumbed inline so that I don't have to add an internal heater. I was planning on using a left over 50 watt heater. I'm only using the coarse filter sponge, the carbon pad, and a container filled with live rock rubble. I will forgo the fine filter pad for now. My weekly water changes will be super easy as i'll just quick disconnect the filter, pull the containers out (they lock together as one unit), pour the water in it down the toliet, and dunk the canister into the SW bucket to fill it back up. Flow:I have a koralia nano i won at a local SW conference. I'm going to let the filter provide the flow for now. Lighting: My one gripe is that the light fixture isn't long enough to allow for a longer bulb. I can only fit a 9-10" bulb when the tank is 12" long. Frustrating! I'm having to settle for reduced power with an 18 watt 50/50 instead of a higher powered 27-32 watt bulb. if i went without the actinic, there are 27 watt bulbs that fit the fixture. I've seen a 70 Watt MH retro into one of these light fixtures... I may have to think about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Awesome stuff! Congratulations on the conversion. It already looks better and it only has one rock in it!(just playin) I think this will be a pretty sweet tank. If you do the 70w hqi conversion you will need to have a pretty powerful little fan to get the heat away from the tank. I totally think it is doable without a chiller but it could get a bit nasty in the hot parts of summer. I would think that the light you have on it would be ok for mushrooms and some leathers. Anything else and I would at least double it if it were me. Nice start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COReefer Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 dude that was such a cool fw tank. awwww man. Shoot michael, you need to step up to a big system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COReefer Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 jk jk jk it looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted August 8, 2009 Author Share Posted August 8, 2009 you guys are too much! I'm only adding softies to this tank at this point. I'm not sure what i'll do live stock wise with this tank. I was planning a goby/shrimp pairing, but I've read recently how it's a bad idea for a smaller tank as the shrimp will pile up a huge amount of sand. we'll see. The big tank is looming over my future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidalsculpin Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 Trimma goby trio!!!! They would be awesome in here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COReefer Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 just bring me that solana that's taking up so much of your time and get a big tank=) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted August 8, 2009 Author Share Posted August 8, 2009 Trimma goby trio!!!! They would be awesome in here. those are cool! just bring me that solana that's taking up so much of your time and get a big tank=) lol... The Solana stays! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COReefer Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 lol... The Solana stays! trade you spencer???? JK JK JK(plotting) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted August 8, 2009 Author Share Posted August 8, 2009 trade you spencer???? JK JK JK(plotting) DEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 Hey, I want Spaghetti, er Spenser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COReefer Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 Hey' date=' I want Spaghetti, er Spenser[/quote'] looking good tho seriously michael. You really do a good job with these smaller tanks. Definately some good decision making and thought put into them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted August 9, 2009 Author Share Posted August 9, 2009 Thank you... I'm still trying to figure out livestock. I really need tiny fish to keep the scale. I just hate anything that looks too big or isn't sedentary. My clownfish in my 34 gallon make me nervous because they aren't hosting. I feel the tank is too small for them if they are going to swim around all over the place. I'm trying to do something interesting for the tank. Maybe barnacle blennies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COReefer Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 barnacle blennies are awesome. I might also recommend tiger gobies or a yasha goby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted August 9, 2009 Author Share Posted August 9, 2009 I originally planned a goby/shrimp pair... but i've read a lot about how much sand the shrimp will move and completely bury a small scape. I really want to do a pair... but I think I'll save them for a larger tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theJenchild Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 Get a trio of sexy shrimp!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share Posted August 11, 2009 sounds like a good idea. i have no idea what I'm going to go for fish wise now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidalsculpin Posted August 11, 2009 Share Posted August 11, 2009 And coral? Are you going for mushrooms or lps of some sort? Light feeders I assume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted August 11, 2009 Author Share Posted August 11, 2009 all softies. mushrooms, maybe some zoas, star polyps, xenia. Mostly the things I don't want in the main tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted August 12, 2009 Author Share Posted August 12, 2009 i have dubbed this tank "The Theatre." The big rock in the back reminds me of a back drop... and the two smaller rocks to either side are stage props. My goal is to keep as much water volume in the tank as possible. I already know evaporation can be a mother in this tank. The more water... the better I can address such issues. I may try for a few different color morphs or star polyps for the back wall. I'm not sure what variety of xenia I'm going to want to add. I should be able to isolate it to one rock. I'm thinking some blue clove polyps sound good too. as for livestock? who knows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 Houston, we have diatoms! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Reef Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Houston, we have diatoms! Yes you do, and there's plenty more to come! (laugh) Nice looking project by the way. Ricky Soutas Jr. -Soutas Saltwater & Reef Inc.- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thanks Ricky. I need to get a small clean up crew this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danik Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 where did you get that orange stick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedRed Posted August 20, 2009 Author Share Posted August 20, 2009 lol... Davey Jones Locker. it has white polyps, but it doesn't open up much so far. I have a red non photosynthetic gorg in my 34 gallon tank that i posted pictures of today as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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