20 Gal Nano Reef Build thread!

[ryanb69]

Hey all, I am new to the hobby and the forums! I am starting my build thread for my future 20 gal reef tank. I have almost everything I need purchased to initially set up the tank! I just recieved a shipment from a big online order to j and L aqautics with everything from lights to nets to magfloats! I will post lost of pictures and more details tomorrow!:mrgreen:

[bignose]

Welcome to canreef, it's always good to see new reefers!
Good luck with your new tank and feel free to ask lots of questions.

[ryanb69]

The tank:

The tank is 20gal total with approx 15 gal of display room. The dimensions are 24" long X 12" wide (8" in display, 4 " behind separating wall") X 16 " high. I purchased the tank used. There is a wall in the back 1/3 of the display for the HOB skimmer, heater, and whatever else i end up adding to the tank. Here is a picture to give you a better idea of the overal shape:canada:

(note: done on goggle sketchup:

[ryanb69]

Lights:

I purchased the Vertex Illumilux II LED fixture. It's 24" long, and 3.5" wide. The color is Marino Bianco(50% white and 50% royal blue).

I bought the illumilux bracketa ssembly along with the vertex acrylic Bracket( size B6-5mm)

I bought it all online from j and l aquatics and it came fast and was packed super safe :) It took 3 business day to get to my house with regular shipping!
The LEDs will be 4 " above the top of the water.

The assembly of the lights to the mounting assembly and bracket were very easy to understand and to do. The instructions sent had some pictures and were easily legible.

Let me know what you think!!

Now pictures!:peace:

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/e2cdf426.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/78edc5d5.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/7bb0226e.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/53859b35.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/bfe36d0c.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/fe4298b6.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/4d546134.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/05c56575.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/a0e31bf7.jpg

[Myka]

This looks like a cool little tank! I have done a similar DIY AIO 20 gallon nano myself. I have 4x24w T5 over my tank right now, and am considering trying out the AI Sol on my tank. I will be interested to see how this Vertex unit works out for you.

If you want to see my nano there is a link in my signature. I haven't updated it in a long, long time though. :eek: Maybe I should do that now...

[ryanb69]

I believe they are dimmable , if you purchase a controller

[ryanb69]

if you go to the vertex site http://www.vertexaquaristik.com/Products/Lighting/LED/Illumilux/MarinoBianco.aspx it shows that the fixture I purchesed is dimmable, but maybe you have a different fixture?

[luvthereefer]

when i was at J&L the other day, the guy said hes heard about the dimmer module but hasnt seen it yet, so i dont think j&l has them in yet.

[ryanb69]

Oh ok, you meant the controller isn't available yet! I thought you meant a dimmable vertex lighting fixture wasn't available. My bad!

[ryanb69]

Thanks for all the info! I plan in building my tabs this weekend! Should be a fun weekend if it goes as planned, I will keep you posted

[ryanb69]

Building my stand**

[FishyFishy!]

any pictures of the tank itself?

[ryanb69]

My brother lives in calgary and he actually gave me the tank as a birthday gift:biggrin:, but I wont be able to get it from him until mid december.:cry: I will also be getting his old ro/di. He picked up some sand, salt, and bulk rock for me in calgary as it was cheaper then at bayside corals here in town. All in all, December will be busy!

[FishyFishy!]

Thought so! thats my old tank haha

[ryanb69]

Haha cool!! I haven't seen it yet but my brother said its a nice little tank

[ryanb69]

I have gotten a good start on the Stand! I purchased some 2x4's at Rona along with screws and L brackets and went at 'er. I only have the frame done. The outside will have some sort of paneling, as well as 1/2" plywood on the top and in the bottom(where i'll store food and waterchange gear). I will be putting a door on the front and staining the whole thing! but picture time!
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/Stand%20Build%202011/c3416c10.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/Stand%20Build%202011/7e696d08.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/Stand%20Build%202011/562bba8f.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/Stand%20Build%202011/3e7f3504.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/Stand%20Build%202011/802df955.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/Stand%20Build%202011/6f98b7c9.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/Stand%20Build%202011/269ba02a.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/Stand%20Build%202011/ed200e00.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/Stand%20Build%202011/4e0b49c3.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/Stand%20Build%202011/2d2053e4.jpg

[ryanb69]

The stand is very near completion! I spent my whole holiday relaxing and didn't get much done on the stand, so it has been a few weeks since the start of the project. I now have the entire stand built to its completion, but I am waiting to apply a protective clear coat finish. It has been a very productive fish week for me as I also got my ro system plumbed into my basement. I currently have a 20g brute full of ro water, so come Monday, Hopefully there will be water in the tank! :Banane04: Here is the stand as of now! Let me know what ya think:mrgreen:
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/0a3fa4a1.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/c19369be.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/6c4b0700.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/1579f2a5.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/d4bb9fcf.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/3d2a9af4.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/3c96380a.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/824ad175.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/6f2ce31c.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/5ceee4be.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/5a6a7c61.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/d2641cae.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/90268206.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/812f3f88.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/1a882ca6.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/d9422a57.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/274ee832.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/7f9ba4c5.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/fcec8f2b.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/d6020aee.jpg

[gregzz4]

The stand looks awesome. Lots of strength there
Because of the way we build these 2x4 stands, I'd recommend you use some styro between the tank and stand. It will take up a lot, but not all, of the variances between the 2. Has saved many a people broken tanks
This stuff (http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchView?catalogId=10051&storeId=10051&langId=-15&N=0&Ntt=rigid+insulation&Nty=1&D=rigid+insulation&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&s=true), or something similar. 1" is the norm and most use the pink stuff
It's also a temperature insulator for the tank, so it's nice to have

[daniella3d]

Is this really necessary for a 20 gallons tank?? it does not weight much.

The stand look awesome. Lots of strength there
Because of the way we build these 2x4 stands, I'd recommend you use some styro between the tank and stand. It will take up a lot, but not all, of the variances between the 2. Has saved many a people broken tanks
This stuff (http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchView?catalogId=10051&storeId=10051&langId=-15&N=0&Ntt=rigid+insulation&Nty=1&D=rigid+insulation&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&s=true), or something similar. 1" is the norm and most use the pink stuff
It's also a temperature insulator for the tank, so it's nice to have

[gregzz4]

Is this really necessary for a 20 gallons tank?? it does not weight much.
This is not meant to cause concern for anyone not up on the topic, just some info to ponder ...
The purpose of rigid foam is to take up the minor inconsistencies between the tank and the stand.
In a lot of cases, especially with long glass surfaces, but also with small/thin-walled tanks, it helps or stops stress on the different panes by not flexing the tank.
It's a judgement call as to whether it's necessary for a 20g. After all, a 20g only holds 167 pounds of water, before you throw in sand and rock. So a larger estimate would be more like 2-250 pounds. Now, stand on a flat piece of glass with a pebble under one edge and see what happens :mrgreen:
Grab a cardboard box and twist it. Eventually something will buckle.
With the stress already in a tank, why add to it?
Most store-bought stands are OK, but I've seen some crappy ones. Unless it's virtually flat, it's risky.
Hope that helps answer your question without raising more :smile:

[NastayNatron]

Looking good man. Can't wait to see this beast with that sweet light on it. Should work out nicely for ya! Ive got a couple zoa frags started for ya. . . :mrgreen:

[ryanb69]

Ya me too! I have the final coat on now it's just drying, and then I'll put a bunch of pics up. I'm excited to get the light on and water in the tank! Aqua scaping on Monday!

[DCDN]

I love how the grain of the wood comes out with the stain. Looks great. Can't wait to see the tank on it filled with water

[ryanb69]

thanks for all the comments! The stand is officially finished!
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/71d3665a.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/1836ffd4.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/e130eea3.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/489c6612.jpg

[gregzz4]

Turned out really nice Ryan

[FishyFishy!]

Great looking stand! Can't want to see the tank set up.

[ryanb69]

The tank is officially on the stand! Heres a look at it, along with my ro setup and some tank related material!

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/cd8dfd12.jpg`
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/1e78cf17.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/ba255bd6.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/07581a9a.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/c203f88f.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/75a74e42.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/93173e97.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/800fe190.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/8223b8b4.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/872f16aa.jpg

[NastayNatron]

Looks sweet man! Finished working on the aquascape yet?

[gregzz4]

Cooool ... water. You're already weeks ahead of me now.
My tank hasn't even arrived yet, and the LR is still on it's way too :sad:

[FishyFishy!]

With the water in it, it looks a tad uneven. Is it sitting level? With thin-walled tanks like that I would highly recommend making sure it's 100% level.

It very well could have just been the angle of the photo though.

Otherwise it's coming along nicely!

[ryanb69]

thanks fishy, after some slight tank leveling and my aquascaping I have finally got my tank full(almost) with water and my sand in!
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/0ad0dd51.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/678bb3ca.jpg
had to do some trimming on the black rim in order for the LED mount to fit
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/f4ee2aad.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/a6de2616.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/686dcda1.jpg

[Nano]

Its getting there! looks good :)

[ryanb69]

Its getting there! looks good :)

Thanks man! The water was clear last night do I added the heater and power heads. This morning the thermometer said 75.6, so I did some calibrating of my jäger heater. Salt is in and solinity is 1.026! I will be adding a small piece of live rock to seed the tank, along with a shrimp from Safeway to decompose and begin my cycle!

[ryanb69]

The Cycle has began! I went to Bayside Corals and picked up some live rock to seed the tank. It took some time to fit the LR in but i managed. I then placed a shrimp from safeway in to decompose and to help start out the cycle!


heater, powerhead, and thermometer
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/1c0ebc33.jpg
tank before live rock added
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/3b777eba.jpg
new live rock (top)
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/9eebe71b.jpg
(bottom)
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/9ae019b4.jpg
tank with LR added (front)
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/177fc21f.jpg
tank with LR added(side)
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/2cf78d6d.jpg
shrimp
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/8acfef09.jpg

[FishyFishy!]

Looking great man! What have you been thinking will go in the fuge/overflow portion? Gonna run any carbon or anything?

[ryanb69]

I have a hang on skimmer that I will be adding soon, once I pick it up from my parent house. As for carbon or calcium reactors, I haven't put much thought into them yet. I'll have to do some more research and maybe if they would benefit the tank I might think of adding them in a few months.

[FishyFishy!]

I have a hang on skimmer that I will be adding soon, once I pick it up from my parent house. As for carbon or calcium reactors, I haven't put much thought into them yet. I'll have to do some more research and maybe if they would benefit the tank I might think of adding them in a few months.


I don't think there would be any use for reactors on a tank that small, but I would certainly put a bag of carbon in there. I find small tanks do well with Boyd Chemi-Pure Elite. Just huck a sack of it in the first overflow section.

Any live rock or Live rock rubble going into the fuge section?

[ryanb69]

Yes, I am putting rubble rock in the mini sump, although it is dead rock. I have an extra few pounds that I didn't want to put in the display, so I will break it up with a hammer and I plan on putting it in tonight! After a few months hopefully my rock isn't so dead anymore!

[NastayNatron]

Ryan when I sent home the RO and tank and everything I also sent a container about half full of carbon with a mesh sock to hold it for you. Once things get up and running you can fill that sock with carbon and give it a good rinse and then place it into the first chamber of your mini-sump.

[ryanb69]

Ahhhh I knew You sent the carbon but I didn't notice the sock inside, awesome! I added the rubble rock tonight, but added some of it to the display as well. I built up some rock in the little jut-out in the corner of my tank, where before I had none. I am unsure if this looks better or worse, so it is a temporary(maybe permanent) side wall. Let me know what you think! Does it look better or worse then before? Thanks!

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/227df414.jpg

Front view(on the right behind the live rock is the new rock)

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/3fa89d35.jpg

side view(right side is new rock)

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/2ed5977f.jpg

Top view(bottom part is new rock)
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/ee4ff47d.jpg

[FishyFishy!]

I like it! Love how it wraps around. Looks like you're off to a great start so far.

[Reefie]

I like it! Love how it wraps around. Looks like you're off to a great start so far.

+1 on the wrap-around

It's looking good so far, can't wait for more pics. Are you planning to go SPS?

Vertex has not released the 1-10V module to dim the Illumilux yet. I know cuz I've been waiting for the last 6 months. Haha!

One thing you can do is glue frags of Monti Cap just above the wrap-around. It's plastic there and should be very easy to accomplish with the super glue gel.

[ryanb69]

hey all! Thanks for the comments about the wrap around, I am definitely going to keep it. I just got my protein skimmer and I have it rigged up and in the tank. The shrimp is starting to decompose nicely and I am getting anxious to add clean up crew! Hopefully I can add some snails in a few weeks!
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/9996f427.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/6801c99a.jpg
decomposing shrimp
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/54f0498e.jpg
clear tank:)
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/3d99bd55.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/fa0de091.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/8e6edfd8.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/22150067.jpg

[ryanb69]

well the cycle is well under way (hopefully completed soon). I will be taking a sample of my water to my lfs later this week, and if everything measures well I will be adding a clean up crew! Here are some pictures of the decomposed shrimp, my skim(hows the color? too dry? too wet?), and the brown algae that has started to form on the sand bed!

What used to be a shrimp lol
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/b8cc7990.jpg
Brown sand algae
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/a6284c2b.jpg
possible hair algae? (mid picture)
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/24207a3e.jpg
current temp
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/3bd1a627.jpg
my skim (hows the color look?)
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/a39fbfde.jpg
the tank :)
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/34c01978.jpg

[FishyFishy!]

Tank looks good! Is it me, or do you get different colored "spot lighting" effects shown on the rocks from your LED unit? May just be the picture.

Skimmate looks good for a cycling tank for sure.

Diatoms on the sand is a good sign of a cycle starting!


OH.... and that shrimp is friggin disgusting. lol

[ryanb69]

Thanks fishy! The lighting in the tank look perfect with no spotting when the power head is not running and there is not current. As soon as the powerless starts up the tank gets a serious shimmer effect and that's what appears as spot lighting in the picture, and yes lol the shrimp gets more and more disgusting with each day!

[ryanb69]

the clean up crew has entered the tank! I got my water tested at bayside corals and everything is good so I picked up a cleanup crew. It has:
1 Narcerius Snail (they only had one)
5 Blue legged Hermits
4 Astrea Snails

Its awesome to finally see something moving in the tank! Next week I hope to maybe add my first fish. It will be a clown fish, but I am still trying to decide what species I would like! I want to have a mated pair, so I will be buying 2!

Heres some snaily photos
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/b61f349e.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/b42576e2.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/5e36c337.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/4050492f.jpg

Narcerius Snail burrowed in

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/3c67c405.jpg

The shrimp after one night with the snails! They picked it apart

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/b5f4269f.jpg

A very popular rock

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/a6a0e7cf.jpg

[NastayNatron]

Looking good man! Lookin forward to seeing some fish in there!:mrgreen:

[ryanb69]

The fish are officially in the tank. I got an orange ocellaris and a black ocellaris. I acclimated them with airling tubing, tying 2 knots in it to get a proper drip. I added some carbon (2 tbsp) to the back to help with keeping the water clear. here are some pics
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/8f5577dd.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/82f640d8.jpg
aclimating
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/f227f15b.jpg
the clowns
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/6d8191cc.jpg
Marlin
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/fa7ed609.jpg
Bagheera
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/ce32cfe9.jpg
the two hangin
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/55be5718.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/c4868f36.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/4039be34.jpg

[ryanb69]

Wow! how far the tank has come in 2 short weeks amazed me. The coraline algae has spread all over and now all my rock is turning purple :) I picked up my first coral and shrimp today, so that was also very exciting! I bought some green zoanthids, and a duncan. The shrimp is a skunk cleaner. I dipped both my coral in Coral RX, and I drip acclimated my Shrimp for 1 hour and 15 minutes. I bought frozen mysis shrimp and fed my clowns their first frozen food (in my tank anyways) and they absolutely loved it. I have been Feeding new life spectrum pellets to them, so the mysis is definatly a great treat. The shrimp is nameless as of now, but I will update as soon as he gets an official name! Here are some pictures of my reef-in-the-making

Acclimation

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/cc130992.jpg

Zooanthids

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/3a3629d3.jpg

in tank

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/e1e8a2ae.jpg

placement

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/52dcbf75.jpg

opening

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/387a18c8.jpg

fully open http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/c8f598e9.jpg

duncan

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/ad97b2ed.jpg

in tank

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/23ddf91d.jpg

begininning to open

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/35775a10.jpg

currently open to this

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/bd5bccb9.jpg

shrimp in tank

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/cc35a990.jpg

coral rx

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/48f40264.jpg

mysis

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/f3c0617e.jpg

side view of zoas, and duncan in the distance

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/41245aa8.jpg

[Nano]

looks great buddy I bet your glad to finally have life in there :)

[ryanb69]

absolutley! cant wait to add my next fish, a bangaii cardinal

[ryanb69]

what a crazy past day it has been. So its been a while since my last post, But the tank WAS coming along great. everything was awesome, until yesterday evening around 5pm I heard water running in my house. I checked the tap and everything was fine, untill I noticed water on the floor. Lots of water. I immediatly ran to my tank, and couldnt see any leaks what so ever, but 1/4 of the tank wate was gone. Then, I opened the bottom of my stand. A river was flowing out of my tank and directly onto my new hardwood floor:( 5g total of water spewed onto the floor. I caught the rest of the water in 5gallon pails and had an insane evening trying to keep my fish/shrimp alive. I will get into more details with my next post, but in general I sped to petsmart and got a new 20g tank, and the ALL THE FISH AND SHRIMP ARE IN THEIR NEW HOME ALIVE. The cause of the problem? The bottom of my old tank had a massive crack in the BOTTOM PANE. I found this extremely odd as my stand was completely level. I will post pics and any more details next post.

[Nano]

sucky deal man. hope you get everything sorted out!

[bignose]

It's a good thing you found out fast, I hope your floor wasn't damaged. Anyways.... it's time to upgrade to a bigger tank:wink:

[Myka]

Crappy to hear about the busted tank! That sucks, just be thankful it wasn't a bigger tank! :eek:

Wow! how far the tank has come in 2 short weeks amazed me. The coraline algae has spread all over and now all my rock is turning purple :)

Sorry to say that is not coralline, it is cyanobacteria. Coralline doesn't grow that fast, plus the bubbles in it are a telltale sign. The dead shrimp you started with was rather large for the size of the tank, so there is likely to be an abundance on nutrients in the water now. A couple fairly large waterchanges (25-50%) should help fix that for you.

Are you on SaskReef? If so, what's your name over there? I haven't noticed a build thread over there.

[ryanb69]

Sorry to say that is not coralline, it is cyanobacteria.
Thanks for the tip!

Well today I will finally post some pictures and details of my tank disaster. I was sitting on my couch watching tv when I heard water running in my house. I looked at my sink to check if it was on, but it wasn't. Then I looked at my tank to see that it was only 3/4 full. I stood up and noticed water all over the floor. When I opened cupboard doors to my stand there was a river of water pouring out. I took my water change buckets and started catching the water. I caught one pail, then dumped that water in the toilet and switched out pails. I filled one pail up with my liverock, and then set it under the stand to fill up with the tanks water. Then I netted my fish, shrimp, and crabbed my corals/which snails i could see and put them in a water pitcher with water from the tank. Then with my final 5gal pail I put the remaining live rock, my sand, and caught the rest of the water from the tank. I drove to petsmart and purchased a new 20gal tank with the same dimensions as mine so the light would fit. Before i put it on my stand i checked it again with a level and it was perfect so I set the tank on the stand, and started to aquascape my liverock.
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/0c41593e.jpghttp://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/ac3b4b0e.jpg

after my first pail was in I dumped the water from the pail in and added a heater to the main tank. The water in my pitcher with the fish was down to 73 degrees, so i added a very small heater to that.
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/54563a7b.jpg
Now that i had a pail free I mixed some new salt water and started heating it. Then I took my final pail of liverock and added to the aquascape, dumped in the water, and dumped in the sand.
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/ee1747a8.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/e8802c4a.jpg

I forgot about the heater in my pitcher (rookie mistake) and it managed to heat up to 79 way faster then it should have. I removed the heater and added it to the main tank along with the pail of new mixed salt water. The rest of the evening consisted of switching my small heater bewteen big tank and pitcher every 5 to 10 mins to attempt to keep the pitcher at a constant heat. Finally in about 1.5 hours the main tank was the same tamp as the pitcher so i added the livestock. I then added a powerhead, but the tank was not full enough to run my skimmer.
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/9f44c576.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/6c2b58f8.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/87688dce.jpg
I mixed one more pail of salt water but it was 1:00 am and I didn't have time to wait for it to heat up (I had a university midterm the next morning at 8:30) so I left it heat over night and i called it a day. The next morning i added the new water and plugged all my electronics back in.
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/e744c13f.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/664bd0db.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/f8ff600e.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/8e2f9fdf.jpg

Since then the tank has become crystal clear and everything seems completely happy. I really like my new aquascape, so that is a bonus. A big thanks to my brother Nathan (nastaynatron) who called my during the chaos and gave me the right info on how to save my fish

--my house in chaos
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/8e8a3d4d.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/7b22fb4d.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/8994ae3a.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/9129df27.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/d5385f52.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/4904f533.jpg

---the crack
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/a26aed50.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/28ae220c.jpg

[NastayNatron]

Well done man! I'm glad too see you lost nothing! It was a chaotic evening thats for sure. The new tank is looking good already! Keep up the good work man. :mrgreen:

[ryanb69]

Since my last post I had a tank move (just from the upper level of my house to the basement). I syphoned out about 4/5 of the water into 5gal pails, then took out the top peices of my live rock and put them in the water. Me and my roomie carried the stand down stairs then the tank, then added the water and the rock and Booya, tank is downstairs lol. Yesterday I went to Bayside corals and picked up a candycane coral, a green star polyp, and a pulsing xenia. I also got 4 more astrea and a electric blue hermit crab.My duncan is a little flustered with all the new activity, but besides that Everything is looking awesome! the only downer is my new blue hermit only lasted one night, lol so a short lived life for him. Here are some pics!!

ps- each frag was $10

RIP HERMIE
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/57dcab4b.jpg

xenia
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/99b3b894.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/c2f4b8fe.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/7d5939c7.jpg
gsp
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/bc033a35.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/6decc082.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/540a8caf.jpg
candy cane
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/626e87cb.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/350cbfeb.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/bc96e240.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/21c8387e.jpg

[Nano]

looks great dude, glad to hear you back on course

[ryanb69]

Since my last post I have done some minor upgrades as well as got 2 new corals! I purchased an awesome 6 headed red/green acan colony for $45, and a orange/green ricordia frag for $15, both from bayside corals. Both corals are looking awesome and eating lots. I officially started spot feeding my candy cane and acan mysis, and they love it. My upgrades are I changed my 100watt heater to a 150watt as my 100 was almost constantly running (in a cold basement). I also added another Hydor 425gph power head, doubling my flow to 850gph (water turned over 42.5 times/hour). Everything loves the new flow! Pictures to follow soon!

[ryanb69]

Here are some pictures of the new corals and a full tank shot. I have started to get my stuff together for my tank move from Saskatoon to Muenster (125km). I am plumbing in the RO into my parents house today, and i plan on moving in 2 to 3 weeks!
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/8808be83.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/e009324f.jpg

acans at night

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/f3753caf.jpg

tank shot (new powerhead in the upper right side of tank)

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/67e4913b.jpg

[ryanb69]

candycane ant night

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/be8370ec.jpg

ricordia florida

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/b2f52728.jpg

another acan shot

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/8eeb4e73.jpg

[ryanb69]

In approximately one week I will be doing a tank move (approximatly 150 km). I will be taking lots of pics, it shouldn't be too challenging as its only an hour drive, but I'm sure it will be exciting/frustrating at the same time lol

[ryanb69]

finally got a good shot of my Acan! (iphone pic)
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/fd64906b.jpg

[ryanb69]

Well yesterday was the tank move! It was a great success, everything is in the tank in the new house looking good.

I bought 5 pails/lids from home depot for my Live rock, and I used a cooler for the livestock. I rinsed out the cooler before well with water and vinegar, then rinsed it multiple times with ro water. I siphoned tank water into the cooler and put all the coral in there. Then I Started siphoning the water into the pails and placing the Live rock in. After I had all the Live rock out of the tank i could catch the fish, and they went into the cooler. I kept 3 inches of water over my sand in the tank, and I started moving it all into the van.

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/8f07ede2.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/b5aa6de9.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/62178618.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/a6790b6e.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/93c151f6.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/5901354b.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/075c071d.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/64b8f888.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/b2667413.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/40c18d8f.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/ef235edd.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/dcbd2345.jpg


The van was super packed, because nothing could move around if the van needed to stop in a hurry. I wrapped the tank in towels to try to add some cushioning around it.

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/daa62ba6.jpg

My friend drove the van for me, so i could keep a close watch on the temperature on the cooler, and the one pail that has an xenia attached to the live rock. I had a heater in the cooler and the xenia pail, and I had a lighter plug in with a plug-in adapter. We turned up the van's temperature, making it uncomfortable for us, but the pails all stayed at a cozy 77.9 degrees.

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/47fd6ac7.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/17540432.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/22f0f589.jpg



Once at the new house I found the tanks new location, set up/leveled the stand, added the pails of water with live rock, then heated both tank and cooler to 78.5 degrees, and added the fish. today , the tank is looking clear, and everything is open! Overall, huge success!

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/2cadbbc8.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/ec7c9390.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/73e75325.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/62077674.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/5394c4c4.jpg

[ryanb69]

Its been awhile since my last update, but the tank is looking good. I have a new fish, an orchid dottyback, who is absolutely unreal. Great personality and no aggression at all between my fish!

I purchased a beautiful Favia from Bayside Corals, as well as got an order from fragalot.ca with my brother, which went awesome, but the corals are still in his tank in Calgary.

I fragged my Xenia yesterday because it was growing like.....well like an Xenia:razz:

I also did an outside of tank Hydrogen Peroxide dip of some of my Live rock and zooanthids, which had some hair algae that was bothering me.

I will be adding a DI unite to my RO later on this summer, along with replacing my RO membrane, so the dip was only to make it look pretty untill then.

I also made a DIY fuge out of a HOB fish filter for freshwater fish, but i am waiting for the light I purchesed off Ebay to come in the mail!

I believe thats all for now!

New fish! (orchid dottyback)
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/569521db.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/9920e106.jpg

coral feeding

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/2b69c0d2.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/01c491f8.jpg

new favia!

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/b2bc2412.jpg

light for fuge

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/69b0ab62.jpg

fragging xenia
(mother colony)
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/32719058.jpg

http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/de1140d4.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/d31226bf.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/db7a2171.jpg

peroxide dip
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/114c6c2d.jpg
http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb324/ryanb69/45f97dd6.jpg