ScubaSteve
11-27-2012, 11:44 PM
Ive got an old Biocube 14 that I've converted to LEDs (26-3W LEDs, full spectrum mix) that I'm going to set up in my office. I've got a few ideas for livestock but I wanted to hear the thoughts of others. Have you ever had those crazy ideas pop in your head that make you wonder if anyone has tried it before? I'll try it!
I want this tank to be experimental with a lot of WOW-factor. I have a full machine shop and research lab about 15 feet from me that I can use to create all sorts of solutions to make all sorts of magic happen.
I have a few requirements:
1. It has to be awesome. I really want to experiment with this tank and even commit nano tank heresy to explore new nano tank concepts. My husbandry skills have reached a zen state, so I've got no problem trying something challenging. That said...
2. It needs to be easy. I am doing a PhD and running a company at the same time. Time is in short supply. I'm also in and out of town and will be relying on my office mate to handle feeding and such in my absence. I can handle regular maintenance and such, but nothing crazy like NPS tanks that need to be fed every 12.73 minutes with a 40 gallon sump attached to a 14 gallon display.
3. Minimalist equipment and aquascaping. Basically, limited to a biocube with LEDs and a media tray. Can't do much else outside of that. Don't want anything visually cluttered.
4. Please, don't suggest fish like tangs and other stuff that very obviously shouldn't be in a nano. It'll just attract the usual police and inevitable debate. I don't have patience for that.
My ideas so far:
1. Packed to the nuts with acros, no fish (or maybe a goby or bangaii pair, etc). I've attached a pic of the aquascaping thus far and I feel it lends itself to an acro garden. Lighting isn't really an issue in this tank, just water quality. I have a few tricks to keep the water at SPS levels but I figure that with little to no fish and minimal feeding of the corals, the water should stay pretty good for a while.
2. A RBTA and a pair of clowns. Nothing extraordinary here but lots of wow-factor. An RBTA under the LEDs would look smashing and the hosting behaviour of clowns is very cool to watch. I'd scape the tank to make the nem the central focus point.
3. Acro and NPS mix. Ok, this does bend one of my rules a bit but it's something I've been toying with for a while. In my aqua spacing below there is a wicked overhang. I've been tempted to have a garden of acros growing above, with a bunch of cave dwelling corals hanging upside down under the overhang. This would give a pretty cool dichotomy that would look pretty stunning, especially if I keep the sand bare. Nutrient mitigation would be more challenging but not impossible.
What other ideas do you have?
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad114/Nergetic/66C4D01E-67AD-4582-BCDE-1BF9BB964945-15288-00001C1CDCF8E071.jpg
I want this tank to be experimental with a lot of WOW-factor. I have a full machine shop and research lab about 15 feet from me that I can use to create all sorts of solutions to make all sorts of magic happen.
I have a few requirements:
1. It has to be awesome. I really want to experiment with this tank and even commit nano tank heresy to explore new nano tank concepts. My husbandry skills have reached a zen state, so I've got no problem trying something challenging. That said...
2. It needs to be easy. I am doing a PhD and running a company at the same time. Time is in short supply. I'm also in and out of town and will be relying on my office mate to handle feeding and such in my absence. I can handle regular maintenance and such, but nothing crazy like NPS tanks that need to be fed every 12.73 minutes with a 40 gallon sump attached to a 14 gallon display.
3. Minimalist equipment and aquascaping. Basically, limited to a biocube with LEDs and a media tray. Can't do much else outside of that. Don't want anything visually cluttered.
4. Please, don't suggest fish like tangs and other stuff that very obviously shouldn't be in a nano. It'll just attract the usual police and inevitable debate. I don't have patience for that.
My ideas so far:
1. Packed to the nuts with acros, no fish (or maybe a goby or bangaii pair, etc). I've attached a pic of the aquascaping thus far and I feel it lends itself to an acro garden. Lighting isn't really an issue in this tank, just water quality. I have a few tricks to keep the water at SPS levels but I figure that with little to no fish and minimal feeding of the corals, the water should stay pretty good for a while.
2. A RBTA and a pair of clowns. Nothing extraordinary here but lots of wow-factor. An RBTA under the LEDs would look smashing and the hosting behaviour of clowns is very cool to watch. I'd scape the tank to make the nem the central focus point.
3. Acro and NPS mix. Ok, this does bend one of my rules a bit but it's something I've been toying with for a while. In my aqua spacing below there is a wicked overhang. I've been tempted to have a garden of acros growing above, with a bunch of cave dwelling corals hanging upside down under the overhang. This would give a pretty cool dichotomy that would look pretty stunning, especially if I keep the sand bare. Nutrient mitigation would be more challenging but not impossible.
What other ideas do you have?
http://i927.photobucket.com/albums/ad114/Nergetic/66C4D01E-67AD-4582-BCDE-1BF9BB964945-15288-00001C1CDCF8E071.jpg