Enigma's 2012 Nano Contest Entry

[Acipenser]

Thats freakin awesome. - I am very tempted to build a set of lights !

[fishoholic]

Glad you got the lights working that must be a relief.

[Enigma]

Originally Posted by Acipenser

Thats freakin awesome. - I am very tempted to build a set of lights !

Now that they're working I can say that I would certainly do it again. The learning curve was pretty big for me, and by Thursday evening I was ready to file them under "G" and reassemble the original lighting. Thankfully, hubby intervened.

Originally Posted by fishoholic

Glad you got the lights working that must be a relief.

There is still some tweaking to be done (supplemental LEDs, heatsink installation in the hood, etc.), but you're right. Having them turn on when power is supplied is a huge relief. It is such a make it or break it part of the build. My entire purpose for this build (an SPS appropriate system) was hanging on this.

I almost made a hysterical phone call to sphelps from an electronic supply place yesterday (but reason intervened ). Neither hubby or the gent behind the counter could figure out what potentiometer was required, and I didn't know enough to give them the info they required. In the end, the one we purchased worked.

[Enigma]

I'm mulling over fish. Does anyone know of nano suitable fish that aren't overly messy? Being that this system needs to be low nutrient, I don't want to add a really messy fish.

In looking at my display tank, my green chromis are probably the least messy. I could put them in here (my 40 is overstocked . . . But it will become a ~100g in Feb-March). I'm not fond of them, however. They hide most of the time, and aren't particularly interesting.

I just don't know. I've posted three threads, on three different forums, and I'm just not gettting answers. Maybe there is no answer?

[fishoholic]

Purple firefish maybe? They are pretty and not messy. Also trimma gobies and clown gobies are cool. If you want to keep the tank low nutrient you can also run the prodibio biokit for nano reefs.

[JDigital]

Catalina Goby


Yellow Banded Possum Wrasse


Or white Banded..


Tanaka Pygmy Wrasse

[Enigma]

Wow! Some nice options. Thanks, both of you.

[fishoholic]

Catalina gobies are cool but also need cold water temps 68-74 to survive long term.

[Enigma]

Originally Posted by fishoholic

Catalina gobies are cool but also need cold water temps 68-74 to survive long term.

Drat! Another one that likes those temps. Maybe I should investigate keeping a lower temp reef.

[Boxboy]

There is tons of goby options for small tanks. I love the neon gobys and trimma gobys
Also glad to read about your light working correctly!