I'm Back !!!! Desktop reef build thread

mildcustom2 · #1 02-09-2016, 04:29 AM

Well after a divorce 7 years ago and my career not allowing me to keep my 220G Reef I shut it down and sold everything off.

Now that I am the new big boss man in the Canadian division I don't have to travel very much anymore if at all. However the desk life isn't kind to me some days so I find myself looking at two options to deal with the day to day challenges. Keep a bottle or rum in the desk drawer or get a desktop reef going.

Sooooooo I decided to go for the desktop reef plan. Now a lot things have changed in the hobby since I left as far as technology so I am back to experimenting and researching.

Plans are as follows :

JBJ Cubey 3 gallon tank

In addition to the LED lighting in it I will try to cram in 5x ECOPICO LED 12000K / 435 light strips

Bare bottom with one or two pieces of live rock only

50W heater to keep things warm

As far as livestock it will be a shrimp or two and mostly LPS and Zoa's.

I will also add a ATO system to keep things balanced.

Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.

WarDog · #2 02-09-2016, 04:33 AM

Rum in the drawer would be cheaper... just sayin'.

Welcome back.

Aquattro · #3 02-09-2016, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarDog

Rum in the drawer would be cheaper... just sayin'.

Welcome back.

Would have been my choice..

mildcustom2 · #4 02-09-2016, 04:55 AM

I can assure you there will be some drank during the process of setup and observation after hours. May even sneak in a cigar while I am at it.

Aquattro · #5 02-09-2016, 04:58 AM

Cuban??

mildcustom2 · #6 02-09-2016, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Cuban??

Of course !!!

Ram3500 · #7 02-09-2016, 05:44 AM

My vote is for rum and a reef tank.

mildcustom2 · #8 02-09-2016, 03:10 PM

Call me a little cracked if you may but what's the chance I could keep some basic SPS frags in a little tank like this?

Maybe some monti digitata, birds nest or millipora.

Any thoughts?

Aquattro · #9 02-09-2016, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mildcustom2

Call me a little cracked if you may but what's the chance I could keep some basic SPS frags in a little tank like this?

Maybe some monti digitata, birds nest or millipora.

Any thoughts?

Given the right light, not too much heat and the ability to keep water reasonably stable, I don't see why not. If it were my tank, that's what I'd do.

mildcustom2 · #10 02-09-2016, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Given the right light, not too much heat and the ability to keep water reasonably stable, I don't see why not. If it were my tank, that's what I'd do.

With LED lights I think that's the part that raises the most questions for me. This is a territory I am not overly familiar with as far as light output.

As far as stability goes the office is air conditioned in the summer so increase in heat isn't a concern. I think a nano ATO setup will be critical to stable water conditions by replacing water as it evaporates. I will order one tonight.