Craig's ultimate nano

[Craig]

I am in the process of setting up the nano I always wanted, and have been planning for a while.

The important specs will be:

Tank: 600 x 450 x 450 (around 100l). This is currently being built by Adriaan at Idol Marine, using starphire glass for the 3 viewable panels

Cabinet: Solid wood (cypress) - to be made by a local custom furniture manufacturer. There will be no hood.

Lighting: Aquamedic 150W + 2 x 24W T5 combination pendant. It should fit perfectly over the tank as it is also 600mm long

Filtration: Reeftek TS1 skimmer + automatic Zeovit reactor that I am planning to DIY.

Circulation: Small (~1200lph) return pump. Main circulation will be provided by an Ocean Runner 3500 running the closed loop. Output will run through an Ocean Motions squirt.

That's it for now; I will post some pics as the components arrive... at the moment all I have is a sketchup diagram and a lot of ideas

 

[AndreT]

Craig,

Where are you from? I am looking for someone to build a cabinet for me but alas, no luck.

 

[DragonReef]

Sounds awesome Craig. You going to be keeping SPS in this tank ?

Automated ZEOvit rx sounds interesting

 

[Mekaeel]

this sounds cool craig.waiting to see pics

 

[millepora]

Sound great and with Adriaan, you are in good hands.

 

[Copperband]

Craig it sounds awesome, have you seen the tank Adriaan did for Dimitri?

 

[Awvince]

Sounds AWESOME, where are the pics?

 

[Craig]

Craig it sounds awesome, have you seen the tank Adriaan did for Dimitri?

No I haven't... in fact I'm not sure who Dimitri is? Would be interested to see pics though?

 

[Craig]

Sounds AWESOME, where are the pics?

As I said, "I will post some pics as the components arrive... at the moment all I have is a sketchup diagram"

 

[Mekaeel]

post the sketch craig

 

[viper357]

Sounds great Craig, I assume you are going to be concentrating on SPS in this tank with zeo?

 

[Craig]

Here's the sketch:

Of course, I intend painting the back black and covering the overflow (probably in my normal "tooth" style).

I do intend keeping only SPS so I will have to find some choice pieces.

 

[Craig]

Automated ZEOvit rx sounds interesting

I have seen 1 or 2 of these on the net. Most people battle because of the weight of the Zeo, but since I will only need a small amount, it should be easier for me. I think I have a good, relatively compact design, but I have not yet worked out exactly how much it will cost to build. I'll post some pics when I get around to building it.

 

[Alan]

Very nice, i really enjoy these cube tanks. Please keep us updated as the set up comes together.

 

[DragonReef]

Cool !!!! - Yeah your "toothwork" is top notch

Have you got your closed loop outlets coming up through the base ?

 

[Craig]

Yes, I will be following Paul's design from Ocean Motions. The back 2 outlets push through the rockwork and the front 2 outlets have 45 degrees on them, aiming towards the overflow. Seems to be quite an efficient design for getting detritrus down the overflow.

I will be bridging the 2 back outlets and bridging the 2 front outlets, with a valve in the middle of each so that I can adjust the intensity of the OM squirt oscillations as necessary - either sending 100% flow to each outlet, or down to a bit over 50%.

Out of interest, the back and bottom panes are 10mm glass due to the number of holes in them

 

[Mekaeel]

excellent design craig.i cant really see you ending up with any dead spots in this system

 

[djmurray]

Nice Craig cant wait to seen the really thing...

 

[TheWaterboy]

sounds great....very similar to the nano adriaan is building me.......also starphire glass but my dimensions are 600 x 400 x 450......maybe we can hook up and talk design...???.....cool

 

[Craig]

Ok, I am looking to buy my pendant lighting this week (if possible) while I wait for the tank to arrive.

I am debating the 150W + 2 x 24W T5's that I originally planned vs a single 250W pendant (they are in the same sort of price bracket). The pendant will definately be an AquaMedic one, just debating which to get.

I am aiming for SPS.

The 150W + T5's gives me more options when it comes to spectrum (both the 150W and 250W pendants come with a 13k bulb). I know some people like the extra blue from the T5's, but I think the intensity of the 250W halide might be better, especially when using 13k/14k MH bulbs?

One thing I am a bit worried about with the 250W halide is the heat, since it will be over a 100l display tank. I can always raise it up a bit and/or add a chiller, but the 150W+T5's might run a little cooler and I don't want to add extra heat unless the 250W is likely to be better in the long term.

What do you guys think?