I had a Fluval Flex 9g tank that I converted to saltwater on our kitchen counter for a year. I just had a few fish, zoas and mushrooms in it and it ran pretty much on autopilot. About 6 months ago my wife decided that she wanted me to make it a freshwater planted tank, so I moved everything into my Nuvo 30L and turned the Flex into a bonsai freshwater tank.
Now my wife is mad that I won't put an anemone in the 30L (too many expensive coral to risk it
) so, guess what... the countertop tank is to become an anemone tank! So says my wife!
Now, I also have a nephew that absolutely Loves my tanks. He has decided that he's ready for a small freshwater community tank of his own, so I jumped at the opportunity to "upgrade" my Flex 9g to a "real" tank and give him the Flex 9.
I'm a big fan of the IM AiO tanks, so I found a gently used Nuvo 10g for this build. Here's what I've got so far:
IM Nuvo 10g tank with media caddie
Sicce 0.5 upgraded return pump
2x VCA 1/4" RFGs (using a 16mm drop adapter and a 1/2" to dual 1/4" Y adapter)
AI Prime HD upgraded with original Lux Engine LED puck and 3DReefing diffuser
Stocking plans include a BTA of some sort, a few Rock Flowers, a pair of clowns, a hi-fin banded goby/candy stripe pistol pair, a few sexy shrimp and a CuC. That's it.
Since I planned to do a NSA type aquascape, I made special provisions for the shrimp/goby by building a tunnel under the rockwork with front and rear doors. If you look at the front view of the aquascape, you'll see the opening of the tunnel at the very bottom. Once I have the sand in the tank, it should be a perfect home for a tiny shrimp/goby pair. This will also ensure that I'll be able to see them on the regular, because the front and back are both visible.
Anyway. Enough talk. Here's what I've got so far...
Since the tank sits on a peninsula/bar in the kitchen, I wanted nice views from all three sides. In addition to the shrimp/goby accommodation, I wanted plenty of high/low range on the rockwork for an anemone to find a happy spot in the light and flow. I think I accomplished those goals pretty well. I'm pretty happy with how the rockwork turned out.
I still have a few things to do to get ready for water, but I'm hoping the tank is wet this weekend! I'll update more then.
ETA: I plan on starting right off with the pair of tiny clowns as soon as the water is up to temp and salinity checks out. I've got some MarinePure biomedia that's been in the back compartment of my well established mixed reef for almost a year that I'll be adding to this tank to "short circuit" the cycle. I'll supplement with MicroBacter7 for the first week or two, but I don't anticipate even seeing a spike in ammonia or nitrite.
I'll also be cycling with the lights on so that I can get the ugly stage out of the way early, and have something for my CuC to eat since I'll be adding them pretty early on.
Now my wife is mad that I won't put an anemone in the 30L (too many expensive coral to risk it
) so, guess what... the countertop tank is to become an anemone tank! So says my wife!Now, I also have a nephew that absolutely Loves my tanks. He has decided that he's ready for a small freshwater community tank of his own, so I jumped at the opportunity to "upgrade" my Flex 9g to a "real" tank and give him the Flex 9.
I'm a big fan of the IM AiO tanks, so I found a gently used Nuvo 10g for this build. Here's what I've got so far:
IM Nuvo 10g tank with media caddie
Sicce 0.5 upgraded return pump
2x VCA 1/4" RFGs (using a 16mm drop adapter and a 1/2" to dual 1/4" Y adapter)
AI Prime HD upgraded with original Lux Engine LED puck and 3DReefing diffuser
Stocking plans include a BTA of some sort, a few Rock Flowers, a pair of clowns, a hi-fin banded goby/candy stripe pistol pair, a few sexy shrimp and a CuC. That's it.
Since I planned to do a NSA type aquascape, I made special provisions for the shrimp/goby by building a tunnel under the rockwork with front and rear doors. If you look at the front view of the aquascape, you'll see the opening of the tunnel at the very bottom. Once I have the sand in the tank, it should be a perfect home for a tiny shrimp/goby pair. This will also ensure that I'll be able to see them on the regular, because the front and back are both visible.
Anyway. Enough talk. Here's what I've got so far...
Since the tank sits on a peninsula/bar in the kitchen, I wanted nice views from all three sides. In addition to the shrimp/goby accommodation, I wanted plenty of high/low range on the rockwork for an anemone to find a happy spot in the light and flow. I think I accomplished those goals pretty well. I'm pretty happy with how the rockwork turned out.
I still have a few things to do to get ready for water, but I'm hoping the tank is wet this weekend! I'll update more then.
ETA: I plan on starting right off with the pair of tiny clowns as soon as the water is up to temp and salinity checks out. I've got some MarinePure biomedia that's been in the back compartment of my well established mixed reef for almost a year that I'll be adding to this tank to "short circuit" the cycle. I'll supplement with MicroBacter7 for the first week or two, but I don't anticipate even seeing a spike in ammonia or nitrite.
I'll also be cycling with the lights on so that I can get the ugly stage out of the way early, and have something for my CuC to eat since I'll be adding them pretty early on.
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