No Water Change nano build

[Lineatus]

After finally deciding to shut down my rejected TMC signature due to a move, I felt it was finally time to downgrade. I’ve moved all surviving inhabitants from my old system to my new one and am using as little equipment as possible, mainly made up of random things I’ve collected over the years.

Due to me living in a student flat I dont have a regular supply of RO (don’t think my landlord would be happy with me doing some plumbing) and I am trying to make the system self sufficient.

I felt posting this build thread would help me stay inspired and it would be great if you shared this journey with me.

Livestock (as of date of post)

midnight clownfish
unidentified watchman goby
3 sexy shrimp
1 bumble bee shrimp
mini maxi anemone
yellow polyps
goniopora
mushrooms
toadstool leather

filtration is done by a simple hang on the back, and light is the Aquaray LED from a TMC microhabitat

 

[sunken3]

what's the black/purple? is that cyano or sponge? (around your leather). good luck! I think since your rock is mature, you have a good shot with this - as long as you don't stock/feed more. I went the other way (a whole bunch of tanks and equipment) and it's soooo much work. jealous.

 

[Lineatus]

what's the black/purple? is that cyano or sponge? (around your leather). good luck! I think since your rock is mature, you have a good shot with this - as long as you don't stock/feed more. I went the other way (a whole bunch of tanks and equipment) and it's soooo much work. jealous.

I’m unsure on what that black stuff is around the leather, it has a rather hard texture so I don’t think it’s cyano! I wonder if it’s some sort of black coralline algae.

I feed very sparingly, about once every three days. The fish don’t seem to mind at all and have actually put on size under these conditions.

I really empathise with the too many tanks issue. I’ve always noticed that I appreciate an individual aquarium less the more tanks I have. Still, putting lots of work in can make the hobby feel veryy rewarding.

 

[sunken3]

if it's not cyano, then it's likley some type of sponge. I think the common ones are usually grey/brown/black... I have some in my tank as well. Sea sponges aren't as soft as you'd think they should be.

 

[Lineatus]

if it's not cyano, then it's likley some type of sponge. I think the common ones are usually grey/brown/black... I have some in my tank as well. Sea sponges aren't as soft as you'd think they should be.

Oh that’s super interesting, I never even considered that. The diversity of sponge life on my liverock is so interesting there’s at least 5 different species already, I guess that makes it 6

 

[LegalReefer]

How's it going with a no-water-change build? Everything growing and going well?

 

[Gedxin]

Interesting build.

Without RODI water availability, how are you accommodating for evaporation?

 

[Lineatus]

Big update because I haven’t posted in a while!
Finally installed an ATO and upgraded the lighting. Im now using two TMC iLumenAir Nano+ as well as the old light and the corals are loving it. Far better polyp extension and colours.

stocking wise I’ve added a lovely red discosoma and a purple kenya tree.

I’ve also installed a black background by painting A4 paper and taping it to the back, very high tech.

Ive also rescaped the rocks, I think it’s an improvement but I’m not completely happy with it yet. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

 

[Lineatus]

Interesting build.

Without RODI water availability, how are you accommodating for evaporation?

I have a local fish shop nearby that sells it for relatively cheap. Inconvenient but better than nothing

 

[Gedxin]

Tank is looking good!

 

[Lineatus]

Thanks man

Tank is looking good!

 

[Jcr's Reef]

There's an adapter you can hook up to your kitchen or bathroom faucet. You can run RODI off of it that way.

 

[Lineatus]

There's an adapter you can hook up to your kitchen or bathroom faucet. You can run RODI off of it that way.

I’d love to know the brand! that would fix all my problems

 

[ProxyAquarist]

I’d love to know the brand! that would fix all my problems

Would this serve your purpose?

Bulk Reef Supply Chrome Faucet Diverter Valve :
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/chrome-faucet-diverter-valve.html

I have not used this product; however, it would be nice if it solved your problem.

Happy Holidays & Reefing,
Jim

 

[Lineatus]

Would this serve your purpose?

Bulk Reef Supply Chrome Faucet Diverter Valve :
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/chrome-faucet-diverter-valve.html

I have not used this product; however, it would be nice if it solved your problem.

Happy Holidays & Reefing,
Jim

I’ll definitely look into that, thank you