The Winter Reef

Keko21 · Dec 10, 2023

Once again a very huge thank you to @Rubymoon286 for this amazing Secret Santa gift!!

Obviously didnt take me long to rip the wrapping paper of and get started!

Behold the beginning of The Winter Reef! My first venture into a nano tank

- Deskmate Classic 5g

- using the included pump for now, but may up to a sicce.

- stock heater

- I am also going to give it a whirl with the stock light as this is going to be mainly an LPS and zoa tank with no SPS.
IF ANYONE HAS EXPERIENCE WITH THE STOCK LIGHT PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

- Reef crystals salt used for start up with microbacter 7, and dr tims as a mix.

- ordered a lid and cup for filter floss vs using the sock.

- bio balls it came with are in there as well.

- We’ll see if i bump to a skimmer or not…again no sps and lots of zoas and lps so im not overly concerned with nutrients on the higher end.

I used the coralline covered rocks that came with it, but obviously its still pretty much dry rock since it’s been in a box. I kept the rock scape simple and not too high not so much for coral growth but swimming room for whatever small fish or two go in here. Ill post a theoretical stocking list later. For now it’s hurry up and wait while this think cycles

Cichlid Dad · Dec 10, 2023

Looks great

Keko21 · Dec 11, 2023

Sitting here at work this morning for an hour and it took me about 20 min to order the Sicce nano pump lol. The stock pump is loud!

Gumbies R Us · Dec 11, 2023

Keko21 said:
Once again a very huge thank you to @Rubymoon286 for this amazing Secret Santa gift!!

Obviously didnt take me long to rip the wrapping paper of and get started!

Behold the beginning of The Winter Reef! My first venture into a nano tank

- Deskmate Classic 5g

- using the included pump for now, but may up to a sicce.

- stock heater

- I am also going to give it a whirl with the stock light as this is going to be mainly an LPS and zoa tank with no SPS.
IF ANYONE HAS EXPERIENCE WITH THE STOCK LIGHT PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

- Reef crystals salt used for start up with microbacter 7, and dr tims as a mix.

- ordered a lid and cup for filter floss vs using the sock.

- bio balls it came with are in there as well.

- We’ll see if i bump to a skimmer or not…again no sps and lots of zoas and lps so im not overly concerned with nutrients on the higher end.

I used the coralline covered rocks that came with it, but obviously its still pretty much dry rock since it’s been in a box. I kept the rock scape simple and not too high not so much for coral growth but swimming room for whatever small fish or two go in here. Ill post a theoretical stocking list later. For now it’s hurry up and wait while this think cycles

Nice looking tank!

vlangel · Dec 11, 2023

It looks real nice on the desk and should be a fun lil' tank!

Keko21 · Dec 11, 2023

Ok while I'm cycling I'm also day dreaming. Stocking ideas:

I definitely am going to put 4-5 sexy shrimp in, a few hermits, and snails as a CUC.

As for fish theses are my potentials- my thoughts are if I'm going to fit two fish I should have a bottom dweller and a swimmer otherwise any of these guys solo would be fine. Any suggestions or opinions are welcome.

- Yellow, green, or citron clown goby
- Madagascar spotted croucher goby
- Oscellaris clown
- Mocha storm clown (solo)
- Blackline blenny
- Splendid dottyback (solo)
- Rollands Damselfish
- orange spotted goby- pair with a randals pistol shrimp
- yasha shrimp goby- pair with a randals pistol shrimp
- Yellow banded possom wrasse

Keko21 · Dec 12, 2023

Fragged some zoas from my big tank. Hopefully they fill out those plugs a little bit in the next month or so

Haggisman14 · Dec 12, 2023

It's a great tank..i've had mine up and running for 10 months now, and love it!

The stock light will leave you wanting more! After 2 months with corals, I quickly upgraded to a used Gen 4 Radion Pro. You just can't get the colors that you really want (especially the fluorescence aspect of things).

If you've upgraded the pump, I would also get the @Vivid Creative Aquatics Dual Flow Kit:

Limited Edition – EShopps DeskMate Dual Flow Kit – DMFK025X2 | Vivid Creative Aquatics

vividcreativeaquatics.com

I purchased the single b/c I've still got the stock pump, but will eventually upgrade my pump, and upgrade the flow as well to a dual kit.

Good call getting the Kraken cup! I"ve got one too! Looking forward to seeing the progress!

Keko21 · Dec 12, 2023

Thinking of going with the MaiceMinds Aquarium light 35watt

kevgib67 · Dec 12, 2023

Nice setup, following.

Keko21 · Dec 12, 2023

Mother of God the Sicce is soooo much quieter!!!

Haggisman14 · Dec 13, 2023

Keko21 said:
Mother of God the Sicce is soooo much quieter!!!

Gotta love that Amazon shipping! Is it actually silent now? My mind actually forgets the hum is there, but if I focus on it, i hear it immediately!

Did you order the RFG's?

Keko21 · Dec 13, 2023

Haggisman14 said:
Gotta love that Amazon shipping! Is it actually silent now? My mind actually forgets the hum is there, but if I focus on it, i hear it immediately!

Did you order the RFG's?

100% cannot hear it. Amazing.

I did order the RFG but went with the single.

Also ordered the light.

Haggisman14 · Dec 13, 2023

Keko21 said:
100% cannot hear it. Amazing.

I did order the RFG but went with the single.

Also ordered the light.

Definitely adding that pump to my list (I know it increases flow a bit too).

You're gonna love the RFG!

Excited to see how the light works for you, great price on it!

Keko21 · Dec 14, 2023

And now we have an ATO Anyone else use an ATO that has the same gallonage as their tank? Lol i think i should be good for a while!

nuxx · Dec 14, 2023

Looks like a fun project

Rjukan · Dec 14, 2023

Such a nice addition to your desk! I would struggle to get any work done lol. It looks awesome.

That mat half under the tank doesn't bother you? It would drive me crazy! Since the weight is so little it's probably not a problem, but idk if it could end up stressing the corners over time.

Keko21 · Dec 14, 2023

Rjukan said:
Such a nice addition to your desk! I would struggle to get any work done lol. It looks awesome.

That mat half under the tank doesn't bother you? It would drive me crazy! Since the weight is so little it's probably not a problem, but idk if it could end up stressing the corners over time.

I already struggle to get work done so what's one more distraction lol.

Interestingly, the mat actually levels it out! I guess my desk is warped or something but its nice and steady with the mat under that corner.

Haggisman14 · Dec 14, 2023

Keko21 said:
And now we have an ATO Anyone else use an ATO that has the same gallonage as their tank? Lol i think i should be good for a while!

What system are you using for your ATO? Down the road I want to get a doser and just set it and forget it (I see the tank every day so over-topping off wouldn't be a problem.

As soon as you get a lid on that tank, evaporation slows to a trickle. On a bad day I lose maybe 3/8th cup of water (approx 3 oz) . My I have a 5 gallon bucket that I"ve had filled with fresh RO, and in 3 months time it's still 2/3 full!

This is my ATO (2 scoops a day)

Keko21 · Dec 14, 2023

Haggisman14 said:
What system are you using for your ATO? Down the road I want to get a doser and just set it and forget it (I see the tank every day so over-topping off wouldn't be a problem.

As soon as you get a lid on that tank, evaporation slows to a trickle. On a bad day I lose maybe 3/8th cup of water (approx 3 oz) . My I have a 5 gallon bucket that I"ve had filled with fresh RO, and in 3 months time it's still 2/3 full!

This is my ATO (2 scoops a day)