I've joined the dark side- Minibow 2.5 pico! *Frag pics!!!*

[Devilishturtles]

Lookin great! I couldn't get my new cardinals to eat anything when I first got them, I tried squid, brine, flake, pellet, live brine, etc. Nothing. But they will fight to the death for a little mysis, lol.

Tank looks great! I'm still debating what to do with my 2.5 but if I got the nano route I'll definitley be referencing this thread.

 

[severum mama]

Well, don't bother with the stock hood, it's really pretty lame, lol. Either you use a 10W PC bulb with no mods and the lighting is uneven due to the positioning of the lamp, or you mod the hood to use a 20W PC bulb, as it is longer than the 10W and won't fit without a mod. Plus, I found that the temp is more stable with the open top/suspended light. Didn't work out at all like I thought it would, but live and learn, ya know? I can't imagine how the 20W bulb would heat it up in a modded hood! But my temp never goes above 79, and never drops below 78. I'm not normally a fan of Whisper products, but my little heater is nice and compact, and even though you can't set the temp I find it to be very accurate, since the packaging says it is set to 78. And be prepared to top up twice a day, lol.

You should do it, I'd love to compare notes! It's been really fun for me so far, and it is giving me confidence for when I can get a larger reef going.

 

[lando]

I'm still debating what to do with my 2.5

Come on...ya know ya want to...

 

[severum mama]

Yeah, you know you want to!

Tested my water again tonight. Things are looking good.
pH= 7.9
ammonia= 0
nitrite= 0
nitrate= 10
temp= 79
SG= 1.025- forgot to top off this morning.

And..... I got some more frags- green hairy shrooms, some new zoos, and some clove polyps, including a neon green color. The zoo colors are super sweet IMO, as well as the neon green clove polyps!!!!!! 8)

This tank is on par with my planted discus tank as far as being exciting!!!!!!!!!

And now for the pics...

*edit* I am giving some snails to my friend that has an established 75 gallon reef. I hate to do it, but I know they will be better off.

 

[Deitta]

I love your solution for the lighting and air exchange problem. I have even shown it to my hubby.
I have been using Eclipse 6's and my first SW was one of these. I was so new I was not worried about exchange. My problem was the heater I put into the tank was really too big (but did shut off if it got too warm) and the light from a window (which hit for 2-3 hours each day) would make the temp too high (mid 80's). Then I was worried that any fish I might get might jump... so after a couple of restless nights we came up with a solution.

I took out the handy dandy drill and put 1/8" holes ever 3/4" in a nice grid on the hatch. The holes were far enough that the hood wouldn't crack and too small for a fish to jump out but close enough to allow some serious air flow. Since the holes were in a grid pattern, it looks pretty professional. Then my only problem was replacing the evaporated water since more was getting away.

 

[severum mama]

I just have a quick update, no pics for now. My new frags fell off the rocks, so I am using rubber bands to hold them there until they attach. There's nothing photo-worthy about the tank right now with all those rubber bands in it, lol.

I haven't done a water change since Friday, but have been topping off 1 or 2 times a day, of course. I tested the water again last night and I was surprised at how good the results looked.
pH= 8.0
ammonia= 0
nitrite= 0
nitrate= 10
temp= 79
SG= 1.024

I'm so happy with the way this is going, I'm sort of in the planning stages of another nano. After all, a Current USA Satellite 2' fixture can't just sit in the garage, right???

 

[severum mama]

Here are some pics that I took last night. Things are still going really well.

 

[sweetness8t5]

You have inspired me to start a mini reef...

Couldn't you have just used bio-spira to cycle your tank?

 

[severum mama]

Cool, do a photo journal!

No need to spend the money on BioSpira... plus, it can be kind of hit-or-miss. IMO it's much better just to wait it out and not try to instantly cycle. I'm doing a fishless cycle on my 15 nano reef also.

 

[roka64]

I agree, the natural way is best. It also teaches patience, which is very important in this hobby. I found it helped me to learn more about a fishless cycle and how the bacteria is grown.

 

[sweetness8t5]

Any links? (easy to understand)?

And where can I get live rock from? An aquarium shop?

Cuz I found this one guy on craigslist (don't know if he still has it)... but he was selling a 2.5 g with a pound of live rock and sand for 25$, thinking I could get it for 20$, would that be a good price? =P

 

[Devilishturtles]

Hey sev, any updated pics of your nano?

I started my 2.5 today and would love to see an updated pic of your tank. This thread has really helped me out in some do's and don't's with my first nano.

Thread to come soon