Need Help with my Nano

[malx]

Hi, Everyone.

I want to put a nano reef in my office, 10-20 gallons would be ideal. I've tried reef tanks when I was 16-18 years old. The problem I had was that I was always on a budget, so buying products for are and maintenance was tough. For example, I could not afford a chiller, so I needed to point a fan at the water to cool it. I was keeping soft corals, my lights were OK but not great. I had a lot of evaporation, so I rigged a bucket on the floor upstairs that would push water through a tube using gravity if a little floaty dropped.

Now, I'm 30 and I have a good job that would allow me to afford top of the line equipment. I'm a patience person, but once I get the tank set up I'd like some kind of set of equipment that does things automatically, like measure and adjust temp (chiller). Maybe there is a device that can measure other things like specific gravity, ammonia, nitrates and nitrites, ph, and send me a notification on my iPhone if something is off? Maybe there is something I can put under the tank that can automatically pump in distilled water if the level drops.

Whatever setup I decide to go with, I'd like it be as cutting edge as possible.

I look forward to everyone's feedback as what to buy.

Cheers,
Joey

[malx]

Oh man that's an old picture.

[Stolireef]

Malx. Things have really changed quite a bit from when you were last in the hobby. That said, the basics still apply. Patience, good water husbandry, etc.

To start, take a look at Neptune's website (they are a sponsor here) and look at the Apex controllers. If you want to automate, that servers as the brain of your entire system. There are other controllers out there that are supposed to be excellent but Neptune seems to get the best overall reviews.

The lighting conversation right now is dominated by LED's. Especially for a small tank where temperature and evaporation are a significant concern, LED's offer some major advantages (full disclosure, I'm a MH/T5 guy) and are on the bleeding edge.

Maintenance of water parameters (kH, Ca, etc.) haven't changed all that much with two part solution, Ca Reactors, and Kalkwasser topoffs still leading the charge. What has changed is the increased use of other types of media reactors designed to maintain low nutrients in the water.

Pump technology has really advanced. Internal circulation pumps have all largely gone to propeller style which allows for movement of huge amounts of water but very gently. Look at Ecotech and Tunze sites for the top of the line. Korallia Jebao, etc. also make well received pumps. DC based return pumps have also gotten popular for the controllability, low power consumption, and very quiet operation.

There's a ton more out there and I'm sure others will chime in.

[sponger0]

For a nano, this is what I recommend.

The tank obviously, an ATO(automatic top off), lights you can go with T5s and not have to worry about heat or LEDs if you wanna spend the big bucks. A controller can measure pH and most of them have apps for phone to monitor your system. The other parameters youll have to measure manually.

The ATO will know when water evaporates, will turn on a pump to put RO water back into the system. So an RODI unit is preferable but with a nano you should be able to just get buckets of water from your LFS.

[malx]

Wow. Thank you both for your responses. I'll start researching the products you've mentioned. Quick question, what does LFS stand for?

[Stolireef]

Local fish store

[jrozzi]

tunze osmilator 3155 would be perfect for an auto top off.

kessil a150 is perfect for a nano light you will get the best shimmer from this light and you only have to buy one. IMO its hands down the best light for the money if you only need to buy one, the shimmer is phenomenal. I have it on my 30g cube ill post a pic.

reefkeeper or apex controllers will allow you to control all of this from your pc and If you are good at programming reef angel is a good controller as well.

feel free to pm if you have any questions on anything.

[Stolireef]

I should probably add one thought. I used to keep a 29 gallon reef in my office. While I loved it and visitors loved it, it was the single biggest productivity killer I have ever seen. Regardless of automation, you're going to be staring at it all day and resisting the urge to 'fiddle' with it will be nearly impossible.

Also, keep in mind that bad things can happen on a reef tank very quickly. Make sure you have access evenings, weekends and holidays. If I were you, I'd set it up at home where you can play with it to your hearts content without worrying that a client is calling while you are arm deep in your tank.

[WhiteTang]

Originally Posted by malx

Hi, Everyone.

I want to put a nano reef in my office, 10-20 gallons would be ideal. I've tried reef tanks when I was 16-18 years old. The problem I had was that I was always on a budget, so buying products for are and maintenance was tough. For example, I could not afford a chiller, so I needed to point a fan at the water to cool it. I was keeping soft corals, my lights were OK but not great. I had a lot of evaporation, so I rigged a bucket on the floor upstairs that would push water through a tube using gravity if a little floaty dropped.

Now, I'm 30 and I have a good job that would allow me to afford top of the line equipment. I'm a patience person, but once I get the tank set up I'd like some kind of set of equipment that does things automatically, like measure and adjust temp (chiller). Maybe there is a device that can measure other things like specific gravity, ammonia, nitrates and nitrites, ph, and send me a notification on my iPhone if something is off? Maybe there is something I can put under the tank that can automatically pump in distilled water if the level drops.

Whatever setup I decide to go with, I'd like it be as cutting edge as possible.

I look forward to everyone's feedback as what to buy.

Cheers,
Joey

I think i know exactly what you mean and probably want.
An Innovative Nuvo aquarium. A skimmer, a reactor and an auto top off system by the same company. An ecotech Vortech MP10 as well as a radion (LED lightning) by the same manufakturer. You would also want an Eheim heater (dunni about chillers, someone help). A Neptune controller for all the equipment and long distance control via internet (iPhone etc).
Red sea pro test kits. Seachem products like purigen, carbon, Matrix and phosguard. Also if you want some more biological filtration you could also buy a magna fuge led (by innovative marine) so you can grow some macro algae like cheato. Of course you will ditch the standard canisters for the much better ones sold by the same manufacturer as the aquarium.
Check these out and let me know what you think.
You're welcome

[malx]

Sorry it's been a while! But decided not to do the Nano. Doing it full blown! See this! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2#post24472842

[CafeReef]

edited...old post