16 gallon Nuvo Reef

[ExpensiveHobby]

[ExpensiveHobby]

[ExpensiveHobby]

[ASpec]

Originally Posted by ExpensiveHobby

Its all good man. Take a look at my video and let me know what you think. Ive been running the light around 60% max

Looking good, really good. You've got some really nice corals... they are going to look even better as they grow out. I think you're good at 60% right now -- just keep and eye on any SPS to ensure it's not bleaching out.

[ExpensiveHobby]

Im pretty happy with everything right now. Probably let it all settle for a while, maybe pickup a few more soft corals and LPS at the right price while I slowly save for an ATO or a controller. Still bummed I killed my birdsnest and a head of frog spawn but there was a valuable lesson learned. Never do a complete emptying of the tank and total aquascape / water change when home alone with your 4 month old baby who needs constant attention. I really under-estimated how much longer it takes when you have to stop every 5 minutes

[ASpec]

LOL. Kids are more work than the tank! Hang in there, it gets better. I have a 7 and 4 year old. I don't miss the diaper days, but they sure grow up fast.

Which ATO you looking at? I have the Tunze nano, love it. I had the full blown Tunze 3155 with optical sensor on my previous 38 gallon, it was great, but the nano works perfectly fine. Don't let people scare you away from it telling you there is no backup sensor. The auto shut off is your fail safe. I intentionally stuck my float to ensure it would not overflow.

The controller is where the $$ comes in. Your looking at $500'ish to get it where you want it. I will say this though... it's saved my butt a couple of times with stuck heaters, float switch notifications, and PH swings from running Kalk in my ATO. I'm able to "stop" the source of the problem right away, get an email/SMS, and correct anything before I've lost livestock.

[ExpensiveHobby]

Originally Posted by ASpec

LOL. Kids are more work than the tank! Hang in there, it gets better. I have a 7 and 4 year old. I don't miss the diaper days, but they sure grow up fast.

Which ATO you looking at? I have the Tunze nano, love it. I had the full blown Tunze 3155 with optical sensor on my previous 38 gallon, it was great, but the nano works perfectly fine. Don't let people scare you away from it telling you there is no backup sensor. The auto shut off is your fail safe. I intentionally stuck my float to ensure it would not overflow.

The controller is where the $$ comes in. Your looking at $500'ish to get it where you want it. I will say this though... it's saved my butt a couple of times with stuck heaters, float switch notifications, and PH swings from running Kalk in my ATO. I'm able to "stop" the source of the problem right away, get an email/SMS, and correct anything before I've lost livestock.

I was looking at the Tunze Nano (3125? I think). I run with no top on the tank so Im filling about 1/4 gallon every day right now. For $500 I will definitely be waiting on the controller. Build my LED shipped me another manual dimmer today for some reason. Not sure why but I check my bank statement and I only paid for one. No clue as to why they sent another

[ExpensiveHobby]

Also last night I traded a buddy a nice piece of dry rock Ive had for a year. Its the size of a football with a cave (hole) right in the middle. I tried to use it but it didnt fit in my tank. I traded it for another piece of birds nest, a random monti the size of a thumb nail and a little zoa frag. I have literally paid $15 for my last 15- 20 corals.... Love trades and good local people

[ASpec]

Tunze 3152? That is the Nano osmolator (ATO) for around $~110 and the one I am using. It's great! Manual top off's get old, real quick.

[ExpensiveHobby]

Originally Posted by ASpec

Tunze 3152? That is the Nano osmolator (ATO) for around $~110 and the one I am using. It's great! Manual top off's get old, real quick.

thats what I meant 3152. Yeah they arent that much. So basically I just put my top off water in a bucket with the pump in it. I put in a float for the low level and high level and connect it all together and I'm good to go??

[ASpec]

Originally Posted by ExpensiveHobby

thats what I meant 3152. Yeah they arent that much. So basically I just put my top off water in a bucket with the pump in it. I put in a float for the low level and high level and connect it all together and I'm good to go??

Almost... there is only 1 float with the 3152. I have mine in the middle chamber. The pump that comes with the 3152 sits in a 5 gallon bucket of RODI/Kalk water. I top off my bucket weekly when I do water changes. Simply as that.

There is no "high level" float with the 3152. The 3155 has 2 floats, 1 optical and 1 high level standard float. It also cost $100 more. The 3152 uses a pump run time max as the fail safe.

[ExpensiveHobby]

Originally Posted by ASpec

Almost... there is only 1 float with the 3152. I have mine in the middle chamber. The pump that comes with the 3152 sits in a 5 gallon bucket of RODI/Kalk water. I top off my bucket weekly when I do water changes. Simply as that.

There is no "high level" float with the 3152. The 3155 has 2 floats, 1 optical and 1 high level standard float. It also cost $100 more. The 3152 uses a pump run time max as the fail safe.

so u set the float at the level you want the water and then it just kicks on when its below that level and kicks off when its back up? Prolly runs the pump several times a day huh

[hersheyb]

Nice light, is that the 14k reef spectrum light? I've been looking to order from them..

[ASpec]

Originally Posted by ExpensiveHobby

so u set the float at the level you want the water and then it just kicks on when its below that level and kicks off when its back up? Prolly runs the pump several times a day huh

Correct. Mine runs often, maybe 20 times per day. It keeps the water level almost exactly perfect so it adds a tiny amount each time.

[hray]

I'm looking at setting up a Nuvo 16--what heater(s) are you running in yours?

Thanks in advance!

[ExpensiveHobby]

Originally Posted by hray

I'm looking at setting up a Nuvo 16--what heater(s) are you running in yours?

Thanks in advance!

some cheapo little 50W heater. Its about 6 inches long but holds tank at 78 degrees

[ExpensiveHobby]

I went by a different local guys house this weekend. He sells frags at great prices. He has 110 gallon show tank, 220 gallon softy tank, a 40 gallon ric tank, and 2 130 gallon frag tanks.

I ended up buy a green Ric, a 2 headed orange ric, a 20 polyp daisy polyp, a xenia frag and 2 zoa frags for $60.

I really wish I knew how to have the pictures fit the screen but I dont, sorry.

Here is the tank as it looks right now.

[ExpensiveHobby]

[ExpensiveHobby]

[ExpensiveHobby]

Also after about 2 weeks of thinking I had killed a head of frogspawn it looks like its coming back! There was always a tiny bit of tissue still visible but its growing


If anyone can tell me anything about this Monti. I got it for free, the guy couldnt tell me anything about it. Im not even sure if I glued the right side. I just assume the ridged side faced up towards the light.

[ExpensiveHobby]

Originally Posted by hersheyb

Nice light, is that the 14k reef spectrum light? I've been looking to order from them..

No it is a custom spectrum light RC member Aspec had them make. They pretty much will build any light combo you want. He originally ordered the 14k but didnt like it so they built him this one. Its an even distribution of blue, royal blue and white. These lights are super high quality and very bright. I highly recommend. The only negative is they dont include any moon lights so I am looking for something to use as moonlights now

[rolyat113]

I've greatly enjoyed reading this thread. I'm planning on putting together a nano as my first SW tank. Probably around this size too! Keep the info coming, I'm learning more every day!!

[ExpensiveHobby]

Originally Posted by rolyat113

I've greatly enjoyed reading this thread. I'm planning on putting together a nano as my first SW tank. Probably around this size too! Keep the info coming, I'm learning more every day!!

Thanks for the kind words. I've kept saltwater tanks for about 10 years but I still have so much to learn myself. Reefcentral has so many knowledgeable members that there is always a thread for whatever you are looking for.

Contrary to what many people will tell you, I think a nano tank is better for a beginner. The popular school of thought on this is that a large tank with a large water volume will provide a cushion for fluctuations in the water parameters. This is true of course, but what I believe is that since the solution to most beginner issues is to do a water change it is much easier, faster, and cheaper to do it on a smaller tank. The equipment is cheaper for nano's so you can upgrade your lights, powerheads and skimmer much faster. I would definitely look into the AIO (all-in-one) tanks, they have become super popular recently because they match functionality with beauty and they are economical.

Cheers

[rolyat113]

Originally Posted by ExpensiveHobby

Thanks for the kind words. I've kept saltwater tanks for about 10 years but I still have so much to learn myself. Reefcentral has so many knowledgeable members that there is always a thread for whatever you are looking for.

Contrary to what many people will tell you, I think a nano tank is better for a beginner. The popular school of thought on this is that a large tank with a large water volume will provide a cushion for fluctuations in the water parameters. This is true of course, but what I believe is that since the solution to most beginner issues is to do a water change it is much easier, faster, and cheaper to do it on a smaller tank. The equipment is cheaper for nano's so you can upgrade your lights, powerheads and skimmer much faster. I would definitely look into the AIO (all-in-one) tanks, they have become super popular recently because they match functionality with beauty and they are economical.

Cheers

I feel like the majority of people are going to try to talk me out of it, but I have a friend who keeps saltwater, and I have quite a bit of experience in fish and other wildlife. I'm not the type of person to jump into something without proper research, and then just abandon it either. Just need to find a used tank somewhere now.

[ExpensiveHobby]

Originally Posted by rolyat113

I feel like the majority of people are going to try to talk me out of it, but I have a friend who keeps saltwater, and I have quite a bit of experience in fish and other wildlife. I'm not the type of person to jump into something without proper research, and then just abandon it either. Just need to find a used tank somewhere now.

depending on where you live you can search CL. Or the used equipment forum on this site is also excellent. I've purchased and sold a few items on ReefCentral with zero problems. Never bought a tank though...