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15-01-2013, 01:37 AM | #1 |
Endangered Dragon
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,566
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Budget Pico tank, possible?
Hey guys, few months ago i had plans to start a 2ft marine tank but i got caught up with some personal stuff and end up having to scrap the idea.. Im still keeping my freshwater set up and now i got a spare 34L tank (31x31x36cm front curve tank) im toying with the idea of a Pico/Nano marine(only intend to keep easy corals like Zoas, mushrooms and some small fishes) but on a budget set up.. and i hope to reuse as many stuff as possible. so is this possible? need some advice here...
Tank : 31x31x36 front curve tank from seaview. This tank is only 4mm thick im wondering if its safe to use for marine? used for 2 - 3 months only on a flat surface though.. Filter : This tank currently is being filtered by a GEX L size hang on filter, should be 400 - 500L/hr filed with seachem Matrix. Most likely i'll use this filter but do i need the matrix to be inside? or should i put a bag of seachem purigen in? Lighting : I currently runs a Aquazonic 6.72 watt LED light.. 24 white(10k) and 4 acthnic blue.. i doubt it will be enough for zoas and mushroom. I noticed the Beamswork 6 x 3W (4white, 2 blue) seems to fit my tank well and not that expensive too. is this good enough? Wavemaker : Hydor Koralia Nano comes to mind straight.. At 900l/hr is this enough for flow together with my hang on filter? Chilling : Tank will be fan operated.. i have a Hexagon water filtering system meant for drinking installed (high pH water at 8+)and im wondering if i can use it to top up water and do water change... the filtering system do have carbon block and resin. Skimmer : I've read many nano/pico set ups and most advice to go skimmerless and just do more water change.. how often should i change my water to keep the tank healthy? I hope its possible to set up a budget nano/pico tank.. need as much advice as possible to make my dream come true of owning a marine tank!!! Thanks! |
15-01-2013, 08:52 AM | #2 |
Dragon
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 707
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yes you can.. no need skimmer and weekly 10% change of water will be more then enough.. of course no over feeding also and low bio load
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15-01-2013, 09:21 AM | #3 |
Endangered Dragon
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,566
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Hey thanks for ur advice.. So let's say my bioload gets higher.. I just do more water change or increase the frequency of water change will do?
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15-01-2013, 09:40 AM | #4 |
Dragon
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 707
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15-01-2013, 10:14 AM | #5 | |
Dragon
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,433
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Hi Bro,
Don't know if you saw my other thread but I'm currently running a 34 Litre nano tank as well. Used to run a 24 Litre one last year. Just some comments below in red (in your quoted text below) sharing some of my experiences. Quote:
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15-01-2013, 11:52 PM | #6 | |
Endangered Dragon
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,566
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Quote:
i really appreciate your long and details reply bro illumnae! i do have some other questions and hope you'll be able to help.. Filter : say i remove seachem matrix and replaced it with a bag of seachem Phosguard and a bag of PURA NitrateLock (small amount for both) to reduce both phosphate and nitrate, will this be enough? wavemaker : I noticed BOYU do make small wave makers.. any idea if they are of any good? Chilling : The Hexagon water filter in my house uses Ion-exchange Resin, is this the same as the normal one reefers use? if not im thinking of putting some carbon and resin into a bag and run it in a pail of water with a pump for 24 hours before i do my WC? will this make the water DI? Skimmer : Where can i get this Dymax IQ skimmer? If it can keep my tank healthier i dont mind investing in this prodibio nano reef kit.. does marineLife at clementi have this? near my school at SP Once again, thanks alot for your help!! |
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16-01-2013, 11:08 AM | #7 | |
Dragon
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,433
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Hi bro, no problem at all... marine is definitely very different from freshwater and alot of preparation is needed to do it well. Happy to share what I've discovered (both via research and via pocket-burn experiences).
My responses below again in red. Quote:
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16-01-2013, 11:42 AM | #8 |
Endangered Dragon
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,566
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Chilling :
Meaning i'll simply get a filter housing, carbon and resin cartridges and upon setting up, run water through it and the water that comes out of it will be DI? Just that simple? never use such filters before... Skimmer : Im currently looking at some suitable skimmers for my tank and have chanced upon this Taam Rio Nano skimmer.. its a hang on filter + skimmer.. last time c328 used to sell this.. i might get this to replace my GEX filter though.. |
16-01-2013, 11:56 AM | #9 |
Dragon
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,433
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DI: Yes it's that simple, but you need to make sure you run the water through the system slowly so that the carbon/resin has enough time to react with the water. Test the water that comes out - if it's 0 TDS you're good to go.
Skimmer: Never used the Taam skimmer before. However, I know bro Wing.feng uses the Red Sea Prizm HOB skimmer on his 2x1.5x1.5 and he says it works well for him. You need to scout around for good deals on this skimmer though, as brand new it's not cheap. At the price of a brand new Prizm, I'd rather top up a $20+ more and just get a Bubble Magus e3 |
16-01-2013, 12:05 PM | #10 | |
Endangered Dragon
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 8,566
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Quote:
I went to look up measurement of the E3 and sadly it cant fit my tank.. the Rio skimmer only cost $30+ if im not wrong.. most review say not fantastic but for that price its better den other skimmer of the same price. As for ur prodibio kit, how long does the whole kit last for ur 34L tank? |
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