Hey Guys,
I have had SW tanks before, been on here awhile, got out of SW early this year. Now.... Im back in.
I am currently setting up a nano tank right now, I figure if I can deal with all the nano issues that starting my
75 back up won't be a big deal. Was hoping to get some suggestions, ideas, concerns, etc because I am still
new to this hobby- or rather really new to the Coral aspect of the hobby.
Setup:
Oceanic Biocube 14
All stock filtration materials pulled replaced with:
Higher grade activated charcoal approx 1 cup
Filter Floss (hard to estimate amount but its more than enough)
1/2 Unit ChemiPure Elite
Stealth 75 W Heater
Stock Lighting
Stock Pump Replaced with Maxijet 600 (160 gph)
AquaC Remora HOB Skimmer with Maxijet 1200 (295 gph)
Shallow sand bed (under 1")
Apprx 15-16 Lbs Live Rock from Fish2Morrow
Plans:
Mainly Softie Tank with CUC
One or two very small fish such as a Scooter Blenny or Watchman Goby (just because I like them both, dont want many fish in the setup)
Future Mods (nothing major at all):
1- Remove paint from backing of chamber 2, add Chaeto and a light to run on opposite timer of tank
2- Raise the stock Hood to allow better airflow
Questions (and your suggestions please)
1- So far the tank has a turn-over rate of 455 gph (32.5 X per hour). I have a Koralia Nano that I have not added
to the tank. This would put the turn-over rate at 695 gph (49.6X per hour). Would adding the nano be overkill
for a softie tank?
2- I am using a HOB skimmer which is currently mounted to the right side of the tank, I would love to put the
the skimmer in the back however I can't manage to fit it back there. Is there really a better option as far as a
skimmer goes. I was curious if anyone had luck mounting the AquaC Remora Nano on the back of their tank?
Also, no I wont plumb the tank for a sump.
3- My tank is having a temperature fluctuation problem right now. The tank will hover around 77 with the lights off
at night. During the day time I have seen the temperature spike to 80-81 degrees. Really not very happy about the
spike and having to constantly watch it. I was wondering would it be better to step down to say a 50 Watt heater
or try to do something more about the hood to improve airflow(see next question)
4- I'd really like to move the hood up, say 4-6 inches from where it sits stock. I have replaced the stock hood fans with
larger higher flowing PC fans, I have cut more ventilation into the hood, and the hood sits propped open on my
skimmer (see pic below). Heat is still a problem. Has anyone either tried (A) Making acrylic/ plexi braces to
lift the hood higher up or (B) made a custom hood out of wood and retrofit all the lighting and wiring to the said
custom hood with success?
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You can see the hood propped up on the skimmer intake, just hate the way it looks. Also yes its clody, I just moved
some filtration stuff around. I also know I could use some more rock just haven't had the time to make the 180 mile
round trip to Fish2Morrow to pick some more up.
I have had SW tanks before, been on here awhile, got out of SW early this year. Now.... Im back in.
I am currently setting up a nano tank right now, I figure if I can deal with all the nano issues that starting my
75 back up won't be a big deal. Was hoping to get some suggestions, ideas, concerns, etc because I am still
new to this hobby- or rather really new to the Coral aspect of the hobby.
Setup:
Oceanic Biocube 14
All stock filtration materials pulled replaced with:
Higher grade activated charcoal approx 1 cup
Filter Floss (hard to estimate amount but its more than enough)
1/2 Unit ChemiPure Elite
Stealth 75 W Heater
Stock Lighting
Stock Pump Replaced with Maxijet 600 (160 gph)
AquaC Remora HOB Skimmer with Maxijet 1200 (295 gph)
Shallow sand bed (under 1")
Apprx 15-16 Lbs Live Rock from Fish2Morrow
Plans:
Mainly Softie Tank with CUC
One or two very small fish such as a Scooter Blenny or Watchman Goby (just because I like them both, dont want many fish in the setup)
Future Mods (nothing major at all):
1- Remove paint from backing of chamber 2, add Chaeto and a light to run on opposite timer of tank
2- Raise the stock Hood to allow better airflow
Questions (and your suggestions please)
1- So far the tank has a turn-over rate of 455 gph (32.5 X per hour). I have a Koralia Nano that I have not added
to the tank. This would put the turn-over rate at 695 gph (49.6X per hour). Would adding the nano be overkill
for a softie tank?
2- I am using a HOB skimmer which is currently mounted to the right side of the tank, I would love to put the
the skimmer in the back however I can't manage to fit it back there. Is there really a better option as far as a
skimmer goes. I was curious if anyone had luck mounting the AquaC Remora Nano on the back of their tank?
Also, no I wont plumb the tank for a sump.
3- My tank is having a temperature fluctuation problem right now. The tank will hover around 77 with the lights off
at night. During the day time I have seen the temperature spike to 80-81 degrees. Really not very happy about the
spike and having to constantly watch it. I was wondering would it be better to step down to say a 50 Watt heater
or try to do something more about the hood to improve airflow(see next question)
4- I'd really like to move the hood up, say 4-6 inches from where it sits stock. I have replaced the stock hood fans with
larger higher flowing PC fans, I have cut more ventilation into the hood, and the hood sits propped open on my
skimmer (see pic below). Heat is still a problem. Has anyone either tried (A) Making acrylic/ plexi braces to
lift the hood higher up or (B) made a custom hood out of wood and retrofit all the lighting and wiring to the said
custom hood with success?
You can see the hood propped up on the skimmer intake, just hate the way it looks. Also yes its clody, I just moved
some filtration stuff around. I also know I could use some more rock just haven't had the time to make the 180 mile
round trip to Fish2Morrow to pick some more up.