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Topic: Mini Bow 5 Questions

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KyRodeo
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Joined: 19 Dec 2006
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Posted: 19 Dec 2006 at 11:49am \| IP Logged

First and foremost. I love this site. So much information and help. Thanks for taking the time to set it up. I know it's mainly about 7 Gal minibows but I recently received a 5 gal Corner bow w/ in hood 3 stage filtration (polyfiber, carbon, bio-wheel) and an inhood incondescent light fixture for my birthday. I've been thinking about setting up a nano reef with it. From what i've gathered from this sight and various on-line stores, I wanted to do a live sand/live rock combo, with a 10w 50/50 compact flourescent bulb from coralife for light, with various coral and maybe one fish (probably a clown) and a cleaner shrimp. my main quesiton is, would that be enough light to sustain life in there? also, would it be alright to keep the 3 stage filtration going with the LR and LS or would it be better to gut the filter and just use it to move water? Any more info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

KyRodeo
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Posted: 19 Dec 2006 at 12:17pm \| IP Logged

sorry for double posting. My tank is a Eclipse Corner 5. think I left that out...

kyroguy
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Posted: 19 Dec 2006 at 5:27pm \| IP Logged

I would leave the filtration in. The biowheel is a great filter. If your nitrates get high then maybe remove the biowheel. Leave the poly filter for sure. I would go with two 10 watt tubes for a total of 20 watts. That should be enough to keep most stuff. Keep in mind that you are going to have a constant battle with evaporation and I think that keeping salinity constant will be a bigger problem than lighting. I have seen it done, but it is not easy. Start slow and keep us updated. I would add the sand (plain, not live) and a few pieces of live rock. The rock will seed the sand and you should have a good start soon. I would wait at least 30-45 days just to see if you can even keep it stable. If you are really interested, you won't lose interest during this waiting period. This is also a good gauge of how attentative you will be to the needs of the tank.

I would love to see you do it though! Take some pics and post them through the stages of the project. We like giving our two cents, but we LOVE pics or your setups!

dbsoundcheck
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Posted: 19 Dec 2006 at 6:29pm \| IP Logged

Yeah, I agree with the 20 watt idea. That's what I've got in my 5 gallon minibow. I have to fill her up every 2 days. Good luck, it'll be worth it.

KyRodeo
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Posted: 20 Dec 2006 at 12:20pm \| IP Logged

great advice. Thank you very much. Also it says on my light cover not to put an incondescent bulb higher than 15 watts and a flourescent bulb higher than 11 watts. Is that for electric load bearing or heat issues? because if it's just heat i can retro fit a small fan to go on the hood. also Will evaporation be a big problem even with the full hood? I've taken some pictures of it already with the freshwater set-up. I hope to go sea side (ha ha) over the holiday weekend or as soon as I figure out the light scheme. I'll take many pics!!

kyroguy
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Posted: 20 Dec 2006 at 4:43pm \| IP Logged

The retrofits should have ballasts with them so the electric load should not be a problem. Then heat will be your only issue. Fairly easy to take care of with a fan.

As far as evaporation, it shouldn't be bad with a full hood. But depending on how you set up that cooling fan, you might be battling it! I would much rather have a cool tank that had to be topped off daily than a hot tank that only needed topping weekly. Keep us updated!

KyRodeo
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Posted: 03 Jan 2007 at 8:11am \| IP Logged

Tore down the freshwater set-up yesterday. Still gathering all the right stuff. I picked up a Smartpaq 1x32w retrofit kit yesterday. Having a little difficulty fixating in my hood as it is not meant for my system. I'm also going with the power sweep micro power head to keep a moving current. Question, is anyone using a venturi valve to airate? Thanks guys. pics coming as soon as I start setting up and as soon as I figure out how to post them! I'm getting very excited!

the_anti_honda
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Posted: 03 Jan 2007 at 3:36pm \| IP Logged

I would not use the venturi unless you want to experiment with it after lights out to keep the ph from dropping. I would be afraid that the smaller bubbles coming from it might cause harm or look unsightly during viewing hours.

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kyroguy
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Posted: 03 Jan 2007 at 6:07pm \| IP Logged

interesting thought, never thought about the effect on the pH.

KyRodeo
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Posted: 29 Jan 2007 at 6:52pm \| IP Logged

Check it to wreck it, here she is.

Gutted hood

Hood with reflector

...and light and ballast

and presto! whoa that's bright

and now a whole shot just after the cycle...

and close up of rock work,

That's about it for now. I have a CUC. not a very good one though. going back for a nasi snail, emerald crab and a scarlett hermit. and a cleaner shrimp. do they eat parasites?

kyroguy
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Posted: 29 Jan 2007 at 6:55pm \| IP Logged

And on the 8th day, KY said, "LET THERE BE LIGHT!" And there was, and he was happy. Then he determined that he needed more hermits to keep up with the algae!

How many watts per gallon you got on that thing?

KyRodeo
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Posted: 29 Jan 2007 at 7:13pm \| IP Logged

6.4 if you go by tank size just under 10 if you go by volume. It's a 32w Smartpaq. Sorry the pics are so big. I'll try to downsize next time

dbsoundcheck
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Posted: 29 Jan 2007 at 8:16pm \| IP Logged

Nah it's cool. It's like I'm actually in the tank! By the way, nice work!

kyroguy
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Posted: 29 Jan 2007 at 8:47pm \| IP Logged

Can't wait to see how awesome this thing is in a year!

nano7joy
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Posted: 29 Jan 2007 at 9:08pm \| IP Logged

Nice top rock looks like good shelves for frags and such

KyRodeo
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Posted: 30 Jan 2007 at 6:23am \| IP Logged

Thank you thank you. Now, about those parasites. They're all over the glass, crawlin around. I'd take a picture but they're microscopic. I'd say there is at least 500 of them now, I'm starting to get worried.

nano7joy
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Posted: 30 Jan 2007 at 8:22am \| IP Logged

Thos are probably ceopods and amphpods both are good many people have fuges setup just to grow them for food for there fish and corals

KyRodeo
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Posted: 30 Jan 2007 at 8:28am \| IP Logged

I'll have to start designing a fuge for this thing then . I'll post more pics when i get more stuff. Thank you guys for all your help!

Kwis
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Posted: 30 Jan 2007 at 10:36am \| IP Logged

Great start Ky. Pods are a good thing!! Thanks for posting pics, it helps everyone out big time!

kyroguy
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Posted: 30 Jan 2007 at 4:24pm \| IP Logged

Don't worry about the pods. After you get fish, they will get eaten. At least enough of them will get eaten that they wont be overrunning the tank!

ski's_reef
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Posted: 30 Jan 2007 at 9:52pm \| IP Logged

I have an idea for a small fuge for that tank!!! If Im not mistken that above tank filter has several compartments in it. If you took the media out of one of the compartments, mounted 3-4 leds above it, added some chaeto, and put it on a reverse cycle from the tank lights. The chaeto would remove some excess nutrients and provide a place for pods to live and breathe. If Im not mistaken chaeto grows free floating so it wouldnt mind the current. Also the reverse cycle would help with the nightime ph dilemma. Just an idea.

Ski

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nano7joy
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Posted: 31 Jan 2007 at 3:26am \| IP Logged

what tank ...j/k what filter really and what compartments the best kinda filter i know is a aquaclear for fuges and if ya gotta better idea speak up please speak up

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kyroguy
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Posted: 31 Jan 2007 at 4:08am \| IP Logged

Ski is thinking of an eclpise tank.

nano7joy
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Posted: 31 Jan 2007 at 4:14am \| IP Logged

ah Ok ....rotflmao its late or is it early?

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KyRodeo
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Posted: 31 Jan 2007 at 6:15am \| IP Logged

ski's_reef wrote:

Ski

That's a good idea! I think I will do that! Thank's Ski.

ski's_reef
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Posted: 31 Jan 2007 at 8:17am \| IP Logged

I thought it was one of those eclipse tanks. I always wanted to try that idea but dont have an eclipse. Let me know how it goes.

Ski

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ski's_reef
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Posted: 12 Feb 2007 at 10:22am \| IP Logged

Any new additions to your tank?

Ski

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KyRodeo
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Posted: 13 Feb 2007 at 7:18am \| IP Logged

Yes, Yes. I added a Cleaner Shrimp and an emerald crab. both are flourishing. I'll post pics when I get home tonight. I would like to add something else this week. Any suggestions?

kyroguy
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Posted: 13 Feb 2007 at 8:26am \| IP Logged

maybe a sea monster (baby one)?

ski's_reef
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Posted: 13 Feb 2007 at 10:21am \| IP Logged

Kyro, do you know where I can get one of those? The closest I can find is stomatopods!!

Ski

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