planning my first nano - for exotics

[Benny Z]

i've never really had a nano tank before, but with all the australian corals coming over lately i want to set up a small tank just for exotics. these pieces have incredible detail - something that often gets lost in the bigger tanks. the objective is to build a very simple all-in-one system.

here is what i'm thinking. any advice would be greatly appreciated!

16x16x12 rimless tank w/ 3 sides starfire (about 13g)
tunze reefpack w/ mechanical filter (carbon and phos media) and nano skimmer
tunze 6045 nano stream aimed for circular flow
jbj 150w clip-on 14k halide
auto topoff device - will top up w/ kalk water to maintain calc/alk and will add mag as needed

any suggestions for a small heater for this? preferably something extremely accurate and reliable as this tank will be stocked with some high dollar pieces.

at this point i'm planning this system to be fishless, but i've always wanted a picasso clown pair so i may add those at some point.

thanks in advance for any input you may be able to provide!
- ben

[Jimbo327]

get r done!

[InLimbo87]

Sounds like a pretty good setup, however, I would look into a different MH fixture as the JBJ's have been known to be notoriously weak.

[Benny Z]

thanks...i've read that, too. i really like the clip-on design, though...is there another similar fixture that i should look into? i want to avoid a big fixture over the tank.

[RobSW1]

seems to me like a 6045 might be too much flow for the thicker soft tissues of the LPS exotics that have been coming over lately.

also i would skip the clip on light......the tank is too nice and too expensive to run stuff clipped all over it. Get a little aquamedic pendent and hang it from the ceiling.

[InLimbo87]

I believe that coralife makes a clamp-on that is of better quality than the JBJ's. Not sure on the specs, etc, but I'd look into that if you're set on the clamp on.

A slick hanging pendant would also be pretty cool IMO.

[silvers]

viper clip on lights are ok

[Benny Z]

thanks - i'll look into both the coralife clip-on and a small pendant.

rob - you may be right about the flow. perhaps a 6025 or even a korallia k1 would do better.

here is my first piece for the tank.

[brad23]

where are you getting the tank from?

[Benny Z]

glasscages. yeah, yeah...i know...spare me the lecture please.

[b0bby1]

coralife is terrible, everything they make breaks. i used to have that clamp on fixture, but switched to a JBJ 150w and am way more impressed. its is very bright, and the ballast runs much quieter than coralife and the sunpods. the sunpod looks cool, but you can save and extra hundred bucks with the JBJ.

[brad23]

Originally posted by Benny Z
glasscages. yeah, yeah...i know...spare me the lecture please.

Is it a rounded front on both sides?

[Benny Z]

nope. i do like the cadlights nanos, but wish they had a more square footprint and not so much height. i'd like to preserve as much look-down surface as possible, hence the want for a clip-on light, no rear compartment, etc.

[brad23]

I see, always liked the rounded look on the nanos, everything just flows when you look at it.

[Benny Z]

well, sounds like this is on hold for a bit...

my wife reminded me last night that i'd promised her a seahorse tank some time back. guess i need to get that running, then focus on the exotics display.

*sigh*

[mskurdah]

seems to me like a 6045 might be too much flow for the thicker soft tissues of the LPS exotics that have been coming over lately.


--totally agree....Tunze is overkill if you're going LPS.

[Musho3210]

get the 6025 and if you feel it isnt enough, do a simple mod thats free and make it as strong as the 6045

[dreboogie]

sounds like it will be a great setup