Build and Progress of my RSM Nano Tank

[LaurentSeattle]

Hello All!

I will report here pictures and info about building my RSM Nano tank.

My "master plan" is to build a healthy nano tank with zooanthids, ricordias, a few feather dusters, a couple of shrimps and two or three small hardy and reef friendly fishes. I still need to research the specific species. I am not new to the hobby after a bit less than 20 years exp of the hobby, including a FO tank a while ago, but this is my first reef tank and therefore I will stick to "easy" to care of animals.

I choose the RSM because of the "All in One" concept. All the components are nicely hidden and overall the tank look gorgeous in the apartment. Something important for wives and girlfriends...



Assembly started last weekend. The stand is made of 11 pieces of solid wood and you will need to assemble them with no less than 220 nuts, bolts and screws... Takes time... The final result is rock solid indeed. Instructions for assembly are quite clear. All parts are conveniently labeled and protected with plastic cover.

I ordered a RO/DI unit from the Filter Guys. Everything arrived well packaged and on time. I had a hard time to connect it to tap water and ended up using a faucet diverter. This seems to be the easiest solution for people with small to moderate amounts of purified water needs.

I started to fill the tank Friday and mixed the salt in the empty tank using the circulations pumps to speed up the mix.

Then I added the Aragonite Spheres that come with the Red Sea starter kit. On top of that I added more aragonite "live" sand. ( Not real live sand, this sand ships in wet bags and only pretends to be "live" but that was the only fine grain sand available at the LFS )

I finished to fill up the tank and ajusted salinity the best I could. The hydrometer / thermometer provided with the starter kit is just plain crap.

Everything but lighting was then turned on and I went to bed happy with Day 1 of my brand new reef tank

Money (USD) spent so far:

Tank + Stand + Starter Kit + Cooling Fan : 743
Live Rocks : 204 ( 45lbs Premium Fiji from LiveAquaria.com )
RO/DI Unit : 158 ( from The Filter Guys )
Live sand : 32
Plumbing Parts : 44
Misc stuff such as Jugs, vynil pipes, gloves, food: 90
GFCI Device : 33 ( Do not save pennies on this!!! )

Total (So far...) : 1304