Mikeeal's 2.5

[Mikeeal]

I'd like to thank Kogo for the trim idea. Ever since I saw his 5.5 thread, I knew I wanted to do the same thing. Here is a link:

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=739519

My wife and I got into a two day fight over me starting ANOTHER tank. She finally agreed when she saw it finished, and I owe that to Kogo. Thanks dude.

Well enough yackin, here it is:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0767.jpg

And with Golden Oak stain:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0770.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0794.jpg

More to follow.

[fishes2889]

sweet molding or w/e that is.lol. give us the details....=)

[mr pink floyd]

awwwwwww snap son:bum: :uzi:

thast str8 gangsta yo


hehe im sooo white

[Mikeeal]

Thanks for the comments so far.

I wanted a minimal setup with this one. My 20G has something like 14 cords, damn, no thanks. So this one has four, and is the bare minumum in my opinion.

1. Stealth 25W
2. Mini Jet 606
3. 2X18W PC retro kit from http://nanotuners.nanocustoms.com/nanotuners/
4. 2 50mm cooling fans from local computer junkyard

It has about a half a pound of sand out of my 20G, and 2 lbs. of hand picked LR from my LFS.

That's it!

Pics of the lights:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0881.jpg

How do you all like the custom reflector? You wouldn't believe it, I found it in our kitchen!!! :lol:

I made it so the top of the hood can be lifted up for feeding, top off, etc.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0884.jpg

Tempature rose to 85 by the end of the day, so I went to this place called Computer Corps, and they gave me four of these 50mm fans for free. He had a HUGE box of them, and he said they were just gonna use them for the plastic. SCORE!!!

I was having trouble figuring out how to mount them. I figured out that these wire connectors fit right in the mounting holes with the plastic covering pulled off. Then I just bent them to the angle I needed.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0888.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0889.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0890.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0892.jpg

77-78 degree's all day now.

More to come.

[Kigs]

lol, loving the reflector The setup looks good Mike, can't wait to see what you do with it.

[Mikeeal]

Thanks Vince.

In the first three pictures you can see a piece of glass in the tank, I had the glass shop cut this to fit, and siliconed it into place, about two inches from the back wall. I did this so I could place the heater and pump back there mainly to hide them, but also I don't have to worry about the sand getting into my pump.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0897.jpg

I mounted the ballast on the back of the canopy:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0922.jpg

And here is where I'm at so far:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0928.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_0930.jpg

I got the diatoms right now, so it's ugly. I put a couple turbo's from my 20G in there, and I plan on painting the elbow on the pump outflow, and replacing the clear tube with a black one.

Stocking plans are sexy shrimp, and mostly zoo's and ric's.

[Kogo]

very nice.
good work on the lights and fan.

did you use any sealers after you stained the trim?

[Mikeeal]

Thanks again Kogo. I didn't. Do you think I should've? I still can if I need to.

[Kogo]

well, i used a polyurathene sealer and find that it causes the water to bead up when it splashes or spills. i think this will prevent warping at the vary least, but also possibly prevent any stain from leaching into the tank.

however, i dont realy know if that was neccassary, or if it makes any difference.

it does keep it nice and shiny though.

[Mikeeal]

Well I did think about this when putting it together. I like the fact that it would seal it, but I don't know if I want it to shine. Maybe I could find something in a satin finish that would do the same. I'll have to look, and keep everyone informed.

[Mikeeal]

I bought some zoa's last night:

22 bucks:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1012.jpg

This was five bucks, we'll see how it does:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1011.jpg

Closeup:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1010.jpg

FTS:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1013.jpg

I don't like the rockscape at all. I'm gonna mess around with it when the zoa's get comfortable. The plan is to just let these guys take over the whole tank. I'd like to find some fire and ice, and maybe one different type, and just let it be.

[aural]

looks great - i really like the branching rock you put in. :)

[chocolateblnt]

Nice Zoo's Mike!

[alien9168]

Nice base and hood! and zoos! :)

[jasutton]

Mike: regarding the sealer. I think you should use one. I just made a hood for my 20 and it works wonderfully, as kogo said. You can order danish oil on line for like 7$. if you use fine wool (.000) in between coats (make sure the coats are THIN) you will get your desired satin finish. Other than that man the tank is phenominal.

one question: how you guys get the carving and trim so nice? And where do you get the wood? Is it a precarved peice?

i am going to make one of these once i move and get settled in. Any advice would be extremely helpful.

thanks
Jamie!!!

[Mikeeal]

aural, thanks. I really like the rock itself, just not how it is placed. Hopefully I can come up with some better placement.

blunt and alien, thanks guys.

jasutton, I know I need to find one, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I'll look into the danish oil you're talking about. About the carvings, I sat on my porch for a few months and widdled it all out. :lol: :lol: Nah, just kidding. I went to Lowes. They sell 8' pieces of many different styles and sizes. I think I paid 13 bucks for it. I used a miter saw, and cut the 45 degree angles. There are frames on top and bottom, that I used for support, made from 1X2 poplar. Then I just nailed them to that. PM me or get back to me here if you need some help.

[jasutton]

haha i figured that but if you did go through the widdling i didnt want to offend...but google danish oil and you will see the first hit is something like woodfinishing.com or something.

Rpoblem is you are going to have to keep your hood inactive for around 2 days. If you go the danish oil route, i suggest four coats. You should do it. Clean up is a breeze and it acually makes it look nicer.
Nice stuff
jamie
PS you may be getting a PM from me later when i actually have time to do all this.

[alien9168]

Whats wrong with its current placement? :)

[Mikeeal]

It's got too much of a "box of rocks" look to it. Kinda like I just dropped it in there when I've actually messed with it three times. It's somewhat difficult though because I'm trying to conceal the glass wall that's got the heater and pump behind it. I'm gonna see what I can come up with tonight when the lights go out, and I'll post pics.

[alien9168]

Oh...well post pics when you reaquascape. I think it looks good the way it is, which means itll look even better upon reavaluation ;)

[Mikeeal]

Thanks alien. I just got done moving my 20G from my room, to my sons room. Damn that sucked....so, I'm not gonna get to the 2.5 tonight. Hopefully tomorrow.

[Kogo]

looks like its coming along.
nice zoas!

[Mikeeal]

Thanks Kogo.

A couple better pics:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1020.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1019.jpg

I need some more now. :)

[Kigs]

man...I wish my LFS would get zoos like that once in awhile. Only LFS that carries zoos sells them for $99 and up. =\ I'd like to see the new aquascape when you redesign, I'm not a big fan of the current one. :p

[jasutton]

you know i actually kinda like the current one...i am just picturing it covered with zoos and rics. I like it, but you paid for it its your dollar :)

[Mikeeal]

I got lucky with these. A previous owner brought them in, and they threw them in their frag tank. Usually they only have pathetic looking brown ones.

[jasutton]

By the way: Mike you think you can PM me with some plans...i have reacently been bored out of my mind and i think it will be worse these next 3 months...I may get a jump on the tank. At least the canopy and stand :)

thanks in advance.
PS i am not extremely handy...especially with wiring so laymens terms and explanations for as much as possible would be extremely welcome...that is if you have time

jamie

[Mikeeal]

No problem jamie. I'll draw up some stuff on paint, and I'll PM you.

[jasutton]

Awesome, I appreciate it.

[leeweber85]

Lookin good. Awesome find on the zoas

[Mikeeal]

Thanks Lee!

I just moved the rocks around a bit. Not too much, but I think I can live with it now. I'll take a couple pics in a little bit.

[Mikeeal]

Here you go:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1059.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1058.jpg

I'm done messing with it. Now I just gotta find some more zoa's, maybe some shrooms, and rics.

[alien9168]

Its lookin really good :)

Keep it up! :)

[Mikeeal]

Hey alien, thanks for the support throughout the whole setup.

[alien9168]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7126931#post7126931 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mikeeal
Hey alien, thanks for the support throughout the whole setup.

No problem man! :)

[Mikeeal]

Not an update really, just wondering what the heck this is. It appears to be some type of snail maybe? It hasn't moved from what I've seen, but I only noticed it a few minutes ago. Anyone know what it is?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/Picture007.jpg

[Dakafall]

ACK!! sundial snail, i'd recomend getting him outta there ASAP, i'm not really sure wether he eats the zoas, or what, but i know they're bad for the zoas and they're considered a bad hitchhiker

[Mikeeal]

Thanks for the ID Dakafall. It is indeed a sundial snail, and they feed on zoa's. I've already pulled him out, and will keep my eye out for more.

[alien9168]

Wow- nice catch dakafall!

Hope you dont find anymore of those mike!

[Mikeeal]

No doubt. I'll definitely bust out the red lensed flashlight tonight and do some investigating.

[jasutton]

Strong work!!

[WarEagleNR88]

Yep, thats definitely a sundial snail. They look cool but sadly they eat zoas.

Looking good, great pics. What's the evap rate on this little guy?

[Mikeeal]

It's hard to say WarEagle, I use a 1.5 Liter Aquafina jug that you can see in the second to last pic. I fill that thing up about every fourth day. So that's about two cups per day?

[Mikeeal]

I had to go to Reno this morning to pick my brother up from the airport, so I figured I better make a stop at the LFS. I found out that they had a 20% off sale yesterday, but he still gave me the discount. I got these green zoa's, (eagle eyes, maybe?), and this tonga branch rock with three red mushrooms on it for thirty bucks. Both fully opened up within 15-20 minutes. I want to get my hands on some fire and ice zoa's and a couple sexy shrimp, and I'll be done stocking it. Here are some pics:

this one's a little blurry,
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1072.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1081.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1079.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1080.jpg

[WarEagleNR88]

good job, those are great frags!

[armagedon48]

hope they gave you a discount for that bubble algae :D or was that extra?

[Mikeeal]

Thanks for the kind words WarEagle.

armagedon, that's acually extremely rare Bubblicious Maximus from the galaxy Reefacion Aquariumness. When I found out it was 20% off, I knew I had to have it. It seems to be thriving under my care. You want a frag? I'll sell it to you cheap.

I've got some cyano that came in on the original zoa rock that I've been battling as well. I've been siphoning it out every few days in hopes of beating it, before I result to chemical alternatives.

[jasutton]

zoas=sweet
nice stuff.
I went to the LFS and looked at a 2.5...thats REALLY SMALL!!

wow
impressed

[Mikeeal]

Thanks a lot Jamie. I'm seriously becoming addicted to zoanthids. I really like all the different color varieties that can be found, combined with their ease of maintenence.

Yes, it's a pretty small fish tank. I like it though, it takes me four minutes to do a water change.

[Mikeeal]

I found these guys slithering around on the glass after lights out last night. The pictures are terrible, but it's the best ones I have. Any ideas?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1096.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1094.jpg

Thanks!

[Mikeeal]

How about this one? This came with the rock and it's getting bigger by the day. Cool blue color.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1097.jpg

?????

[mr pink floyd]

the secodn oen you posted looked like a nudi... i saw the antenna things

[chocolateblnt]

Did you get my E-mail Mike?!

[Mikeeal]

pink floyd, I did some more searches on nudi's, and it's definitely not one. I am now positive it's a Amphiscolops sp., a harmless flatworm, I found on wetweb. I'd post a pic, but I'm pretty sure it's copyrighted. Good thing, because if it was a pest, I would have never been able to find them again.

blunt, nah, I didn't. Try shooting me a PM.

EDIT: nevermind blunt, it was in my junk folder. THANKS DUDE!

[Mikeeal]

I found a picture that isn't copyrighted. This is exactly what they look like:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/squidly.jpg

They feed on pods, which is cool with me since the tank is flooded with them.

And the latest FTS. It's still not much, but it's getting there:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/100_1082.jpg

[Kogo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7192549#post7192549 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mikeeal
I found a picture that isn't copyrighted. This is exactly what they look like:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b381/Mikeeal/Misc/Pico/squidly.jpg

They feed on pods, which is cool with me since the tank is flooded with them.

i had some of those in my 5.5g. it was cool to watch them chase down pods.

[Mikeeal]

Kogo, do you know how big they get? Mine are about 2-3 mm long. Probably not a whole lot bigger? Seriously, I don't think I'd be exaggerating when I say I have a thousand pods in there. Even with the lights on, I can't even count how many are on the sand bed. Mostly isopods of all different sizes.

[KafudaFish]

I have the same flatworm in my tank. They simply showed up one day covered the front glass in huge numbers but since then notice only a few everynight. I have not seen them go after anything but they move quickly and have two tails like the picture.

[ecotoxlady]

Beautiful little tank! Love the aquascaping and the zoas. The problem with zoas is you can never have just one ;) Enjoy the addiction and welcome to the dark side :D

[Mikeeal]

Thanks ecotoxlady. I've seen your zoa's, very nice.

[ecotoxlady]

Thanks Mikeeal! I do love my zoas, thats for sure :) You just have to love creatures that can come in so many colors, shapes and sizes!

[Mikeeal]

And the fact that they're not too picky. Gotta love that. I have to watch over my SPS like they're my 8 month old daughter.

[Kogo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7192931#post7192931 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mikeeal
Kogo, do you know how big they get? Mine are about 2-3 mm long. Probably not a whole lot bigger? Seriously, I don't think I'd be exaggerating when I say I have a thousand pods in there. Even with the lights on, I can't even count how many are on the sand bed. Mostly isopods of all different sizes.

mine didnt grow any bigger than what your seeing.

[Mikeeal]

Yeah, that's what I figured. Right after the lights went out last night, four of them instantly showed up on the front glass. They're actually pretty fun to watch.

[glxtrix]

those are your basic flatworms, nothing to worry about.