SteveLup's STM Nano Reef

[stevelup]

Hi

I've been lurking around here for ages. Long term I'm planning a 6x2x2 through the wall tank to divide our living room with the dining room.

That's a long way off though as we've got walls to move around and god knows what else before I can even begin to plan it.

As I have well and truly got the bug, I decided to go for one of the STM Cubo 30 Nano's.

Equipment:-

Wave Cubo 30 tank (30x30x35cm)
Wave Niagara 300 HOB Filter (filled with Polyfilter)
18W CFL light (50% 10K, 50% Actinic)
50W Visitherm Heater

Stock so far:-

3.2Kg STM Ultra Live Rock
2Kg STM Live Sand

Water came from LFS (can't justify an RO-DI unit at the moment for such a small tank)

Salt is the Optimum Sea stuff from Wave.

One weird problem is that the cover glass is too big - there isn't room for the filter at the back of the tank!

Pictures to follow...

Steve

[stevelup]

These pictures were taken approximately one hour after filling the tank:-

http://www.cre.co.uk/misc/sl/191206-iso.jpg

I was really pleased with the STM Live Rock:-

http://www.cre.co.uk/misc/sl/191206-rock1.jpg

http://www.cre.co.uk/misc/sl/191206-rock2.jpg

Steve

[djnav]

cute :)

[Fridman]

Same set up as mine, looking good so far to.

If you take the plastic glass support/holder from the front glass the lid will fit. It does on mine anyway :)

(Edit) I mean the corner glass holders, you don't need them anyway. Or you could put them on the back glass, thats what I've done anyway) then you can slide the others forward towards the front.

[terrible t]

looks really good so far,what plans have you got for stocking the tank?

[Twistedpro]

looking good, will you be adding any more water movement?

[stevelup]

Hi

The little filter seems to do a remarkable job of moving all the water around. Even in the front left corner (furthest from the filter), you can see the 'hairs' moving around on the live rock.

In terms of stocking, I'm going to leave it for a while and see if anything interesting materialises out of the live rock.

I'll probably get some small snails and perhaps some sexy shrimp.

Not sure about fish for the time being - I wouldn't feel comfortable introducing them until I know the water is stable.

Steve

[Fridman]

I'm glad things have worked out with the glass lid. Your water level looks perfect to, just right to have the return water breaking the surface and stop scum building up.

I don't have any fish in mine either, just a small cleaner shrimp and softies. For some reason there seems to be alot more natural life imported with the rock in this little nano as in my main tank.

I also for the first time watched a shrimp shed his skin, as opposed to always missing the event.

There is just so much going on in a little nano, your going to love it.:D

[stevelup]

Hi

Did your tank go through a cycle? My Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite are through the roof at the moment...

Cheers,

Steve

[Fridman]

The rock, water and softies all came from my main tank, so no I'm glad to say. I have suffered from high phosphates though, so now only feed once a week.

Just be patient Steve, things will settle down. :D

[stevelup]

Small update...

I've ordered a full set of Salifert test kits from STM.

In the meantime, my Interpet tablet ones are showing:-

Ammonia < 0.1
Nitrite - 4.0
Nitrate - 25
PH - very hard to judge as I've only got a broad range test kit. Looks to be about 8.5
SG - stable at 1.025

Just yesterday, Ammonia and Nitrate were off the scale so it looks like my cycle has started.

Steve

[dirtysanchez5825]

like the look of nanos so keep us updated wit lots of pics

[stevelup]

Another small update...

I've now had the Salifert test kits from STM for a couple of days - amazingly fast delivery considering I ordered them on the Friday before XMAS. Many thanks STM.

They are much easier to use than the Interpet tablet ones...

Ammonia nil
Nitrite < 0.05 (had to use the high range to see anything at all)
Nitrate < 10 (was 25 yesterday)
PH - 8.0 (stable)
SG - 1.025 (stable)

Steve

[zimreef]

Sounds good - a day or two and you'll be able to start stocking!

John

[stevelup]

Hi

Today's readings:-

Ammonia nil
Nitrite < 0.01
Nitrate < 10
PH - 8.0
SG - 1.025

Should the Nitrate actually be zero? It hasn't changed for six days now.

Cheers,

Steve

[stevelup]

Hi

Last nights readings:-

Ammonia nil
Nitrite Approx 0.1
Nitrate Approx 10
PH - 8.0
SG - 1.025

I'm getting a bit concerned now as some of the live rock appears to be dying off (there are sections of it that are just grey now - all the colour has gone).

I'd do some water changes but the RO from both my LFS seems to be poor (higher nitrite and nitrate readings than my tank water).

Any hints?

Thanks,

Steve

[steveofthereef]

When the rock is transported you will get die back, sponges etc that are on the rock will denature when out of water. I expect the grey die off is just temp and will come back in time. As for your LFS having RO water with N02, LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS!!! get yourself a Nitragon at least if you cant justify purchasing an R.O unit or source good quality water. What I am guessing is that your LFS stores his/her's RO for too long, thus causing it to get contaminated with bacteria and causing the NO2. Wait until your Nitrite is Zero before stocking, also it may be worth sniffing your Live rock to see if it's fully cured.
As for your Nitrate at <10 I woudn't worry too much, in a small nano cube this should be easily lowered with dilution through water changes later on. Keep an eye on it for now. I expect we will see good things from this nano:)

[stevelup]

Thanks for the advice.

The glass is now covered in hairy algae with lots of tiny white creatures crawling about in it. I think I'll knock the lighting on the head until things calm down.

I'm going to order an RO unit from RO-MAN.

Steve

[stevelup]

I'm sure this is getting boring for everyone... But anyway!

Tonights readings:-

Ammonia nil
Nitrite < 0.01 (may as well be nill - had to use the x10 scale to see anything)
Nitrate < 5 (closer to 2)
PH - 8.0
SG - 1.025

So some progress is being made...

In terms of life in the tank:-

I have some kind of green hair algae on the glass.

Crawling around this are some brownish creatures approx 1.5mm in length which move like caterpillars (bunch up in the middle then propel themselves forward)

Also on the glass are a number (20-30 ish) of small white snails. They are approx 1.2mm across and have a spiral shape.

There are a number of white 'fleas' as well. Too small to identify at the moment.

Finally, I've got the wavy 1cm tree things I mentioned in my 'Strangers in the Tank' (http://www.ultimatereef.net/forums/showthread.php?t=196889) thread.

Steve

[zippy7272]

Any more pictures?

[stevelup]

I haven't bothered so far as nothing much has changed.

I'll take some this evening.

Steve

[stevelup]

Hi

Small cleanup crew is in. 4 x Turbo Snails and 2 x Red Leg Hermits.

Both Hermits have already molted - I thought they were dead until I saw that there were now four of them!

Struggling to photograph them at the moment as they have wedged themselves into crevices in the rocks and I'm still waiting for my closeup filter.

Current parameters:-

NO2: 0
NO3: 5
NH4: 0
pH: 8
SG: 1.025

Some more pictures:-

http://www.cre.co.uk/misc/sl/130106-side.jpg

http://www.cre.co.uk/misc/sl/130106-snail1jpg

http://www.cre.co.uk/misc/sl/130106-snail2jpg

http://www.cre.co.uk/misc/sl/130106-snail3jpg

[RHIANNON]

i have had 3 sexy shrimp for over a month and they are still alive


only added ro water so far

[stevelup]

Hi

I've added a few bits and pieces to the tank...

Pulsing Xenia frag kindly given to me by Eddie S:-

http://www.cre.co.uk/misc/sl/Xenia_040307.jpg


http://www.cre.co.uk/misc/sl/Xenia_Close_040307.jpg

Small mushie frag - again many thanks to Eddie:-

http://www.cre.co.uk/misc/sl/Mushie_040307.jpg

Brown / White Feather Duster (bought from LFS):-

http://www.cre.co.uk/misc/sl/Duster_040307.jpg

New full tank shot:-

http://www.cre.co.uk/misc/sl/Tank_040307.jpg

Thanks for looking!

Steve

[Eddie S]

Glad to see they've settled so well :thumbsup:

How did you fix the mushie in the end?

[stevelup]

Hi

It's 'resting' rather than stuck... It hasn't moved though so hopefully it will attach with time.

I had it high up on the rocks at first but the flow from the filter kept blowing it away.

I bought a new bit of live rock for it to sit on at the front of the tank - it has already doubled in size and coloured up nicely in its new home low down so I'm guessing it is getting enough light.

I have had to to turn off one of my filters - the Xenia screws itself up into a ball and refuses to move a millimeter with both filters running!

Thanks again,

Steve

[dark_stranger]

How long is the lamp as i am thinking of getting one to modify & place it in the hood of a small tank i have. Does it look like it would dismantle easily?

[stevelup]

Hi

I would be wary of dismantling it. The seal on the lamp base is part of the actual lamp - if you did anything other than remove the reflector, I think you would reduce the IP rating and risk letting moisture into the electrics.

The unit is pretty small overall anyway - 280 x 45 x 60 mm (excluding the bracket) so you could probably get away without dismantling it.

Steve

[dark_stranger]

The hod of the tank already has a light unit in it & is housed in a seal unit so the mosisture will not be an issue, i was just concerned that it would fit within the hood. Will have to get the tape measure out & then decide if an extra 7watts increase is worth the hassle.

Cheers.

[stevelup]

Hi

I've just moved the tank to my study so I thought I'd post some new pictures. Nothing much has changed apart from the mushie frag. It was the size of my fingernail when I was given it - it's now the size of a saucer!

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1016.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1017.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1018.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1019.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1022.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1024.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1025.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1028.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1029.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1030.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1032.jpg

Steve

[mariusz621]

A very nice little tank :-)

[benb]

Wow, that mushie has grown! Nice!

Ben

[MoOriginal]

Welcome to the Wave club Steve

Youll find a few of us on here now...

good to have another member !

[stevelup]

Hi

A couple of new additions... A Menella (I think) sea fan and a black and white clown:-

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1033.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1034.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1035.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1036_1.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1047.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1048.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1054.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1052.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1054.jpg

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_1058.jpg

[Cranners]

How are the levels? Do you think that you may have a problem with the feeding of the gorgonian at all?


J

[stevelup]

Hi

NO2: 0
NO3: <5
NH4: 0
pH: 8.1
SG: 1.024

I'll be feeding Salifert liquid coral food initially and will see how that goes. It seems happy enough - it has only been in the tank about 30 hours now and the polyp extension is double what it was at the LFS.

Steve

[mariusz621]

Nice sea fan :-) I have been adviced by STM staff member to use FM products to feed gorgonians and sea fans...