5g macro algae display tank

[leonel619]

Wanted to share my new pico tank.
This tank was originally a Fluval Chi but i removed the filter and everything that came with it and have decide to make it a macro algae display tank.

Tank: 5g rimless 10x10x12
Filtration: 5lbs of rock and 5lbs of sand
Flow: K nano 240
Heater: 10w mini heater
Lighting: 8w 10k Skkye LED (for now)
Controller: Reefkeeper Lite

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/5g%20macro%20tank/DSC_0168_zps9366537f.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/5g%20macro%20tank/DSC_0183_zps4542c6ca.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/5g%20macro%20tank/DSC_0196_zpsc72f08f2.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/5g%20macro%20tank/DSC_0192_zps9c4de56d.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/5g%20macro%20tank/DSC_0199_zps10a7b236.jpg

[dc2sd]

nice man. if you need some display macro, i have 3-4 different types.

[slicktoppomp]

Looks rad Armando!

[erikk]

Looking good Mando

[Esco reef]

Very nice set up :thumbup:

Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk 2

[leonel619]

nice man. if you need some display macro, i have 3-4 different types.

thanks I'll def take you up on that.


Looks rad Armando!


Looking good Mando


Very nice set up :thumbup:

thanks everyone!

[jessegarcia28]

nice start mando & about time u got back in da game
have fun
jesse

[photoguy]

Looks great better than sitting in my garage...lol

[leonel619]

nice start mando & about time u got back in da game
have fun
jesse

thanks bro


Looks great better than sitting in my garage...lol

lol yeah thanks for the deal!

[leonel619]

so i went ahead and added some macros that i got from Dieu (dc2sd) Thanks!

red grape
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_0553_zps40a24538.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_0553_zps40a24538.jpg.html)
dragon's breath
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_0558_zps7b1b6fad.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_0558_zps7b1b6fad.jpg.html)
dragon's tongue
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_0556_zps9efd6be2.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_0556_zps9efd6be2.jpg.html)

[miguel]

Nice mando..........

[bladedrummer]

Nice!

[dc2sd]

macros looking good. hope they continue to do well. nice seeing ya again

[slicktoppomp]

Sweet man!

[leonel619]

some more pics

grandi palys
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_0637_zps2c57ac9b.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_0637_zps2c57ac9b.jpg.html)
feather duster
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_0653_zpsdde951b9.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_0653_zpsdde951b9.jpg.html)
blue spoge
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_0661_zpsf646ae94.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_0661_zpsf646ae94.jpg.html)
tai spot blenny
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_0664_zpscb319b46.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_0664_zpscb319b46.jpg.html)

[leonel619]

halimeda macro
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_0670_zps31b777ba.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_0670_zps31b777ba.jpg.html)
my daughter changing the settings
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_0656_zps93926510.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_0656_zps93926510.jpg.html)

[miguel]

Looking good. Are you doing Zoas 2?

[DoctorBomb]

Nice. Blenny still hiding or is it perching on some rock now?

[leonel619]

Looking good. Are you doing Zoas 2?

sup miguel, no not really. maybe later on i will.


Nice. Blenny still hiding or is it perching on some rock now?

it's swimming and perching on the rocks, but it quickly darts into its hiding place when someone gets close to the tank.

[wholagan]

Nice. Macro tank is an awesome idea. Almost thought about plugging one in right next to my DT and running it through there.

[onyong4u]

How do you setup a micro algae tank? What type of lighting do you need?
I have 14g biocube project that I am trying to setup. Just finished the stand and I will be using 12w par38 20000k.
I will be transferring some of my Zoas/Paly from 50gcube into 14g.

[leonel619]

How do you setup a micro algae tank? What type of lighting do you need?
I have 14g biocube project that I am trying to setup. Just finished the stand and I will be using 12w par38 20000k.
I will be transferring some of my Zoas/Paly from 50gcube into 14g.

well on this tank i went with a 10k LED light (more for plants than coral). I like the more natural look and didnt want too much blue. I'm not doing anything special just added a thicker sand bed than i usually do. I actually think i have too much rock in there so ill prob be removing some as the macros grow.
I just basically wanted to keep a saltwater tank but want it as low maintenance as possible so i decided on macros (with the exception of a couple palys already in there lol)
I have no other form of filtration other than rock, sand and flow and everything looks good so far.

[onyong4u]

well on this tank i went with a 10k LED light (more for plants than coral). I like the more natural look and didnt want too much blue. I'm not doing anything special just added a thicker sand bed than i usually do. I actually think i have too much rock in there so ill prob be removing some as the macros grow.
I just basically wanted to keep a saltwater tank but want it as low maintenance as possible so i decided on macros (with the exception of a couple palys already in there lol)
I have no other form of filtration other than rock, sand and flow and everything looks good so far.

Thanks for the info and low maintenance is exactly I wanted to do since I will be doing weekly water change. Not sure about my 20k since algae will grow better on the lower lumens.

[leonel619]

here's a few pics of my only tank inhabitant (aside from a few hermits) and now very active, tail spot blenny:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_0717_zps27ff6329.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_0717_zps27ff6329.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_0716_zps7af4d296.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_0716_zps7af4d296.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_0708_zps24e6c3d7.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_0708_zps24e6c3d7.jpg.html)

[slicktoppomp]

Nice addition mando! Almost picked up a tail spot myself today. Ended up going with a psychedelic mandarin myself. Tank looks good. I think it's time for an upgrade though. :D

[photoguy]

Looks good..

[leonel619]

Nice addition mando! Almost picked up a tail spot myself today. Ended up going with a psychedelic mandarin myself. Tank looks good. I think it's time for an upgrade though. :D

thanks raul, lol yeah i almost bought a bigger tank yesterday but i dont want to start over again. things are going well with this one so far.

[leonel619]

here are a couple of updated FTS. Everything seems to be doing great.

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_1048_zps00398135.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_1048_zps00398135.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_1046_zpsd6e02cd5.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_1046_zpsd6e02cd5.jpg.html)

[erikk]

Nice dawg

[slicktoppomp]

Wow! That looks so nice!

[leonel619]

some recent additions to the macroalgae pico:

caulerpa prolifera
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_1184_zps2ebce9a4.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_1184_zps2ebce9a4.jpg.html)

gorgonian
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_1182_zps3e2d9a3a.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_1182_zps3e2d9a3a.jpg.html)

shaving brush (this one was a rescue. Hope he recovers!)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_1181_zpsdb0e8e39.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_1181_zpsdb0e8e39.jpg.html)

maidens hair
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_1180_zps77aa5994.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_1180_zps77aa5994.jpg.html)

unknown??
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_1179_zpsd81194dd.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_1179_zpsd81194dd.jpg.html)

and the FTS of course!
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_1186_zpsc26f82b5.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_1186_zpsc26f82b5.jpg.html)

[jessegarcia28]

that looks sick
when i come back with a nice DT Im def. making a display Mix/fuge similar to what ur doing
have fun
Jesse

[Funkateer_1]

This is an awesome tank. I miss my old macro tank(s). Keep an eye on that caulerpa though, it can smother all the other cool algae.

[leonel619]

that looks sick
when i come back with a nice DT Im def. making a display Mix/fuge similar to what ur doing
have fun
Jesse

thanks homboy!


This is an awesome tank. I miss my old macro tank(s). Keep an eye on that caulerpa though, it can smother all the other cool algae.

thanks! I think this caulerpa is one of the least invasive of the bunch but yeah i'm definitely keeping an eye out for it.

[leonel619]

new addition.

Not sure of the name but i think its a Halymenia Floridana (Red Sea Lettuce)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/20130527_201754_zps4fc41d1b.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/20130527_201754_zps4fc41d1b.jpg.html)

[Velasquezjames1]

:ohsnap:

[leonel619]

Just picked this lil guy up today.

Blue Line Pipefish
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_1510_zps468bdd9a.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_1510_zps468bdd9a.jpg.html)

and here is my tailspot chillin' in the powerhead while turned off during feeding:
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_1515_zps9843d110.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_1515_zps9843d110.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_1513_zpsc237c873.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_1513_zpsc237c873.jpg.html)

[erikk]

Nice mando

[leonel619]

Nice mando

thanks homs!

[nanoreef1]

Sic little nano love it!

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

[DoctorBomb]

Very nice. Pick up your new gorgonian yet?

[leonel619]

Sic little nano love it!

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2

Thanks!


Very nice. Pick up your new gorgonian yet?


I didnt. Picked up the pipefish instead lol

[Bryan858]

Very nice tank!!.. You've inspired me to make one. How much water changing do you have to do with no filtration system? Where can i find macro algaelike the red grapes and others nice stuff. All the ones i saw online dont ship to CA.

[leonel619]

thanks. Ive since upgraded to a 34g solana but still follow the same maint routine. on the 5g i would only change about a quarter of a gallon to half a gallon of water at least once a week. worked well for me and never had any issues. I don't use any kind of filtration on my solana either other than a water change once a week.

check this site out: http://www.live-plants.com/
this is where i ordered a lot of my macros. They are in florida. I think the ones that most wont ship to california are the caulerpa types.

[naso tang]

It is inspiring, nice tank! You got me thinking...

[ReEfErAdDiCt]

Very cool tank. Would love to see pics of your new one. Btw, what camera did you use for the pics on this thread? They look really clean.

[leonel619]

thanks!. I think i continued this thread with the solana but pics where lost when the site went down. Anyways, ill post some updated pics soon.
I'm using a Nikon DSLR for pictures. Still trying to understand the settings but getting there.

[leonel619]

It is inspiring, nice tank! You got me thinking...

go for it. Macro tanks are fun. They look more natural to me. The only macro i have in my solana now is halimeda but might go back and add more again.

[leonel619]

thought i'd share a few pics i took of my solana.

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_6156_zps46fb25fe.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_6156_zps46fb25fe.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_6136_zps9d0584a1.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_6136_zps9d0584a1.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_6134_zpse3637e7d.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_6134_zpse3637e7d.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_6131_zps953ece03.jpg (http://s1197.photobuc[URL=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_6131_zps953ece03.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_6133_zpsaec7f55d.jpg
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_6129_zpsb9c61f60.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_6129_zpsb9c61f60.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_6127_zps4baf1965.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_6127_zps4baf1965.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_6174_zpsbcdb3b7d.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_6174_zpsbcdb3b7d.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_6176_zps3f9b6a96.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_6176_zps3f9b6a96.jpg.html)

[echoreef]

Beautiful macro algae tank. Very inspiring.

[DoctorBomb]

So how many nems you got now?

[Carter o51]

What lighting is on the solana?

[slicktoppomp]

Dang Armando. The tank is looking awesome! Your pics look like something out if a magazine. Pro.

[leonel619]

Beautiful macro algae tank. Very inspiring.

Thanks! the 5g macro tank has been replaced by the solana but i do miss it.


So how many nems you got now?

i have 4 now. And counting lol.. 3 RBTAs and a green BTA... or it might be a LTA, not sure. Oh and a maxi mini nem if that counts lol


What lighting is on the solana?

its a 60w Stark LED fixture that i got from a friend here when i upgraded to the solana. It was supposed to be replaced soon after i got it but everything i throw in there seems to do well so ill keep using the light until i find exactly what i want.


Dang Armando. The tank is looking awesome! Your pics look like something out if a magazine. Pro.

sup Raul!... Pro? I wish lol thanks though.

[leonel619]

updated FTS. should prob start another thread just for the solana but this is how it looks now. This light will soon be swapped for a AI Hydra.


http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_7740_zpsb86e8893.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_7740_zpsb86e8893.jpg.html)

[nanoreef1]

updated FTS. should prob start another thread just for the solana but this is how it looks now. This light will soon be swapped for a AI Hydra.


http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_7740_zpsb86e8893.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_7740_zpsb86e8893.jpg.html)

Real nice bro! Really want to see how that hydra works out for u. I'm thinking about getting 2

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk 2

[leonel619]

Real nice bro! Really want to see how that hydra works out for u. I'm thinking about getting 2

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk 2
thanks. yeah cant wait to get it. one of the best lights IMO. ill post pics when i get it.

[DoctorBomb]

Looking good.
Did your chromis finally decide to come out and play?

[leonel619]

Looking good.
Did your chromis finally decide to come out and play?
Lol yeah they come out all the time now that the clowns I just got are in the tank.

[leonel619]

took some more pics of my tank today. nothing special just some random shots. this time under a metal halide that i borrowed from Cesar (dirt-nasty-510). Thanks bro!
Waaaay easier to take pictures under halides than with LEDs

http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_7938_zpsdf47b230.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_7938_zpsdf47b230.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_7930_zps91f7b0b0.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_7930_zps91f7b0b0.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_7923_zps97f23a4e.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_7923_zps97f23a4e.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_7920_zps963fab9f.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_7920_zps963fab9f.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_7915_zps2db8131c.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_7915_zps2db8131c.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_7907_zps2f2c4bc2.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_7907_zps2f2c4bc2.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa439/leo61904/DSC_7903_zpsc9f3fb27.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/leo61904/media/DSC_7903_zpsc9f3fb27.jpg.html)

[DoctorBomb]

Looking good. Lighting spectrum with the halide definitely makes it look more natural.

[leonel619]

Looking good. Lighting spectrum with the halide definitely makes it look more natural.
Ya I really like the look. Not sure if I'll have it long enough to see any growth difference though.