28 Gallon Nano Build

I am getting back into the hobby and trying to start small (I tend to get carried away). My goal is to have a low maintenance, soft reef w a couple fish. So far I have dusted off my old nano and bought some equipment.
Equipment:
I ordered a new PC bulb and temperature probe for my reef keeper light to start. I then did some research on a skimmer and went with the Tunze 9001. I replaced the "stock" returns with maxi jet 1200s and unfortunately they are louder than the ones I originally had! :crazy: I replaced them primarily for noise. I then ordered an ATO (autotopoff.com) so that I can have them both on and have running water drown out the noise of the pumps running as opposed to hearing them turn on over and over.
Livestock:
Went with dead rock to avoid pests (going to dip everything this time). Primarily Tonga branches from BRS. I even did some drilling and added some acrylic rods. Going bare bottom. I got 3 zoa frags from AquaSD...I just couldn't help myself. Threw 2 tank bred Ocellaris' in along w a small clean up crew. They are all fine so far (day 4).
Cycling:
I am adding MicroBacter7 everyday to help with beneficial bacteria.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!
It's good to be back :)
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...016_234738.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...016_221345.jpg

Great start dude
& welcome back


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Looking good Mark! Nice to see you again the other day.

Water is clearing up and algae is growing, seems to be cycling nicely. I am planning on what fish to put in. I am thinking about going with a pink streaked wrasse (http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...08&pcatid=2908 ) and a Tailspot Blenny in addition to the pair of ocellaris of course.
I originally wanted a lawnmower (love that fish) but I think the moderate aquascape I went with and the nano overall is a bit small for it long term. I was then thinking about a Six Line Wrasse but again, the moderate aquascape and they are known to be jerks.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...021_001707.jpg

So, I ordered the Tunze 9001 but it barely fits back there and you have to take off the collection cup (which does not come out easily) before each time you want to raise the hood. I also had more bubbles than I wanted. My ATO reservoir (5 gallon bucket) also did not fit in the stock stand so I decided to make a new one. I am a big fan of 42" stands so I made one.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...029_180141.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...029_180834.jpg
As you can see it dwarfs the stock stand and leaves enough room for 2 levels, one for my ATO reservoir (5 gallon bucket) and one for a sump (10 gallons). I hope to make baffles for a 3 chamber sump tomorrow.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...029_221625.jpg
This should give me plenty of room to run the skimmer, have a fugue, and run the dual returns with no bubbles to deliver to the display.
I plan to drill the bottom of each of the 4 compartments (aside from the media basket compartment) for 1/2" bulkheads. I plan to do stockman pipes on the outside compartments and soft plumbed return through the second or inside compartments.

a 28 gal is a NANO? what is the cutoff size?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ford4life

a 28 gal is a NANO? what is the cutoff size?

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Usually 30-35 gallons

Anyone know where there is a home depot or lowes that sells and/or cuts glass? I don't have a problem cutting glass but the home depot on Balboa doesn't carry glass and referred me to a glass place that wants me to order big pieces that weren't super cheap.

I ordered the glass from that place, came out to $21 and change for (4) baffles pre-cut, not bad...they are going to be ready tomorrow.
I re-did the stand to provide more depth front to back for the drilling on the bottom not to hit the 2 x 3's and keep the structural integrity.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...103_175931.jpg
Just enough space to re-fill the ATO and have some room for a skimmer, LED for fuge, etc...
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...103_175943.jpg

Nice start keep the pics coming😃

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Finally got the sump built...I am hoping to drill the bottom soon to finally have a skimmer, fuge, and ATO. I know I can do it without a sump but I doubt I can have:
1. 13" x 9 5/8" x 8" tall refugium
2. Skimmer I can easily keep dialed in and clean. No bubbles, less noise, and no need to remove the collection cup to lift the hood.
3. All the room for usual maintenance.
Getting closer and closer...
Any suggestions???
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...112_201742.jpg

Had it up and running, then realized I used the wrong silicone. Thankfully, it came off easily, re-did it, and back in business. I still have one big problem. I don't have enough overflow for my returns. I have one 3/4" overflow and two 1/2" returns. I had replaced the stock returns with maxi jet 1200s but that was way too much. I would like to be able to have the option of one or both on. I suppose I could just "Y" one return and the return would match the overflow, but the way it is, it is just dribbling down, I'd like to have more. I could remove the 3/4" 90 degree elbow but that would involve some sawing of PVC which isn't the end of the world but I'd like to avoid it if at all possible. Any suggestions?
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...126_133827.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...126_133843.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...126_133922.jpg
It is nice to finally have a skimmer, it pulled out a lot in a matter of an hour
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...126_133937.jpg

Went with one return, less return instead of more overflow.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...126_173438.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...126_173542.jpg