Kitchen Macro Nano - coming to life

[RMc]

After a little gorgonian addition today from Docstach the tank is looking alive!

This is a minimal setup that uses a very low profile 4 channel (RB + Cyan/Red + 6000k White + UV/Windex) light for juicy sun power. It's a macro tank to make upkeep as simple as possible and will house some smaller non stingy coral.

This tank was started as a jail cell for Ms. Jaoquin - our murderous Orchid Dottyback. No reason she can't serve her sentence in paradise.

http://i.imgur.com/HBXTaN5.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KS2IpeD.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/eB1lyA1.jpg

In the doghouse

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Nice setup. I like how you've utilized the height of the tank.

 

[Docstach]

Looks great! I am glad it has opened up already. It should grow quickly for you.

 

[s_kelley]

Very cool! What do you use for filtration / flow / etc

 

[RMc]

For now I just have a jbj nano circulation pump and a small in tank filter (sponge / 50gph pump) . Eventually I may remove the filter entirely.

 

[this is me]

Very cool!
If you ever want any flame algae, let me know. They look nice and easy to grow.

 

[RMc]

If I'm ever in pepperell area I will definitely take you up on that.

Update:

Flora: Botryocladia, Gracilaria hayi, Codium, Halimeda opuntia, Gracilaria mammilaris, Cryptonemia, Blue Scroll
Fauna: Xenia Elongata, Tubipora musica, Green Nepthea, Red Discosoma Mushroom, random zoos/palies, two hermit crabs, Astrea Snail, Copepods/antrhopods, and an Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis)

An interesting note on this tank is that I run 2 light cycles per day. Essentially, the tank experiences 2 days for every 1 earth day.

http://imgur.com/W4A8046

 

[jdeb101]

An interesting note on this tank is that I run 2 light cycles per day. Essentially, the tank experiences 2 days for every 1 earth day.

Interesting... I've never heard of that being done before. Care to explain the reasoning behind it?

 

[PSU4ME]

I think it looks great!

 

[RMc]

Mostly I want to see it before and after work (a lighting schedule I can't commit to with the big tank.)

Coming from a background in planted tanks, C02 uptake / metabolism is highest in freshwater plants right after lights on. After about 4 hours or so it has dropped significantly. Micro algae has a much longer peak metabolic period and will begin to out-compete plants after 8-9 hours (generally due to depleted C02). I have no idea if macro algae / micro algae have a similar relationship, but my thinking was that it would reduce the occurrence of hair algae and the like.

But mostly so that I can look at it in the morning .

Right now it is arduino controlled, so every day the lights begin fading on at 5. By 7 they are fully on. At 9 they begin to fade out. by 11 they are fully off. Then the controller waits 6 hours and starts again. 6/6/6/6 each day

 

[Reefer140]

Cool to see another macro algae tank. It's all I keep with my sea horses... Algae can make gorgeous displays.

It there's ever a specific type your looking for, let me know. I currently keep over 40-45 varieties and would gladly share