The $100 Nano-Reef Project

johnmaloney · 03-07-2008, 01:44 PM

Me and my brother have decided that we will try to create a nano-reef for under $100. First of all let me say we are cheating quite a bit. First, we are using sand and some base rocks from my old tank. They were placed in a 10 gallon aquarium kit from Wal-Mart that cost me $30. I used filter media from another tank to jump start the cycle, and after a week I added 2 lbs of live rock I got off of Ebay that came with some Chaeto and 4 coral frags (2 zoas which I split again, and a unidentified coral which I split 4 ways in a fragging massacre). That was a bargain at $25. We then added grape caulerpa, an encrusting sponge and a few feather dusters. The dusters and the grape were both caught. To help the filter out we placed 4 sprouted mangroves in the tank. That is where we are so far. We don't buy saltwater either, but get it straight from the ocean.

First problem- the lights we got are powerful, but the wrong color. Now I am looking for tubualr aquarium lights that are really skinny, but can't find any locally so far. Let me know if you have them or know where to find them...

Pictures to come....

**JF2381** · 03-07-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmaloney

First problem- the lights we got are powerful, but the wrong color. Now I am looking for tubualr aquarium lights that are really skinny, but can't find any locally so far. Let me know if you have them or know where to find them...

Pictures to come....

Are you referring to T5 bulbs? Check LFS or online orders

bschuerman · 03-07-2008, 02:04 PM

I met one person in town who is running their tank off of those cheap T5 walmart bulbs... hasn't crashed yet interestingly enough.

johnmaloney · 03-07-2008, 05:23 PM

T5 huh? That should help with the looking process. Thanks guys...I am terrible with light bulbs, and just about everything else when it comes to lighting. I have never had problems with corals before, but I attribute that to luck, it can't possible be skill.

I can grow red macro though without a problem

johnmaloney · 03-07-2008, 05:26 PM

I don't think it is a T5 bulb, those bulbs look like fluorescent lights, mine doesn't have the two prong attachment, but rather it is a screw in incandescent light.

johnmaloney · 03-07-2008, 05:32 PM

Added some red macro that I caught, (Bryothamnion triquetrum) looks awesome, and is easy to trim and use cuttings to shape the macro. I also added some halimeda. (monile and opuntia). I have a temp light I can use in the mean time to keep everything alive, but I want to get to the proper lighting ASAP

johnmaloney · 03-07-2008, 05:36 PM

Didn't have them at the LFS, I would check online but I haven't had any luck so far. Know any places?

johnmaloney · 03-07-2008, 05:42 PM

It looks like the longer bulb that is three from the left in the picture located here:
http://www.saveonlighting.com/images/INC_PHOTO15.jpg

psychographic · 03-07-2008, 06:42 PM

John, they actually make a 50/50 CF bulb that would fit in there. I'll look to see if I still have mine and take a pic for you.

psychographic · 03-08-2008, 09:01 AM

I only used these on a 10g fuge for growing cheato for a very short time, so as far as performance, I don't know if they would be any good for what you have planned. They fit in a normal incandescant socket and where about $10 each from Petco.

They are 50.50 bulbs enen though you can't see it in the pics.

reefexpress · 03-08-2008, 10:24 AM

here is my sales post may be u can get a tank that can fit ur budget...
http://www.reeferscafe.com/showthrea...9244#post19244

johnmaloney · 03-09-2008, 11:12 AM

Psychographic you are the man! I am off to Petco! I had lights like that but they didn't fit, but those look a little smaller.

Update: new feather dusters have entered the quarantine tank!

coralcrazy · 03-09-2008, 11:23 AM

wait..is this 100$ including a tank??? I would just suggest getting an all in one...nanocube or w/e...save your self alot of headaches in getting cheap equipment....remb. you get what you pay for...especially in this hobby, better to spend more cash and save your self future headaches.....those bulbs from deathco are crap.....

coralcrazy · 03-09-2008, 11:24 AM

what do you plan on putting in this tank..btw don't mean to slam it but just trying to save you cash and headaches....

**Deepwater** · 03-09-2008, 12:17 PM

I wish my 90gal tank cost that little

johnmaloney · 03-09-2008, 08:33 PM

I don't mind a crappy filter, I use mangroves, but crappy lights suck. I will give it a look over, if my corals ever looked as good as psychographics I would do a cart wheel. Not really interested all that much in coral anyway, I wanted a lot of macro in this tank, (just added codium), and sponges. The macro I use tends to do well in lower lighting. The tank is almost done actually, and I will be giving you some more updates later this week, when the rest of the tank's inhabitants leave the QT. I think the whole project will end up running me less than $70.

johnmaloney · 03-10-2008, 01:14 PM

Got some seargent major fry (3), a spot tail pinfish fry, a smaller goby, and a wrasse blenny fry. I also added a sea hare. Before the fish police get on me, trust me I know each of these fish, and probably the sea hare will have to go into a larger tank which is setup and waiting for them. The sea hare is fed all the calurepa it can handle. There is also a coral banded shrimp in the tank. Its friend the hairy blenny was upset about this, and the shrimp may go back. The feather dusters have also been added.

**Deepwater** · 03-10-2008, 02:03 PM

pics pics pics

johnmaloney · 03-10-2008, 05:04 PM

I know! I am so bad with taking pictures. I have yet to ever take a photo I have developed... I don't even own a single photo! I will try to get some up soon, I was supposed to take some today but things came up and now the camera is back with its owner. Maybe by tomorrow we will have some pics.

johnmaloney · 03-11-2008, 10:10 AM

I went out to get new lightbulbs, and I made the mistake of picking up the wrong bulbs, so back to the store. I did see the ones psychographic was talking about. They were way overpriced at this particular store, and the $100 limit is getting too close. So much for $70.

Cheap bubbler and wand at wal-mart plus extension cord is about $18. Bringing me to about $73 so far. If I can spend just $20 on lights I will be doing good.

Hey Bill, I think you might be right. Those bulbs seem to be doing fine. Whenever I turn them on the corals respond almost immediately. But the bulb makes the water look yellowish, and I like the clear look I still have the temp light doing the work. If I can get away with a clear version I might be doing all right, they get up to 50 watts, I think they might run warm though. Did your friend have coral or macro? The Wal-Mart bulb replacements said nothing useful on their package, except "benefits plants".

The fry eat all the flake food they can get a hold of. I also added two small shore shrimp. So far the tank's inhabitants are: