15 Gallon Lighting/Coral Help

[bstodds15]

I wanted to get some help/advice on building a low-maintenance reef tank.

I have one of the 15 gallon column tanks (13.75" x 13.75" x 25") which looks cool, but is extremely impractical because of the weird dimensions.

As far as aquascape I want it to resemble a cliff, with a lot of rubble along the back wall. The tank will run with a sump soon (after I build it). The main question I have is in terms of lighting and coral stock ideas.

Any recommendations on lights for a tall narrow tank like this? I have an AI Prime on a 30gal, and I love it but I feel like it would have to much light spilling out from the tank itself. Any suggestions will help!

 

[Katrina71]

I wanted to get some help/advice on building a low-maintenance reef tank.

I have one of the 15 gallon column tanks (13.75" x 13.75" x 25") which looks cool, but is extremely impractical because of the weird dimensions.

As far as aquascape I want it to resemble a cliff, with a lot of rubble along the back wall. The tank will run with a sump soon (after I build it). The main question I have is in terms of lighting and coral stock ideas.

Any recommendations on lights for a tall narrow tank like this? I have an AI Prime on a 30gal, and I love it but I feel like it would have to much light spilling out from the tank itself. Any suggestions will help!

Have you considered a director?

 

[Bayareareefer18]

I wanted to get some help/advice on building a low-maintenance reef tank.

I have one of the 15 gallon column tanks (13.75" x 13.75" x 25") which looks cool, but is extremely impractical because of the weird dimensions.

As far as aquascape I want it to resemble a cliff, with a lot of rubble along the back wall. The tank will run with a sump soon (after I build it). The main question I have is in terms of lighting and coral stock ideas.

Any recommendations on lights for a tall narrow tank like this? I have an AI Prime on a 30gal, and I love it but I feel like it would have to much light spilling out from the tank itself. Any suggestions will help!

Wonder if you could use the reefdudes prime shields that Dev created with VCA to use with the prime fuge light

 

[bstodds15]

Wonder if you could use the reefdudes prime shields that Dev created with VCA to use with the prime fuge light

I didn't actually think about creating a light shields to stop light pollution. I also didn't know AI made a fuge light! I'm going to need to get one of those down the road.

 

[Katrina71]

@dantimdad can probably 3D print one cheap.

 

[Bayareareefer18]

I didn't actually think about creating a light shields to stop light pollution. I also didn't know AI made a fuge light! I'm going to need to get one of those down the road.

Here ya go

Redirect Notice

 

[dantimdad]

Here ya go

Redirect Notice

Those are cool!

 

[bstodds15]

Well that solves the issues of the light!

I think this is about to turn into a green star polyp tank, but any other ideas/recommendations?

I'll have a power head blowing down the "cliff" so flow will be moderate to say the least, lower towards the bottom.

Live stock will be minimal, watchman goby/pistol shrimp, royal gramma, maybe something else small (also taking recommendations)

 

[Katrina71]

What about a hawkfish to perch your cliff?

 

[Bayareareefer18]

Those are cool!

Right!

 

[bstodds15]

A Pygmy Perchlet would be awesome actually, but I've never seen them at any of my LFS. Heard they can bully gobies though. haven't had any personal experience with the fish.

 

[juanrmattos]

Cool!!!... Tall tanks are not very common and will allow you to work on a nice different concept.

Best of luck

 

[bstodds15]

Update: I got this tank running, with a few changes and so far i'm extremely happy with it.

Filtration: I haven't built the sump for it yet, but am using an Aqueon Quiteflow 30, with about 10 marine plus ceramic balls in back, 3 mini bags of chemi-pure blue and filter floss. I also have 2 powerheads. One Koralia Nano and one of the Fluval CP2's

Stock: 1 orange spot watchman/pistol shrimp pair
1: Royal Gramma
1: Misbar Maroon (Only temporary)

Lighting: I decided to keep my AI Prime for another tank that I plan on building in the future and picked up a Hipargero LED 30W light. It was only $62.00 on amazon, and has good reviews. Since this is a "minimal" tank, it's more then sufficient and actually offers a good color spectrum.

The tank is a little dirty in the picture, and not painting the back black doesn't help. That will be done after the sump is built and goes on.

 

[bstodds15]

I know this is a dead thread after 3 years - but I kind of wanted to post an update before making a new thread. I moved but kept this tank and completely upgraded it. My goal is to just have a total GSP tank for my maroon clown in here. I have an Ai Prime, Fluval 307 (I added an inline uv sterilizer today) and 2 small wave makers. This thing has been great and super low maintenance as far as it goes. GSP all started from small frags and is really working it’s way around the rock work. (Tank is a little dirty as I haven’t cleaned/water changed yet after installing the UV sterilizer)