Maggie's Mini Complete Tank build

[Mhamilton0911]

Hello all nano reefers! I'm documenting my journey with the Cunzo Mini Complete Tank, and 'competing' in the unofficial contest!

I've had my tiny aquarium for about a month, but I've done a few things to prepare for the official start date.

I first inspected and tested the pump, assembled and filled the tank. I got 5 cups water with no rock or sand. So I added 4 cups to a plastic container and added a 7.5w heater to see if this would work. No way! Without an additional controller it climbed to 94. I decided to buy the Cunzo one, so that should arrive soon. Tracking is shady so I really don't know when.

I added a sky blue-ish vinyl for the background. Still deciding whether I like the color.

And lastly, I glued 2 possible rock formations and have them sitting in my tank maturing

 

[lapin]

Nice

 

[James_O]

Sweet!

 

[Mhamilton0911]

I've been seeding two possibilities for rock scape. Both are picking up algea and copepods nicely. I was supposed to get the heater delivered today, but it didn't show. I also ordered oolite sand since what I'm using in my main tank has a larger grain size, I thought it would look out of scale.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Finally received my heater today, super cute. It has a high/med/low function. So to give it a proper 'test', I added 4 cups water to a plastic container, the water at 70f. I switched the heater to low to see what it's temp will rise to. Fun! I'm very excited to get the mini tank filled and running!!

No gummy bears were harmed in the making of this, wait, yes they were. Yummy scale reference.

 

[Maddlesrain]

I love the rock scape ideas you have going!
And omg the gummy bear for scale! Adorable.

 

[New&no clue]

This is such a fun contest I am following along with all the builds. How did the heater work out for you after testing?

Also, not that you asked for opinions, but I like the first rock formation.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

This is such a fun contest I am following along with all the builds. How did the heater work out for you after testing?

Also, not that you asked for opinions, but I like the first rock formation.

The first one I liked more as well the other one is just incase I need less rock in there, since it's about half the size.


The heater on low with the lid on was almost 82, so I'll try with the lid off. I checked with a cooking thermometer and it was about a degree lower. I'm sure my actual running temp will be lower too once there is surface agitation and water movement. Although I'm already looking for a temp controller, I'd hate to overheat and nuke some corals...

 

[New&no clue]

The first one I liked more as well the other one is just incase I need less rock in there, since it's about half the size.


The heater on low with the lid on was almost 82, so I'll try with the lid off. I checked with a cooking thermometer and it was about a degree lower. I'm sure my actual running temp will be lower too once there is surface agitation and water movement. Although I'm already looking for a temp controller, I'd hate to overheat and nuke some corals...

Yes, with that small amount of water temp swings could be a big issue. I would probably spend the money on a controller just for piece of mind.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

I ordered in some oolite sand, I thought the fine grain would look better in a tiny scape. Decided to rinse and add to my tank to seed as much as I can in the few days until the start.
I added a 1/2 cup. Seems about right.

You can see in the tank photo the difference in grain size, this chunky stuff I already have would have looked like gravel in such a small scape.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Ooooh! Getting excited!!!

A while back I bought this orange hermit crab. I guess a Halloween hermit?? I never see this guy. He's small and in a cool shell. Anywho I spotted the lil guy this morning, so I plopped him in the container of sand I have seeding for this tank. He'll chill there today and be my inhabitant for my mini tank. The rock I seeded has quite a bit of algea growth already so he should have enough to eat. I'll supplement feed him white I feed the other tank too so I know he gets enough.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Getting my mini tank ready!!

1. Get canister filter from main tank open to get the media and sponge that's seeding.

2. Grab sand container from main tank.

3. Grab rock and fill with tank water from display.

But first, coffee.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Counter testing. Testing on counter.

Got everything in, I thought about adding my hermit buddy, but thought I should make sure temp and parameters are stable over the next few days or week.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Added an astrena starfish, I had removed it from the display a while ago and it's been in a jar. New home lil Patrick.

 

[Mhamilton0911]

I'm really surprised at the amount of salt creep for just one night. I see this being a problem....

Also, got it off the counter and onto its shelf. I was planning to add my 4 zoas I just recieved from @REEFTIDE so I'm monitoring and testing parameters over the next week to make sure it's stable enough to add the zoas! I'm hoping for an instant cycle from using seeded rock and filter media.

 

[REEFTIDE]

I'm really surprised at the amount of salt creep for just one night. I see this being a problem....

Also, got it off the counter and onto its shelf. I was planning to add my 4 zoas I just recieved from @REEFTIDE so I'm monitoring and testing parameters over the next week to make sure it's stable enough to add the zoas! I'm hoping for an instant cycle from using seeded rock and filter media.

I would check for a leak. Unless you are putting your hands in it and spilling salt I dont think that should be happening

 

[Mhamilton0911]

I would check for a leak. Unless you are putting your hands in it and spilling salt I dont think that should be happening

Not leaking, but maybe I have the water level in the sump too high?

Still today a tiny bit of new salt creep. I have been cleaning it daily. Zero fluctuations in salinity though. I am thinking about a 50% w/c on this lil guy today maybe.

 

[James_O]

Counter testing. Testing on counter.

Got everything in, I thought about adding my hermit buddy, but thought I should make sure temp and parameters are stable over the next few days or week.

It’s looking truly incredible. It’s amazing what you have been able to accomplish in such a small tank! (Those corner overflows are also super cute ;Joyful)

 

[Mhamilton0911]

Update: I hadn't checked salinity in 2 days, it was a little high, 1.029. No corals yet, so no biggie. A bunch of new salt creep on the sump to tank line. And a small hermit I put in there a few days ago sure poops alot!!! Omg, just one hermie!!

So today will be a clean the tank day, water change, and such. I did watch a video that @danieyella had linked me to that had a sump level indicator installed. I just might go to the hardware store to try to get that going. I did notice on the guy's video, that the original sump level indicator was just tubing, but in a later video I noticed he changed it to a syringe so there was a number value to watch for water level. I liked that better.

 

[ChrissFishes01]

Update: I hadn't checked salinity in 2 days, it was a little high, 1.029. No corals yet, so no biggie. A bunch of new salt creep on the sump to tank line. And a small hermit I put in there a few days ago sure poops alot!!! Omg, just one hermie!!

So today will be a clean the tank day, water change, and such. I did watch a video that @danieyella had linked me to that had a sump level indicator installed. I just might go to the hardware store to try to get that going. I did notice on the guy's video, that the original sump level indicator was just tubing, but in a later video I noticed he changed it to a syringe so there was a number value to watch for water level. I liked that better.

Stuff like this is why I tore mine down for now. These tanks are such a blast, but I always found myself wanting to improve and tinker, and I just don't have the time at the moment. Still, it'll make a fun garage project one day!

Whenever I get a garage, anyhow.