My 20g Softie Tank - (PIX)

JSB · Oct 26, 2012

As many have figured out by my recent questions, I just recently put together a softie tank in my office. Since literally everything in the tank, but one wellso (the green one) came from someone now or previously in this forum, I thought I would share. If you see something that might have come from one of your tanks, then it probably did. This is sorta like "Our" tank, so don;t be shy about offering to do a water change for me. Note: I don't yet have and zoas from Tomoko in there, but it is on my list of things to do, near term.

Pardon the micro bubbles and the crappy phone pix.

JSB · Oct 26, 2012

More PIX

JSB · Oct 26, 2012

and finally

nhago · Oct 26, 2012

Very Nice!!!

pickupman66 · Oct 26, 2012

Man, thats a good looking tank.

JSB · Oct 26, 2012

Thanks, I am happy with it. Hopefully I can sustain it. It really makes my office a nicer place to be. A bit of a shout out to Dave3112, H@rry, Jason_Tami, Mike_Dani, and 8Ball, who made it possible to do on a budget. The reason, uh... well... excuse, for setting this one up was to save the green wellso and the blue/green chromis who weren't fairing well in my main tank.

This bargain system includes
A 20g glass tank and stand from Petco from the $1-a-gallon sale.
A MJ600 powerhead found in the garage.
A twin ZOOMED T5HO fixture.
A CPR BakPak 2R+ skimmer (birthday gift)
50W Heater

It is a pretty simple setup all-in-all.

markkazdad · Oct 27, 2012

Looks great! Do you have a "full equipment shot" showing the tank on the stand?

JSB · Oct 27, 2012

This shot is a little older, but yeah...

markkazdad · Oct 27, 2012

Nice! Did you spray paint the back of the tank or use something else? I used flat black Krylon Fusion on the back of my 10 gallon, but wondered if there was something better (faster, fewer coats, cheaper, etc). I ended having to do about 4 sessions separated by a few hours applying a thin coat (several light passes) before the sun wouldn't shine through any more. I would think it looked covered well from the outside, take it in the house for further drying, then look at it lighter from the inside of the tank and be able to see blotchiness and some light through it.

revsgirl · Oct 27, 2012

Looks great! Thanks for sharing!

JSB · Oct 27, 2012

markkazdad said:
Nice! Did you spray paint the back of the tank or use something else? I used flat black Krylon Fusion on the back of my 10 gallon, but wondered if there was something better (faster, fewer coats, cheaper, etc). I ended having to do about 4 sessions separated by a few hours applying a thin coat (several light passes) before the sun wouldn't shine through any more. I would think it looked covered well from the outside, take it in the house for further drying, then look at it lighter from the inside of the tank and be able to see blotchiness and some light through it.

I did not use the Krylon Fusion, but the other name brand that escapes me. They also have a paint-for-plastic. I simply did 2 quick coats 5 minutes apart. Even if you miss, the coralline will obscure it eventually.

Parkerman · Oct 27, 2012

I used a product called Plasti-dip, pretty much sprays a rubber coating on the back. I went this route because it's easy to peel off if you decide one day you don't want it. It did a really nice job.

WesW · Oct 27, 2012

The softie tank is looking great!

JSB · Oct 27, 2012

WesW said:
The softie tank is looking great!

I forgot to give you a shout out on the mushroom, so here it is...

joejoe1055 · Oct 28, 2012

i love softy tanks, love the movement

JSB · Dec 14, 2012

So it has been two months since I set this office tank up. I finally got the bulbs I was happy with, and seem to have gotten a good handle on everything but stabilizing the alk/ca, but I am close in on that one. Little cyano, little GHA, but am winning those wars as well. I am starting to get good growth and good coloration (even had to frag a couple zoos).

I am getting my routine down with this tank. I run a little carbon and GFO in a sock. I change 15% water every 2 weeks. And am topping off with weak Kalkwasser. I need to increase the strength to full saturation, as it is surprising the demand in a semi-softie tank. I do have a couple of monti cap chips that were hitch hikers on some rocks that are showing a little growth as well. Which is surprising with the light and flow (very little of either) in this tank.

Here are some updated (but rather crude) pix, starting with the obligatory FTS: