Paintguru's 22g Cadlights nano build

[Paintguru]

In my never ending quest to have a tank like Marvin's, I've decided to move most/all of my Z&Ps to a new nano system. I feel that my Z&Ps are "lost" in my 92 gal cube, which will now be converted to an SPS tank (if I can grow them!) along with MAYBE a blue carpet anemone as the center piece. However, this thread is about the new nano. I just had this tank (used, so I saved some $$) delivered to my father, and it will be making its way to me in a week and a half or so. It is Cadlights 22g model with 4-24W T5HOs (www.cadlights.com) as the lighting. I also (in my CRAZY fit of money spending) picked up a MP20 Vortech for tank circulation (it better be enough). The tank will have sand on the bottom. Right now I don't have a skimmer yet (beyond an old CPR Backpack). Not sure if I will try to get that going or if this will require a skimmer. Fish plans included some sort of all brown (chocolate?) clowns (pair), which is at my wife's request, and possibly a small goby or two. Perhaps a wrasse will be needed to hunt for zoa predators (??). I'm going to modify a old 20g high stand to hold this thing (mostly by just screwing on a top to the stand so the weight is distributed properly). Obviously I have no pics yet, but I thought I would start the thread to see if people had thoughts on this. Pictures will come soon.

 

[roshi719]

Sounds good so far. How often do you plan on doing water changes and how big will they be? I would say if you do enough you shouldn't need a skimmer on that tank.

 

[MarvinsReef]

Chris... sounds like a plan bro.. I'll need to check out the new system for sure... I'm actually in the hunt for the same size nano to build an Aussie lords tank w/ SnowFlakes or SnowCasso clownfishes... anyway, looking forward to the tank build... btw, thanks for the kudos... it's nice to hear other people appreciate what you do for the hobby...

 

[Paintguru]

Sounds good so far. How often do you plan on doing water changes and how big will they be? I would say if you do enough you shouldn't need a skimmer on that tank.

Yeah and I was also planning to use Purigen. My plan is to see how things go without a skimmer and if I need one, add one.

I most excited about the MP20 .

 

[roshi719]

That should give you more than enough flow for a 22 gal

 

[Paintguru]

That should give you more than enough flow for a 22 gal

*Grunt grunt grunt* More POWER!

 

[Paintguru]

*UPDATE*: Well I got the tank and it is pretty slick. Had no idea nano's were so small! Found a spot in our bedroom for it to be (basically the foot of our bed). Started filling up the tank with water and placed 1" of sand on the bottom. Put the MP20 on the side wall (kinda big for the tank, but oh well) and tried turning it on....no dice. Looks like the power supply is bad . I'm in contact with Ecotech to get a new one shipped to me. In the meantime, I will finish filling the tank and place everything else I need. Pictures will come shortly.

 

[oceanparadise1]

PICS!!! DONT HOLD OUT ON US! lol

 

[Zombo]

Good luck, my first CAD22 split along the front bend in the glass (top to bottom), and I spent my day off at work vacuuming up saltwater from the carpet. CAD replaced the tank, (it's getting set up at home) but this second one has the acrylic back siliconed just to the glass partitions in the back, and the return pump hole is drilled in a completely different place. I won't be getting another one.

 

[Paintguru]

Good luck, my first CAD22 split along the front bend in the glass (top to bottom), and I spent my day off at work vacuuming up saltwater from the carpet. CAD replaced the tank, (it's getting set up at home) but this second one has the acrylic back siliconed just to the glass partitions in the back, and the return pump hole is drilled in a completely different place. I won't be getting another one.

That's too bad. Thought most people were happy with their CAD's, but I guess not! Hopefully I don't have similar issues.

I'll get some pictures tonight.

 

[Paintguru]

Here ya go. How do you like my plate coral?

 

[MarvinsReef]

nice plate Chris... oh yeah, nice start also...

 

[dfurbee]

Ohh, I love that plate coral

 

[Paintguru]

Hoping my replacement power supply for the MP20 comes shortly. Then I can see this bad boy in action. A few questions for the nano experts....do I need to do any sort of aeration since I don't have a skimmer (as of yet)? I need to figure out how to hook up my auto topoff from the basement vat as well.

 

[Paintguru]

MP20 is operational! Very impressive. Trying to decide on the mode to run it on....right now it is going in reef crest mode.

 

[Paintguru]

Just ordered two black ocellaris clowns for the tank. Will pick them up next Friday at Choice Aquariums. The only other thing I'm really wanting is a watchman goby with a pistol shrimp (I always thought the symbiotic relationship between the two was cool).

 

[Paintguru]

MP20 Video.

 

[Garth Schafluetzel]

i have a high finned banded watchman and a pistol shrimp and i love them they took over a rock in the front and they have tunnels and holes on every side of the rock sometimes they are right in front others they are on the sides or back but its crazy watching them

 

[MarvinsReef]

wow.. nice video Chris... what setting do you have the MP20 under?

 

[Paintguru]

Thanks Marv (Hollywood here I come!). The MP20 is in short pulse mode, full power, with the pulse period adjusted so that I get the wave. Too long or two short eliminated the wave. Did a 25% water change today (think I'm having a diatom bloom). Thinking about trying to find a used AquaC Remora skimmer for the system (paranoid about not having a skimmer!).