How this sound?

[mpls_gazer]

OK here are my proposed tank specs for my nano. Let me know what you think.

2.5 gallon tank. Measures 12x6x6 (estimate)

Coralife 2 x 9w PC (One 10k and one actnic)

Glass cover

25w CompactTherm submersible heater - Askoll

Regent HOB power filter

Couple pounds of live rock

Couple pounds of sand

This tank set-up is the brainchild of my friend Rich. Thanks Rich!

So what do you think? I figure I need something to put on my nightstand so when I flop down drunk I can watch a clown goby for a couple of minutes.

MPLS_Gazer

[bamann345]

It sounds good....

Here are some ideas....build a hood and save a lot of money and pick up a 1 or 2 13 watt PC from Hellolights and a fan from Radio Shack to help with heat. Check out this http://www.toadpool.com/Reef/Lights.jpg he has 2x13 watt ligths in the hood. Another source for lights could be www.ahsupply.com I got the 2x13 watt kits with bulbs fro around 30....

I have seen some awesome things done with a 2.5 gallon tank!!!!
Keep up posted!

[Twins Guy]

the coralife aquaspacelight in question is retailing for less than you'd think. if you were worried about the extra watts then yeah a DIY job might be in order, but i think the 2x9 would be more than suffficient for some softies. hopefully heat won't be a big issue
tg

[ckreef]

Ditch the glass cover. That usually causes more heat problems than anything. IF your woried about inhabitants jumping use a different method to keep them in. You really need the extra evaportaion that no cover gives in order to help maintain a stable temp.

[mpls_gazer]

First of all, thanks to Twins Guy wonderful offer of a used tank, heater, and filter I know have my sand and water up and running in my tank. I plan on buying the light and rock tonight. Thanks Rich!

Second:

No cover? Really? Hmm...

Not sure how I could make the light fit on top. I plan on putting the HOB filter on the end of the tank and cutting the glass top off about a 1/6 of the way in. This would provide like a 1/2" of open water where the filter returns water to the tank.

I just kinda wanted to avoid doing top off super frequently. But I'll do a couple of test runs and see how it feels.

[ckreef]

Almost all reef keepers go with no glass cover. It would be easy enough to come up with some other method to hold your lighting above the tank.

Manual topoff will need to occur usually once per day. My tank could probably be stretched to every three days but then the salinity change gets greater and greater.

Also there are many simple/cheap auto topoff systems you could build and incorporate in order to solve this problem on a permanent basis.

Just trying to get you on track with how most reefers do it although if a particular method works for you then it is the right method for you to use regardless of who says what.