Can you please tell me what fish you put in the tank? I am thinking of converting a tank I happen to have(which as I just realized looks exactly like this one) I want simple fish as I am just starting out in the saltwater hobby(I have been doing freshwater for years but I heard it's like day and night). Do you have any ideas or experience on fish that worked for you?
If you put a piece of shop vac hose or any ribbed hose about 3 Feet or longer on you air in take of your air pump you will get rid of most of you noise.
i was just wondering, how is it that a regular freshwater filter can be used for saltwater, because i already have a 28g saltwater tank, i just want a little 10 gallon for my room and i already have the 10g tank but i thought it wasn't possible because of the type of filtration i would need.
Aloha! The lens does serve an important purpose in keeping saltwater splach off the bulbs and electrical sockets. It could cause a short circuit if saltwater gets in there, so yes, I would say the lens is necessary, and also try to patch up any cracks in the hood with silicone if possible. I just checked your tank video, well done!!
@ipsfdotcom With the bulb being 50% actininc would that mean there's only 20w of usable light for the corals? I don't know much about coral lighting but I wouldn't think actinic lighting would help the coral with it's food supply that would use photosynthesis.
@Bso616 Yes, the 50/50 PC power compact light is designed specifically for use in reef tanks. The total of 40 watts provided by the 2 Coralife 20-watt bulbs does indeed support growth and reproduction of hardy colonial anemones and soft coral species, especially zoanthids, mushroom corals (Actinodiscus), common leather corals like Sarcophyton, Sinularia, Xenia and others. The actinic portion enhances colors and does contribute to photosynthesis as well.
hey, when i made my nano reef hood i used an old hood in which there are cracks. i put the sylicone and plexyglass on but salt keeps getting in the hood itself is this alright, and is it alright if i just dont have a plexyglass lense its self
i am thinking of starting one of these tanks and i was waondering if you have to paint it white. Also why can't you just leave the little protectors on? instead of buying more plexiglass please answer thanks
would lining the hood with tinfoil with holes for ventilation work better? I am also wondering if a regular strip light hood i found in my basement would work just as good as long as it is rated for two 25 watt lights and I use a homemade plexiglass top so i can feed the fish and look down at the tank without picking up the whole top, wrecking the light with saltwater, and can replace the lights when necessary?
Thank you Todd, that's a terrific tip! Some of the newer 10 gal kits have a different style of hood than the one in our video. It is nice to know the correct hood is still available. Note also that many Walmarts still sell the correct 10-gallon hood as a separate unit but you have to open the box to make sure. This does not hurt the box though:-) Note also the references on our Channel Page to the Odyssea 36 watt PC fixture which works well on the Nano Lagoon for only $25 or so online.
I did the exact same thing with my plastic 8gal hood. The only thing diffrent is I purchased flexible blue led strips for automotive accenting and applied them in the hood with a cheap 12v converter. The setup really renders the colors in the corals to flourece. I spent $60 for $250 lighting.
This is a really cool idea! I love it. But, with a reef tank you dont want to cheap out on the hardware. So much money is spent on the inhabitants, you want to make sure that the hardware is not only good, but that you personally are happy with you setup. Thats why I spent a little bit more on a 12g JBJ cube (got it for $132) I dont know if its actually better but I think I will enjoy it more.
This hobby cost so much, an extra $50 dollars is nothing if it makes you fell better.
Some of the new Walmart 10-gallon starter kits have a modified hood. However, Walmart still sells the original style hood as a separate unit. It is called the Incandescent Hood and is about $22. Before buying one be sure to open the box and visually confirm the configuration.
I bought the Walmart kit and found out this is not the hood in the video as well. I am taking it back. Petsmart sells the tank and the right hood for $30. I have another filter I can use so no big deal.
If you have acess to a table saw, you can cut acryllic with it too. I use blue painters tape on both sides of the acryllic to keep it from getting scratched on bed of the tablesaw.
Hello there, I bought a thin acrylic sheet it is 18x24 and only .093" thick. But i can't seem to cut it with a sharp blade Uline blade. I never got any instructions at home depot. Can you clarify on how to cut it the acrylic and in straight lines?? Thank you
Best way is to use a metal straightedge and clamp it right to the acrylic with c-clamps, then run the blade carefully along the straightedge many times (like 20 or so) to make the cut. Don't try to cut it all in one pass. You can do this without the c-clamps but you need to be VERY careful not to cut your hand. Keep your fingers well out of the way of the blade. Try a sample piece first.
At about a dollar a can you'll find that spray paint is cheaper and less messy. Plus it adheres far better than brush-on acrylic paint, which is not designed for use on plastic. The acrylic paint will probably flake off.
This is an awesome vid, I'm going to give it a try. One question though, does the original incandescent fixture support the coralife bulbs, or do i have to mod it too? Thank you, in advance -happy reefing.
The original fixture supports the bulb with no mods. Make sure the hood you buy matches the one in the vid exactly, as there are now some variants on the market.
you can always use mylar instead of the spray paint...thats more reflectiveness...but im not to sure to prices so if ur going cheap than go wit white paint
You can buy the kit, which has the tank, filter and hood in one box, or you can buy the individual items separately off the shelf at Walmart. It's a little cheaper to get the kit, but either approach gives the same result in terms of hardware.
First thank you for this series. I bought the 10 gallon starter kit last night and the hood is different than the one you show in the video. Do you have any ideas on how I can waterproof the new style?
Yes, same box even. The number above the APC is 96010 rev A. The new hood is a flip-up type. Also I just noticed it's only rated for 15 watt bulbs instead of the 25 watts. I went back to Wal-Mart and picked up a hood (you can buy it separately) and this one is the same as you show in the series.
Added about $20.00 to my overall cost but still a great value for a Nano. Thank you for sharing these videos.
We recommend changing the bulbs once a year. It's a simple matter to break the silicone bead with a knife or razor, install the new bulbs, and re-do the silicone.
i left off the metal reflectors to let the heat go out above them out the little holes.. and since its all white, not much light gets out. think thats a dumb idea?
thank you very much for your videos.. i was about to go buy a bio-cube.. but now i'm going to follow your steps and save me alot of money.. and i hate to waste alot of money on my first sw tank. thanks again. Matt
Yes, you can, if the mix is 50/50 daylight/actininc, preferably with 10,000 K daylight. This will give 8 watts per gallon, more than needed for most soft corals but enough for most stonies including SPS varieties. Watch out for overheating though -- you may need to set up a fan that blows over the hood.
Painting the hood is optional but it does give better light reflection and we are trying to maximize light reaching the organisms. The bulbs need to be kept dry -- if saltwater splashes on them they may short out. If your arrangement keeps them dry then it is okay.
i did this but i didnt paint the hood and i also didnt silicone the plexie glass to the hood i just layed it down under neath the hood is that ok to do
well i saw a portion of the white spray paint that was exposed. look at 4:03 top left corner. the spray paint is exposed. and i know water will get ther in contact with the spray paint
You're right, that section does get some spray, but it's not a problem with the generic paint we used. If you're worried about it though you could use the White Krylon. It's a few dollars more but Krylon is made specifically for plastic. BTW, the hood and lights shown in this video have been in continuous use now for four months and are working great.
The white spray paint used in this demonstration does not come into contact with the seawater. It is fully protected by the plexiglass lens. The only spray paint we've recommended for actual contact with seawater is Krylon.
if you are new to reefing, our recommendation on stocking a 10-gallon tank would be to begin with some man-made rock, a shallow aragonite sandbed and a few hardy soft corals such as zoanthus polyps, actinodiscus mushrooms, anthelia and sarcophyton. You'd only add these after using the first month to establish populations of essential micro-organisms, as discussed in our videos. This will allow you to learn the basic concepts and responsibilities of reefing without putting fishes at risk.
it will work as a softie tank with no skimmer as long as you don't overload it. in our opinion this tank is too small for two clowns. if you do add them you'll need to include water changes and a skimmer as part of your maintenance routine.
the beauty of these bulbs is that they are self-ballasted! the fat white part at the base of the bulb itself is the ballast. (we mention that at 2:30 of the video.) once you screw in the bulbs you're done. the hood has a single plug-in cord and a single push-in switch. it could not be simpler:)
Aloha! Glad to hear that you're enjoying the video series. [Check out lordofthereef's YouTube channel if you have not done so already as he is doing a cool Nano Lagoon series!]
The skimmer advocates aren't wrong at all. They just don't run their reef tanks the way we run ours:) We include only organisms which reproduce on their own in the system and which don't require constant inputs of organic food. Deviate from that approach and the need for skimmers and water changes arises.
This series of videos has been fantastic, I appreciate al of the work and knowledge you try to cram into just a few minutes. I am a freshwater owner who wants to get into Saltwater. I have all of the equipment for a 10G set up already and your videos have got me fired up to go ahead and do it! Thanks! Quick question: What about proteins? Everywhere I go I see "you must have a protein skimmer if you're running salt water!" How are you by-passing this claim?
Thanks, we really appreciate having some comparative numbers on how much things cost now across America. Our prices for some of these items here at the Kona Wal-Mart could well be toward the high end of the scale:)
Consider, for example, that we pay over 40 cents per kwh for electricity here, well above the national average. Yoikes!
I just wanted to mention that my total costs were just under 60 bucks at my local WalMart here in Iowa (this includes the tank, filter, lighting, net, scrubber brush, and spraypaint). Basically all that is left is the bulbs, sand, rock, and of course livestock (which will be going in little at a time). All in all a superb price in my opinion.
I imagine the reason for painting it white is to make it a little more reflective so the light shines down stronger? I decided to start my own little project like this and am curious, my "version" is real nice and white mostly around where the bulbs will be. Does it matter if there is a little black showing through? Does it need to be SUPER white?
Hey, glad to hear your trying this out! Our reasoning with the white paint is that it will increase the reflectivity of the hood and make the most of those 4 watts per gallon. Some of the light bounces off the water, back to the hood, then back to the water, etc. White is a better reflector than black, but I don't think a perfect paint job is absolutely necessary:)
if he goes with this Nano Lagoon system and sticks to some hardy soft corals the only real maintenance is cleaning the glass and topping off evaporative loss, plus maybe a quick sand stir a couple of times a month. we like simplicity...
the acrylic lens is sealed in place with a bead of aquarium sealant, but you can remove it to change the bulbs. It has to be resealed again of course. The ideal arrangement would be an o-ring seal but that would have to be engineered. This is the DIY alternative. Call it a functional prototype.
@ipsfdotcom what is the purpose of painting the bottom white?
brass523 1 month ago
is the silicone okay to be used inside(underwater) the aquarium
DaveTube24 1 month ago
how would you change the lights
TheTortoiselover09 4 months ago
Can you please tell me what fish you put in the tank? I am thinking of converting a tank I happen to have(which as I just realized looks exactly like this one) I want simple fish as I am just starting out in the saltwater hobby(I have been doing freshwater for years but I heard it's like day and night). Do you have any ideas or experience on fish that worked for you?
Claya94 5 months ago in playlist More videos from ipsfdotcom
where do you get the light bulbs
noahgabe1 5 months ago
If you put a piece of shop vac hose or any ribbed hose about 3 Feet or longer on you air in take of your air pump you will get rid of most of you noise.
Good luck.
AReptileMan 6 months ago
if i have a 5gal tank,can it be enought one buls of 20watt for corals,or for what will that keep at live?
brilly21 6 months ago
could you put aluminum foil behind the light would that make the light brighter
jjohn984able 11 months ago
i was just wondering, how is it that a regular freshwater filter can be used for saltwater, because i already have a 28g saltwater tank, i just want a little 10 gallon for my room and i already have the 10g tank but i thought it wasn't possible because of the type of filtration i would need.
furian89 11 months ago
@furian89 Yes. the little 5-15 HOB filter is all you need for a simple 10-gal nano reef tank with some hardy soft corals and LPS corals.
ipsfdotcom 11 months ago
where can i find the exact 20-watt Corallife 50/50 light bulbs you have? i have the same hood you have too
visualkeirockstar 1 year ago
Aloha! The lens does serve an important purpose in keeping saltwater splach off the bulbs and electrical sockets. It could cause a short circuit if saltwater gets in there, so yes, I would say the lens is necessary, and also try to patch up any cracks in the hood with silicone if possible. I just checked your tank video, well done!!
ipsfdotcom 1 year ago
@ipsfdotcom With the bulb being 50% actininc would that mean there's only 20w of usable light for the corals? I don't know much about coral lighting but I wouldn't think actinic lighting would help the coral with it's food supply that would use photosynthesis.
Bso616 9 months ago
@Bso616 Yes, the 50/50 PC power compact light is designed specifically for use in reef tanks. The total of 40 watts provided by the 2 Coralife 20-watt bulbs does indeed support growth and reproduction of hardy colonial anemones and soft coral species, especially zoanthids, mushroom corals (Actinodiscus), common leather corals like Sarcophyton, Sinularia, Xenia and others. The actinic portion enhances colors and does contribute to photosynthesis as well.
ipsfdotcom 9 months ago
hey, when i made my nano reef hood i used an old hood in which there are cracks. i put the sylicone and plexyglass on but salt keeps getting in the hood itself is this alright, and is it alright if i just dont have a plexyglass lense its self
christiansthename 1 year ago
i am thinking of starting one of these tanks and i was waondering if you have to paint it white. Also why can't you just leave the little protectors on? instead of buying more plexiglass please answer thanks
Elitetank87 1 year ago
@ipsfdotcom
Isent it dangerous to put a 20 watt bulb in a 15 watt socket? but any was nice series ! ! ! !! ! keep up the good work
iKeepCichlids 1 year ago
you would b better off using satin white paint it reflects better than the gloss
traceysmells1 1 year ago
would lining the hood with tinfoil with holes for ventilation work better? I am also wondering if a regular strip light hood i found in my basement would work just as good as long as it is rated for two 25 watt lights and I use a homemade plexiglass top so i can feed the fish and look down at the tank without picking up the whole top, wrecking the light with saltwater, and can replace the lights when necessary?
TheGoodstuff69 1 year ago
Thank you Todd, that's a terrific tip! Some of the newer 10 gal kits have a different style of hood than the one in our video. It is nice to know the correct hood is still available. Note also that many Walmarts still sell the correct 10-gallon hood as a separate unit but you have to open the box to make sure. This does not hurt the box though:-) Note also the references on our Channel Page to the Odyssea 36 watt PC fixture which works well on the Nano Lagoon for only $25 or so online.
ipsfdotcom 1 year ago
Wal-Mart has some 15 gallon high kits on sale for $40.. the one I bought includes the correct hood for this mod......Todd
trhisdone 1 year ago
<<----<< Click to see some cool giant clam farming videos!
GeraldHeslinga 1 year ago
what happens whenever you need to replace the light bulbs?
sharkslayer46 1 year ago
how do you replace the bulbs while the plexi glass is siliconed to the hood?
LRhiNoK 1 year ago 2
I did the exact same thing with my plastic 8gal hood. The only thing diffrent is I purchased flexible blue led strips for automotive accenting and applied them in the hood with a cheap 12v converter. The setup really renders the colors in the corals to flourece. I spent $60 for $250 lighting.
manning2g09 1 year ago
@manning2g09 Thanks for the tip! The more we do to keep costs down in this hobby the more people can afford to enjoy it! DIY rocks!!!
ipsfdotcom 1 year ago
where can i buy one of these nano reefs
MatthewVolquardsen 1 year ago
This is a really cool idea! I love it. But, with a reef tank you dont want to cheap out on the hardware. So much money is spent on the inhabitants, you want to make sure that the hardware is not only good, but that you personally are happy with you setup. Thats why I spent a little bit more on a 12g JBJ cube (got it for $132) I dont know if its actually better but I think I will enjoy it more.
This hobby cost so much, an extra $50 dollars is nothing if it makes you fell better.
My 2 cents.
Primos003 1 year ago
for hea i put acouple small drill holes and cut ahole for a computer fan
vanhalenman60 1 year ago
Are 10W coralife 50/50 sufficient? because i cannot find them online anywhere
SG4235 1 year ago
@SG4235 2 x 20 watt Coralife bulbs are the minimum, but see the Comments section of our Channel page for an alternative lighting setup
ipsfdotcom 1 year ago
@SG4235 Big Al's has the 20watt 50/50 bulbs listed at 15.99 each....
trhisdone 1 year ago
Does the hood heat up badly?
orcryst3 1 year ago
@orcryst3 only if the ambient temps are above 80 F or so, in which case you can set up a cheap house fan behind the tank to blow air across the hood
ipsfdotcom 1 year ago
Do you think you could put in a moon luner light strip in the unit also???
kbabykim2005 2 years ago
one questions were the bulbs at walmart also?
fishguy113 2 years ago
No you would need to order them through your pet store or online yourself! Just google: 20watt 50/50 Coralife Bulbs.
kbabykim2005 2 years ago
this is salt water right?
mrJBKfilms 2 years ago
This is a freshwater kit, sold in Walmart, that we are adapting to saltwater use.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
Yes
kbabykim2005 2 years ago
Some of the new Walmart 10-gallon starter kits have a modified hood. However, Walmart still sells the original style hood as a separate unit. It is called the Incandescent Hood and is about $22. Before buying one be sure to open the box and visually confirm the configuration.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
I bought the Walmart kit and found out this is not the hood in the video as well. I am taking it back. Petsmart sells the tank and the right hood for $30. I have another filter I can use so no big deal.
kerrywbarr 2 years ago
If you have acess to a table saw, you can cut acryllic with it too. I use blue painters tape on both sides of the acryllic to keep it from getting scratched on bed of the tablesaw.
br0ken68 2 years ago
Thank you for the tip!
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
Hello there, I bought a thin acrylic sheet it is 18x24 and only .093" thick. But i can't seem to cut it with a sharp blade Uline blade. I never got any instructions at home depot. Can you clarify on how to cut it the acrylic and in straight lines?? Thank you
benbored 2 years ago
Best way is to use a metal straightedge and clamp it right to the acrylic with c-clamps, then run the blade carefully along the straightedge many times (like 20 or so) to make the cut. Don't try to cut it all in one pass. You can do this without the c-clamps but you need to be VERY careful not to cut your hand. Keep your fingers well out of the way of the blade. Try a sample piece first.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
I was wondering if instead of spray paint would i be able to paint lid with acrylic white paint?
tzhanks1 2 years ago
At about a dollar a can you'll find that spray paint is cheaper and less messy. Plus it adheres far better than brush-on acrylic paint, which is not designed for use on plastic. The acrylic paint will probably flake off.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
This is an awesome vid, I'm going to give it a try. One question though, does the original incandescent fixture support the coralife bulbs, or do i have to mod it too? Thank you, in advance -happy reefing.
benbored 2 years ago
The original fixture supports the bulb with no mods. Make sure the hood you buy matches the one in the vid exactly, as there are now some variants on the market.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
whats the ringing noise
vanhalenman60 2 years ago
That ringing noise comes from our big electric air blowers (2.5 hp). Most large commercial aquaculture facilities use these to aerate the tanks:)
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
you can always use mylar instead of the spray paint...thats more reflectiveness...but im not to sure to prices so if ur going cheap than go wit white paint
EpiLesPaul24 2 years ago
Was this tank in the start up kit the same tank yuo bought separately?
Magnetul 2 years ago
You can buy the kit, which has the tank, filter and hood in one box, or you can buy the individual items separately off the shelf at Walmart. It's a little cheaper to get the kit, but either approach gives the same result in terms of hardware.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
Hey what is the significance behind the painting the hood white.
Also can u get away without having a splash guard. thx ur videos r great
dlopes500 2 years ago
He painted it white to increase reflectivity. What I wanna know if he can just use Aluminum Foil instead, or would that get to Hot?
Magnetul 2 years ago
First thank you for this series. I bought the 10 gallon starter kit last night and the hood is different than the one you show in the video. Do you have any ideas on how I can waterproof the new style?
ZenCodeMonkey 2 years ago
Hello, was your kit purchased at Wal-Mart and is it the same brand as the one in the video?
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
Yes, same box even. The number above the APC is 96010 rev A. The new hood is a flip-up type. Also I just noticed it's only rated for 15 watt bulbs instead of the 25 watts. I went back to Wal-Mart and picked up a hood (you can buy it separately) and this one is the same as you show in the series.
Added about $20.00 to my overall cost but still a great value for a Nano. Thank you for sharing these videos.
ZenCodeMonkey 2 years ago
since you siliconed the splashguard, how do you get to the bulbs for when they need changed? JUst tear it off and re-do it??
jasongorny 2 years ago
We recommend changing the bulbs once a year. It's a simple matter to break the silicone bead with a knife or razor, install the new bulbs, and re-do the silicone.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
i left off the metal reflectors to let the heat go out above them out the little holes.. and since its all white, not much light gets out. think thats a dumb idea?
matthewups 2 years ago
It's an excellent idea, and it works fine -- we've tried it both ways.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
i wonder how hard it would be to add a little fan to the hood. like a little computer fan.
matthewups 2 years ago
It should be possible. Either that or just use a house fan placed behind the hood.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
thank you very much for your videos.. i was about to go buy a bio-cube.. but now i'm going to follow your steps and save me alot of money.. and i hate to waste alot of money on my first sw tank. thanks again. Matt
matthewups 2 years ago
Yes, it works great with 2 bulbs of 20 watts each, giving total of 40 watts for the hood. Semper FI!
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
i was just wondering, is that stock hood lighting got only 15 watts? so 30 watts all,....then u put 20 watts? is that ok?
rhys009 2 years ago
Yes, you can, if the mix is 50/50 daylight/actininc, preferably with 10,000 K daylight. This will give 8 watts per gallon, more than needed for most soft corals but enough for most stonies including SPS varieties. Watch out for overheating though -- you may need to set up a fan that blows over the hood.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
can you use 2 40 watt CFL bulbs in this setup?
tastythighs180 2 years ago
Painting the hood is optional but it does give better light reflection and we are trying to maximize light reaching the organisms. The bulbs need to be kept dry -- if saltwater splashes on them they may short out. If your arrangement keeps them dry then it is okay.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
i did this but i didnt paint the hood and i also didnt silicone the plexie glass to the hood i just layed it down under neath the hood is that ok to do
hotdoghee123 2 years ago
well i saw a portion of the white spray paint that was exposed. look at 4:03 top left corner. the spray paint is exposed. and i know water will get ther in contact with the spray paint
tetramincolor2000 2 years ago
You're right, that section does get some spray, but it's not a problem with the generic paint we used. If you're worried about it though you could use the White Krylon. It's a few dollars more but Krylon is made specifically for plastic. BTW, the hood and lights shown in this video have been in continuous use now for four months and are working great.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
that white spray paint, is it safe for aquariums when dry, will it afect the water
tetramincolor2000 2 years ago
The white spray paint used in this demonstration does not come into contact with the seawater. It is fully protected by the plexiglass lens. The only spray paint we've recommended for actual contact with seawater is Krylon.
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
Aloha to all -- There's a contest running right now on our Channel Page, with $100 in free livestock to be given away (4/16/09).
ipsfdotcom 2 years ago
will it fit any fish?
maybe 1 clown?
Do u recoment a small skimmer,, thous HOB i see for like 40-50$?
whagwan11 3 years ago
if you are new to reefing, our recommendation on stocking a 10-gallon tank would be to begin with some man-made rock, a shallow aragonite sandbed and a few hardy soft corals such as zoanthus polyps, actinodiscus mushrooms, anthelia and sarcophyton. You'd only add these after using the first month to establish populations of essential micro-organisms, as discussed in our videos. This will allow you to learn the basic concepts and responsibilities of reefing without putting fishes at risk.
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
OK light agreat,,,, will it work without a protine skimmer... i want to keep a clean up crew and 2 clowns,,, + alot of softies
whagwan11 3 years ago
it will work as a softie tank with no skimmer as long as you don't overload it. in our opinion this tank is too small for two clowns. if you do add them you'll need to include water changes and a skimmer as part of your maintenance routine.
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
I love the video but, What did you do with the balast,,, no wireing instructions?
thats the hard part
whagwan11 3 years ago
the beauty of these bulbs is that they are self-ballasted! the fat white part at the base of the bulb itself is the ballast. (we mention that at 2:30 of the video.) once you screw in the bulbs you're done. the hood has a single plug-in cord and a single push-in switch. it could not be simpler:)
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
Aloha! Glad to hear that you're enjoying the video series. [Check out lordofthereef's YouTube channel if you have not done so already as he is doing a cool Nano Lagoon series!]
The skimmer advocates aren't wrong at all. They just don't run their reef tanks the way we run ours:) We include only organisms which reproduce on their own in the system and which don't require constant inputs of organic food. Deviate from that approach and the need for skimmers and water changes arises.
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
This series of videos has been fantastic, I appreciate al of the work and knowledge you try to cram into just a few minutes. I am a freshwater owner who wants to get into Saltwater. I have all of the equipment for a 10G set up already and your videos have got me fired up to go ahead and do it! Thanks! Quick question: What about proteins? Everywhere I go I see "you must have a protein skimmer if you're running salt water!" How are you by-passing this claim?
OnyxObelisk 3 years ago
Thanks, we really appreciate having some comparative numbers on how much things cost now across America. Our prices for some of these items here at the Kona Wal-Mart could well be toward the high end of the scale:)
Consider, for example, that we pay over 40 cents per kwh for electricity here, well above the national average. Yoikes!
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
I just wanted to mention that my total costs were just under 60 bucks at my local WalMart here in Iowa (this includes the tank, filter, lighting, net, scrubber brush, and spraypaint). Basically all that is left is the bulbs, sand, rock, and of course livestock (which will be going in little at a time). All in all a superb price in my opinion.
BlackBerryStormReVue 3 years ago
I imagine the reason for painting it white is to make it a little more reflective so the light shines down stronger? I decided to start my own little project like this and am curious, my "version" is real nice and white mostly around where the bulbs will be. Does it matter if there is a little black showing through? Does it need to be SUPER white?
BlackBerryStormReVue 3 years ago
Hey, glad to hear your trying this out! Our reasoning with the white paint is that it will increase the reflectivity of the hood and make the most of those 4 watts per gallon. Some of the light bounces off the water, back to the hood, then back to the water, etc. White is a better reflector than black, but I don't think a perfect paint job is absolutely necessary:)
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
Lovin your vids, .. p.s. flat white paint reflects light better than glossy! :)
rootz420 2 years ago
This is discussed in the comments above.
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
changing bulbs?
moofdebowl 3 years ago
can i use a fresh water filter for salt water
airsoftdood54 3 years ago
Which filter did you have in mind to use?
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
if he goes with this Nano Lagoon system and sticks to some hardy soft corals the only real maintenance is cleaning the glass and topping off evaporative loss, plus maybe a quick sand stir a couple of times a month. we like simplicity...
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
yeah, i know..he's really lazy, i'm already toping off his freshwater and feeding his fish....he's a musician..you know how they are :)
DaytonaRoadster 3 years ago
the acrylic lens is sealed in place with a bead of aquarium sealant, but you can remove it to change the bulbs. It has to be resealed again of course. The ideal arrangement would be an o-ring seal but that would have to be engineered. This is the DIY alternative. Call it a functional prototype.
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
how do you remove the sealant without breaking the shield?
DaytonaRoadster 3 years ago
the sealant is pretty soft even after it dries. you can just use a box cutter to slice through it.
ipsfdotcom 3 years ago
sweet. I've got a 55 and a 30 gallon, but my room whos been doing freshwater, wants to try a reef tank, but he's poor, so this is prefect for him...
....though i imagine, i'll end up doing the maintance...
DaytonaRoadster 3 years ago
...what happens if a bulb burns out? I thought about using plastic clips to hold the glass to the lid
DaytonaRoadster 3 years ago