Well guys, I'm finally diving into the SW arena, albeit small..... 5g hex that needs something better 
. I know a few of you have issues with nano and pico tanks, but please spare the arguments. I'm going slow, really slow. My main reason is it will somewhat cheaper than going with my 14g because I won't be dropping $300 for a new light system, in fact, it should be under $50. Only problem is that the amount of light will be a little low, but should be fine for what I want to grow. Tank will have a small cleanup crew to curb algae growth and what not. Water movement will be provided via an emptied Duetto 100 filter, with a Koralia nano to be purchased later. Lighting will be 6 LEDs with a 50/50 mix of 6700K and blue Luxeon Rebels, With full intensity controls via a Pulse Width Modulation control box outside the hood. Corals will likely consist of Xenia, Zoa, button polyps, shrooms and various others. Will most likely start as frags. Mostly whats available really. Don't worry, plenty of research will be done BEFORE the purchase. Oh, and don't worry, no CC 
.
Regarding the LEDs..... I hear your concerns, but I think Evil over at Nanoreef.com has about the same amount over his tank, in fact mine MIGHT get almost SPS level (I doubt it). Thats why I'm starting out slow. Evil might have the same levels for his tanks, dunno. We will see what happens, and if more LEDs are needed, then so be it.
So far a list of what what needs to be done.
Tank cleaned and old sand removed.
Hood to be retrofitted for LEDs (already gutted)
LEDs to be ordered (DONE)
LED strand removed from current 29g FW (little too much light in that tank)
LEDs mounted to heatsink
Component list to be compiled (this could be a little big).
Control circuit components to be ordered and built.
Refractometer purchased
Cycle started.
Critters purchased
Coral purchased
Things completed
Hood gutted, ready to be retrofitted
LEDs have been ordered
. I know a few of you have issues with nano and pico tanks, but please spare the arguments. I'm going slow, really slow. My main reason is it will somewhat cheaper than going with my 14g because I won't be dropping $300 for a new light system, in fact, it should be under $50. Only problem is that the amount of light will be a little low, but should be fine for what I want to grow. Tank will have a small cleanup crew to curb algae growth and what not. Water movement will be provided via an emptied Duetto 100 filter, with a Koralia nano to be purchased later. Lighting will be 6 LEDs with a 50/50 mix of 6700K and blue Luxeon Rebels, With full intensity controls via a Pulse Width Modulation control box outside the hood. Corals will likely consist of Xenia, Zoa, button polyps, shrooms and various others. Will most likely start as frags. Mostly whats available really. Don't worry, plenty of research will be done BEFORE the purchase. Oh, and don't worry, no CC .Regarding the LEDs..... I hear your concerns, but I think Evil over at Nanoreef.com has about the same amount over his tank, in fact mine MIGHT get almost SPS level (I doubt it). Thats why I'm starting out slow. Evil might have the same levels for his tanks, dunno. We will see what happens, and if more LEDs are needed, then so be it.
So far a list of what what needs to be done.
Tank cleaned and old sand removed.
Hood to be retrofitted for LEDs (already gutted)
LEDs to be ordered (DONE)
LED strand removed from current 29g FW (little too much light in that tank)
LEDs mounted to heatsink
Component list to be compiled (this could be a little big).
Control circuit components to be ordered and built.
Refractometer purchased
Cycle started.
Critters purchased
Coral purchased
Things completed
Hood gutted, ready to be retrofitted
LEDs have been ordered
Last edited:
opcorn: 
not gonna go into the technical jumble of what happened, but suffice it to say, they blew up. Its gonna be a few weeks till I get some new ones in, rics don't seem to mind the quite yellow, 6700K.
