The Transferee

As for what will be occupying the nano, it seems appropriate to quickly profile the system that will soon be "cubed".

This aquarium is a 55 gallon mixed reef and was set up in August of 2006. It's 25 gallon sump houses a deep sand bed, refugium and an Aqua C Remora Pro with a mag 6 pump. A custom split return line running on a mag 7 helps keep the surface oxygenated and helps with flow. It has 65 lbs. of Figi and Tonga liverock, and 15 lbs. of base rock. It is lit by a 15k 250w Metal Halide w/Icecap Ballast.

The livestock includes 3 blue Cromis, a Pair of Ocellaris Clowns, and a Red Fairy Wrasse. As for inverts the tank is home to a Cleaner Shrimp, 6 Blue Leg Hermit Crabs, 10 or so assorted Snails, and tons of hitchikers. There is a broad range of corals in this system all of which are growing and fragging rapidly. These include: A few Mixed Acro Frags, a Monti Cap, two colonies of Cabbage Leather, a Yellow Tonga Leather, some Trumpet Coral, assorted Zoas, assorted Mushrooms, A Torch Coral, Blue Candy Cane, an Orange Ricordia, two Devils Hand Leather colonies, an Open Brain, some Christmas Favia, Blue Pulsing Xenia, Pink Pulsing Xenia, Green Star Polyps, and a Kenya Tree.

The tank is mature and thriving. Since its initial setup Carbon and Zeolite have been running in the overflow. And the corals have been feeding regularily on rinsed Mysis Shrimp and Polyp Labs "Reef Roids."

Obviously all of its contents will not fit in the significantly smaller 29 Gallon Biocube and the livestock will be selected subjectively when transfered.

This aquarium is a great setup and a perfect size for any moderate reef keeper. However, due to space limitations I have chosen to run a Nano style aquarium which hopefully will bring an equal amount of success.

In comparison both tanks have their pros and cons, however the significantly larger amount of water in the 80 gallon system made for a somewhat flexible routine. A 29 gallon nano aquarium will require a great deal more attention to detail and precision with measurements and additives.