Help me design the ultimate zoa tank!

[Lexusman25]

I have always wanted a tank just for zoas, so I decided I am going to start one! I would like to hear some input from some zoa masters on what tank,lighting,additives,filtrations,and water flow I should have! Here are my ideas so far:

16 gallon Nuvo(thinking this might be too small)
For lighting I am debating between T5s and LEDs, for T5s I would do a 4 bulb ATI, and for the Leds I would either get the 120watt maxspect Razor or AI SOL
and for water flow I would probably get a jebo wp-40 and dial it down with a controller
my goal is to have about 40-50 different zoas/palys!

Lets here some ideas!

 

[louie310]

Get the new nuvo 24 and and 1vega over it

 

[Confuse]

Yay! Another fellow Nuvo'er!! I'm setting up a Nuvo 16 too. I have my makersled 6" build on top of it. We'll have to see how it does when it's stocked. I would consider an LED fixture if you're planning to stock it with zoas. There's nothing like cranking up your Royal Blues and having your zoas just pop out of the tank.

The Razor would be a nice choice over that tank. I was actually considering it before I decided to use my old light. If you go AI, go for the Vega. It's closer to "full spectrum." I really liked the way they looked at the SPS Coral Store. But they're not as efficient and run older leds than the Razor. Still....it's a good fixture. Those would be the sleekest and most compact fixtures out there. They would look ideal hung from the ceiling. I don't like the look of the Razor legs.

I think the WP-40 would be waaaaaaaaaaaay too powerful, even if dialed down. If you have the cash, an MP10 would be more than enough. But I don't really think you even need that much flow if you're just keeping zoas.

EDIT: I see you didn't buy the tank yet. Are you set on an AIO nano or can you go bigger? If just AIO nano, then do look into the Nuvo 24. That is, if you have the cash to spend...

 

[SchnitzelReef]

check out the IM 24 its 36" wide i think zoas grow great under leds. they may take awhile to adapt to the lighting, but once they get used to it they take off. i wouldnt run a skimmer either. just some good carbon and maybe some Purigen. u want that water DIRTY!!!

 

[jbaeza83]

Following along, I am thinking about starting the frag tank I won as a zoa tank.

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Following along, I am thinking about starting the frag tank I won as a zoa tank.

Me too

Lol

 

[Lexusman25]

Thanks for all of the responses! I can get a bigger tank but I kinda wanted it to fit on my desk so thats why I want an AIO. I was thinking of maybe getting a 40 gallon breeder but that would take up too much space. As for the 24 gallon Nuvo I think it is an awesome looking tank! I just cant justify spending $400 for it, I could set up a 20g long with a sump or AC-70 and it would be only like $100 haha But I want this tank to look sleek, so thats why I am leaning toward a nuvo 16. I think a 20g long would be cool, but I dont like the look of a HOB filter and would an AC-70 even be adequate filtration for a zoa only tank? As for the ligthing I think the razor would be really cool since it has the warm whites which would help achieve some red spectrum and the fact that it has a built in timer! I really want an mp 10 but the wp-40 looks promising, but it might be too strong haha

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Wp40 is gunna be wayyyy too strong. But they are coming out with a wp25 in a week or 2. Still too big IMO. I think u need to look at the nano koralias

 

[Igarc009]

I just replaced my korlia nano with a MP10 and my polyps have almost doubled in size. I have never seen them anywhere near this big. I run the Mp 10 at 20-30 percent in a 22g.

 

[KarL]

-No on a wp 40 on a 16 gallon tank. It would probably take up the whole tank, and then when you turned on the pump it would probably blast all the water out of the tank!!! LOL. MP10, tunze 6015, small koralia, or jbj oceanstream wavemaker would be my suggestions

- Yes on leds. More blues the better. IMO zoas/palys usually do very well under leds. Colors pop like crazy under blue. Whatever led fixture you choose, make sure to choose one with a controller so you can adjust the lighting to your liking.

- if you plan on having 40-50 different zoas, maybe go with a larger tank. 25-30 gallon tank maybe.

 

[erictorres0311]

Tagging along

 

[Lexusman25]

-No on a wp 40 on a 16 gallon tank. It would probably take up the whole tank, and then when you turned on the pump it would probably blast all the water out of the tank!!! LOL. MP10, tunze 6015, small koralia, or jbj oceanstream wavemaker would be my suggestions

- Yes on leds. More blues the better. IMO zoas/palys usually do very well under leds. Colors pop like crazy under blue. Whatever led fixture you choose, make sure to choose one with a controller so you can adjust the lighting to your liking.

- if you plan on having 40-50 different zoas, maybe go with a larger tank. 25-30 gallon tank maybe.

hahaha Ok the wp 40 is out of the question! The tank size is concerning me a little, but if I get small frags and use minimal rock I think I should be able to fill up the tank with a good amount

 

[KarL]

Yeah if you're set on a 16 gallon. It makes picking out equipment a little easier since mp10 and tunze would be too strong in a tank that size. Nano koralia(s) would be perfect fit. As for lights a nano AI would work nicely. You might get a lot of light spilling out the sides of the tank with other led fixtures

 

[SchnitzelReef]

Maxspect Razor nano. Just came out from Coralvue. Supposed to be $280

Should be for sale May 1

 

[Lexusman25]

Would the maxspect razor nano be a better choice?

 

[budythelion]

Trust me, a 16 gallon is way too small if you're a collector. You're talking about probably finding new morphs everyday! And then keeping some aside to grow out and trade. Yeesh! You run out space real fast. I'd go with the 24, because it's bigger and man does it look sweet!

 

[SchnitzelReef]

If u wanna do it right, buy a frag tank from Advanced Acrylics.

I'm gunna order a 24x24x7. Only like 18 gallons, but u can fit all kinds of zoos in there.

 

[budythelion]

If u wanna do it right, buy a frag tank from Advanced Acrylics.

I'm gunna order a 24x24x7. Only like 18 gallons, but u can fit all kinds of zoos in there.

And then get a frag rack from the Blue Glow, that thing can fit so many plugs! I love mine. And if they overgrow the plug then they'll just grow right onto the acrylic, and you can still pop them off.

 

[Lexusman25]

Trust me, a 16 gallon is way too small if you're a collector. You're talking about probably finding new morphs everyday! And then keeping some aside to grow out and trade. Yeesh! You run out space real fast. I'd go with the 24, because it's bigger and man does it look sweet!

Yea I ran out of room in my jbj 30g and a 16g is less space haha

 

[Lexusman25]

If u wanna do it right, buy a frag tank from Advanced Acrylics.

I'm gunna order a 24x24x7. Only like 18 gallons, but u can fit all kinds of zoos in there.

Do you have johns contact information? Maybe I ll get a quote!