Micro-Reefs LLC

[jbb]

Bryan,

 

It might be a real tank, because after closely examining the picture, you can see that the LED's are bleaching out the top of the corals.

 

Residual light is noted lesser at the bottom than at the top, indication he might be running this thing.

 

The only problem, I see is that I don't see the tubes that he claims for return line and intake line on the Eheim canister filter.

 

I got skeptical, just there....

 

 

the two black hoses in the first pic that go into the upper portion are not XBOX parts. those may be the filter lines, if it is indeed a real tank. The one promising thing that makes me lean a bit toward the "real" side is when you look at the pic that includes the power button and disc tray. My xbox has internal LED's added in blue, and the edges of the disc door will not light up because the disc drive is in they way. I hope it is real, it is one of the best original ideas I have seen in a while.

[Fnard]

Mike or others,

 

I'm planning a shopping list for the upcoming BRS GB and am trying to determine what size bulkheads and pump I want to order for the 8 gal tank. I will be putting it towards the top inside a surface skimmer. From what I recall, a 1" bh will give up to 600gph so a Mag 7 or something comparable would be needed. I am not worried about the flow since I will be using a MP10 in this tank also.

 

Come to think about it, I think I may have just answered my own question. Any bh and pump would be suitable if I use a couple ball valves and match them up. Hmm, seems aboot right.

[jbb]

Mike or others,

 

I'm planning a shopping list for the upcoming BRS GB and am trying to determine what size bulkheads and pump I want to order for the 8 gal tank. I will be putting it towards the top inside a surface skimmer. From what I recall, a 1" bh will give up to 600gph so a Mag 7 or something comparable would be needed. I am not worried about the flow since I will be using a MP10 in this tank also.

 

Come to think about it, I think I may have just answered my own question. Any bh and pump would be suitable if I use a couple ball valves and match them up. Hmm, seems aboot right.

 

 

 

Try these guys out. I ordered this kit for my 8g

 

http://glass-holes.com/Super-Nano-Overflow...-ghsnanokit.htm

 

along with the return kit

 

http://glass-holes.com/1-2-Inch-Return-Kit-return50.htm

[Fnard]

Yeah, I think I'm going to stick with just a BH covered by the surface skimmer, alot thinner and less obtrusive. But, you're going with 1/2"? I guess I could go with that. That should even allow me to put 2 BHs in the skimmer, 1 low (the main) and 1 high (backup). Out of curiosity, what size pump are you going with? Oh, and are you going to be drilling the tank with the glass holesaw?

[jbb]

With acrylic , a regular hole saw will do the trick. As far as my return pump, I am looking at the quiet one 1200 or maybe a 2200. Not quite sure yet, also looking into a ehiem pump as well.

[duoc9119]

I am liking the 8 gallon tanks you have there. I also like the range of tanks you have. Keep up the good work! RKL is working nice but can't wait to start the cycle when I get back from my winter break. Planning on a GSP, zoa, and birdsnest tank with a smaller skunk cleaner and sixline.

 

Going for maximum color! Haha

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

I am liking the 8 gallon tanks you have there. I also like the range of tanks you have. Keep up the good work! RKL is working nice but can't wait to start the cycle when I get back from my winter break. Planning on a GSP, zoa, and birdsnest tank with a smaller skunk cleaner and sixline.

 

Going for maximum color! Haha

 

Yeah,

 

The 8 gallon pico is nice.... One proud owner, designer has her sitting in New Jersey, and the second one is being made as I write and will be making her way to the Lone Star herself... T E X A S......

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

Just today, I got the first 4 gallon sold... 14L x 7.5W X 9H in black background.... Going just South of San Luis Obispo....

 

Looks like you guys/gals love these tanks.... Thanks

[chippwalters]

Hey Mike,

 

Have you ever thought of creating a 'Pico-Sump?' I've been researching these lately and I think a decent sump could be created in an inexpensive 5 gallon tank. Perhaps even a bigger tank would be nice. You could consider a siphon overflow (hang on) or back wall bulkhead overflow as well.

 

Nice Overflow:

http://reefbuilders.com/2011/12/20/oceanlife-overflow/

 

And look how cool this Nano/Pico is. It has a sump and a fuge:

http://reefbuilders.com/2011/12/14/simple-...-nano-aquarium/

[rbaby]

+1 above.

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

Anyone like side shots of their reefs? I don't often see too many so I thought I'd post mine... I like to keep all sides clean including the back, that is why I don't lay my live rock on any sides, as you can see this reef is like that of a horse shoe U shape....

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

Hey Mike,

 

Have you ever thought of creating a 'Pico-Sump?' I've been researching these lately and I think a decent sump could be created in an inexpensive 5 gallon tank. Perhaps even a bigger tank would be nice. You could consider a siphon overflow (hang on) or back wall bulkhead overflow as well.

 

Nice Overflow:

http://reefbuilders.com/2011/12/20/oceanlife-overflow/

 

And look how cool this Nano/Pico is. It has a sump and a fuge:

http://reefbuilders.com/2011/12/14/simple-...-nano-aquarium/

 

I got the approval to work on this project, do you want to throw me some dims? (dimensions) So I can run a quote?

 

Thx,

 

MG

 

P.S

Rbaby, throw me some dims as well...

Edited December 22, 2011 by mikeguerrero

[chippwalters]

I got the approval to work on this project, do you want to throw me some dims? (dimensions) So I can run a quote?

 

Thx,

 

MG

 

P.S

Rbaby, throw me some dims as well...

 

How about an inexpensive 5 gallon? Please, can you show me the sump and overflow design?

[chippwalters]

How about an inexpensive 5 gallon? Please, can you show me the sump and overflow design?

Can you give the dimensions of a 5 gal and I'll sketch something up.

[rbaby]

 

Side shot of mine

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

Can you give the dimensions of a 5 gal and I'll sketch something up.

 

 

Here are the dimensions to the 5.5 gallon glass tank:

 

5 gallon, 16 L x 8 W x 10 H

 

See what you can do with that and I will run your design TruVu...

 

 

Side shot of mine

 

Ruth,

 

Your side is sick, I love it.... I love clean tanks.... SO WHO ELSE HAS SOME COOL LOOKING SIDE SHOTS ??? Please post them on my thread....

[jbb]

I would post a side shot of my tank, HOWEVER .......

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

I would post a side shot of my tank, HOWEVER .......

 

Haha,very funny....

[chippwalters]

UPDATE: For those interested, you can check out my proof of concept Pico Sump/Fuge designs HERE.

 

Mike,

 

Upon further research, I believe this might be a better solution for Picos. Take my existing tank: It is currently cluttered with an HOB filter, Heater, Powerhead, and hang on cooling Fan. Even if I wanted to add an ATO, there's no room-- and forget about a fuge. Here's a diagram of it:

 

 

So, now I can use the cheap Walmart acrylic tank, drill two bulkheads and add some basic plumbing-- and I've added a decent fuge, moved most my equipment off my Display tank, and increased overall water volume nicely. Another nice feature is now water changes are super simple and don't bother or affect my DT at all as the new water goes straight through the fuge. Also, no finicky siphon overflow with the implied risks, nor is it necessary to drill an existing and ongoing tank. And, Fuge bred pods don't end up getting chewed up through a pump, like they do in a sump fuge.

 

You may want to consider adding this setup as an option for your Pico customers. Extra bonus points if you can figure out how to easily add an ATO.

 

See below for description of how it works:

 

 

An external pump moves water from the lower DT to the upper Fuge. If the power is interrupted, the elbow below the pump keeps it primed. A T-Valve allows the user to divert the input from the DT to fresh saltwater for water changes.

 

The output is gravity fed from the Fuge via a simple bulkhead overflow and pours directly into the DT. It also has a T-Valve which allows for draining older water into a discard pail.

 

This system is super safe with the only risk of overflow being the rare occurrence the Fuge bulkhead becomes clogged, so special attention should be paid to its design (or use two bulkhead overflows).

 

A standard HOB filter could also be placed in the fuge, as well as a chiller, heater, ATO, dosing pump, etc. KEEPING the DT minimally cluttered.

Edited February 13, 2012 by chippwalters

[chippwalters]

After further thought, it's not possible to drain the Fuge tank without another lower bulkhead. Here are some more visualizations on how this would work.

 

The key point is the Fuge is HIGHER than the Display Tank:

 

 

And, you could still use a diversion valve in order to help refill with new saltwater.

 

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

After further thought, it's not possible to drain the Fuge tank without another lower bulkhead. Here are some more visualizations on how this would work.

 

The key point is the Fuge is HIGHER than the Display Tank:

 

 

And, you could still use a diversion valve in order to help refill with new saltwater.

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

That is great, I will shoot this diagram to TruVu on Tuesday, they are closed tomorrow. Do you have the dims on that particular tank? Are they just a standard 5 gallon tank dims?

 

MG

[xxbrianxx]

how would you put the ato in the fuge? the water level would be constant in the fuge and dropping in the main tank.

[chippwalters]

Thanks,

 

That is great, I will shoot this diagram to TruVu on Tuesday, they are closed tomorrow. Do you have the dims on that particular tank? Are they just a standard 5 gallon tank dims?

 

MG

 

Mike,

 

It's just a concept, not yet refined. I think it deserves more thought-- for instance do you want to sell a main display tank with a couple bulkhead openings? And Brian's point about ATO is important to think about... And, how would a sump design work? And are there Pico skimmers-- and do they work?

 

 

how would you put the ato in the fuge? the water level would be constant in the fuge and dropping in the main tank.

 

And that's the reason for extra bonus points!

[Micro-Reefs Aquariums]

Mike,

 

It's just a concept, not yet refined. I think it deserves more thought-- for instance do you want to sell a main display tank with a couple bulkhead openings? And Brian's point about ATO is important to think about... And, how would a sump design work? And are there Pico skimmers-- and do they work?

 

 

 

 

And that's the reason for extra bonus points!

 

I would like to have something basic with the bulk head sizes drilled in already, but I would like to keep it simple so as to keep cost down, the more that is added in by us, the higher the design will be.

 

I would like to keep it simple and affordable.

 

Perhaps it will be 5 gallon dimensions with what size bulk head would you like to use? The standard? Also remember that acrylic tanks will not be rimless, they need the structural support on the sides, will that hamper this concept?

[xxbrianxx]

Mike,

 

It's just a concept, not yet refined. I think it deserves more thought-- for instance do you want to sell a main display tank with a couple bulkhead openings? And Brian's point about ATO is important to think about... And, how would a sump design work? And are there Pico skimmers-- and do they work?

 

 

 

 

And that's the reason for extra bonus points!

 

I'm curious though, why put the fuge above the tank? I can understand that for already existing tanks, you'd need to do so, but if this is going into production for people who don't already have a tank, why not just do it the traditional way?

 

And yea there definitely are pico skimmers, but the aquatic life skimmer and the tunze 9002 are about as small as they get when it comes to venturi powered ones. At least as far as I know of. There's also glazer's pico counter current skimmer run by an air pump and limewood airstone. But I feel like a skimmer wouldn't really be necessary to run a pico since carbon would be more than enough filtration and the amount of carbon that's required for that little water volume would be ridiculously small. I would opt for designing some type of pico reactor and focus on ease of maintenance to make sure people actually replace the carbon periodically.

 

Haha pico sumps...now this is getting interesting..