Alright, new project. Below is a 4.5" glass cube that I have drilled for a closed loop which will be run through a aqualifer pump. It will have an overflow so I get some surface skimming. Tha plan is to have it sit on a base that I will build with the aqualifter stored underneath it. Return comes back through the glass.

Pics

Note the holes:




Bending the return:




Pic of the intake and return:




I have epoxied in the intake and return and will water test later. Almost have the overflow done as well. Still need to trim down the return a bit as it sticks out into the tank to far. Back will be painted black as will the overflow and return.

-Prof

Tagging along! Go prof

wheres this overflow going? what will happen if that tube gets plugged which seems like it would rather easily.

That was fast!

This really looks cool!!!

Good question. There will be a prefilter inside the overflow over the intake tube that will hopefully prevent clogging. The overflow will go in the right hand corner over the intake tube. I expect a weekly check and cleaning will be necessary to keep it running in top form, but with a tank this small you have to expect some extra maintenance. This is either going on my desk at work or in my office at home so I will bbe around constantly to monitor.

-Prof



Thats how I roll!



Thanks Weetie!

Water test appears to be sucessful. Flow should be perfect through the aqualifter for zoas, shrooms, etc. Still playing around with the overflow, plan on using a piece of 1/2" PVC for the overflow. Pics below shows what the tank will look like with the overflow in. The plan is to leave as much room as possible in the tank, which I think I have accomplished. Need to start painting and building the stand. I also plan to build a one piece rock structure out of a bunch of rubble I have laying around.

Pics with water!








-Prof

Awesome tank! How do you plan to accomplish heating?

BOOYAH!

Sweet!

Really cool......how did you stick the glass together? I've wondered what is used in the non-siliconed tanks....

awesome build.

This makes me want to start another project!

I don't actually. The two places I intend to keep it have pretty consistent temps so I am hoping that I can keep things stable. I actually have a Betta Cube like yours that I am working on that will have heat, a real pump, etc. This one is just for fun and hopefully bragging rights.


Yeah Man!!!!


Thanks!


This was a picture cube that I bought that I took apart and then siliconed back together. It was originally held together with some sort of brittle glue. The silicone is pretty much invisible because I did not put the traditional bead on the inside. The pressure is so nominal on this small tank I felt it was not needed.



Thanks BF!



If I start another project related to reefs before finishing some stuff on the honey-do list I may have to sleep in the shed!


-Prof

the honies just don't understand....it's an obsession or addiction. but hey i think you already have the bragging rights in the bag. it's like you're the professor from G. Island. he can turn coconuts into anything. you can turn anything into picos....lol

It's a beautiful little cube!

you're cool Prof....just plain cool.

looks cool.. I'll be following along

nice very interesting

Party on Gilligans Island! I'll take some Ginger and Mary Ann then. You can have Mrs. Howe!



Thanks!







Hopefully it will be something worth watching!



Thanks!

Finding livestock that is not going to seem like overpowering in this tank is going to be difficult. Zoas are in for sure, some Blue Cloves would probably work but I need some ideas for some other stuff. Maybe a little GSP, but it can spread fast. Anyone have suggestions?

-Prof

[quote name='Professor' date='Oct 19 2009, 04:38 PM' post='2484254']
Party on Gilligans Island! I'll take some Ginger and Mary Ann then. You can have Mrs. Howe!


that's ok. i like mature, experienced women...lol

do i atleast get who was originally supposed to play mary ann.....Raquel Welch?

[quote name='badfish816' date='Oct 19 2009, 09:02 PM' post='2484731'

do i atleast get who was originally supposed to play mary ann.....Raquel Welch?
[/quote]

Nope! Either way I get Mary Ann. I dig that home grown, girl-next-door look! To be fair I will let you have Ginger, she's probably high maintenance and a pain in the rump anyway.

-Prof

lol

Update: Got the last couple little parts I need to finish construction of the overflow and plan to get that done and paint the back black this weekend. Hopefully the weather will hold and I can plane some lumber down and get the stand started/finished this weekend. I have some nice figured cherry I am think about using.

Still need some help with a stocking list. I have some zoa frags and think I have a line on some Blue Clove Polyps. Any ideas as to what else will go well?

-Prof

Ric's.

Eviota or trimma gobies

I am not usually a fan of Rics, but I could see where they would work in this tank. I'll have to think about that.



I love both of those D, but I think I will skip the fish on this tank.

-Prof

oh i see. whatever is to your liking my good sir!

Hey Prof,

What are you using for lighting the little cube? I have an Aqua Lifter lifter on my 2G FW pico and it doesn't really produce much in the way of flow.

I vote for a birdsnest frag, about as bulletproof an SPS as you can find.

-Rick

how big does pipe organ get?

Super ambitious project here. I'm tagging along for sure. Good luck.

should get one of the new LED's and keep 1 acro in it...

For now I am using a Picotope fixture. It's not good for much else so I thought I would put it to good use. IRT the Birdsnest, this will be a softy tank only. I am neither stupid or like pain.



I used to have a colony and it was the size of a golf ball when I got it and it grew to the size of a softball when I got rid of it. I am looking for easy encrusting corals for this one.



Thanks!



I have been thinking about one of Evils lights but the Acro is a no. See above.

I have the cube finished now and will throw some pictures up tomorrow some time when I have the energy. Still don't have the stand done but I do have it on a temporay structure for testing.

-Prof

More pics!!!!

I'd stick with softies and ditch the LPS. Less to worry about... No Ca, no alk and softies are forgiving of low flow. Unless, of course, you want a low-maintenance LPS like my Madracis sp. It's brown but it's cool.

I love zoas. No palys... Take over too quick. No colts/kenyas b/c they get big and drop arms like crazy once they get settled.

Still very interested in this project of yours, Prof.
I've already gotten some inspiration for my own Pico from some of what you've done, so Thank You Sir.

+1

maybe some chalice. it grows pretty slow. plus it's easy to trim and frag.

unbelievably cool little tank.. I'd want to make one of these , well.... If the wife would not kill me if I did.. haha. I cant wait to see it in action!!!! MORE PICS!!!!!!!!!!!

aw cmon Prof, live a little!

LED's would be PAR overkill over this tank if you're keeping only Softies/LPS. You could get away with CFs. LEDs would be good for coloration, though, if that's what you wanted.

I think you should have a mangrove in there growing over some rocks - natural filtration and habitation.

LEDs wouldn't be overkill. Just turn them down.

Shut it evil and send me my LEDS!!!

fine, fine. get the LEDs and turn them down, lol. that's actually the best choice. can you turn those pico lights down?

Very nice! Whats the tube for the closed loop? Acrylic?

Probably regular rigid air tubing.

I'm trying, I'm trying, honestly.

The pico lamps can't be turned down, but raising the height will drop the intensity.

You heard the man, Prof. Pico spotlight for this tank

I agree I have them and they grow like nuts,
stick with zoas or if you must keep one on a frag plug on the sand bed.

Zoa's is definately top of the list. I don't want any one thing overpowering the effect. Think Bonsai garden. I am trying to get my hands on some Blue Clove Polyps but my LFS is still cultivating them and is being stingy.
I have some GSP but it is very invasive and the flow may be a bit low for it.



Thank you Weetie. I am flattered!



As usual Fosi nailed it and goes to the head of the class. It is simply rigid airline tubing. Nothing fancy. Bends were accomplished with a tubing bender and a heat gun.



Depending on how this plays out from a stability/longevity standpoint that would be my desired end game.

Now for some Pics!








Right now it is sitting on a project box I had laying around with the aqualifter underneath it while I build the stand that will hold it. I think I need to work on the overflow a bit but other than that it is done. The overflow tube has a piece of foam prefilter in it and actually is removable so I can handle a line clog if necessary. I also made plugs for the intake and return so I can isolate the pump for servicing or moving.

Now I need to work on the rock structure. IMO this will be the most critical phase to accomplish the Bonsai Garden effect and if not done properly will make the whole tank look bad. I want everything to seem in proportion when you examine the tank closely.

-Prof

awesome professor. as usual.

Thanks BF!