KND107 - The Goldilocks of Tanks

[knd107]

FTS DBP AIO - 06/22/2014 - Post #23



FTS DBP AIO - 05/01/2014 - Post #22



Update: 04/23/2014

Added my other build into this one as I don't have much going on here and I didn't want to create another thread.

Starts on Post #21.

Overall Image - 30G Cube



FTS - 02/26/2014 - Post #15



<<<<< First Post >>>>>

So, I ended up buying a 12" 7.5G Rimless a while back and never set it up since I didn't like the hob equipment.

Didn't have the room to drill and add a sump for this tank and I wanted to keep it simple. This sat back-burner for a while since I ended up grabbing a relatively cheap 57G Rimless.

I ended up cracking the tank while drilling the 3th hole in my dual drain/ dual return. Pretty upset about it (and I'm not sure what I was going to do with it) but now the 7.5G is back at front.

I made a custom false wall with three chambers and a custom filter media rack. I ended up making this in white acrylic since I had it left over and I didn't want to go buy additional materials. I made a lid for the wall but totally forgot about the side walls in terms of visibility of the sides into the filter side. I might just paint it black and leave the back clear.

I have to remove the rock and sand out of the tank to install the false wall.

Equipment:

12" 7.5G DBP Rimless
8W Skkye LED (to be upgraded to DIY LED)
JBJ ATO w/ aqualifter pump (Not installed, currently manual topoff)
MJ900 600 Pump w/ IM Stream spin
50W Eheim Heater Cobalt Neo-Therm Heater - 50W

Filtration:

DIY Media Rack w/ filter floss, chemi-pure elite Biofilter Media 1.5" Spheres for now and weekly 1g WC

Livestock:

None yet. ((1) Clown Fish (currently housed in the sump of my 40G system) in the wings)
Clownfish that I had in my sump of my 40G Breeder went carpet surfing within the first day
Emerald Crab
(2) Hermit Crabs
Snails - forget which ones - I grabbed 1/2 of each type from my 40G reefbreeders order and threw them into the 7.5g.

Corals:

Zoas
Duncan

//EDIT - I re-organized my library so all the links were broken; re-linked them

[knd107]

Finally was able to clean out the tank. I initially set it up with a HOB filter and some dry rock & sand a while back but it was just sitting there.

 

Looks like everything fits pretty good. I will have to sand down the edges for the media rack and false wall before siliconing it in.

 

Slow I know. I have been thinking about setting up the 120g recently ... ... I initially stopped because of the 57 rimless build and I decided to actually replace the glass pane. Not going to be working for months since I want to make sure I am fully confident that it will be ok for the long haul. I'm going to re-do the back pane and interior sili then replace the bottom frame and let it sit with water and powerheads for a couple of weeks before moving forward.

 

probably by that time, it will just be a expensive frag tank or something.

 

Also, I was thinking about building a frag tank from acrylic. It sounds like I have ADD. oh well.

 

Here's the pictures!

 

 

 

 

going to probably paint the exposed sides black and leave the back clear. The grey bottom is the foam sheet that comes with the DBP tank. it doesn't span the entire foot print just the bottom pane so I guess I should replace that with a full sheet...?

 

I'm also thinking its ok and maybe I'll leave it alone. I need to let the sili cure for a couple of days so i'll figure it out by then.

[Dan9]

Wow! That looks amazing. Great work. I've considered doing this but couldn't imagine mine coming out so nicely. How is the lid attached?

[knd107]

Thanks, Its just sitting on some acrylic that I welded to the inside of the false wall on one side and the first baffle is set just below it so it sits on that on the other.

 

You can see it on third pic on the first post. It was designed to be sitting on the first baffle right at the edge of the cover but somehow I measured wrong and had to trim down both the false wall and cover. The first baffle is now visible when the cover is on which was not the design.

 

I made this on a whim since I had left over black acrylic.

 

Here is my DIY overflow for my failed DIY 57g Rimless.

 

 

[Dan9]

Oh cool. It looks great. How are you cutting the overflow slots so perfectly? Sorry I'm just super impressed and motivated.

[knd107]

Oh cool. It looks great. How are you cutting the overflow slots so perfectly? Sorry I'm just super impressed and motivated.

 

Its laser cut. I draw up a plan in autocad then print to a laser machine. Works great when I can use it otherwise I wouldn't be making the overflow teeth like that. Actually I'm not sure what I would do if I didn't laser it. Routering the details with thin materials isn't very easy or fast.

 

If you need something, I can probably help you out as the first person to post on this Build Thread!

 

I will be doing another round soon since I am making my sump for my 120g. I have all the pieces, just need to laser some of the detailed portions then weld together. I need to get some clamps to ensure that I get perfect 90d (near perfect..?) corners and welds.

 

Anyway, I am getting somewhat off-topic. I have some extra acrylic (its white tho .... which is why my media rack is white) and as long as its not too time consuming I can do it for free. Otherwise, you can pay for the acrylic (I don't mind picking it up and emailing you a pic of the receipt) and then pay for the shipping to you (or pick it up if you are in the Philly/ South New Jersey Area). I'll let you know when I can get into the machine room to make my sump; no need to try and pull stuff together now although I need to have the plans made before going into the room. Also, I might have some clear acrylic depending on whats left in the room from the other models. I grabbed up and pre-cut all the 3/8" acrylic for my sump and I don't have alot left over to really put another sump together. I don't see making something out of 3/8" acrylic unless its a tank or large sump. Do have the 1/4" (which is really 0.22") white and maybe clear but def don't have black as I had to go buy it on my own when I made my custom overflow. The left over scraps turned into the AIO compartment of the 7.5g.

 

So sad, my main project was the overflow which is just sitting here and the "after thought" project is being used.

 

Also, BTW, its not that perfect as the pictures are not hi-res. I tested the overflow teeth on the false wall which are slightly off but I knew what I needed to do with my main overflow. Essentially, I ran multiple passes with the laser. One with every other tooth then second the other ones. What happens is that the heat slightly deforms the acrylic. Black is harder to laser then white and clear. Although, white isn't much better. The laser needs to go slow to cut all the way into the acrylic thus extra heat warping the material.

[Reefkid88]

So you did all the acrylic work yourself ? That's boss. Looks so clean and professional man,props to you. This tank is going to be awesome. What're your stocking plans for this ?

 

If you do the work yourself,and maybe make a few extra dollars,PM me and let me know. I have a 15 gallon I need a false wall and maybe a sump for !!

[knd107]

So you did all the acrylic work yourself ? That's boss. Looks so clean and professional man,props to you. This tank is going to be awesome. What're your stocking plans for this ?

 

If you do the work yourself,and maybe make a few extra dollars,PM me and let me know. I have a 15 gallon I need a false wall and maybe a sump for !!

 

yup, did the work myself. I don't know what i am going to stock. I have the IM Skkye LED light which can't handle too much. Thinking zoa garden with some inverts possibly just sexy shrimp and I have a lonely clown in my sump but I don't think 7.5g is large enough for him. Def. can't put a nem in a 7.5g for him to host. I just brought RTV 108 to sili the false wall in but everyday its not delivered I want get something larger for the clown and nem. I have a 25g AIO "solana" tank that I have sitting around so I actually might sell this tank and just use that one. I need to make/ buy a light tho and finish the stand to use it.

 

Maybe I'll move my ywg over and if the pistol shrimp is still alive he can come too. Have not seen that shrimp in months but he has shown up randomly like that before. He seems kinda lazy and doesn't move sand too much.

 

 

So you did all the acrylic work yourself ? That's boss. Looks so clean and professional man,props to you. This tank is going to be awesome. What're your stocking plans for this ?

 

If you do the work yourself,and maybe make a few extra dollars,PM me and let me know. I have a 15 gallon I need a false wall and maybe a sump for !!

 

No problem, just pay for the acrylic and shipping from PA. If its not too time consuming I have no issues making it. I'm not here to make any money. I did buy a crap load of tanks that I need to get rid of. I would go buy something like a reactor and end up with another tank. I have some impulse buying issues according to the wife. She literally turn to me last night and told me that I am hoarder.

[Reefkid88]

Such superior work man,honestly some of te best I've seen.

 

As for ye clown,the fish itself would be fine in a 7.5 but I'm sure the nem would be pushing it. Although I have seen a 2.5 with a huge BTA in it,but the op went stagnant so I'm sure it didn't last long lol.

 

There's nothing wrong with being a tank hoarder lol. I'd be the same way. I have a huge impulse buying issue when it comes to taks myself. I'd have 5+ tanks if I could get away with it !!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for the false wall goes,shoot me a pm and we could work something out. I'd have no problem shooting you a few dollars to make it worth it and possibly help fund the purchase of a new light to keep some awesome corals !!!

[Dan9]

Its laser cut. I draw up a plan in autocad then print to a laser machine. Works great when I can use it otherwise I wouldn't be making the overflow teeth like that. Actually I'm not sure what I would do if I didn't laser it. Routering the details with thin materials isn't very easy or fast.

 

If you need something, I can probably help you out as the first person to post on this Build Thread!

 

I will be doing another round soon since I am making my sump for my 120g. I have all the pieces, just need to laser some of the detailed portions then weld together. I need to get some clamps to ensure that I get perfect 90d (near perfect..?) corners and welds.

 

Anyway, I am getting somewhat off-topic. I have some extra acrylic (its white tho .... which is why my media rack is white) and as long as its not too time consuming I can do it for free. Otherwise, you can pay for the acrylic (I don't mind picking it up and emailing you a pic of the receipt) and then pay for the shipping to you (or pick it up if you are in the Philly/ South New Jersey Area). I'll let you know when I can get into the machine room to make my sump; no need to try and pull stuff together now although I need to have the plans made before going into the room. Also, I might have some clear acrylic depending on whats left in the room from the other models. I grabbed up and pre-cut all the 3/8" acrylic for my sump and I don't have alot left over to really put another sump together. I don't see making something out of 3/8" acrylic unless its a tank or large sump. Do have the 1/4" (which is really 0.22") white and maybe clear but def don't have black as I had to go buy it on my own when I made my custom overflow. The left over scraps turned into the AIO compartment of the 7.5g.

 

So sad, my main project was the overflow which is just sitting here and the "after thought" project is being used.

 

Also, BTW, its not that perfect as the pictures are not hi-res. I tested the overflow teeth on the false wall which are slightly off but I knew what I needed to do with my main overflow. Essentially, I ran multiple passes with the laser. One with every other tooth then second the other ones. What happens is that the heat slightly deforms the acrylic. Black is harder to laser then white and clear. Although, white isn't much better. The laser needs to go slow to cut all the way into the acrylic thus extra heat warping the material.

Wow! Thanks for the offer. I don't have the new tank just yet but when it happens, if you're still willing, I would absolutely take you up on that. Thank you so much. Again, it looks really great. Good work.

[Flin]

Nice job, can't wait to see it stocked! Sent you pm on possibly doing some acrylic work

[knd107]

Nice job, can't wait to see it stocked! Sent you pm on possibly doing some acrylic work

 

Thanks! I sent you back a message too.

 

Anyhoo, I am waiting for the sili. I ordered RTV 108 (Clear) in a small tube and then the larger RTV 103 (Black). Starting to think I should have gone black for this but I don't want to open up the larger tube since its for my 57 rimless - Glass pane replacement. Just going with the clear.

 

Just so people are not so bored with this thread. Here is my old 25 AIO.

 

 

I moved all of this into a 40G Breeder. Sexy shrimp that I had "disappear" when i got a 6-line. Clown finally hosted in one of the nems that split from the one in the pic.

[knd107]

Some images of the leak test.

 

I had to sand down alot of the edges of the acrylic so that it didn't rub/ pitch the tank silicone.

 

Front/ display

 

 

Back Compartments

 

 

I guess I forgot to take a picture of only back compartments filled and make sure that the front didn't leak. Doesn't really matter in a AIO but I did a quick check of the seal between the return section and the rest.

 

Now, I have no idea where I am placing this tank.

[JR!]

very awesome.

[knd107]

So I finally got the tank set-up:

 

 

 

 

Grabbed some rock out of the refug of my 40G system.

[knd107]

I'm not too sure about my flow rates. I have a maxijet 600 in there which is ~160gph with the IM spin attached. I only plan to have zoas and ric in the tank so I think it should be ok.

 

Some lessons on this tank so far:

 

• Baffle to return section should have been lower or I should have added overflow teeth - MIcrobubbles!
• Return outlet should be lower; wanted to keep a maxijet 900 on there (to offset the decrease in flow with the IM spin attached) but it was almost overflowing the tank due to flow of the IM spin when pointed upwards; wanted to keep the "random" flow of the spin for now.
• I knew this beforehand but the acrylic lid is already bending due to moisture - just like BRS states on their lids - maybe I will make another one with bracing or something to stop/ counteract that
• Media rack was made of 1/4" leftover acrylic which is huge for a media rack and displaces a ton of water for a 7.5g tank - probably going to make another one that is thinner or sand the crap out of the current one.

I am hoping to only use filter floss and then the biomedia spheres [ http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27933 ]. I will add other media as required. I have the media in the second chamber with just a sheet of filter floss in chamber 1 until I get the media rack worked out. Heater is also in the second chamber.

[Reefkid88]

Damn this thing is sleek !!! I'm loving this build so far man !!

[knd107]

Damn this thing is sleek !!! I'm loving this build so far man !!

 

Thanks.

 

Trying to figure out I want to add to the tank at least fish-wise. Maybe none at all and just go with inverts.

[Reefkid88]

Maybe a Tail Spot or a few Neon Blue Gobies ?

[knd107]

So, I added the Clown fish that was housed in my sump and he proceeded to go surfing within the first day.

 

oh well, sucks, just placing some of my frags that were getting crowded in my 40G Br tank into the nano.

 

Also, don't really like the IM skkype light. Just too white for my taste.

 

Traveling so I didn't take any pictures. When I get back.

 

Whats everyone using for a ATO for Pico/Nano? Don't really have alot of room for even a JBJ ATO. float switch.

[knd107]

I had a bunch of tanks sitting around and I decided to utilize my overflow that I made for my 57G Rimless Build. See post #4.

 

Anyway, its a 30G Oceanic Cube tank and matching stand. Originally, it was a oak color which I don't like so I decided to also paint the tank trim and stand after I drilled the tank for the overflow.

• Drilled for dual 1" drains (Herbie)
• Drilled for a single 3/4" return
• Painted back of tank black
• Painted stand and trim black
• Installed custom overflow box (12" W)

Equipment:

• Oceanic 30G Cube w/ stand
• Eshopps RS-75
• Reef Octopus NWB-110
• MP10ES
• TLF 150 - GFO/ Carbon
• Lighting - TBD
• ATO - TBD

Original Set-up:

 

 

New Set-up (still need to install the glass door):

 

 

Inside Overflow (herbie with 90deg elbows) - lid not shown but I'm hoping to not install strainers:

 

 

Dual 1" Drains and a single 3/4" Return:

 

I would have drilled 2 returns as I had a spare SWCD & tees around but I didn't. My glass bit was at about 6 holes drilled and getting dull. Also, the pressure drop in the returns was terrible on my 40G Breeder with the SWCD. I have a MP10 or WP10 for flow anyway.

 

 

Overflow Box:

 

 

I need to finish up the plumbing and leak test but I haven't had the time to do so.

 

Also, here is a picture of when my family-in-law came over and decided to use my tank as a recycling bin. At least, I didn't find bottle caps in my reef tank like the last time they came over.

 

The funny thing is that they wanted me to set-up a tank for their house which I agreed then saw what they did when they left. Jerks.

 

[knd107]

Figure I'll take a quick pic of the FTS for a update.

 

Still have not done anything else with the 30G Oceanic tho.

 

 

 

Really didn't do anything but add some zoa/ duncan/ blasto that were getting stung in my 40G Breeder.

 

I did add a trio of sexy shrimp and they seem to be doing good.

 

I have only been doing a gallon WC about every week and daily top off water. Just started to add a pellet or 2 for the sexy-shrimps otherwise not feeding or doing anything else. No chemical filtration or anything. I am hoping to keep it simple.

[knd107]

06/24/2014 Status

 

Updated FTS on 06/22/2014

 

 

 

 

I ended up purchasing a IM media rack when I stopped by my LFS. It was on sale but not really cheap. I just never got around to building the new one. The one I made out of white acrylic in the previous posts was too heavy with 1/4" acrylic and I didn't leave enough construction tolerance (aka didn't fit well).

 

Anyway, I removed the blasto and duncan because the sexy shrimp seem to annoy them all the time. Haven't done anything besides top-off and random water changes.

 

I was debating if I wanted to get a firefish.

[snailflipper]

I had a bunch of tanks sitting around and I decided to utilize my overflow that I made for my 57G Rimless Build. See post #4.

 

Anyway, its a 30G Oceanic Cube tank and matching stand. Originally, it was a oak color which I don't like so I decided to also paint the tank trim and stand after I drilled the tank for the overflow.

• Drilled for dual 1" drains (Herbie)
• Drilled for a single 3/4" return
• Painted back of tank black
• Painted stand and trim black
• Installed custom overflow box (12" W)

Equipment:

• Oceanic 30G Cube w/ stand
• Eshopps RS-75
• Reef Octopus NWB-110
• MP10ES
• TLF 150 - GFO/ Carbon
• Lighting - TBD
• ATO - TBD

Original Set-up:

 

 

New Set-up (still need to install the glass door):

 

 

Inside Overflow (herbie with 90deg elbows) - lid not shown but I'm hoping to not install strainers:

 

 

Dual 1" Drains and a single 3/4" Return:

 

I would have drilled 2 returns as I had a spare SWCD & tees around but I didn't. My glass bit was at about 6 holes drilled and getting dull. Also, the pressure drop in the returns was terrible on my 40G Breeder with the SWCD. I have a MP10 or WP10 for flow anyway.

 

 

Overflow Box:

 

 

I need to finish up the plumbing and leak test but I haven't had the time to do so.

 

Also, here is a picture of when my family-in-law came over and decided to use my tank as a recycling bin. At least, I didn't find bottle caps in my reef tank like the last time they came over.

 

The funny thing is that they wanted me to set-up a tank for their house which I agreed then saw what they did when they left. Jerks.

 

Very very cool knd. I'll be following along on this one! My lfs has one setup and it looks great! And hopefully you drank some of that beer when they were in town! Haha looks like a rowdy bunch. I guess it's better it was atleast in your fish tank instead of sporadically across the floor.

[knd107]

Very very cool knd. I'll be following along on this one! My lfs has one setup and it looks great! And hopefully you drank some of that beer when they were in town! Haha looks like a rowdy bunch. I guess it's better it was atleast in your fish tank instead of sporadically across the floor.

 

Thanks, I actually just did the plumbing for that tank last night when I posted that progress in April. haha.

 

I ran into some issues. I can't get my valve within the short distance from the overflow to sump. I might have to mod my stand which I don't feel like doing. I am going to leak test it tonight for the overflow and drains.

 

I'll take some images tonight.