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Cultivated Reef

Custom 20 Gallon Reef


nano_reeflover

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nano_reeflover

Let's get down to the nitty gritty. I got out of the Navy ~6 months ago and decided now was the time to get back into the reef keeping hobby. I started building a stand for the Aquapod that I kept under the house, but somewhere along the way I decided I didn't want to use the aquapod (didn't like the dimensions and the curved glass) so I went to petco and picked up a 20H. I didn't like the dimensions of this tank either, so I dismantled it, cut the glass, and reassembled it so the back of the tank is now the bottom. I also cut apart the trim and epoxied it back together so it would fit on the tank with the new dimensions and drilled three holes in the back (two for 1" overflow and one 3/4" for return).

Pictures of the stand:

20141222_184106_zpsc5bb037b.jpg

 

IMG_20141221_153231_zpsfb4d4925.jpg

 

20141222_184106_zpsc5bb037b.jpg

 

Tomorrow I'll post some pics of the tank, equipment, stocking plans, etc.

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nano_reeflover

I wanna stock mostly SPS and some LPS in this tank, so I thought bare bottom would be the best move. When putting the tank together, I siliconed travertine tile to the bottom pane. I think it'll look a little more natural and I'd to easily attach corals to the bottom of the tank.

 

This pic shows the tile and the internal overflow I made out of 1/4" acrylic.

20150107_102149_zpsgqz4yf2j.jpg

 

Tank and stand

20150107_101918_zpsdbku5gsi.jpg

 

Inside of stand with sca 301 skimmer, syncra 3.0, 10 gallon sump, DJ power strip, and the removable panel for better sump access

20150107_101322_zpstvphkyxn.jpg

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Man i really like this idea ive thought about it before but didnt have the balls to try it. I hope this works because i would love to do something like this.

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nano_reeflover

Man i really like this idea ive thought about it before but didnt have the balls to try it. I hope this works because i would love to do something like this.

 

I hope it works too lol. Guess we'll see.

 

Nice start. Good luck!

 

Thank you!

 

Here's a pic of the 150w MH I put together. The ballast is from ballastwise. It's inside the aluminum project box along with the wiring.

http://s1058.photobucket.com/user/ryukyu_/media/20150107_101552_zpseliviaof.jpg.html'>20150107_101552_zpseliviaof.jpg

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nano_reeflover
i really cant wait to see this tank up and running. seems like you off to a good start.

 

Hoping to have it up and running within a week!

 

Looking awesome!!! Love the tank

 

Thanks!

 

Started the plumbing last night

http://s1058.photobucket.com/user/ryukyu_/media/20150108_101046_zpslgrd0e3x.jpg.html'>20150108_101046_zpslgrd0e3x.jpg

 

I'll be running a Reef keeper Lite

http://s1058.photobucket.com/user/ryukyu_/media/20150108_101030_zpstoykowmm.jpg.html'>20150108_101030_zpstoykowmm.jpg

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nano_reeflover

Almost finished with the plumbing. Just need one more section of 1" for the back-up drain.

 

20150110_172238_zpsgohqqjgf.jpg

 

I'll be mounting a 120mm fan in the space on the back of the stand between the return and the drains

20150110_172508_zpsbm2rwbmq.jpg

 

Tomorrow I'm going to try to figure out where to mount the Reefkeeper stuff and finish the plumbing.

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nano_reeflover

I think I like this tank B)

Haha, seriously though the tanks looking good man!

 

Thanks!

 

Got my LR moved over to the new tank from the 15 gallon that I was using to cycle the rock. Also had some zoas, palys, and a kenya tree that I added to the tank. I think this will be the final aquascape. Still deciding on placement with the smaller rocks.

 

20150116_182259_zpsq2n6rmqe.jpg

 

http://s1058.photobucket.com/user/ryukyu_/media/20150116_214257_zpsw7j2tsiy.jpg.html'>20150116_214257_zpsw7j2tsiy.jpg

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 months later...
nano_reeflover

Hey I wanted to check in as I am planning on doing this with a Fusion 10 gallon using 1 12x12 tile, how are all your parameters?

 

Sorry it's been so long since I was on here! To answer your question, last time I checked all my params were within normal limits. I'll probably be checking them again in the next few days and when I do I'll try to post them here. I haven't noticed any problems with having the tiles in there though.

 

Here is what the tank is looking like now:

20150507_230404_zpsmamvr4un.jpg

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nano_reeflover

Checked parameters last night:

 

Nitrate - 0

Nitrite - 0

Ammonia - 0

PH - 8.0

Phosphate - 0.25

 

I'll test calcium, alk, and mag tonight.

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righttirefire

This is an awesome 20 tall... I didn't like mine either. So I went to a 20 long and made the tall into sump. YOU'RE A GENIUS!

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righttirefire

So smartie-pants. Sounds like I'm getting my old 55 gallon back. What do you think of doing the same thing you did to your 20? Cut out the back panel see the tank on the front panel and install a panel where the original top was... making a 55 short

It would end about 48" long 21" wide and 13" tall

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nano_reeflover

So smartie-pants. Sounds like I'm getting my old 55 gallon back. What do you think of doing the same thing you did to your 20? Cut out the back panel see the tank on the front panel and install a panel where the original top was... making a 55 short

It would end about 48" long 21" wide and 13" tall

 

That would be awesome! Just make sure none of the glass is tempered and take your time. It's really easy to chip the edges of the glass when removing the trim and separating the glass from each other. Also you'll probably have to sand the newly exposed edges because more than likely they are unfinished.

how the hell have i missed this one. really cool build man. well done.

 

Thank you!

Think I'm going to pick up some ESV B-Ionic. My Cal is 400, alkalinity 8.7, and 1040 mag.

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righttirefire

The 20 gallon I broke I de-rimmed and removed the panels for disposal... it was a choir, but since it was broken I wasn't concerned with breaking it. I've decided against the 55... but it might a future build

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nano_reeflover

Coral pics!

 

New green and orange zoa I picked up today:

IMG_20150522_211231_zpsob2q1bgt.jpg

 

New acro. Rose mille?

IMG_20150522_211322_zpsdacodoph.jpg

 

No idea what this is. Growing fast though

IMG_20150522_211411_zpsqiejsufw.jpg

 

Lobo and pink zoas

IMG_20150522_211538_zps6clzlhke.jpg

 

Acan

IMG_20150522_211018_zpsngwky6vt.jpg

 

This acan got brown jelly and a lot died off, but one head made it and is doing well

20150522_203758_zpsou1ph9qh.jpg

 

Monti with bright blue polyps

IMG_20150522_211132_zpspynm9qnr.jpg

 

Two maricultured colonies. No idea what they are

IMG_20150503_003234_zps1belzde2.jpg

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