CU_Reefer Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 I currently have a 2.5 gal setup but I don't like the looks of all the support equipment. Between the hob filter, heater and a float switch the tank looks to crowded. It deters from the rest of the tank. I would like to add a sump to hide the heater and a power head and a fuge for some macro algae. I would prefer to have a tank that is self contained. I haven’t found any tanks that are the size and shape I want so I decided to try my hand at building my own. The tank is to be made out of 1/4 in acrylic with a colored acrylic divider separating the tank form the sump. The overflow would first go into the fuge then into the sump and back into the tank. The only questions I have are; would the bubble trap be necessary or would it just be a waste of space? And would the tank need any extra support to prevent bowing or would the acrylic be strong enough to prevent this? Any input would be great. The tank as shown has about 3 gal volume. Link to comment
CU_Reefer Posted April 14, 2004 Author Share Posted April 14, 2004 Go here for a picture that you can actually see. Tank Link to comment
DSparks Posted April 15, 2004 Share Posted April 15, 2004 I like it. I'd like to try something like this one day as well. My problem is that I have a very hard time making a clean enough cut on acrylic to create a good joint. Link to comment
C Jerome Posted April 15, 2004 Share Posted April 15, 2004 Looks good, I will be interested to see this project progress. Keep us updated. Jerome Link to comment
CodeToad Posted April 15, 2004 Share Posted April 15, 2004 I didnt like having the HOB, heater, and float switch in my display 2.5 either so here was my DIY solution: More pictures at my webpage: ToadPool.com Link to comment
Cellenzweig Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 CU_! It's like you read my mind!! The only difference is, I plan to make mine bigger (14" cube), & build it out of glass and have a smoked glass divider. I'm also thinking to trying to include a wet/dry area in the back where I can toss a bag of carbon (or RowaPhos, etc...) Link to comment
CU_Reefer Posted April 16, 2004 Author Share Posted April 16, 2004 It depends on the day, some days I want to build it out of glass some out of acrylic. The glass would actually be easer. I thought of using a piece of stained glass to divide the tank. The only thing deterring me from using glass if the drilling it would involve. I may end up with a glass tank with an acrylic divider similar to the test tank I build here: The deci cube and the 6” almost cube. CodeToad I was originally thinking about copying your tank setup but it would raze my tank to high. I have the tank resting on a dresser that is at chest height so you would end up having to look up at the tank. I also like tanks that are self contained. I may try a setup like yours in the future though if I find a better place of it. I guess I am one of those fiddling people that will always see different ways of doing things, some good some not. By the way if anyone is interested in my test tanks they are up for trade. In fact if there is anyone that wants the 10 cm cube tank I'll give away for free if you pay shipping. Link to comment
Cellenzweig Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I'd love to see pics when it is done- it'll help me design mine hopefully. I will be drilling all my glass myself, but I'm going to get the glass shop to grind the overflow slots in the smoked glass. This one is still a few weeks away. I'm going now to pick up the glass for a 24"x8"x6" grow-out tank that will be plumbed into the sump on my 10g nano. Link to comment
speakeraddict Posted April 16, 2004 Share Posted April 16, 2004 I am doing the same thing with acrylic and a 16" cube. The parts were CNC cut out for me including a blue divider and a black canopy. Sweeeet! I just need to glue it together. I am doing a bubble trap if that is any help. speakeraddict Link to comment
CU_Reefer Posted April 17, 2004 Author Share Posted April 17, 2004 I wouldn't have the overflow ground in the glass. From experence with stained glass the thin web of glass left would most likely break during grinding or in use. I would use a piece of PVC with notches cut in the top for an overflow. That way you would only have to drill a hole. I think it would be a much stronger design. I found a piece of opaque blue glass at the at the glass shop today. It is about the same color as the Krylon spray paint many people use to paint the backs of their tanks. It is only $4 for a piece big enough for the tank I plan on building. I’m still torn between glass and acrylic. I have more experence with glass but I like the clean looks of a well made acrylic tank. I may end up building two tanks. I was paining on cutting the divider on a mill (manual I wish I had CNC). Even on a conventional mill it is extremely easy to cut the overflow. The sides and dividers will be cut to the finished size but the sides left long and the bottom left large. That way I can trim the sides and bottom flush with a router. In theory it will work. Since this is my first acrylic tank it may end up in the scrap bin. Link to comment
Cellenzweig Posted April 17, 2004 Share Posted April 17, 2004 I think the glass overflow should be ok. I will actually be cutting the slots with a diamond burr instead. The glass is pretty thick (6mm), so it should be pretty strong. (I hope!) Be sure to post pics of your tank when it's done. Link to comment
Rainman4 Posted April 19, 2004 Share Posted April 19, 2004 Hey CU, I just built something like your plan..in fact it is so close to your plan..my dims on this is 16x10.5x9...if you look at my gallery on DIY 6GAL. you will be suprise on how close your plan is to mine...dif is that I built an air driven protein skimmer first on the back of the overflow, then blue filter pad before hitting the fuge and back to the sump pump..Good-luck, love to see pics on your design...PS..something that small, 1/4 acrylic will not bow-just make sure the top is well glued together... Link to comment
Rainman4 Posted April 19, 2004 Share Posted April 19, 2004 Oh yeah....I am with you on the self=contain tank...I just like the fact that everything is well hidden..even the heater... Link to comment
Nanite Posted April 25, 2004 Share Posted April 25, 2004 Originally posted by CU_Reefer Go here for a picture that you can actually see. Tank Are those measurements in metric ????? Link to comment
1fish2fish Posted April 25, 2004 Share Posted April 25, 2004 Your designis pretty much the same as my 1gal system. NOONE has the same sort of thing as well. Mine has workd out great for me. Here's the thread. http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread...&threadid=26895 I'm not sure if the baffles in your design are really needed. I jsut put in a single wall to divide the refugium fromthe sump. Link to comment
CU_Reefer Posted April 25, 2004 Author Share Posted April 25, 2004 The measurements are English. If they were metric it would make for a really small tank or a really big one. I think I will end up just using one wall to separate the sump and fuge. I figured I would add them to the drawing to see what other people thought. I'm not sure how soon this project will get off the ground. I don't currently have the funding for it. But if there is anyone out there that would be interested in buying a finished one it would help get it going now. Building two or three would cost almost as much as one in time and money. I would probably only charge for supplies plus a little bit. If anyone is interested let me know. If not I will probably have to wait until later in the summer when I'll have a little extra cash. Link to comment
Cellenzweig Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 The measurements are English. If they were metric it would make for a really small tank or a really big one. English? What do you mean? Link to comment
1fish2fish Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Umm that would be inches Cell. believe it or not inches and feet were around long before the US. The US is just pretty much the only country that still uses them. /edit Oooo sorry about the sarcasm. Too many beer I guess. I'll leave it so I can laugh at myself in the morning though. Link to comment
Cellenzweig Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 I don't know about you, but I always thought it was called the "Imperial System". I've never heard of the "English" system of measurement before. Link to comment
CU_Reefer Posted April 26, 2004 Author Share Posted April 26, 2004 I did a search and this is what I came up with: English units of measurement I thought this was interesting too: English Customary Weights and Measures Link to comment
Cellenzweig Posted April 27, 2004 Share Posted April 27, 2004 Wow... I guess you learn something new every day. Thanks for the link... Link to comment
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