Honest feedback

[KyleyBob]

Hello, I’m new to this whole thing so I was hoping to get some feedback from those that have been doing this a while.  I’ve had freshwater aquariums in the past, so I have a familiarity with some aspects, but I’m every bit a beginner in the world of salt water fish.  I’ve read some of the beginners READ THIS (or whatever it was titled) and have already ordered a few of the books suggested.

 

Now to get to the point.  I’m a paraplegic so having a large aquarium is a bit difficult to manage for many obvious reasons.  I enjoy a good challenge and I believe this will certainly be one so I thought I would find out if it was doable. I also enjoy doing things out of the ordinary.

 

While I wait for my books, I have a couple questions.

 

I would like to turn this old tv into a nano reef.  I don’t have the measurements with me at the moment, but it’s somewhere around 44 inches long 24 inches high.  However it will end up being around a 25 gallons tank.  I’ll be making the aquarium myself.  The tank will be the same width and height (more or less, a little more actually) than what the original screen was. 

 

My first main concern is lighting.  I’ve seen things hung from the wall, and I’ve seen little strips of LED just above the water.  I’m in bed and the tv’s in the shed but there will be maybe 4 inches of space between the tank and top of the tv (the top will be cut and made into a hidden functioning lid.).  If that is a problem (lighting wise) I’d like to know.  If need be, I can cut out the area above the tank and rig up lighting inside of something in a way that it looks like a decoration on top of the TV set.  

 

My other concern, for the time being, is filtration.   I’ve seen plenty of small tanks with the in tank filtration built in the back.  I could easily do that off to the side, the side without the electronics.  (I’d like to rig things up where things are controled from the original spot.) That would change my aquarium build plans, but that’s not a problem at all seeing as I haven’t even reached that stage.  My concern is is that enough?  I see even 5 gallon aquariums with crazy systems under them.  Building one isn’t a problem.  I could, and would enjoy the process of making one and in a way that’s functional for me.  The tv is around 24 inch high, so I would really only be able to go with about 16 more inches under it, (I need to be able to reach around in there..) but if I’m making it all myself I don’t see why I can’t make it work.  The only problem is bending over and messing around with things once it’s down there, but I can find a way around that when and if the time comes.

 

Hopefully I loaded the pictures right.  

 

So thats Lighting and Filtration 

 

Any other helpful advise for making it work is welcome.  There is plenty more to do but those were really my main questions.  I will be well read before I begin, and lord only knows when I’ll get a fish in it.  I’m still in the brainstorming process, and welcome any and all help.

 

Spoiler

 

 

[Ocellaris PDX]

I have no help for you, but the idea is neat! Can't wait to see what the experienced reefers have to say. 

[seabass]

to Nano-Reef.com!

 

10 hours ago, KyleyBob said:

I would like to turn this old tv into a nano reef. 

Nice.  The bezel for the tube TV is curved.  I would construct a wooden bezel that fits flat against the front of the tank.  I'd probably also paint the inside to help protect the wood.

 

You might also consider weight and ventilation.  I'd reinforce the bottom of the cabinet to support the weight of a full tank.  I might even elevate the tank inside so it isn't as tall.  You probably don't need fans, but I'd still plan for some some ventilation.

 

For support, I'm thinking just a sheet of ¾" plywood on the bottom of the cabinet (could cover the entire bottom, or just where the tank will sit).  The floor has to support the weight of the tank, so you will have to build support under the cabinet (where the tank sits) to transfer the weight to the floor.

 

10 hours ago, KyleyBob said:

My first main concern is lighting.

You have several choices.  Orphek LED light bars were my first thought, but that's far from your only choice.

 

10 hours ago, KyleyBob said:

My other concern, for the time being, is filtration. 

You certainly have plenty of room for filtration.  You could even use a HOB or canister filter off of the side.  I can imagine a side access door (maybe like a vent cover) to service a canister filter.

 

However, I might suggest a filterless setup.  I want you to read through @WV Reefer's tank.  She has an excellent example of a filterless reef setup.  I have used, and am using similar methods; but my tanks are not exceptional like Christy's.

 

Live rock will be your biological filter.  Chemical and mechanical filters are optional.  You would likely want to keep your bio-load light and keep up on your tank maintenance; but it is very doable.

[WV Reefer]

4 hours ago, seabass said:

to Nano-Reef.com!

 

Nice.  The bezel for the tube TV is curved.  I would construct a wooden bezel that fits flat against the front of the tank.  I'd probably also paint the inside to help protect the wood.

 

You might also consider weight and ventilation.  I'd reinforce the bottom of the cabinet to support the weight of a full tank.  I might even elevate the tank inside so it isn't as tall.  You probably don't need fans, but I'd still plan for some some ventilation.

 

For support, I'm thinking just a sheet of 1" plywood on the bottom of the cabinet (could cover the entire bottom, or just where the tank will sit).  The floor has to support the weight of the tank, so you will have to build support under the cabinet (where the tank sits) to transfer the weight to the floor.

 

You have several choices.  Orphek LED light bars were my first thought, but that's far from your only choice.

 

You certainly have plenty of room for filtration.  You could even use a HOB or canister filter off of the side.  I can imagine a side access door (maybe like a vent cover) to service a canister filter.

 

However, I might suggest a filterless setup.  I want you to read through @WV Reefer's tank.  She has an excellent example of a filterless reef setup.  I have used, and am using similar methods; but my tanks are not exceptional like Christy's.

 

Live rock will be your biological filter.  Chemical and mechanical filters are optional.  You would likely want to keep your bio-load light and keep up on your tank maintenance; but it is very doable.

 

 

You are gonna give me a big head calling me exceptional! 😁😂

 

7 hours ago, KyleyBob said:

Hello, I’m new to this whole thing so I was hoping to get some feedback from those that have been doing this a while.  I’ve had freshwater aquariums in the past, so I have a familiarity with some aspects, but I’m every bit a beginner in the world of salt water fish.  I’ve read some of the beginners READ THIS (or whatever it was titled) and have already ordered a few of the books suggested.

 

Now to get to the point.  I’m a paraplegic so having a large aquarium is a bit difficult to manage for many obvious reasons.  I enjoy a good challenge and I believe this will certainly be one so I thought I would find out if it was doable. I also enjoy doing things out of the ordinary.

 

While I wait for my books, I have a couple questions.

 

I would like to turn this old tv into a nano reef.  I don’t have the measurements with me at the moment, but it’s somewhere around 44 inches long 24 inches high.  However it will end up being around a 25 gallons tank.  I’ll be making the aquarium myself.  The tank will be the same width and height (more or less, a little more actually) than what the original screen was. 

 

My first main concern is lighting.  I’ve seen things hung from the wall, and I’ve seen little strips of LED just above the water.  I’m in bed and the tv’s in the shed but there will be maybe 4 inches of space between the tank and top of the tv (the top will be cut and made into a hidden functioning lid.).  If that is a problem (lighting wise) I’d like to know.  If need be, I can cut out the area above the tank and rig up lighting inside of something in a way that it looks like a decoration on top of the TV set.  

 

My other concern, for the time being, is filtration.   I’ve seen plenty of small tanks with the in tank filtration built in the back.  I could easily do that off to the side, the side without the electronics.  (I’d like to rig things up where things are controled from the original spot.) That would change my aquarium build plans, but that’s not a problem at all seeing as I haven’t even reached that stage.  My concern is is that enough?  I see even 5 gallon aquariums with crazy systems under them.  Building one isn’t a problem.  I could, and would enjoy the process of making one and in a way that’s functional for me.  The tv is around 24 inch high, so I would really only be able to go with about 16 more inches under it, (I need to be able to reach around in there..) but if I’m making it all myself I don’t see why I can’t make it work.  The only problem is bending over and messing around with things once it’s down there, but I can find a way around that when and if the time comes.

 

Hopefully I loaded the pictures right.  

 

So thats Lighting and Filtration 

 

Any other helpful advise for making it work is welcome.  There is plenty more to do but those were really my main questions.  I will be well read before I begin, and lord only knows when I’ll get a fish in it.  I’m still in the brainstorming process, and welcome any and all help.

 

  Hide contents

 

 

 

 

Welcome to NR!  I really like this idea and cant wait to see it come together. 🙂 

[seabass]

Another option for support is to cut a hole in the bottom of the cabinet to fit a properly built mini tank stand.  Then you wouldn't have to try to match the cabinet legs and the supports for the tank.  I think this is a better idea.

[Oldsalt01]

I did this for a 30g fw tank about 30 years ago. The main issue i found was the weight of the tank, water, etc. 8lbs x 30g = 240lbs. Add the tank, filtration, gravel, lights, rocks, etc, and it came in around 300lbs. I reinforced the bottom of the cabinet with 3/4” marine plywood run through a planer to ensure levelness, and never had a problem. A fun project. Unfortunately the photos have been lost to time. Good luck with this. Keep us updated on the progress.

[Jesterrace]

It's a really cool idea, but what kind of a budget are you on for this?  Even if you are doing the work yourself you are likely to go way over the cost of a 20 gallon All In One Tank, which would be fairly easy to setup and maintain.  If you are a really experienced handyman then it might not be as much of a challenge, but I see this as not just learning how to maintain a saltwater tank, but how to custom design and build one as well.   I am by no means trying to discourage you, I am just thinking that it's an awful lot to take on all at once for someone who is a newbie to the hobby.  Do you have prior experience building a custom fish tank? 

[Clown79]

This is a very cool idea.

[Oldsalt01]

Forgot to add: I hinged the top for access to the tank and lights and polyurethaned the entire interior to moisture-proof it, and upgraded to heavier legs to replace the original spindle legs. I believe it was a stock 29g and had enough room inside to keep all my maintenance supplies. I also pulled out all the electrical switches and glued the nobs back in to keep the original “tv” look.

[KyleyBob]

I’m on my phone, and it is not wanting to cooperate, so I’m unable to go through and “quote” each helpful comment, so thanks to all who have offered advise. 

 

For now I’m still pondering because I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing.  I’m going to read through these books when they get in (The Nano Reef handbook will be in Saturday) so I can have an idea as to how all this stuff works.  

 

I’ve seen some comments concerning what a load it is to take on, and I agree, but I’m in no hurry.  The fish won’t come until the end, and by that time I’ll be prepared.  What better way to learn about a saltwater system and how they work than to make it yourself.  I grew up poor and lazy.  That makes for an ingenuitive mind. 

 

I won’t start drawing up plans for the tank build until I’m certain I’ve educated myself enough and I’m confident I’m ready. This should be fun and rewarding.

[KyleyBob]

I saw that one of you was relatively close to me, so I thought I might ask.

 

Im currently In Fort Pierce Florida. I’ll be here for a while and was wondering if there were any stores outside of Petco where I can take a gander at all the equipment?  I swear I can’t be the only one that has noticed the internet is no longer as simple as typing in something and finding it. 

[Clown79]

Reading through the various sticky threads is really helpful as well as going through members journals. 

[WV Reefer]

2 hours ago, KyleyBob said:

I saw that one of you was relatively close to me, so I thought I might ask.

 

Im currently In Fort Pierce Florida. I’ll be here for a while and was wondering if there were any stores outside of Petco where I can take a gander at all the equipment?  I swear I can’t be the only one that has noticed the internet is no longer as simple as typing in something and finding it. 

 

Bulk Reef Supply has great videos on reefing, equipment, Corals, etc.  After you watch them you can order what you need! 🙂

 

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video

[Clown79]

Very helpful videos from brs