JP728 Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 Current FTS: 6/12/19 Hi guys, this is my first build thread as part if the Nano Reef community. I've followed along with previous contest but finding a custom container that inspired me proved to be too daunting of a task. When I heard about this contest, I immediately was inspired to create a great janky tank. I'm not sure exactly what I liked most about the proposed rules but the thought of having a miniature tank that has the potential to look like a real fish tank spoke to me. I had a lot of ideas of what I could build, as I'm pretty handy with wood, but was pretty perplexed by the proposed limitations. My immediate goal was produce something that looked similar a small scale RS Reefer. But without much need for a custom cabinet underneath the tank like a RS Reefer, my ideas turned more towards a combination of my first 2 fish tanks, a RS Max Nano and a Fluval edge! I first started venturing into this hobby 3 years ago with very limited knowledge and a lot of inspiration from my good friend and also a contestant in this competition, granitereefer! I sent him some of my sketches on my phone of what I wanted to do and just like that I quickly became neck deep into this competition and community! 7 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 After not much thought about my new tank build I found myself searching for some new equipment that I thought would be allowed. I already had an Aqueon 2.5 gallon for fish/frag transportation but was unhappy with the silicone job for the purpose of having a nice looking tank. I asked a local glass shop to make me some glass panels to build my own aquarium but to this day (3.5 weeks later) I still havent heard back from them. Luckily, my friend, Granitereefer, came across a couple Deep Blue 2.5 tanks at a LFS for only $13.99! Much cheaper than the $71 quote from the glass shop and possibly terrible DIY silicone job. With the tank situation figured out, my next task was purchasing a hob filter. My only experience with hob filters came from my 1st tank, the fluval edge, so that is what I decided to go with. I ordered an AC20 on Amazon but after some browsing at my local Petco and learning that the AC50 was under .5 gal, I figured the AC50 would be a better choice. So now I have both! If only I could use both in the competition because this setup surely inspired some new ideas.. 3 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 Shortly after... 😂🙈 3 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 Now on to the build! I picked up a couple of pieces of wood that should get the job done, but like most of my projects I find myself going back to Home Depot at least 3-4 more times. I began building the stand mainly out of maple but also some alder and 1/4 birch plywood. The black portion it a self-leveling mat that I ordered from Marine Depot. 4 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 I added a lid for hob with hinges so I can easily access the filters and then a light mount for the back. 3 Quote Link to comment
Ruby Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 That's looking like a sweet build! Will be following along. ☺️ 1 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 Nearly finished product, just a couple coats of poly away. 2 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 I let the stand dry out for a few days at my work and then finally brought it home! I fitted my AI prime from my Max Nano and things are starting to look complete! I forgot to mention that I had to trim the U-tube intake for the AC50 by about 7/8" so that it doesn't sit too low in the 2.5. 7 3 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 I did a freshwater test and plugged in the light and hob to make sure everything was working properly. Last thing I wanted was to find out on day 1 that something wasn't up to par. It was nice to see that everything is good to go and that the AC50 should provide adequate flow! 4 1 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 I added a secondary leveling mat under the whole stand to add some stability and to make up for some wood acclimation in my house causing a slight wobble. I also swung by Petco this morning for some crushed coral and nitrifying bacteria. The heater will have to be placed in the tank for now until I modify the filter area of the AC50. The prefilter sponge is fitting nicely as well. Cant wait to get started today! 1 1 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 It turns out a pineapple doesn't fit in a 2.5 gal 😆 6 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 She's wet! I added about an inch crushed coral and mixed up some Fritz RPM. Tank is currently at 73.2 degrees because I was too impatient and have a lot to do today. I'm hoping this 10w Aqueon heater can raise the temp to 78. Hopefully the water is clear when I get home and I'll begin my scape. I also need to make an acrylic lid over the next few days. No plans for an ATO yet, for now I'll fill it as needed with RODI. More updates to come! 3 Quote Link to comment
MetaTank Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 30 minutes ago, JP728 said: You....You're the devil that made me obsess over stands until I built one of my own!!...Tank you sir, tank you very much. 2 1 Quote Link to comment
SeaFurn Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Love it! Good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 The cloudiness cleared up pretty well while I was away today. And the heater managed to get the water temp up to 76.6, not the 78 I was hoping for but it should be good enough. Now I'm just waiting for both kids to fall asleep before I start my scape. There isn't a whole lot of live rock around my area so I picked up a medium sized artificial rock from Petco. I've had good luck with this stuff before, its definitely porous enough, and has a nice purple color to it. Shortly I'll be breaking out the chisel and hammer which I've never really done for a fish tank so hopefully I can come up with something I like before morning! Wish me luck! 5 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 Cant forget about the pods I picked up today for seeding! 1 Quote Link to comment
asting Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Love the build for the stand. Have a shot with the rock in the tank? Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 9 minutes ago, asting said: Love the build for the stand. Have a shot with the rock in the tank? Not yet, I broke the rock into about 20 pieces and will be gluing them into my own structure. I made a couple pieces tonight but quickly realized I dont have enough glue to finish the project. I'll have to pick up where I left off tomorrow. Quote Link to comment
asting Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Ah cool. Keep the rock wet to save the algae and bacteria! Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 2 minutes ago, asting said: Ah cool. Keep the rock wet to save the algae and bacteria! That's the plan, currently it's all sitting in the tank as a pile of rubble. 5 Quote Link to comment
Tigahboy Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 That stand is top notch! Well done. 1 Quote Link to comment
JP728 Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 I stayed up late last night so I could finish gluing my rock together. I have to say I'm pretty happy with how it came out. I'm leaning towards making this tank a ricordea garden as long as I'm able to find a wide variety of colors. If not, I might use some frags from my main tank like some blastos and possibly my OG bounce if it splits a baby soon. The flow up top in the tank is pretty strong so I might be able to pull off some acros up on the top arch. We'll see. For now I'm going to admire my custom rock while I work on my plan. I also cut my own polycarbonate lexan lid this morning which provides a more refined look and should help with evaporation. 6 4 Quote Link to comment
stevejo Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Love the custom stand concept - it looks spectacular all put together! 2 Quote Link to comment
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