20L AIO build -365 Day All-in-One Nano Reef Challenge

[waldoz]

The lawn is my sons job, though he doesn't like to do it.  lol  Yeah pretty happy with it.

[waldoz]

Ok finally got the salt and sand ordered as it was finally put in stock.  We have been waiting few weeks so this is a good thing. 
:)   The main stand is painted and we still need to do the light mount.    Have to figure out a way to haul 30 gallons of rodi.  :P  We are hoping to get this tank wet by the end of the month and start cycling.  We just weighed the rock we have and its 12lbs, so we might need a few more.   I don't even think we can cram 20# but I know this is a basic rule and not set in stone.  Hope to get some more updates soon.

[waldoz]

Today was nice little windy but good either way. Sanded down the light mount and cleaned it up.

Teaser for future post.😁

 

Here is the final paint.  I really like the his paint. Really easy to work with and covers and dries easy.

 

 

Excuse the grammar errors I'm up loading on my phone before I head to work.😬

[Matteo]

7 hours ago, waldoz said:

Today was nice little windy but good either way. Sanded down the light mount and cleaned it up.

Teaser for future post.😁

 

Here is the final paint.  I really like the his paint. Really easy to work with and covers and dries easy.

 

 

Excuse the grammar errors I'm up loading on my phone before I head to work.😬

Did the bearded one build this too? 

[waldoz]

It was part of the stand but I cut and welded to or liking 😉 But yes 1/8 wall sqr tube. LoL

[waldoz]

We finished up the stand today. 🙂

Took the back off the second shelf and clear coated it so it looks just like the top. We are on tight budget so have to make it work.

 

Remember that hole in the earlier post?

 

Got some wire sheathing for Ninja wire run!

 

Feeding it through and just barely fit. 🙂

 

Next we had  some heavy duty Velcro  and stuck the power pack on the stand.  If we move it up or down its stuck to the light fixture, so no problems.

Ran it all the way through the top and over.   I kinda wish they did not use that big honking thing but it still looks pretty clean.  My son is super happy with it and how it turned out. 😜

Its now sitting in his room being moved around for the perfect spot.  This might be the tank shot for the month. LOL  We will have to see how things get going in the next few weeks.  Need to nail down few details but shipment should be coming in and we can update our parts list a little.  Fingers crossed, the light is 12" above the water line.  We also have 2" upward adjustment if needed get more spread.

We will have to clean the tanks out some little dirty from putting rocks in there etc.  Also does anyone know about putting a mat under the tank and is really needed? 

Thanks 

All for now.

 

 

[Coastie]

Nice! Another home grown 20L AIO.  I did one myself out of necessity.  Pretty happy with the way it turned out.  If you need a powerhead suggestion the Jebao slw-10 is doing a pretty good job, though the 20 might be nice to not have to max out the 10, then you'd be able to keep any thing you wanted.

[waldoz]

Yeah we picked up the Jebao PP-4 from reefbreeders  on sale. I don't know if the have any still good deal and 6 month warranty. My son wanted the options that it has. 🙂

 

[Coastie]

Oh nice.  The slw-10 is the pp4 with a twist.  It's pump is along the lines of AI's Nero 5.  They have pretty much the same controller/options.

 

I "upgraded" the slw after the pp4 wasn't cutting it.  I really needed to clean the pp4 so that may have been a factor.

 

Anyhow, following along, the stand is awesome!  Any stocking plans?

 

Additionally, it's so awesome you and your son are bonding over this.  My daughter is only 8 months but I'm anxious for the day she takes an interest in something we can do together, even if it isn't reef tanks (please be reef tanks, please be reef tanks 👆).

[Ratvan]

6 hours ago, waldoz said:

Also does anyone know about putting a mat under the tank and is really needed? 

I love the amount of work and attention to detail that you two are putting into this build!

 

A mat is useful for a tank that sits directly on the surface (so doesn't have any bracing on the bottom), I cut up a Yoga mat every time I set up a tank. 

[spectra]

Looks good ! and no mat is needed with the plastic rim on the bottom of the tank.

[SaltyGallon]

Very slick set up, that's a great stand and really clean looking.

[waldoz]

8 hours ago, Coastie said:

Oh nice.  The slw-10 is the pp4 with a twist.  It's pump is along the lines of AI's Nero 5.  They have pretty much the same controller/options.

 

I "upgraded" the slw after the pp4 wasn't cutting it.  I really needed to clean the pp4 so that may have been a factor.

 

Anyhow, following along, the stand is awesome!  Any stocking plans?

 

Additionally, it's so awesome you and your son are bonding over this.  My daughter is only 8 months but I'm anxious for the day she takes an interest in something we can do together, even if it isn't reef tanks (please be reef tanks, please be reef tanks 👆).

There is a few things he wants like clown fish Gobi and shrimp. I'm leaving that up to him. The slw was twice as much but we left room for a mighty jet down the road if need be.

 

2 hours ago, Ratvan said:

I love the amount of work and attention to detail that you two are putting into this build!

 

A mat is useful for a tank that sits directly on the surface (so doesn't have any bracing on the bottom), I cut up a Yoga mat every time I set up a tank. 

Thanks, I have been watching for long time though on here. I have seen alot of great tanks through the years and hope it goes good first time around.

 

1 hour ago, spectra said:

Looks good ! and no mat is needed with the plastic rim on the bottom of the tank.

Yeah it turned out pretty good 👍.  Will do regarding the mat. Hope to be pm you in next couple of weeks.

[Gakarl100]

looks good nice work being done

[waldoz]

51 minutes ago, Gakarl100 said:

looks good nice work being done

Thanks, my son is enjoying it. I don't know if I am secretly having more fun. LoL

[Matteo]

Cleeeean

[waldoz]

Got the shipment in finally.  My son needs to figure out where he wants the tank in his room.  

So it seems we have enough to start the tank up soon.  He is getting very excited for sure. 🙂 I think we just need to get a trash can to store the water in and find some time to go pick it up.  I hope in the next two weeks to get it wet.

[Coastie]

A word of advice, buy a float switch like this for your trash can.  Will help prevent a flood and allow you to not hover over the can.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076DD4HQ1/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_1PWAEbTRQ6CH5

 

I assume you know Brute trash cans are the can of choice, and can be picked up from home Depot.

[waldoz]

Yeah, thanks for the heads-up. Will definitely keep that one in mind when we do get a system set up.

[Matteo]

12 hours ago, Coastie said:

A word of advice, buy a float switch like this for your trash can.  Will help prevent a flood and allow you to not hover over the can.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076DD4HQ1/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_1PWAEbTRQ6CH5

 

I assume you know Brute trash cans are the can of choice, and can be picked up from home Depot.

Back in college when I had an rodi I flooded my kitchen probably 6-7 times.... 😂 

 

Float valve yes 😂👉

[waldoz]

I have a rodi hand me down but not sure where it is at yet. I know it needs new filters probably, but it needs an overhaul I think.  Fixing now is not in the budget yet. Maybe when I get there some locals with more experience can help me figure out if it's even worth fixing. 😉

[seabass]

18 minutes ago, waldoz said:

it needs an overhaul I think

Flush it with bleach before replacing the filters.  If it doesn't leak, it should be alright.

 

[waldoz]

Where is a good place to get filters that are not terribly expensive?

[seabass]

49 minutes ago, waldoz said:

Where is a good place to get filters that are not terribly expensive?

Arguably, SpectraPure makes the "best" filters: https://spectrapure.com/collections/filters/Quantity_Filter-Kits

You can usually pick them up on Amazon too.

 

However, recently I've switched to Bulk Reef Supply: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-reverse-osmosis-filters-systems/reverse-osmosis-filters.html

They are still quality filters, and depending on your municipal water supply and your needs, they can be a less expensive alternative.

 

[devaji108]

Just FYI petco is doing there $1 per gallon sale Ilike to used the 10 gal tanks for ATO yes. its 10 bucks and get a piece of glass cut for a lid with the corner cut off a bit  for the pluming  like maybe 5 bucks and you have a nice ATO that looks better that a trash can & 100% reef safe!

 

I also like the BRs filters I use them on my spectra pure RODI unit. the most expensive part is the RI membrane the other stuff is not to bad.

they do offer a pkg deal worth looking into.

depending on the quality of the unit and how much work it needs also might be cheaper in the long run to get a new one? worth running the numbers hopefully its just a few news filters and your off to the races and making water.