12x12x8 Demo

[calvin415]

Well I decided I'd throw together a quick demo tank using some scrap acrylic I had laying around, to help show how simple nano tanks can be done... Here's what I've come up with:

Tank is 12x12x8 with external overflow box which will act as a HOB allowing the tank to skim the surface while providing a place to keep some carbon, a filter pad and even some macros.

Stand is made out of oak, and will be drilled to allow the return to come up through the bottom of the display area. I plan on using a Mag 2 for circulation however I have a Mag 5 for back up in the event that Mag 2 doesn't provide enough flow.

Here's some assembly pics...







It was assembled using WeldOn 42 to ensure maximum strength and clarity...

The black back ground is internal and can be removed to keep coralline from getting out of control.



Here it is on the stand with a JBJ 70w HQI



And an oak mount for the light...

[calvin415]

Tank drilled for the return



and the drain...



And the stand has 3 coats of stain and ready for a light sanding before sealing...





I'll post again when I have it water tested.

[calvin415]

Tank is water tested, and stand is sealed...















Flow with a Mag 2, I think I'm gonna up it to a Mag 5...

[mudskipper1]

Are you gonna use anything to direct the flow?

[calvin415]

A piece of Live Rock... Figure it will squirt out from under it and I'll call it natural flow.

[Agu]

You do nice work.

Why did you put the return into the tank and not the overflow ?Without a standpipe the tank will drain completely in a power outage.

[calvin415]

Where is it going to drain to? The entire system is closed... The overflow box skims the surface and drains into a pump where it's pumped back up into the display area... The overflow box is basically a HOB filter but instead it skims the surface instead of the opposite.

[Conesus_Kid]

Sweet build!

Are you going with a fuge at all?

I like your tabletop stand as well. I may put something together like this.

[Rosseau]

You've certainly got the simple and clean thing going on here... very nice. I need to work on my building abilities as guys like you keep putting my hodge-podge work to shame.


The ballast looks huge on those Vipers. Are they, or is that perspective/scale throwing me off?

[MikePowell]

I must say that this is a really nice tank. I love the idea about the skimming and return. Plus I really like the table top stand. Is that overflow loud? Which pump are you using? The Mag2 or Mag5?

[reefman13]

Awesome looking tank.

Any ideas for stocking?

[maxalmon]

The woodworking is awesome, great joints and design

So whats going in the tank?

[calvin415]

Thanks for the feed back guys...

The overflow will eventually just hold a filter pad with carbon and some chaeto so it will be a mini fug I guess.

Yes the ballast is quite large, the tank is 12x12x8 and there is no illusion there.

That is the Mag 2, but I'll be swapping it for a Mag 5 tomorrow.

Stocking ideas are pretty simple for now. Since it's just a demo tank, I'll be throwing in a BTA and small clown. But there are lots of ideas in my head once the demo on Dec 1 (reason I built it) is over.

[Jarob]

you should build me one so I can buy it from you I absolutly love it.

[calvin415]

You got PM.

[Rosseau]

uh oh, let the bidding begin !

[calvin415]

No bidding, I'll just make more.

[calvin415]

Well too much Turkey yesterday... I got the Mag 5 but haven't hooked it up yet. Hope to do that later today (after I get off work).

[johnwin84]

looking nice ...but how big is the external overflow , and what size bulkheads are you using? Also is it makeing alot of noice without a stand pipe

[calvin415]

The external box is about 10x4x6, I'm using 3/4" bulkheads but running them into 1/2 tubes and 1/2 piping on the pump. It's silent, it doesn't function like an overflow box so there is no need for a standpipe. A standpipes only purpose is to silence a drain, this doesn't function as a drain because the box actually holds water. Instead it functions much like a closed loop, the water level in the overflow box is about 1/2" below the water level in the tank so the only noise you hear is that of the water falling 1/2".

[calvin415]

Had a buddy from our local club take some shots with some corals in it to give it some life...

[cecilturtle]

Mad skills with the stand Calvin...I am loving it. Tanks looks great too.

[calvin415]

Originally posted by cecilturtle
Mad skills with the stand Calvin...I am loving it. Tanks looks great too.

Thanks! I hope to have some more tanks and stand in the next week or two...

[johnwin84]

any updates

[racksteris]

sweet tank.