Rag Tag Nano

EdKruzel · #1 03/04/2007, 05:27 PM

Well working for the government is like walking blindfolded through unfamiliar territory. I've been waiting for a transfer for almost a year. I'd like to set up larger tanks I have in the garage, but as soon as I do, I'll have to tear it/them down and move.

Anyway, I have so many excess aquarium parts and equipment, that I decided to throw together another nano.

I have a few before shots and last night transferred some livestock from another tank, but I'm stuck here at work so these are the only photos I have. I did call home and was told by the wife that everything looks great.

Stock 10gal that I drilled and added an overflow box.

My $40 stand made from scrap wood (just before staining).

The stand is much wider than the tank in order to hold a 20L as the sump and fuge.

The return is on a SCWD (soon to be modified) so that I don't have to include anything in the tank for circulation.

Illuminati · #2 03/04/2007, 08:22 PM

I think your the first mod to post a picture of their tank

The overflow and stand look awesome, serious DIY skills on display.

jski711 · #3 03/04/2007, 09:15 PM

ya thats pretty sick, that would be sweet on a 20g long!!

EdKruzel · #4 03/05/2007, 02:20 AM

Thanks guys,
I'll try and get some livestock photos up this week.

Water Box · #5 03/05/2007, 04:55 PM

is that 4" black PVC pipe on the overflow? Nice work also.

EdKruzel · #6 03/05/2007, 06:28 PM

I couldn't find the 4'' so I bought the 6'', in retrospect I believe it worked out better and really didn't take up much more space.

slowECUdiver · #7 03/05/2007, 07:23 PM

dang i wish i had those carpentry skills. very nice work on the stand, Ed.

did you have any issues when drilling the 10 gallon or getting the silicone to adhere to the tank and PVC?

can't wait to see pics with livestock in it.

EdKruzel · #8 03/06/2007, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by slowECUdiver
dang i wish i had those carpentry skills. very nice work on the stand, Ed.

did you have any issues when drilling the 10 gallon or getting the silicone to adhere to the tank and PVC?

Thank you, it was really very basic and built for strength more than aesthetics.

No issues drilling, but it was nerve racking. This was my first attempt drilling glass by hand and I kept waiting for it to shatter. I circled the bulkhead with a marker and used a diamond tip bit with my dremel for the cut. I performed this in my driveway with the garden hose running water over it the entire time.

For the overflow I trimmed it to fit very flush and then roughed the edges with sandpaper. Next I ran a fine line of 100% silicone on the bottom and back edge. With the overflow in place I placed four dabs of a two part epoxy on the inside (2 Bottom front, 2 top rear corners) for added strength. The next morning I was able to lift the tank by the overflow. I then taped near the edges and ran an outside line of silicone to ensure it was water tight, smoothed it with my finger and removed the tape.

It has a clean appearance to the seal and a wonderful cascading effect moving through the overflow. Because the inside is too small to construct a Durso Pipe, I borrowed somewhat of that method on the rear of the tank. The piece attached to the bulkhead is a "T" instead of a 90 degree angle with a drilled (5/16th) hole) cap on top. This allows air to move freely instead of trapping bubbles and hearing that gulping sound so common to overflows.

edwing206 · #9 03/06/2007, 02:24 AM

Can't wait to see this bad boy filled.

EdKruzel · #10 03/08/2007, 02:20 PM

Okay, I visited a friend that filled me up with some rock and frags, I turned the lights on a little early so not everything is open and happy yet, but I'm sure you get the idea.

In a few months when it fills out, it should look good.

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Nicholas89 · #11 03/08/2007, 05:17 PM

Thats awesooooome!

Rosseau · #12 03/08/2007, 08:08 PM

Good times! That will look great, I like the overflow idea too..

K9 · #13 03/08/2007, 09:31 PM

Very nice Ed. Wonderful custom work on the overflow. Makes me want to head to Home Depot and pick up some large-diameter black PVC and custom make an overflow on the 75g I'm planning. I'd probably make two corner overflows. What's the largest diameter it's available in?

Agu · #14 03/08/2007, 10:26 PM

Looking good Ed. I like the overflow and will incorporate it in future nanos. Has to be cheaper than having a custom overflow made.

Quote:

I think your the first mod to post a picture of their tank

I've posted pics but won't hijack Eds thread to confirm that

.

Lpabsolute · #15 03/08/2007, 10:32 PM

Sweet Looking Tank

EdKruzel · #16 03/08/2007, 11:19 PM

Agu,
The tank, bulkhead and overflow were around $20, I spent another $40 on the stand and about the same on miscellaneous pieces.

I had an old 20gal I used for the sump and an extra skimmer, pumps, heater and light. The livestock was from my previous tank, so no expense there.

And yes I've seen your nano in here, which I hope to compete with when this begins to mature. As a center piece I'm fragging some of the Agu Thingy I have from Griss.

EdKruzel · #17 03/09/2007, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by K9
Very nice Ed. Wonderful custom work on the overflow. Makes me want to head to Home Depot and pick up some large-diameter black PVC and custom make an overflow on the 75g I'm planning. I'd probably make two corner overflows. What's the largest diameter it's available in?

Thank you; the largest I've seen is the 6'' but I'm sure it comes in 8 & 12''.
If you can't find the black ABS, you can always use the white PVC and paint it or wait until it becomes coated with coralline.

EdKruzel · #18 03/29/2007, 01:03 PM

Mar 29th, 2007 Update

The tank has been coming along and the algae hasn't been too bad with serious signs of coralline beginning to take off. I have some growth of the dreaded red turf algae, but my order for the clean up crew (to include a Mexican Turbo) has just arrived. Before today it has only been one Astrea, a few Ceriths and a few hitch-hiking Blue Legged Hermits.

The photos were taken this morning before the lights came on; I have the tank in an area where it receives natural sunlight in the morning and a brief period in the evening as well. I hope you enjoy the photos.

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Silly Maroon Clown hosting in my baby Elegance.

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