Ocean In A Box's Nano Reef Journal >>>PICS!!!<<<

[Ocean In A Box]

Ocean In A Box's Nano Reef Journal >>>PICS!!!<<<

Hi Everyone!

I've really liked any of the threads on the M's or any of your Nano reefs for that matter, and talking w/ all of you to share ideas and especially see PICS of progress.

I finally, FINALLY have actually started the project to get my glass 20g M up and running...well it's a bit more than just the tank itself.

It will be in my basement -- the progress may not be lightspeed but I will post in this thread as it happens; this journal thread is started to share my info with you, and hopefully you will share your thoughts with me.

Pics for this journal will be here in RC in my gallery:
http://www.reefcentral.com/gallery/s...119202&thumb=1

To get started though, I also have some additional tank/light pics on another site I frequent if interested:
http://www.nano-reef.com/gallery/sho...0&ppuser=18970



I hope all of your tanks are doing well...please tag along with me in this journal for the start of mine & thanks in advance for your inputs and comments!!

Matt

[Ocean In A Box]

Yesterday -


After some more work today -
Pic 1:


Pic 2:


Pic 3:


Pic 4:


Pic 5:


The cube will be viewable from two sides and will sit in a built-in 2x2 "nook" in the corner of the wall.
Access to the back area will be from a panel behind, instead of trying to reach over to service anything in the back or sides.
Wanted to have something nice to look at while belly-up to the bar...

Things are comin' along...will post tank, lighting, etc details soon.

Thanks, Matt

[akbuuur]

wow thats insane ive never seen so much detail go into a 20! i def am interested1

[Illuminati]

Looks great Matt, can't wait to see it finished!

[Ocean In A Box]

Thanks - may not put the Finnex M 20g there...may put an Oceanic 30g cube there instead (got four of them during the Petco sale); haven't decided 100% yet.

[dawnskaybug]

Is that for a 20 or 200???

[Hopeful Reefer]

Looks great...can't wait to see this one come along...

[DSparks]

Wow, looking good Matt. I'm looking forward to watching this build!

[Ocean In A Box]

thx all...
dawn...thats the future bar (unless I find a deal on a 200g)

[Ocean In A Box]

Finished all basement framing last night, including the stand/base for the fish tank in the corner of the wall. I will post pics shortly.

[Ocean In A Box]

Hello -

Here are 5 pictures showing the completed framing in the aquarium and bar area:

Framing Done - Bar and Cube Tank


Framing done - Cube tank built in


Framing complete - Tank shot different view


Framing complete - tank & bar


Framing complete - Behind Cube Aquarium


Next To-Do's:
Wiring, lights, switches, & outlets. Will likely do a pretty robust set of outlets and a GFI in the fish tank closet area. Then, drywall, mudding, taping, etc. This is the near term plan over next few wks to work on. I am not great with electrical so this may take me a little more time than usual.

Thanks -

[drummereef]

You are so going to want to put a 450g in there in about 3 months. This has to be the greatest nano build in history! Cool brick basement btw.

[Ocean In A Box]

drummereef -
Ha! At my last house I built a 75g into the wall and shortly after had wished it was way bigger...guess that's always the way it is. For a long time I've loved the cube shape/look so even though it will only be a 30g Oceanic in the wall I think it will have a very unique look so I'm hoping I'll stick with it for quite awhile. I'm on a budget so I'll have to stay away from any 450g kind of temptation if at all possible.

Drywall and electrical were to begin yesterday and today but one of my kids got sick, and well, you know... so more updates as I'm able to get back at it.

[Ocean In A Box]

On the brick basement - that's the way they do some of them here in the area I live...it's a fully poured wall into a form with a brick looking surface on it. In the finished room, these walls will be painted.

[GrandeGixxer]

Some great ideas, Maybe 1 day I will see if the bar is open for a visit. What part of S.E. Wisconsin do you live in? I am in the Waukegan area.

[Ocean In A Box]

Hey...Waukesha, WI 53189 just west of Milwaukee.

OK - not able to do any work this weekend, but did go get 20 sheets of drywall and haul them down to basement.

Hopefully some update pics sometime this week.

[GrandeGixxer]

Thats not too far at all. I am probably about an hour away. If I were a little closer, I would come help you hang that "rock."

[Hattie B]

wow, this is great. I think a 30g cube would be perfect.

I like big tanks, but small ones can be just as nice. A bar too.. that will be perfect for viewing.

[Hopeful Reefer]

Originally posted by Hattie B
wow, this is great. I think a 30g cube would be perfect.

I like big tanks, but small ones can be just as nice. A bar too.. that will be perfect for viewing.

Just make sure when you are sitting at the bar drinking that the fish don't start swimming out of the tank and towards you!!

Looks great...can't wait to see how this one ends up...

For what it's worth, I too would probably just end up converting the bar in to a place for a 200g tank or so!! You can always throw a recliner in front of the tank to drink beer...less chance of falling off and hitting your head when you pass out...

[Ocean In A Box]

Thanks guys! (gals?)

Actually, you're giving me some ideas to just secretly build my bar into what could some day be a large tank stand w/out too many additional modifications. Really. Hmm.... as long as the tools and supplies are just laying around... Hey, this is supposed to be the Nano forum -- I'm sticking to the 30g in the corner wall!

I also have a 22g Finnex M-Tank that I'm going to put onto a stand and display in a different part of the rec room...mayber a thread on that later.

For now, I'll update once I start getting tank electrical and tank drywall area in-process.

As far as viewing goes...you're all thinking what I was...a great place for me and others to view the tank will be while sitting comfortably at the bar...just a glance to the right and it'll be there. You can't tell from the pics I've posted but it will be entirely possible to have a couple of recliners in the same general area too...so there shouldn't be any beer-related accidents!

I promise to have lots more pics, and lots less words in future posts once progress really kicks in!!

[Ocean In A Box]

Little by little, getting things done; sorry nothing too excited but this indeed my journal of EVERYTHING leading up until that fantastic day when I have an Ocean In A Box!

Here is a quick update:

Pulling wire and electrical supplies for around the tank:


Bar on left, tank in background:


Putting 4 quads behind tank...no extension cords and power strips!:


Tight behind but enough room to get at both sides:


That's it for now...when the kids go to bed, I'm headed down to get back to the wiring.

Happy reefing all -

[crrichey]

I would have been too tempted to just skip the nano and go for a MASSIVE reef system

[Ocean In A Box]

Hello all -

close up of cube display area in corner; drywalling around this tomorrow 1/22/07...enough space above for MH lighting...it's a 30g Oceanic cube




drywall starts -- cube spot in back left; where the two corners meet...in the back of the picture




That's it for now, nothing too exciting.

[Ocean In A Box]

Have all framing done, drywall almost all hung but have to mud/tape, 85% all electric done. Things are coming around nicely. I'll have 3 or 4 quad electric boxes behind the 33g cube in the corner of the wall enough for all lights, sump, etc etc w/out any powerstrips or cords I hope. The tank will be on its own circuit (GFI) versus everything else in in the basement rec room.
I'll post some pic updates soon.

[Ocean In A Box]

Also, building two doors to open in the back which will be on hinges so that I can access the tank from the back. Will also leave the top area open to access any return lines or MH lighting if I suspend above tank.
Lighting, plumbing, etc are not firm in this project so I'm leaving the area around the tank built but not totally done until I know which way I'll go with this. Part of me says put the time into DIY drilling of the Oceanic cube, refug, & sump. The other part of me says throw the Remora Pro and MH light you have an setup the tank tomorrow...quicker, but I may be kicking myself later if I don't set things up right...