Jgraz's Custom 15"x15"x12" SPS Nano

[jgraz]

For the longest time I've been trying to find a way to get another nano going without setting up a tank in another area (something my wife pretty much put the kabosh on). I really wanted the tank to be tied into my main system. I also wanted to clean up a bit around my stand. Since I don't have much room under my 90 I pretty much store everything next to it on the floor. Messy. I needed a cabinet next to the stand for storage. Needless to say my wife was on board. This also gave me the spot I was looking for to put the nano. I contacted A friend for assistance and he was more then will to take up the challenge. Well now I have a place for the nano, an extra valve on my manifold and a bit of cash to move things along.


So My fist though is a 10gal tank. So I need a GH overflow. I find one used and in great shape. Then I come across this thread on RC.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2230774
Instantly I knew I wanted the same size tank. So I'm on the hunt and nobody has it. Me, not wanting to wait, start the wheels turning. I make a few measurements and realize I can fit something a little bigger. So I decided to build my own tank. The tank will be 15"x15"x12". It come out to just a bit over 10 gals. So I ordered the glass Thursday and picked it up yesterday. This should be interesting since ive never done anything like this.
Glass Unwrapped

I get it taped off

Pick up the last panel and

Guess I'm done for the weekend.

So here's a quick overview of the tank and equipment.
Tank: 15"x15"x12" custom built by me
Light: AI Nano Super blue
Glass holes nano overflow and return
Flow: As for now a pair of Koralia nanos but that may change to a MP-10 as things move along.
The rest of the equipment can be found in my 90gal build thread since it gonna be run in conjunction. I'll get more pics as things commence.

 

[jgraz]

Well if this thing hold water I'll be amazed. Never in my life did I think this would've so difficult. Well the RTV claims 24hrs for a full cure, so I guess I'll fill little by little tomorrow night or Monday and see how things go. I'm also gonna put a power head in there once it filled and let it circulate for a few days just to make sure all is good. Then if everything holds, I'll drill on Thursday.

Other news, I did find an MP-10 to use. I'll be getting it from my 90gal since I ordered the upgrade kits for my mp-20's. Thats it for now. Here is a pic, and yes, it is stuck to the table for now.

 

[smoq]

Great job man. I have a 100g that we glued with rtv and it holds good. I would wait a little longer though, just to be safe. 3 days should be fine.

 

[jgraz]

Yeah I'm probably just gonna let it sit for a few days. It's gonna take me some time to clean up all the silicone spots and smudges anyway. So it probably won't see water till around tues at best.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Nice work!

 

[rkaragozler]

looks good, I'm happy the measurements came out okay. Cant wait to see what you are going to put in their.

 

[jgraz]

Thanks Richie and Tony.

As for stock, I'm thinking only a pair of clowns and as much SPS as I can get in there without war. Lots of Montis though since they are my favorites by far. I was thinking bare bottom but my silicone skills have pretty much left me with needing a bit of sand. So since I have some leftover from my 90 build I'm gonna put a small layer of reef flakes. Plus I'm kind of considering a pistol/goby too so they will need it. Anyway here is a new pic of the tank cleaned up and in its home.

Still got a lot to do though and none of it happens until this tank sits with water for a few days.

 

[jgraz]

Today we had a successful water test. At this point it's been holding for about 3 hrs. I think I'm good to go.

Next up is drilling for the glass holes kit and I still need to find something to sit under it. I was hoping to get black mouse pad kind of material but have been unsuccessful in finding it. Any ideas? Or I'll just go with styrofoam and put a nice moulding around it.

 

[AsphaltPays]

Nice Job!! Following Along..

 

[E.intheC]

That looks great.

I wouldn't use styrofoam though. They have a grey rubber/foam type mat that is really dense. I found some near the rug section at lowes :lol2: ..I'm sorry but I don't remember the exact name of it, though.

 

[jgraz]

That looks great.

I wouldn't use styrofoam though. They have a grey rubber/foam type mat that is really dense. I found some near the rug section at lowes :lol2: ..I'm sorry but I don't remember the exact name of it, though.

I'll check on my way to work tomorrow. I was actually thinking of using a really good quality carpet pad so I was heading that way anyway. I'll keep my eyes out. Thanks for the tip.

 

[jgraz]

A little update.
Got the holes drilled, back painted and overflow/return installed.

Working on the plumbing now. More pics soon

 

[xxxAngeloxxx]

Wow good job on the set up J!!! Question how many gallon it is and what size sump you plan to put?

 

[jgraz]

Wow good job on the set up J!!! Question how many gallon it is and what size sump you plan to put?

Thanks for the compliment. Total volume is 11.69 gals. It's gonna be tied into my main system which is around 105 gals total between a 90DT and 40B for sump. So I guess in the nano world I'm kind of cheating with so much volume.

 

[jgraz]

Positives:
We have water. Got the plumbing done and got it going. I think all will be tight. Tomorrow, barring and life altering ending circumstances, I'll be adding rock and a bit of sand. And I'll also add the light.

Negatives:
While cleaning my MP10 the wet side broke. The propeller broke away from the magnet and the tabs on the little cover that hold the prop assembly in also broke. I'm in the process of finding a replacement but in the meantime I'm hoping a little glue will bring everything back together.

 

[empire]

Nice! Can you show your plumbing?

 

[rkaragozler]

The overflow and return looks great, Did you put sytrafoam under the tank?

 

[jgraz]

Nice! Can you show your plumbing?

Not much to show. It's tied into my 90 running off a the manifold.
Back of tank

Running down to sump

Manifold

The PVC in the back with the 45* is the outlet

 

[jgraz]

The overflow and return looks great, Did you put sytrafoam under the tank?

I did put something under it. I went with a Pilates pad

 

[jgraz]

Well big update today. I picked up my rocks today. I think it's about 8lbs or so.
Also fixed, temporarily my mp-10. Gotta get a new propeller assembly. Installed the AI Nano. The pics below are blues and royals at 40%. White will be at 25% when they are on. I may lower those to start acclimation. I am gonna bring these up slowly over time. Also got the system running. Here are the pics.

Thanks for looking.