☆ The Cascade Tank ☆

[HeartlandReef]

Hello! I figured I'd create an account and share my first nano tank. In the year of our Lord 2022 it's probably all been done before, but this is my attempt at originality. I call it "The Cascade Reef". I designed this in hopes it would be a very low maintenance system. No filter media or socks. Just chaeto and a skimmer.

Current photo:

Slightly older pic but more of a side shot of whats goin on:

I arrived here with this design after having issues with a leaky 15g tank, then cracking the glass on a biocube. I had built this cool stand for the biocube with a concrete countertop and wanted to still use the stand. I had basically ran out of money as well so I reused a sump for the rear tank and bought a new 10g for the display.

The stand:

In this picture you can see how the plumbing is basically setup. I did a durso style drain and its whisper quiet.

I built a canopy and put two 14w T5 bulbs in it that I robbed from an old MH/t5 unit.

Originally this was going to be primarily a softy tank with a few lps. However now I have a montipora and a new little birdsnest frag as well.

In the rear sump/fuge I have the chaetomorpha, sand, rubble and rocks. Lit by a 100w led grow bulb on an opposite light cycle from display.

Livestock: 1 clownfish, 1 bangai cardinal, 1 nassarius snail, some hermits and a few other snails.

I don't have an ATO so I top off every few days. I started out doing a 1gal water change a week, then summer came around and that changed to 1gal a month or so. Lately I am back to weekly changes. I have never tested for any parameters. Coral growth is slow but steady. It hasn't quite been running for a year yet but I feel like I accomplished what I set out to in regards to a low maintenance nano. I'm contemplating adding more flow for the birdsnest as its growing kind of thin, and also considering adding a DIY led light under the hood. Or maybe just upgrading to an led fixture. That's it for now!

If you'd like to see more photos my instagram is @HeartlandReef

If you'd like to see my build/vlog on the tank I'd reccomend starting here:

I'm glad I can start lurking the site and commenting on threads now. Ok, now to find the new 60 breeder build threads... (because I want one)

-HR

 

[T-J]

Interesting setup. Nice job!

 

[TriggersAmuck]

Very cool side by side refugium! I assume that you only need monitor the rear/refugium tank regarding top off levels?

 

[Sean Clark]

Very unique setup.

 

[HeartlandReef]

Very cool side by side refugium! I assume that you only need monitor the rear/refugium tank regarding top off levels?

Thanks. The corner overflow in the display is where the water level changes.

 

[TriggersAmuck]

Thanks. The corner overflow in the display is where the water level changes.

Got it, that makes sense.

 

[HeartlandReef]

I'm a few months out from a vegas trip and I need to figure out an ATO. I bought one of these to try.

It arrives tomorrow. I'll have to figure out how to rig it up with my setup. This wont be a permanent thing, just for vacays. If you've used this simple type of ATO and have any advice or warnings let me know!

 

[T-J]

I'm a few months out from a vegas trip and I need to figure out an ATO. I bought one of these to try.

It arrives tomorrow. I'll have to figure out how to rig it up with my setup. This wont be a permanent thing, just for vacays. If you've used this simple type of ATO and have any advice or warnings let me know!

For $14, you should save that money and apply it toward a regular ATO. You can easily store a reservoir below your tank, and you won't have to top off every day.

 

[3sgterror]

Cool concept for the tank but even cooler music for the vids!

FF7 music brings back so many memories.....dang you Square Enix release FF7 Remake part 2

 

[T-J]

I'm a few months out from a vegas trip and I need to figure out an ATO. I bought one of these to try.

It arrives tomorrow. I'll have to figure out how to rig it up with my setup. This wont be a permanent thing, just for vacays. If you've used this simple type of ATO and have any advice or warnings let me know!

I'll also add: The picture makes it look like it only works on rimless tanks. Your pics show that your setup has a rim. Not sure it would work. Also, I'm not to keen about a 2 liter bottle being balanced on the edge of my tank.

 

[HeartlandReef]

Cool concept for the tank but even cooler music for the vids!

FF7 music brings back so many memories.....dang you Square Enix release FF7 Remake part 2

Wow you are literally the first person to mention the ff7 music! I use several songs throughout those videos. Im currently playing original ff7 on xbox S like 16 hours deep.

I'll also add: The picture makes it look like it only works on rimless tanks. Your pics show that your setup has a rim. Not sure it would work. Also, I'm not to keen about a 2 liter bottle being balanced on the edge of my tank.

Right, yah I'm gonna have to rig something up and I plan to just set it on top of the canopy on some kind of stable stand I will build. I'm sure I'll figure something out.

 

[revhtree]

Very cool tank!

 

[HeartlandReef]

Did some thinkin and came up with a way to adapt this ato to my tank. I used some scrap acrylic from previous sump work.

Did a little slicing and dicing. Got a nice neat little stand made up.

It will just sit on top of the canopy here.

The canopy will need slid forward just a tad for the tubes to drop down in there. Wifey in background doing yoga.

My only concern is with how long the tubes will need to be to get down to the water level in the overflow box. And the airline tubing has a slight bend in it probably from how its packaged. I'm thinking I will zip tie a plastic rod or something together with the tubes to keep them straight. Fortunately, I have plenty of time to iron this out before my trip.

-HR

 

[Sean Clark]

Simple creative solution.

 

[HeartlandReef]

What do y'all reckon this yellow stuff is under my toadstool leather?

 

[HeartlandReef]

Hey gang, I managed to score 2 free black boxes off a local reefer and I wasn't gonna add em to my tank, but planned on using them for when I get a 40b or 60b. Buuuut I put one above my tank on some wood to see how it made my corals look... and wow. So much better!

In order to use the light I have to ditch the canopy and come up with something else. I set out and cut up some scrap angle iron I had, and got to work on building a light arm.

Sprayed it with some truck bed liner. That's where I'm at right now. I need to drill some holes in it for mounts and the hanger. This is gonna look good!!

 

[Sean Clark]

The bed liner was a creative solution and will most likely hold up better than any normal paint. Good idea.

 

[HeartlandReef]

The bed liner was a creative solution and will most likely hold up better than any normal paint. Good idea.

Thank you sir.

Here I am checking level and bolting the arm onto the back of the stand.

It wasn't easy, but it was honest work. ;Shamefullyembarrased I'm super glad I set this tank in the corner or installing this probably wouldn't be possible.

I am beyond happy with how this looks. I'm obsessed. I will tidy up the extra cable more to make it look better.

The coral looks 100x brighter and more colorful its bonkers.

Such a big light for such a small tank haha. I have it 12.25" above the tank rim with only blue channel on in its lowest setting. Anything higher than that and it seems like my zoas are not pleased. These pictures don't do the colors justice because its a cellphone, but its stunning.

Next I will build a new open top "canopy" that will hide the plumbing while letting the new light shine. I'd like to make it out of black acrylic for a sleek look. Depends on cost. Any comments are welcome. Thanks for checking out my build.