12 longer-than-normal gallons

lolmatt · Mar 11, 2020

I've got a 180 and a nuvo 10 that I have been meaning to put build threads up for. A couple months ago I noticed a pretty decent sag on the top of the ikea bookshelf I tried to call a 10g tank stand. So like the good reefer I am, I decided it was time for an upgrade. Here's a pic of the 10 from a few months ago, whose contents will soon end up in the new tank:

I have always wanted to do a very long and narrow reef. The mr aqua 12 gallon long always intrigued me, I actually ended up going with the aquamaxx version because I liked the dimensions slightly more.

So here's the current progress of the 12 (don't mind my garage mess):

lolmatt · Mar 11, 2020

Here's how I started the stand:

It's basically screwed and glued together, made of some edge glued "stain ready" panels from Lowes.

I added some trim on the sides (glued only), which gives the stand some visual appeal and hides the screws:

Tank arrived! Test fit near where it will go, with a matching floating shelf:

lolmatt · Mar 11, 2020

I used a modular marine low profile overflow kit. Very happy with how this turned out.

lolmatt · Mar 11, 2020

I found these substitute clips for the normal brs diy screen kits, test fit of my screen top:

lolmatt · Mar 11, 2020

I got some very cheap picture frame glass cut at lowes, and siliconed it into a standard 5.5g tank I used to use for an ATO reservoir. The middle will be a fuge, the skimmer may or may not run, and the left will be the return:

lolmatt · Mar 11, 2020

I painted the inside with kilz, and finished the outside with a spray on stain and poly all in one. Sanded with 220 between coats. I'm surprised with how nice the finish ended up.

lolmatt · Mar 11, 2020

Drilled some holes for plumbing.

And here you can get a good idea of the finish.

Wolf89 · Mar 11, 2020

This will be a very intersting build. Seems like you have it perfectly planned out!

lolmatt · Mar 11, 2020

That's all for now. I still have to plumb it, redo the screen (I pulled it too tight and made it flex), and make the doors. And do the tank transfer obviously.

lolmatt · Mar 15, 2020

Got some more plumbing done today. The way I had to do the drains and the sump, those two open holes are the durso and emergency drain, the one with the gate valve is the full siphon, and the other that I'm on my way to Lowes to buy pieces to finish is the return. Just need one more elbow, a barb, and some vinyl tubing and she'll be ready for a water test tomorrow!

lolmatt · Mar 15, 2020

Finished plumbing.

And I made a durso for the open drain

Wolf89 · Mar 15, 2020

Your plumbing looks so good. Mines a mess

lolmatt · Mar 15, 2020

I think this one is indeed "so good." Not often I can say that about my own work, but I spent a good week or two planning it all out, and still ended up with 3 trips to the hardware store.

Here's what the overflow box looks like

My 3/4" diy durso was too tall. I'm hoping the half inch durso will be good enough. If not I'll get creative...maybe a diy Maggie muffler type of thing if I need to size up. Or I could try again with the bigger pipe and change a few things about my design. TBD.

lolmatt · Mar 16, 2020

No leaks! Tested with a 20 year old powerhead that actually makes a decent (though loud) return pump. And the durso is pretty much silent, the only water noise I hear is from the water entering the rear box (idk if I could fix that, since the bulk heads are in the way back there of making anything taller. We'll see.)

lolmatt · Mar 17, 2020

Well! My timeline got suddenly moved up today. I had 4 fish in the nuvo 10 - a still juvenile clown, young pink streaked wrasse (they actually get over 2", mine is maybe 1-1.5), a captive bred rainford goby, and temporarily a captive bred male mandarin.

Work decided that everyone is to work remotely for a while. So I have to go collect the fish from that tank. That tank will be taken down and it's inhabitants moved elsewhere. There is a paired yasha/pistol that I'll be keeping for this new 12 long, as the yasha has been getting out competed for food by the office clown.

Anyways, the tank is up and running. Might have a small bulkhead gasket leak (I saw a drop or two of water on the stand below it) that I can fix tomorrow.

The stand needs doors (which are technically in the garage...if you count me having the wood they'll be made from). I need to figure out lighting (I've got a spare I'll probably use on the other half for a while). And I have a lot of cable management to do (I'll probably mount a 4 port DJ power supply in here). Overall happy with the move, cleaned the sand real nice and the water was barely cloudy.

lolmatt · Mar 18, 2020

I need another bag of sand, and a little more rock. I think I'll get a container of that purple caribsea liferock rubble, I used that for the office tank and it worked out nicely.

I think I'll end up needing a powerhead, too unfortunately. I don't really want one, so we'll see if I can get a more focused nozzle on the loc line to make due.