2 gallon too big

[Kehy]

I can't wait to play with this thing. There's some mods I want to do, especially to the light (apparently it's quick and easy to improve it), but I also kinda just want to set it up NOW and play

 

[Peace River]

Interesting! What are your plans for this system (e.g., livestock, filtration, etc.)?

 

[Kehy]

Livestock wise, I'm going to stick with the hardy, small stuff for as long as my attention span lasts (5 minutes is a good start). Zoas, mushrooms if I get them, GSP, if I get them, Candy Canes, if I get more...

This is roughly how they want you to set up the sump

...but I won't lie, I'm toying with the idea of cutting a window into the side of the sump (after removing the unimportant stuff) and trying to make a refugium down there. As long as I learn to solder (I've got the kit and light bits next to me), making a small enough light wouldn't be an issue. Also figuring out how to attach acrylic to the ABS plastic.

 

[Kehy]

Already made my first mod, lol. Used Instamorph to focus the output of the pump so that there is, in fact, some kind of flow. It's pretty weak at best to be honest though, and the left 1/4 has very weak flow

 

[Steven Garland]

I love these tanks,but they are full of problems. NanoReef has an extensive thread from a member about the mods he made to combat the issues.

B's Mini Reef Bro Utopia

I told @DaveFason about this idea a long time ago, lets see if I can pull it off ... I need input : 1. should I paint / cover back wall ? 2. ATO ideas (smart micro?) 3. Coral ideas ? 4. Maybe a pom pom crab ? @Justind823 said no

www.nano-reef.com

 

[Kehy]

Oh yes, the mods have already started.
-Flow mod - done, could improve flow on right side

-Light mod (have light constantly at full strength) - need to learn how to solder things, but I've got a video guide for this

-Refugium in sump - Has two sections
+Need to get glass cut (2 3/4" x3")
+Need to cut big hole in sump
+Silicone glass to inside of hole

+Learn to solder more stuff so I can make the light (should be real easy)
+Actually make the light (I have all mats)
+????
+Profit

Honestly right now my biggest challenge is cutting the glass, since I'm both impatient and don't own a glass cutter anymore somehow. Interestingly, I'm today years old when I found out you can cut glass underwater with a regular pair of scissors. It doesn't work great though, but it functions. Kinda.

 

[Ulm_nano_diybudgetreef]

Oh yes, the mods have already started.
-Flow mod - done, could improve flow on right side

-Light mod (have light constantly at full strength) - need to learn how to solder things, but I've got a video guide for this

-Refugium in sump - Has two sections
+Need to get glass cut (2 3/4" x3")
+Need to cut big hole in sump
+Silicone glass to inside of hole

+Learn to solder more stuff so I can make the light (should be real easy)
+Actually make the light (I have all mats)
+????
+Profit

Honestly right now my biggest challenge is cutting the glass, since I'm both impatient and don't own a glass cutter anymore somehow. Interestingly, I'm today years old when I found out you can cut glass underwater with a regular pair of scissors. It doesn't work great though, but it functions. Kinda.

I think you can use a drill bit but again you need to keep the area ur cutting wet, but not submerged. Make sure u keep thick padding below so you dont crack or scratch the other side of the tank when the glass is cut and it falls. Plenty of youtube videos on this.

Best of luck

 

[Kehy]

I think you can use a drill bit but again you need to keep the area ur cutting wet, but not submerged. Make sure u keep thick padding below so you dont crack or scratch the other side of the tank when the glass is cut and it falls. Plenty of youtube videos on this.

Best of luck

Thanks for the tip, but I'm trying to get a 2 3/4" x 3" rectangle of glass.

 

[Steven Garland]

What are you wanting to do about the light ?! I'm a diy light builder lol.

 

[Kehy]

What are you wanting to do about the light ?! I'm a diy light builder lol.

Basically it's using the stock light for the display tank, just moving where 2 wires connect. Pretty easy, lol.

The fuge tank light should also be really as I already have plant grow light led strips. That should just be attaching a couple wires and a power supply. Then the housing

 

[Steven Garland]

Oh okay,I thought you wanted to revamp the light and I was going to sign myself up lol. Are you going to cut a piece out of the sump and use clear acrylic to make a window and grow cheato ?

 

[Kehy]

I thought about doing that because the stock light has 3 settings, but it you use it with a timer, it only goes to the lowest setting. Other than that, it seems like a reasonable light. That fix eliminates that particular problem.

As far as the fuge goes, I was gonna use acrylic, but glass sounds like it will be easier to deal with because it can just be siliconed into place.

 

[Steven Garland]

But also,siliconeing acrylic and glass may be be the best idea. The bond CAN or WILL become weak over time. I would suggest acrylic honestly and weld-on 16 to create the best leak free bond you can get.

 

[Kehy]

But also,siliconeing acrylic and glass may be be the best idea. The bond CAN or WILL become weak over time. I would suggest acrylic honestly and weld-on 16 to create the best leak free bond you can get.

UV resin (once siliconed in place and cured) to permanently bond the two?

 

[Kehy]

Hey ya'll, guess who started learning to solder at midnight! Yeah, it's messy, and not the best job. And I totally put the second strip on backwards, so the two blues are on the same end. I bet it would still grow chaeto though

 

[Thespammailaccount]

Hey ya'll, guess who started learning to solder at midnight! Yeah, it's messy, and not the best job. And I totally put the second strip on backwards, so the two blues are on the same end. I bet it would still grow chaeto though

Lol yea buddy

 

[Kehy]

Alllllmost done with the fuge light! Just need to make a "stand" for it. I mean realistically I could just lean it against the tank, but still.

The final light isn't going to really look like that, but I did realize some red light would be coming up from the clear bottom. I just thought the shot looked cool.

 

[Kehy]

Display tank light mod complete!

...But I may be having second thoughts (and yet now I cannot change it). Here's the video I followed to do this, and it's pretty simple, with a useful outcome of always having the strongest light.



What is making me question my decision is that the on/off button cannot be used, the light can only be toggled by interrupting the power. This means I can't plug the filter or heater into the light as it was designed, because I'd have to leave the light on all the time to keep those running.

All that being said, too late now! On to the next mod!

 

[Kehy]

But also,siliconeing acrylic and glass may be be the best idea. The bond CAN or WILL become weak over time. I would suggest acrylic honestly and weld-on 16 to create the best leak free bond you can get.

So upon breaking 6 pieces of glass, I've decided that acrylic I can cut on a saw will go much better. I have the weld-on in the mail, and already have the acrylic and saw. I heartily thank you for the suggestion.

 

[Steven Garland]

Man,that sucks. Well whatever helps,that's what we are here for. Hopefully it works well for you.