Daves "Junk" Nano

dtpollard · Mar 28, 2012

My friend gave me an acrylic 5 gallon bucket that her compant was throwing out. I thought it would make a nice Betta tank for the kids. After it sat around for a month or so I decided to start to play with it. After that the kids got the Pico for the Betta and I started my new Junk build. So far all parts were trash. I want this to be a skimmerless dirty tank for zoas and chalices. I hope this turns out pretty good. Here is the first pic.

I did the fresh water test over the weekend and made a couple acrylic frag racks. The light is temp and just the return running. I wanted to make sure the structure was sound. Here are a couple Pics

I was unhappy with the first stand pipe so I built a new one.

While in Lowes I discover that 1 1/4" pipe will fit almost tight over the 1" I made a slide to go over the 1" so I cold remove the rock work in one piece if need be.

dtpollard · Mar 28, 2012

Super glued and zip tied rock to slide and placed in tank.

Tank has cycled and ready for fish. I still need lighting to support corals so I did some work on the canopy.

The Canopy splits into two parts plus the lid. Today i worked on the vents for air circulation on the top part of the canopy. I would have done the lower as well but I am planning on remaking that with it being abot an inch taller so I can use the same type of vents on the bottom half of the canopy.
I cut slits into the bucket where the handle attaches to increase air flow. I cut a PVC pipe in half and used it to cover the slits. When the acrylic cover goes on to protect the reflectors, ballasts, etc, these pipes will connect the air space aove the water and in the light area to increase surface contact and cooling. Here is how it looks so far:

dtpollard · Mar 28, 2012

Got the lights in and working. Transformed from the pile of Junk on the desk.

The ballasts

The bulbs

Cooling

all lit and ready

soccerbag · Mar 28, 2012

Awesome work Dave! Very creative and shows why one man's trash is another man's treasure. I really like the look and I can't believe you got all of that stuff inside the top of the bucket. Really cool. I bet the kids love it!

KLR · Mar 28, 2012

Sweet and agreed on the creative thing!

Henry C · Mar 28, 2012

That's freakin cool!!!! I was lookin at it goin whaatttt, pretty ingenious imo..

Adam10045 · Mar 28, 2012

this is by far the coolest/craziest tank i have ever seen. A+ on the creativity!!

dtpollard · Mar 28, 2012

soccerbag said:
Awesome work Dave! Very creative and shows why one man's trash is another man's treasure. I really like the look and I can't believe you got all of that stuff inside the top of the bucket. Really cool. I bet the kids love it!

Thanks Craig. It was tight. I will get you a new pic w/ the power supply and timers in there too. :) If you make down this way you should come by. I would love for yo to see the chalice collection. :)

dtpollard · Mar 28, 2012

Thanks Guys. I appreciate all the kind words. I hope it continues to function properly. i have all the livestock for it and will start adding the corals and fish in from my other system. This thing is going to be a chalice paradise. :)