Help me with an assembly line build

[dantimdad]

As some of you all know, my buddy and I are opening an LFS. Along with this, we will be starting a non-profit service for veterans with PTSD as seen here:

https://aquariums-by-design.com/therapeutic-aquariums

We want to come up with a quick to setup medium nano that will be uniform so maintenance can be a simple checklist and supplies can be bought in bulk.

I was thinking the following:

20 gallon high aquarium (easy to light and cheap on dollar a gallon sale)
1 x noopysyche k7 pro II (I am the distribution channel so this is a must)
1 x 100 watt heater and inkbird controller for safety
1 x fluval 50 filter
1 x jebao wavemaker

I think we will cycle dry rock to avoid as much of the uglies as possible. We will use dry sand.

We will be buying IO salt in bulk for the store so we will use that for these setups.

I plan on running them with just water changes and the power filter and very few fish so we don't have to get into a lot of filtration.

The stands will be made in my wood shop and screen tops will be from kits.

Should we do an ATO? I am afraid if we don't, it will get neglected.

Thoughts?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Imo your doing this to provide an escape and calming effect for our military brothers and sisters. I think the ATO will reduce chances of any unneeded stress to both the provider and recipient and I agree it will reduce the chance of neglect along with salinity swings. Just my 2c. :)

 

[dantimdad]

Imo your doing this to provide an escape and calming effect for our military brothers and sisters. I think the ATO will reduce chances of any unneeded stress to both the provider and recipient and I agree it will reduce the chance of neglect along with salinity swings. Just my 2c. :)

True.

Just trying to keep cost down without actually cutting too many corners.

Part of the donation is we will do tank maintenance once a month to teach them how to take care of it themselves. After a few months, we will let them do it themselves and just be there in case of an emergency or just to hang out and talk. We are going to specifically put a lounge area/class room in the store just for this kind of thing.

 

[ReeferReefer]

An ATO is a must, especially for new hobbiests.

The only thing I see missing is RODI.

 

[NeverlosT]

Def use an ATO, it need'nt even be electronic. Just a top off reservoir and a mechanical float switch in the tank? That might be the cheap route.

If not an off the shelf ATO would work great. Perhaps a company would like to subsidize your efforts to help those with PTSD with some free product?

This is a good idea. Making sure that the tank is using cycled rock and some cycled biomedia will go a long way to ensuring satisfaction and less stress.

This hobby is an addiction, and as such it displaces other addictions. I have seen recovering addicts, veterans with PTSD, ex-gang members, you name it, all find a healthy outlet for their somewhat addictive personalities in reefing.

Best of luck.

 

[dantimdad]

Thanks!

We will be providing RO and premixed salt water from the store.

I plan on setting up a several hundred if not a thousand gallon resevoir of each.

 

[Foothill Corals]

I think what you are doing is great.

Not sure if you plan on selling both fresh and salty fish. I would think a fresh water tank would better for therapy if this is going to be their first tank, less headaches.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

True.

Just trying to keep cost down without actually cutting too many corners.

Part of the donation is we will do tank maintenance once a month to teach them how to take care of it themselves. After a few months, we will let them do it themselves and just be there in case of an emergency or just to hang out and talk. We are going to specifically put a lounge area/class room in the store just for this kind of thing.

This is beyond Awesome!

 

[dantimdad]

I think what you are doing is great.

Not sure if you plan on selling both fresh and salty fish. I would think a fresh water tank would better for therapy if this is going to be their first tank, less headaches.

We are doing both in store. We will let them choose which tank they want but, so far, everyone we have talked to wants a nano reef. The only thing will change with the setup is the light and inhabitants. Oh and no ATO for freshwater setups.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Have you reached out to any ATO manufacturer's to see if they would support your cause? Might be worth trying.

 

[count krunk]

i think people overestimate how hard softy tanks are.

Especially if ATO is provided. add 2-3 tiny fish after a few months and let it ride

 

[dantimdad]

This is beyond Awesome!

Thanks!

Even if the store didn't pan out, we will still be doing this.

 

[dantimdad]

Have you reached out to any ATO manufacturer's to see if they would support your cause? Might be worth trying.

I want to avoid sponsors at all costs if I can. I don't want this to become some kind of advertising campaign. But, we may have to if they can agree to not require names, photos or any other private info.

I hope I explained that correctly.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Thanks!

Even if the store didn't pan out, we will still be doing this.

From a vet, thank you!

You are sincerely my hero of the day!

 

[dantimdad]

From a vet, thank you!

You are sincerely my hero of the day!

No sir, you are.

My son is too. He's in basic right now at Lost in the Woods.

 

[Brew12]

I would say the ATO system is necessary but that the fluval filter is not.

Tank, light, heater with controller, flow pumps, and ato.

One day I may set up my 20g QT system as a reef tank using only those things.

 

[Captain Quint]

Thanks!

Even if the store didn't pan out, we will still be doing this.

You and I have spoken of this and you know how I feel. :)

 

[Captain Quint]

From a vet, thank you!

You are sincerely my hero of the day!

+1 and most of the BTA drops and giveaways go to fellow veterans.

 

[dantimdad]

You and I have spoken of this and you know how I feel. :)

Yes, my friend, I do. And I always appreciate your input and counsel.

 

[Captain Quint]

Yes, my friend, I do. And I always appreciate your input and counsel.

Ha. You're too kind my friend.