Jgraz's Custom 15"x15"x12" SPS Nano

[jgraz]

For the longest time I've been trying to find a way to get another nano going without setting up a tank in another area (something my wife pretty much put the kabosh on). I really wanted the tank to be tied into my main system. I also wanted to clean up a bit around my stand. Since I don't have much room under my 90 I pretty much store everything next to it on the floor. Messy. I needed a cabinet next to the stand for storage. Needless to say my wife was on board. This also gave me the spot I was looking for to put the nano. I contacted a friend for assistance and he was more then will to take up the challenge. Well now I have a place for the nano, an extra valve on my manifold and a bit of cash to move things along.

So My fist though is a 10gal tank. So I need a GH overflow. I find one used and in great shape. Then I come across this thread on RC.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2230774
Instantly I knew I wanted the same size tank. So I'm on the hunt and nobody has it. Me, not wanting to wait, start the wheels turning. I make a few measurements and realize I can fit something a little bigger. So I decided to build my own tank. The tank will be 15"x15"x12". It come out to just a bit over 10 gals. So I ordered the glass Thursday and picked it up yesterday. This should be interesting since ive never done anything like this.
Glass Unwrapped

I get it taped off

Pick up the last panel and

Guess I'm done for the weekend.

So here's a quick overview of the tank and equipment.
Tank: 15"x15"x12" custom built by me
Light: AI Nano Super blue
Glass holes nano overflow and return
Flow: As for now a pair of Koralia nanos but that may change to a MP-10 as things move along.
The rest of the equipment can be found in my 90gal build thread since it gonna be run in conjunction. I'll get more pics as things commence.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Good luck with the new build! I am interested in seeing how this comes along.

 

[revsgirl]

Following! :wink:

 

[jgraz]

Thanks Krista. I've been wanting to do this for a while. Just finally got around to it. Got the new piece of glass coming tomorrow. Also decided to go with RTV 108 instead of regular aquarium silicon. So that's on the way as well as the parts for the return. If all goes well then I'll have the tank built this weekend.

 

[jgraz]

Well if this thing hold water I'll be amazed. Never in my life did I think this would've so difficult. Well the RTV claims 24hrs for a full cure, so I guess I'll fill little by little tomorrow night or Monday and see how things go. I'm also gonna put a power head in there once it filled and let it circulate for a few days just to make sure all is good. Then if everything holds, I'll drill on Thursday.

Other news, I did find an MP-10 to use. I'll be getting it from my 90gal since I ordered the upgrade kits for my mp-20's. Thats it for now. Here is a pic, and yes, it is stuck to the table for now.

 

[jgraz]

Here is a new pic of the tank cleaned up and in its home.

Still got a lot to do though and none of it happens until this tank sits with water for a few days.

 

[jgraz]

Today we had a successful water test. At this point it's been holding for about 3 hrs. I think I'm good to go.

Next up is drilling for the glass holes kit and I still need to find something to sit under it. I was hoping to get black mouse pad kind of material but have been unsuccessful in finding it. Any ideas? Or I'll just go with styrofoam and put a nice moulding around it.

 

[kschweer]

Looks really good man. Very nice job.

 

[jgraz]

Looks really good man. Very nice job.

Thanks. I'm really wanting to put all I can into this. I want to keep this with as many rare/named SPS as I can. But I think I'm about to hit a wall. I really want reef rocks in here for a couple of reasons. First I love them, I think they are pretty much the nicest dry rock you can get. Second I really don't want to have to add live rock since its tied to my main system. Too much could happen there. I've done all I can to keep out the unwanted after all. The only problem is I only need a little bit and the closest place that has it in 2hrs drive, one way. Or I can order it and wait a few months till the owner decides to deliver. Lol

 

[jgraz]

Positives:
We have water. Got the plumbing done and got it going. I think all will be tight. Tomorrow, barring and life altering ending circumstances, I'll be adding rock and a bit of sand. And I'll also add the light.

Negatives:
While cleaning my MP10 the wet side broke. The propeller broke away from the magnet and the tabs on the little cover that hold the prop assembly in also broke. I'm in the process of finding a replacement but in the meantime I'm hoping a little glue will bring everything back together.

 

[LukeG]

It's coming along well. Sorry to hear about your MP10.


Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

 

[jgraz]

It's coming along well. Sorry to hear about your MP10.


Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

Thanks. I did get it fixed. It's amazing what coral glue does for our systems. It's like duct tape for reefs. Gotta order a new prop assembly though just I case it doesn't hold.

 

[jgraz]

Well big update today. I picked up my rocks today. I think it's about 8lbs or so.
Also fixed, temporarily my mp-10. Gotta get a new propeller assembly. Installed the AI Nano. The pics below are blues and royals at 40%. White will be at 25% when they are on. I may lower those to start acclimation. I am gonna bring these up slowly over time. Also got the system running. Here are the pics.

Thanks for looking.

 

[jgraz]

Here's a few shots with all lights

I think a clam is gonna have to find its way in here also.

 

[jgraz]

Well I had to ordr a new prop assembly for the MP-10. While glueing did work, It's clearly off balance. Also started acclimating a few corals. I'll get a few pics tonight.

 

[jgraz]

Over the last few days I started moveing a few corals over. Only a few so for, still got a lot to move still. Here is a quick FTS.

I also got my first inhabitants today. Leander plumosus AKA Tozeuma Ghost Pipe Shrimp. Picked up 2 from ASR in PA. Very cool. Here they are acclimating. Bad pics, I'll get some better ones later under the lights.

and

Hoping that they will end up a pair.

 

[Zack]

Love me some nano tanks!

 

[jgraz]

Well it's been a while since I updated this so I figured I'd close it out by saying the nano is gone and it has become a much needed frag tank instead.

Now I just need to move everything over.

 

[jgraz]

Its been a while since I updated this so here goes. I have once again changed uses for this tank. It is once again a nano. Didnt really need the frag tank any more so I just moved what little I had back to the main DT and reverted back to a nano. Grabbed a few rocks from my sump and made a little scape, and added a couple of tiny snowflakes that I bought a few weeks back. Cant get pics of them tough they are pretty fast I try later though. Changed the light on it and went with a Razor Nano also. Anyway here are a couple of quick pics.

 

[Mr. D]

Great looking nano!

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