Mebeknob's cubicle reef upgrade

[Mebeknob]

Reserved for future updates

 

[Mebeknob]

I'll start with this picture.

This little freshwater aquarium was my attempt at testing the waters for an aquarium at work (see what I did there?)

Once I found out my boss and a member of the senior leadership were aquarium nerds as kids... I know I had my chance!
I started to design a desktop nano that would fit my space. The IM 20 fusion would have been awesome, just too big for my spot. So alas, I'm partly building my own.

I'm starting with an Aqumaxx 9.1 gallon tank.

And will be adding an AIO rear chamber. I thought about a sump but I just want to avoid spilling water at all costs.

 

[Mebeknob]

Got the light! Oh wait.... wrong one [emoji20]

 

[Mebeknob]

So this is what I'm thinking about the rear chamber. Dual overflow with media tower things. Then through marinepure blocks, then to the center. I will have one main return, then two small dc pumps set up as closed loop. Holes for plumbing not pictured.

Any input would be helpful if you see any major flaws, future headaches or see a better way to lay it out.

 

[Mebeknob]

Testing this doser over the weekend. Planning to do an auto water change and dose MB7 with it.

 

[Mebeknob]

Testing Equipment

I brought in my Apex to work to see if i'd have any issues connecting to the Internet but there were no issues and I don't have to tell the IT department! Big win.
I was also able to check the temperature of the water over the weekend, and it looks like the building doesn't go past 80°. Thankfully this means I won't need a chiller, but maybe just some fans.

I also got some pumps in. One Sicce 1.0 and two Jebao DC pumps. The SICCE pump will be the main return, while the DC pumps will be too small closed loop pumps.

My son had a great time pushing all the buttons and trying to squirt his sister in the face.

 

[Mebeknob]

Pumps!

1x Sicce 1.0
2x jebao DC1200

I am using the Jebao to Apex thingy, but don't have a long enough cable to reach my router right now... so I didn't want to set it up via the apex display.

This was just a test to see how much flow I'll be getting. With all of them on full bore I'll be getting ~885 gph or ~98x turnover per hour [emoji51]

But with the Sicce only I'll get 251gph or ~28x turnover per hour

So I'll probably have to tune down the Sicce and only power the Jebaos to 50% or it'll just be a sand storm!

This temporary testing setup is pretty bad!

 

[Mebeknob]

Plumbing decisions

Option A

Here all the pumps would be in the center chamber of the AIO rear compartment. I would probably put a T to one slim grill vs what is shown To reduce the width of that center compartment.
I don't like how the main return won't be all the way at the bottom and I don't love how tight it would all be and that the inlet for two pumps would be a single grill (fish death spot)

Option B

Push turn the two Jebao pumps a diff direction and push them out to the sides. I could turn the inlet (I need to get the next bigger grille) so it would be on the angles portion of the AIO compartment. I feel like this will help keep crap outta those corners and get flow to the ends of the tank. This will still allow me to use 2 media racks and have space for a cut up marine pure block.

Only hard part will be either making the rear compartment deeper than 3" or modifying the pumps and the coupling.


Suggestions?? I want to use all 3 pumps if possible.

 

[Mebeknob]

Been a little while!
I recently found a new 20g tank and stand on CL for 100$. It's perfect. I can start cycling the rock, sand and media block in the 20g while I finish the AIO of the main tank.
Is it bad my QT is larger than my DT?!

The stand will fit perfectly underneath my desk and hold the dosing containers, Apex and ato.

 

[Mebeknob]

Finally got the rock and sand picked out as well. It's caribsea liferock and figi pink. Hopefully that sand won't blow around too much.

 

[Mebeknob]

My wife will be grateful when I get all this mess moved to my office (cubicle)....

 

[Mebeknob]

I got some more goodies in the mail today. I got the Neptune Apex ATK, mb7, britewell aquatics plate, and neotherm 50 W heater.

Bummer the plate came in broken

Also got the VDM Module

Come to find out the variable ports on my apex brain are shot. So I had to buy a vdm module or send in the brain to get repaired. I'm glad it works now.

Talk about total dodgy temporary setup!

 

[Mebeknob]

Finally got this back today

 

[Mebeknob]

Starting to come together

 

[Mebeknob]

Still need to put in baffles, make media racks, [emoji91] polish and silicone into place.

The two low weirs are for a closed circuit pump on either side. I really don't want powerheads in the tank.

 

[Mebeknob]

Silicon went well but not great. Glad it's an AIO and not a sump cause I think one of the baffles leaks to the return area.

I've got it temporarily set up until I can bring it to my work. Things are changing and people are getting moved around. Going to wait till that happens so I don't have to move it twice.

Made a temporary light holder so I can get some small frags going.

 

[kennedpa]

This is awesome!!!! What an advanced nano. What will you be stocking?

Really nice design.

I can't believe no one has been posting here yet....thanks for keeping it going anyway. Looking forward to your progress.

 

[Mebeknob]

This is awesome!!!! What an advanced nano. What will you be stocking?

Really nice design.

I can't believe no one has been posting here yet....thanks for keeping it going anyway. Looking forward to your progress.

I have 1 Pygmy angel in there now.... will probably add a clown and maybe a watchman goby and pistol shrimp.
Since it'll be at work, I want to have hearty corals that are appealing for my coworkers. So I'm thinking I'll start with some euphillia, zoas, acans and some birds nest. Prob do some pulsing Xenia... even though it's kind of a pest... it's pretty cool for people unfamiliar with the hobby.

 

[kennedpa]

Good idea. You close to philly?

 

[Mebeknob]

Good idea. You close to philly?

Didn't see this, sorry.
No I'm on the other side of the country.