I've found myself in need of something to do to keep myself occupied and scratch the need to build / learn itch.
So I decided to join Maddlesrain's little contest they started up.
Because of the ridiculousness of the Mini Complete Tank I figured I might as well have fun and over think the heck out of it.
So went ahead ordered one and patiently waited for shipping. While waiting I started mocking up plans in AutoCAD. Settled on a design where I will eliminate the included sump and instead build a miniature stand for the tank to sit on.
I went ahead and using Mcmaster-Carr I got some 1/4"npt bulkheads, fittings, and valves.
Going to fabricate the stand out of hobby wood from Home Depot or Lowes and attempt to have it coming out looking like a bog standard flatpack tank stand from Petco. Sump will be a single pane glass construction.
Thinking of putting the sump on drawer slides so I can slide it out the back for easier access during water changes and cleaning. That's for another day.
Received the tank last Thursday and after some final measuring to confirm my drawings started my build today.
Didn't take any pictures of unboxing , because honestly I didn't think of it.
Good news for anyone else wondering. The plastic drills fairly easily. I will admit I did hold my breath
Itty bitty bulk heads are cute!
And yes I know they stick out above the top of the tank.. I am planning on making a custom hood that will hold a small PC fan for cooling. I live in Arizona and keeping my tanks cool is harder than keeping them warm.
Holding water and no leaks!
Very unstable mock up while I tested how the pump and overflow worked. Looks like I am going to have to figure on using the built in overflow system as well. Even on my pumps lowest setting it was filling up to fast. The good news is I did plan for that during the design process.
I have heard the Krylon Fusion is safe for plastics inside the tank. Is that the consensus here as well? That gray lock-line nozzle will bug me to no end. Alas is does not come in black at 1/4"npt.
That's all for now. Currently I have the tank in the kitchen filled with tap water testing for leaks overnight. After that I will drain it dry put some black vinyl on the back and start working on the stand.
So I decided to join Maddlesrain's little contest they started up.
*Unofficial* Mini Complete Tank Contest
Hey Reefers! I've been eyeing the MCTs for a couple years, and would love to get a little (or big, bring it on!) group together to start an unofficial contest on who can create the most knock-your-socks-clean-off Mini Complete Tank over the course of a year or so. I'm thinking the winner would...
www.reef2reef.com
Because of the ridiculousness of the Mini Complete Tank I figured I might as well have fun and over think the heck out of it.
So went ahead ordered one and patiently waited for shipping. While waiting I started mocking up plans in AutoCAD. Settled on a design where I will eliminate the included sump and instead build a miniature stand for the tank to sit on.
I went ahead and using Mcmaster-Carr I got some 1/4"npt bulkheads, fittings, and valves.
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.
www.mcmaster.com
Going to fabricate the stand out of hobby wood from Home Depot or Lowes and attempt to have it coming out looking like a bog standard flatpack tank stand from Petco. Sump will be a single pane glass construction.
Thinking of putting the sump on drawer slides so I can slide it out the back for easier access during water changes and cleaning. That's for another day.
Received the tank last Thursday and after some final measuring to confirm my drawings started my build today.
Didn't take any pictures of unboxing , because honestly I didn't think of it.
Good news for anyone else wondering. The plastic drills fairly easily. I will admit I did hold my breath
Itty bitty bulk heads are cute!
And yes I know they stick out above the top of the tank.. I am planning on making a custom hood that will hold a small PC fan for cooling. I live in Arizona and keeping my tanks cool is harder than keeping them warm.
Holding water and no leaks!
Very unstable mock up while I tested how the pump and overflow worked. Looks like I am going to have to figure on using the built in overflow system as well. Even on my pumps lowest setting it was filling up to fast. The good news is I did plan for that during the design process.
I have heard the Krylon Fusion is safe for plastics inside the tank. Is that the consensus here as well? That gray lock-line nozzle will bug me to no end. Alas is does not come in black at 1/4"npt.
That's all for now. Currently I have the tank in the kitchen filled with tap water testing for leaks overnight. After that I will drain it dry put some black vinyl on the back and start working on the stand.