The 20 gallon budget build...make that a 40 cube

[mch1984]

Got the tank and sump cleaned up. Every time I mess with this tank I like it more and more. Dad is order a viperspectra light from amazon and that should do better than the currents. Also ordered new bulkheads and gate valve. Plan now is to dry fit everything next weekend and see where we are at.

 

[mch1984]

OK, so the viperspecra light is on the way. Dad also ordered new bulk heads and a gate valve. He ordered the filters and resin for the RODI so we can make water there instead of hauling it from my house. I have left over screen and spline so we will pick up whats needed for a new screen top at lowes. We have decided to make a day out of dry fitting the plumbing and working on the tank this weekend. Going over early and mom is going to cook breakfast for everybody then well go back to my place for dinner and play some games to relax some. Not sure if we will have it running this weekend, but we'll make some progress.

 

[mch1984]

Dad got the new light in last night, must say I'm impressed. They claim a core coverage of 24" x 24" at 12" over the tank and from what I can see it does cover this tank in light nicely. Got the gate valve in and have some what of a plumbing plan. Also he currently uses this bulb for his fuge, which I like. The goal was to bring over as much from the 20 as possible to keep it in a tight budget. The problem is the fuge is 18" long and that bulb wont do it alone. So we are going to build a DIY light figure to hang two of these over the fuge. That should help us cover the whole length. Last thing I have to figure out is how to divide the fuge a little so all the chaeto doesn't just flow to the end of the fuge and the rest is wasted.

 

[mch1984]

Well the plumbing isn’t glued but it is cut. I can’t finish the return until we switch tanks. We are planing on using the same return.

 

[mch1984]

So my dad and I spent all day trying to finagle a way to get two of the above for mentioned lights in the stand. Came up with some wild ideas and designs, when it hit us like a ton of bricks. We have two current lights sitting on the 20 that won’t be used on the new tank. We can fit both over the fuge and there will only be about 8” of water in there. It’s perfect, amazing how you can spend all day on a solution when it’s right in front of you.

 

[mch1984]

Well old tank is out and new tank is in, still a lot of work to do.

 

[mch1984]

One more rock to put in put it has a rock flowe so I have to wait

 

[mch1984]

So no pics right now but we got the tank running and functional. Had to leave fish in coral in a bucket, the water was way too cold. We still have to clean up wires and stuff but she’s pumping.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Very nice! Congratulations!

 

[mch1984]

Tank is looking good and inhabitants are in.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Loving the aquascape.

 

[mch1984]

Thank you! I would like to take credit but the cubes just kind of come together easy. I was really expecting a fight but it went quick and easy.

 

[Katrina71]

Please Lord, let this be the case for us too!

 

[mch1984]

Parents were out of town this weekend and I went and checked on all the animals and the tank. Did a water change and couple of other maintance items, the tank is really looking good. I'm pretty excited about how this tank turned out. We added an engineer goby, but I haven't been able to grab a picture.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Parents were out of town this weekend and I went and checked on all the animals and the tank. Did a water change and couple of other maintance items, the tank is really looking good. I'm pretty excited about how this tank turned out. We added an engineer goby, but I haven't been able to grab a picture.

Looks good. Watch the engineer goby with items placed on the sand, it will bury them lol.

 

[mch1984]

Looks good. Watch the engineer goby with items placed on the sand, it will bury them lol.

Ok, thanks we will. I have never dealt with one, but thought it would be a good addition for my dad.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Ok, thanks we will. I have never dealt with one, but thought it would be a good addition for my dad.

It will also get to about 10-12 inches before it is over with. I have one in my 90 and everyone thinks it is an eel lol. They are funny though. Hermit gets to close to an entrance, gets carried to other side of tank lol.

 

[mch1984]

It will also get to about 10-12 inches before it is over with. I have one in my 90 and everyone thinks it is an eel lol. They are funny though. Hermit gets to close to an entrance, gets carried to other side of tank lol.

The eel aspect was kind of why I got it for him. I have a golden dwarf and I love him, but I knew my dad couldn't afford one on his budget. So the next best thing was a engineer.