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

[mch1984]

Thought I would start this thread to get some ideas as I go. My dad likes aquariums but has never really gotten into them for various reasons. I have been trying to help him start a nano but haven't had much luck. He told me one day that its the SPS that he really likes and wants to keep. We discussed it would have to be a much better system to keep them. So I have set off to put together a nano, with on a budget that can support SPS.

I found a used 20 high with a 10 gallon sump that is already drilled for $40 so that is where we start. I have two current marine pros at the house and wanted to find a tank that could take advantage of them since I already have them. My experience with them was not great, but I think a small system will do good with these lights. I also have two the current wave makers so they will be utilized in this system as well. The 10 gallon sump only has two chambers and I want make it a three chamber for a refugium. I was thinking about making a non permanent baffle so we could adjust down the road. Looking for ideas on that front, I had considered using the coarse filter pads in a similar fashion to what BRS did. But I'm open to ideas on that.

We have the tanks, and hope to get them cleaned up and set up so we can take a look at where we are at with them. Looking forward to this build with my dad, I'm sure we will both learn a lot.

Updated equipment
24" x 24" x 16" custom aquarium (assuming, can't find anything like it online)
18" x 18" building an obsession sump
viperspectra led
two current wave pumps
jehnhiem heater
grow light from amazon for fuge (going to make a fixture to accommodate two bulbs)
110 ss reef octopus skimmer

stock list
2) plain clowns
1) cardinal.

 

[Brew12]

Thought I would start this thread to get some ideas as I go. My dad likes aquariums but has never really gotten into them for various reasons. I have been trying to help him start a nano but haven't had much luck. He told me one day that its the SPS that he really likes and wants to keep. We discussed it would have to be a much better system to keep them. So I have set off to put together a nano, with on a budget that can support SPS.

I found a used 20 high with a 10 gallon sump that is already drilled for $40 so that is where we start. I have two current marine pros at the house and wanted to find a tank that could take advantage of them since I already have them. My experience with them was not great, but I think a small system will do good with these lights. I also have two the current wave makers so they will be utilized in this system as well. The 10 gallon sump only has two chambers and I want make it a three chamber for a refugium. I was thinking about making a non permanent baffle so we could adjust down the road. Looking for ideas on that front, I had considered using the coarse filter pads in a similar fashion to what BRS did. But I'm open to ideas on that.

We have the tanks, and hope to get them cleaned up and set up so we can take a look at where we are at with them. Looking forward to this build with my dad, I'm sure we will both learn a lot.

That is fantastic! I hope to be able to do something like this with my son some day.

The orbit pro's should be just fine on a smaller tank like that. As for a baffle, I would use egg crate. The stuff has so many uses in the hobby!

 

[mch1984]

That is fantastic! I hope to be able to do something like this with my son some day.

The orbit pro's should be just fine on a smaller tank like that. As for a baffle, I would use egg crate. The stuff has so many uses in the hobby!

That was my though on the orbits, especially with two of them on a 20 high. Good thought on the egg crate, I have some of that at the house too. that would also create lots of flow into the Cheato in the refuguium. I guess I could put some foam on the outside edges to get it to stay in place.

 

[kwhyle]

You can find cheaper acrylic on amazon and ebay. To strengthen them, add a couple vertical supports between the baffles as wide as the spaces to prevent bowing

 

[mch1984]

I was hoping to go to my dads house and get to work on this today, but his ac is out for the moment and is 105 in west texas. So we are going to hold off until it's fixed.

 

[mch1984]

Well thought we would get some work done today but we came to a screeching hault. I wanted to redo the plumbing and realized I’m going to have to cut bulkheads to do it. Plus the overflow is coming loose so it will need to be redone. Supplies are ordered so we will have to wait a little bit

 

[mch1984]

Well after two trips to Lowe’s we still have to go back. For some reason I ordered a thread by thread gate valve. We’ll go tomorrow and hopefully have this plumbed tomorrow night.

 

[mch1984]

This tank is going to be my demise and have me premonitly scared on plumbing. I didn’t realize how tight the spaces were that I would be working in. I got the drain plumbing all cut, not glued. Went to start the return line and figure out I need one more piece. But at least there is some progress.

 

[Brew12]

I'm envious of those who make the plumbing look easy. I always find it a challenge.

 

[mch1984]

My 90 went easy, but this thing has trown me for loops the whole time. Being on a corner table hasn’t helped either.

 

[mch1984]

So the plumbing is done! We still have a ton to do but this is checked off. We’ll get back to work in a few days.

 

[LuizW13]

This is a pretty neat build!

 

[mch1984]

This is a pretty neat build!

Thank you!

 

[mch1984]

We have water! I normally don’t do water than rock but this was a little different. We are using rock from two established tanks. But they are both plagued with hair algae. So we will spend a day just treating and scrubbing rock. We wanted to go ahead and get the thing pumping and check for leak.

 

[mch1984]

We got it up and going and rock in, tank is running smooth at the moment.

 

[mch1984]

Got the screen top built and a new fuge light. Still going to change up the fixture for the bulb. Dads going to mount a ceramic plate fixture in the top of the stand for the bulb.

 

[Nolan Shinn]

Looks awesome! Can’t wait to see it fill up with colonies!

 

[mch1984]

So it’s been a while since I’ve done anything with this thread. Really this tank is a hot mess, but things are looking up. I came across one hell of deal and it’s a needed and massive upgrade. It’s going to take some elbow grease but so worth it. Going to pick it up tonight.

 

[Nolan Shinn]

So it’s been a while since I’ve done anything with this thread. Really this tank is a hot mess, but things are looking up. I came across one hell of deal and it’s a needed and massive upgrade. It’s going to take some elbow grease but so worth it. Going to pick it up tonight.

Awesome dude! Can’t wait to see how it comes along.

 

[mch1984]

Awesome dude! Can’t wait to see how it comes along.

Thanks, once I saw it in person it was even more impressive. Somebody spent a lot of money and had this custome built. I’m pretty sure the glass on this is as think of not thinker than my 90. The building a obsession sump is super impressive. He also through in some rock and an RODI system. Not bad for $200.