2.8 pico with overflow DIY

[Patio]

So I want to do my rock work today. I was thinking doing a reef wall across the back but I am having trouble getting any adhesives to work with the rock. They stick to the tank fine, not the rock. I have tried aquarium epoxy and it just is not cutting it. Egg crate is to thick and I will loose to much display room. Now I am thinking I am stuck stacking my rockwork, and I am bad at aquascaping. Any suggestions?

 

[Patio]

Aural: I bought the tank from lfs for $15 you can buy the same tank online. He sells the tanl seperate for 25 http://www.catalinaaquarium.com/product_info.php?cPath=29&products_id=1340

 

[Surfzup2k4]

dude, you had the slots cut so nicely.... now they look like total a$$. Why didn't you take time to make it look nice? Idea is awesome though, and goodluck with it. Can't wait to see pics with it stocked.

 

[Patio]

you know it had to be done with the 200X turnover. Those pumps are rated over 110gph. you should see the flow it is sick. When the pumps are on you cant even see the slots because the water is so ripply and fast. It looks good guys. They are ugly because I had to route them to about an inch. I might get some video for you to see.

 

[Surfzup2k4]

all that flow really might not end up being a good thing.....

 

[Patio]

the nice thing about the pumps is you can control the flow. I actually use a coat hanger to ajust it because I have hands to big to fit down the overflow

 

[Patio]

 

[Surfzup2k4]

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet

 

[Agu]

Nice job :thumbsup:

How's the evaporation? Seems like you'd really have to top off pretty often.

 

[vanmo92]

kool

 

[Patio]

This is my second pico and yes day one the evapo is about the same which is at least a cup and a half. I think this week i will get to my 70wmh and next week work on the auto top off, then stock it.

 

[Patio]

my temp is staying lower than my previous 2.5
under my 20w
77.8 lights off
79.9 lights on
old tank
82.6 off
85.8 on
Probably because of the over flow
I hope I can keep these temps with the halide and fan

 

[kaserpick]

really awesome setup! Keep up the good work.

Thumbs up!
Kaserpick

 

[petergordet]

tank looks good man. i cant wait to see it under some good lights. shimmer yo!!

 

[louist]

Very cool Patio, I like what you have done with this tank, especially the DIY overflow with the two little cute pumps. I worry myself sometimes calling pumps "cute"

Watch the evaporation though, salinity swing could be outside of acceptable range with small volume of water. This is especially true when your halides are on and you have fans blowing. Good on you for having planned an ATO.

 

[Patio]

the diy stuff is as much a hobby for me as the reef keeping.
thanks.

 

[Patio]

So my light is set up and ready to mount! Tomorrow I am cutting the top of my desk to make hinged opening for tank access from above. Here is a pic of my old set up which is being replaced by this project. You can see I will be mounting everything so it fits in a cubie in my desk shelf. The second pic is the 70W MH 20K that I will mount tomorrow. My auto top off will sit on the shelf to the right of the tank.

 

[Agu]

That's pretty radical :thumbsup: . What happened to the old tank ?

 

[Patio]

It's still running. Something to look at while the new tank cycles. I didn't like the lack of surface skimming or the look of anything visable. The old tank had 20w 50/50 runs to hot and I dont like the look of the black tank framing.

I met one of the guys who runs http://www.catalinaaquarium.com// today and they might help make a custom tank that will fit the demensions of my desk cubie perfectly. I bought the current tank I am working on from them.

 

[chocolateblnt]

that's cute