26 gallon "pico" build

Mebeknob

New member
I've waited too long to post my build. I wanted to wait till I had loads of pictures and a few months of successful reefing before I started to post.
So here it goes.

Display Tank:
Mr. Aqua 12" cube
DIY overflow (low profile modified beananimal)

Sump:
DIY 12"x13"x15" mechanical filtration and beananimal overflow
DIY 12"x13"x15" biological filtration and ato reservoir

Lighting:
DIY merge of radion and hydra26

Filtration:
Live Rock
SCA skimmer
ChemiPure Elite
 

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The stand had to be modified
 

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I found a piece of acrylic of craigslist for $40

I cut the pieces on a table saw and put them together with #4 acrylic glue and used silicon as a backup. (this was my first attempt at acrylic and I didn't want a leak)

The blue water was to see if my ATO leaked into the main chamber of the sump.

I then painted the backs white and installed the bulkheads and bqeananimal overflow on the top sump
 

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I then built my overflow.

Since I wanted it to be low profile, I drilled the bottom of the tank and made the overflow like the pictures.

I then painted it black after scuffing up the surface.
 

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I then drilled the tank.

Installed the bulk heads and siliconed the overflow into the tank.

Then fit the sumps into the tanks with a bit of foam under each.
 

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I then did a two week water test.

Got my SC Aquariums skimmer and got my sump rock cycling in a tub.

I had to modify the sump to fit the return pump and simply cut out a baffle and installed it on a diagonal.
 

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Started to build LED kit

Milled Rapid led Heatsink for fit fan

3D printed faceplate and painted it black.

Rigged it up to the tank.
 

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Added LR to sump and got the rocks cape working.

Installed RKE

Got the thing sorted.
 

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Built a concrete countertop for under the tank

Just a couple more recent pics
 

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