4.8G Build

[rum_pride]

Hello everyone,
I just thought I would share my new build with all of you; it is definitely a slow moving project. Please feel free to offer any advice or suggestions.

I have been rather quiet on here for a while now, following along on a lot of your builds and threads. I haven’t had too many posts in the past but I am looking to be a bit more active now.

I started out in 2008 with a 55g tank that I had up for a short while until I downsize to a 12g which I kept for a year or so until it crashed while I was on vacation (I asked someone to look after the tank while I was away, when

I got back it was missing about 2 gallons of water. When I asked them what happened they said they didn’t know that the fish needed water…). After moving a few times (and purchasing an ATO) I set up a 40g breeder that I had for roughly 2 years, and then I tore it down and sold it due to a lack of space. Now that I’m overseas and space is limited I decided to start a build for a 4.8G/18.8L tank (17.5” x 8.5” x 7.5”).

I purchased the tank from a local pet shop here in Okinawa and had it setup in my work office with a HOB filter, after about a year our office went under renovation so I tore it down when we moved. As much as I wanted to keep it up I knew I would be too busy with work. After being without a tank for about a year now and our move is complete I decided to build a stand and set up the ~5g again. I had an idea for how I wanted to the stand to look but it all came together when I saw this build. I am also considering drilling the tank and using this. Please let me know what you think.

Equipment List:
- Lighting: 2 x 12” 12K/445nm blue & 1 x 12” 445nm blue panorama pro LED strips
- Apex Jr. w/ VDM and Meanwell driver
- DIY stand and canopy
- DIY ATO reservoir
- DIY Sump/Fuge (not sure what route or design I want to go with right now.
- Heater
- Return pump – I have a few old ones lying around but I’m not 100% committed to anything yet. I’m looking for something quiet and reliable.
~ 5-10lbs sand & 5-10lbs rock.
- 2 Mini fans for cooling

I'm not too sure what I want to stock yet, however, I am a fan of LPS and softies.

I still have a lot of work that needs done, but it is on its way.



Please ignore the mess, however, the water bottles provide a decent reference for the size.



The 445nm blue only at 100%



After a little bit of touchup work





All three lights at 100%



The hood is completely removable along with the front plate.







I'm still need to tidy up the wires, stain, get all the finishing touches put on and get some water in it.

 

[akmzero]

Well damn. That looks amazing.

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[Taahirs]

Stunning


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[rickztahone]

Very cool. Looks cleaner than much larger builds

 

[rum_pride]

Thanks for the positive comments, I'm really trying to take my time and get everything exactly how I want it. I think I'm going to pull the trigger and drill the tank before I try to build anything else in.

 

[br88dy]

Someday, when I'm not up to my eyelids in homework, I'll develop craftsmanship skills and build something like this. This build is very inspiring! Super clean and stunning. I love the hood with LEDs particularly. Looking forward to following along for the rest of the build.

 

[JonezNReef]

Your build is looking amazing! What do you plan on stocking it with and what kind of filtration are you using? I have been wanting to do a pico tank ever since I moved all my tanks out of the living room and into the fish room and this has convinced me to give it a go on my next build!

 

[Bossy @ Belgium]

very nice build and finish!

tagging along!

grts Bossy

 

[rum_pride]

Nothing insane happening with the build. Life has been hectic but I did manage to go get some rock, about 15-20 lbs. all dry rock and it was free, so how could I not grab it. I also managed to build my ato reservoir. I'll water test it in a few days. All in all I think it looks pretty good, definitely not a show piece, but not bad for my first build. Hopefully it holds water...

It's 4" x 4" x 12.5, roughly .8 gallons.



I put braces in to hold the tube along the side.



This is the lid, not the bottom.

 

[akmzero]

I'd say it's clean, once the tape comes off, I like the line holder. I may have to steal some (let's be honest, most)of your ideas.

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[rum_pride]

I'd say it's clean, once the tape comes off, I like the line holder. I may have to steal some (let's be honest, most)of your ideas.

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Feel free to. I'll take that as a compliment. That's what we're all here for anyways right? To help each other out.

 

[rum_pride]

Your build is looking amazing! What do you plan on stocking it with and what kind of filtration are you using? I have been wanting to do a pico tank ever since I moved all my tanks out of the living room and into the fish room and this has convinced me to give it a go on my next build!

Thanks! In not certain what I want to stick yet. I like LPS and softies, maybe some sexy shrimp. As much as I want a fish I think it would probably be best to not have any. I plan on building a fuge and depending on the space available I might add in a protein skimmer.

 

[rum_pride]

Someday, when I'm not up to my eyelids in homework, I'll develop craftsmanship skills and build something like this. This build is very inspiring! Super clean and stunning. I love the hood with LEDs particularly. Looking forward to following along for the rest of the build.

Thank you. I find that patience with the build is just as important as patience with the tank. This is a slow moving project I'm about 3-4 weeks in and still have a long way to go until it gets wet. All of my woodworking has been made through trial and error. With LOTS of scrap wood, and even more error.

 

[rum_pride]

Scape

Scape

Well I grabbed some rock this weekend and started playing around with the scape. It's all beach rock and there's plenty to choose from. I soaked it in some fresh water for the night and let it bake for the day. I'm gonna leave it in the sun for about another week or so, after which I'll start soaking it in some RO water until it is all clean. These are the three setups that I was fond of. Please let me know what you think.

Option 1











Option 2

 

[rum_pride]

Scape

Scape

Option 3

 

[akmzero]

I like option 3

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[Bagabaga]

I know it's all opinion here but I like 2

 

[JonezNReef]

I like the arch way on option 2

 

[bricksheethouse]

man, i gotta say, when i first saw 4.8 gallon i thought what the hell is this
but you blew me away i love the attention to detail regardless of the water column!

Keep up the good work. watching to see where this goes

 

[rum_pride]

I like option 3

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Thanks, I'm a fan of the aerial view with option 3.

I know it's all opinion here but I like 2

Thank you, I'm looking for different opinions. I like the divide that option two has.

I like the arch way on option 2

Im a big fan of the archway too. I'm just not too sure how practical it is in such a small tank. If it were larger and if I planned on keeping fish I think this option would be a shoe in.

man, i gotta say, when i first saw 4.8 gallon i thought what the hell is this
but you blew me away i love the attention to detail regardless of the water column!

Keep up the good work. watching to see where this goes

Lol. Thanks, I picked up the tank from a local pet store it's a "gex" aquarium. I appreciate the compliments, there's a lot that I see with it that I think needs fixed. I suppose it's like they say, "you're your own worst critic" I see a lot that still needs fixed. My next tasker is to build a custom fuge. I've been reading a lot about algae scrubbers and I'm trying to figure if one would be practical. I know there's a lot of debate between scrubbers and skimmers. Either way I'm limited on space.