chasekwe
New member
Well, finally, after quite a while with the Reefcentral.com website and these magnificent forums I get to make my own build thread. I've decided to go all out on this build to try and learn as much as I can and make for an interesting project that will last me for quite some time.
Later this year I'll be moving to a new home. When I get there I plan to start a large full on reef display so this nano set-up had to be something that was different than normal (not just a smaller reef) so it will still hold my attention after I have the larger display.
With this in mind I present to you what I call my "Nano Tower"!
chasekwe's Nano Tower
The Basics
Measurements
Display ------- 16"x16"x30" (33 Gallons) Quite "tower-y" for this size tank I think. :lmao:
Sump Tank --- 30"x20"16" (42 Gallons)
Stand -------- Sits the tank at 42"
Total Height -- 78.5"
Objective
The goal of this tank is to house to mutiple E. quadricolor with clowns and a single Stomatopod (Mantis Shrimp).
Approx. 2.5" of mixed-size substrate will be utilized along with 40+lbs of rock. Rock will be arranged in a pillar format up the center/rear-center of the tank, a relatively flat, thin, platform spawning from the pillar will be put in place at approx. 10" from the bottom. This will serve to block most of the lighting from reaching the lower end of the tank and provide a symbolic seperation between the anemone(upper) and mantis shrimp(lower) portions of the tank.
Relatively quiet, viewable from 3 sides with minimal equipment visible.
The Display
Starphire on viewable sides. Dimensions as above with black back and silicone. External overflow drilled for 4x 3/4" bulkheads for the BeanAnimal overflow system and 1 return, centered on back of tank. The tempered glass is custom made with holes already in place so I could use thinner materials for a couple reasons.
For those who are curious...
I received quotes from the following manufacturers during the planning stages: (PM me if you'd like a price comparison/my vendor impressions)
Acrylic and Glass Exhibits - Was not accepting new orders.
Coast to Coast
Envision Acrylic
Midwest Customs
Miracles Aquariums
Ocea Aquariums
The Sump
Rimless Acrylic, a variation of one of Melev's Model F designs in that water will drain into 2 separate chambers, refugium and skimmer compartment, before flowing to the return compartment and back to the display. Approximately 250-300GPH (6-7x) will flow through the sump in total with the majority flowing to the skimmer compartment.
The refugium encompasses more than half of the total sump volume and will hold approx. 22 gallons when in operation. It will hold LR and Macro, be lit and receive additional flow from a cheapy powerhead.
Plumbing
This will be my first ever plumbed tank, so I'm trying to K.I.S.S. as much as possible while still managing the BeanAnimal system. Aside from the standpipes I'll likely use 3/4" Flex PVC throughout. Approx. head for return flow is 6-7ft. There will be no additional plumbing.
Equipment - The Big Ones
Return - Eheim 1260
Flow - Ecotech Marine Vortech MP10 x2
Skimmer - Bubble King Mini 160 Gen 2
Light - LED Pendant (Considered Aqua Illumination but am having second thoughts)
The tank will not have corals so no dosing equipment is being incorporated, all other basic essentials will be present such as controlled heating, ATO and RODI units, etc.
The Stand/Hood
Aside from the RODI and mixing tanks which will be kept under a bathroom sink all equipment will be maintained within the stand or hood. There isn't much else to say, I went through easily 10 iterations before finalizing the design and will let the pictures speak for themselves.
Stand/Hood are constructed largely from 3/4" ply, the finish in the colored images is not representative of a final decision. I haven't decided what finish I'll use yet, I may even go with a black laminate of some sort.
Now here is the kicker..., and what I'm most excited and most nervous about at the same time. Along with doing the plumbing I'm building the display, ATO reservoir tank, sump, stand and hood myself! For reference, the last thing I built was a wooden box in shop class back in grade school. Is this stupid? Probably, but it's my time and money so leave me be, LOL! :crazy1: I do have some experienced people in the area to reference and I've been doing research here for years.
Oh and cause I think it's kinda cool... The materials for all 3 tanks, the plumbing parts and all the wood for the stand and hood cost me almost exactly what the lowest quote I received to have just the display custom built with shipping.
Anyways ladies and gents, that's the whole shebang... glass is on order and being cut as you read this, I hope the thread turns out as interesting as this build should be... there'll be real pictures as soon as there's something real to take a picture of. In the meantime, here's a couple extra fake ones.
Later this year I'll be moving to a new home. When I get there I plan to start a large full on reef display so this nano set-up had to be something that was different than normal (not just a smaller reef) so it will still hold my attention after I have the larger display.
With this in mind I present to you what I call my "Nano Tower"!
chasekwe's Nano Tower
The Basics
Measurements
Display ------- 16"x16"x30" (33 Gallons) Quite "tower-y" for this size tank I think. :lmao:
Sump Tank --- 30"x20"16" (42 Gallons)
Stand -------- Sits the tank at 42"
Total Height -- 78.5"
Objective
The goal of this tank is to house to mutiple E. quadricolor with clowns and a single Stomatopod (Mantis Shrimp).
Approx. 2.5" of mixed-size substrate will be utilized along with 40+lbs of rock. Rock will be arranged in a pillar format up the center/rear-center of the tank, a relatively flat, thin, platform spawning from the pillar will be put in place at approx. 10" from the bottom. This will serve to block most of the lighting from reaching the lower end of the tank and provide a symbolic seperation between the anemone(upper) and mantis shrimp(lower) portions of the tank.
Relatively quiet, viewable from 3 sides with minimal equipment visible.
The Display
Starphire on viewable sides. Dimensions as above with black back and silicone. External overflow drilled for 4x 3/4" bulkheads for the BeanAnimal overflow system and 1 return, centered on back of tank. The tempered glass is custom made with holes already in place so I could use thinner materials for a couple reasons.
For those who are curious...
I received quotes from the following manufacturers during the planning stages: (PM me if you'd like a price comparison/my vendor impressions)
Acrylic and Glass Exhibits - Was not accepting new orders.
Coast to Coast
Envision Acrylic
Midwest Customs
Miracles Aquariums
Ocea Aquariums
The Sump
Rimless Acrylic, a variation of one of Melev's Model F designs in that water will drain into 2 separate chambers, refugium and skimmer compartment, before flowing to the return compartment and back to the display. Approximately 250-300GPH (6-7x) will flow through the sump in total with the majority flowing to the skimmer compartment.
The refugium encompasses more than half of the total sump volume and will hold approx. 22 gallons when in operation. It will hold LR and Macro, be lit and receive additional flow from a cheapy powerhead.
Plumbing
This will be my first ever plumbed tank, so I'm trying to K.I.S.S. as much as possible while still managing the BeanAnimal system. Aside from the standpipes I'll likely use 3/4" Flex PVC throughout. Approx. head for return flow is 6-7ft. There will be no additional plumbing.
Equipment - The Big Ones
Return - Eheim 1260
Flow - Ecotech Marine Vortech MP10 x2
Skimmer - Bubble King Mini 160 Gen 2
Light - LED Pendant (Considered Aqua Illumination but am having second thoughts)
The tank will not have corals so no dosing equipment is being incorporated, all other basic essentials will be present such as controlled heating, ATO and RODI units, etc.
The Stand/Hood
Aside from the RODI and mixing tanks which will be kept under a bathroom sink all equipment will be maintained within the stand or hood. There isn't much else to say, I went through easily 10 iterations before finalizing the design and will let the pictures speak for themselves.
Stand/Hood are constructed largely from 3/4" ply, the finish in the colored images is not representative of a final decision. I haven't decided what finish I'll use yet, I may even go with a black laminate of some sort.
Now here is the kicker..., and what I'm most excited and most nervous about at the same time. Along with doing the plumbing I'm building the display, ATO reservoir tank, sump, stand and hood myself! For reference, the last thing I built was a wooden box in shop class back in grade school. Is this stupid? Probably, but it's my time and money so leave me be, LOL! :crazy1: I do have some experienced people in the area to reference and I've been doing research here for years.
Oh and cause I think it's kinda cool... The materials for all 3 tanks, the plumbing parts and all the wood for the stand and hood cost me almost exactly what the lowest quote I received to have just the display custom built with shipping.
Anyways ladies and gents, that's the whole shebang... glass is on order and being cut as you read this, I hope the thread turns out as interesting as this build should be... there'll be real pictures as soon as there's something real to take a picture of. In the meantime, here's a couple extra fake ones.
I'm guessing the starphire glass is stronger than regular? I have heard of mantis shrimps breaking regular glass o_o
