ColdWater Reef
- Thread starter Kataro
- Start date
Kataro
New member
The iceprobe would be too inefficient for a tank my size. It's decent for a small tank like 2-6G. And I wanted to be able to set the temperature myself so I went with a chiller.
Got my little 5G bucket down to 54F last night... my god it was cold!
Kataro
New member
Me too! Cannot wait!!
Unfortunately, I don't think it will have livestock until around august or so. The coldwater cycle will take quite a bit, I'm just looking to get some live rocks / sand and maybe macroalgae and some tiger pods in the tank before I leave for the summer. That way it can cycle while I'm gone:spin1:
I needed 1 more fitting to make the chiller work with the tank plumbing. Should get here on Wednesday or Thursday... then I can do a water / chiller test on the tank. After that it'd just be aquascaping > mixing salt > cycle!
brian cummings
New member
I am going to do a coldwater pico. Just picked up a small chiller, going to test it out on 3-5 gallons. Going to look into getting a tank made.
Kataro
New member
Nice! I recommend Ceasar for the acrylic if you go that route. Made my tank very quickly and did a very good job. Extremely nice fella too.
lostmyz
New member
Totally stole my idea!!! I was going to get a 5 gal tank the exact dimensions as the original frugal edge for the inside diameter with 1" thick acrylic. And have a larger back permanent overflow/return (like the edge) and run to iceprobes!
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AquaticEngineer
New member
What chiller did you end up getting?
brian cummings
New member
Yeah, I am going to want to contact him.
brian cummings
New member
I picked up that pacific coast CL-85 I told you about. I was going to test it today, but it seems like the hose barbs are metric....1/2 tubing went on too easily and it leaked....maybe it's 12mm or something...if that chiller won't cool down 3-5 gallons to the requisite temp, then I have a backup chiller, an older JBJ 1/15 hp that I can try (it's the backup for my seahorse tank)
I was thinking to have my planned pico made out of 3/4-1" acrylic...I read somewhere else here on reef central (on a thread you started Stu) that plex has a R value of .7 per inch...
Kataro
New member
Carlos?
I might be getting my live sand and some bacteria / pods and snail next week for the tank!
Kataro
New member
ah sure, if you want his #. Just PM me
brian cummings
New member
I have a couple different designs in my head, will CAD them when I get a chance... Which probably won't be for a few weeks, until my semester is done.
I am inspired by that 3 gallon-ish pico you posted earlier in this thread.
I have done acrylic work before, nothing that thick however. I used to make plexiglass mounts, cases, brochure holders, extra at a museum in town. I was at a plastics supply on Saturday getting something else, and asked about getting some weld-on, but they only sold it in gallon sizes, which I didn't want to mess with. Depending on what Kataro's tank cost, I may or may not try to give it a go on my own.
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