DIY 10G Nano Log (Loads Of Pics)

[Steven0000]

i am starting up a 10G nano
i either have or have ordered everything so far
i only need some silicon to seal the tank

i am using an old powerhead for my return pump because the intake is way too strong an i already have had it suck 2 shrimp
so it should make a good return pump

i ordered 2 50/50 screw in compact bulbs
and a small return pump

the original plan was to make a 2.5 but it cracked and i just decided to go with a 10G since it was the same price

if i can mod the old return pump then it will become a powerhead
or maybe it wont even need any modding

anyways i made my own lights
with some sort of paint bucket thing
and just added some parts i took out of an old lamp and wired it up with an old computer fan i bought from my neighbor for 5 bucks

i am going to take some plexiglass i cut and add some adhesive
the make an intank filter (similar to the one in a 12g J&J)
i have all the pieces cut and all i need is some adhesive and i can get to work on finishing it and start cycleing it
(but my dad got the wrong kind of caulk)
so now i have to wait for some NON-poisonous caulk
and my lights and return to come in
thats it

here are some pics

this is the fixture i made
<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/158029174.jpg">

<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/158029213.jpg">

and the fan i installed


<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/158362825.jpg">

<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/158641250.jpg">

heres the tank

<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/159854725.jpg">

<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/160269101.jpg">

test with some white 60watt bulbs

<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/160269150.jpg">

the powerhead/return pump

<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/160271650.jpg">

<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/160271671.jpg">


sorry for the quality

ok well thats it for now
i will have more pics when i do some more

thanks!

 

[ENraged]

Looks good,

 

[Steven0000]

thank you

 

[ENraged]

Looking forward to seeing this stocked and running

 

[Steven0000]

i just glued my tank with some silicon
house glue

tommorow i will add water and maybe a piece of LR

here are some updated pics



<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/161029177.jpg">
<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/161029223.jpg">
<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/161029295.jpg">
<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/161029265.jpg">

 

[AIMFish]

It looks like the overflo chamber is sealed/seperate from the return pump chamber?

 

[Steven0000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7640958#post7640958 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AIMFish
It looks like the overflo chamber is sealed/seperate from the return pump chamber?

there are slits in the bottom of that piece so water will run through everything(overflow then down through the secong piece of plexi)

if you see any other problems dont be afraid to tell me

 

[ENraged]

Here is an auto body repair trick I know to help with laying down your beads of sealant.
On both sides of the gap to be sealed lay down a line of masking tape as straight as you can. Then once the bead is applied wet the tip of your finger with water and run it along the bead filling the gap and sealing it tight. Once you have it the desired thickness peel the tape off and you have a nice line giving it that professional look.

 

[ENraged]

only other thing i see would be to flame polish the edges of your acrylic but i dont know how that s done never researched it

 

[10" Red Devil]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7642405#post7642405 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ENraged
Here is an auto body repair trick I know to help with laying down your beads of sealant.
On both sides of the gap to be sealed lay down a line of masking tape as straight as you can. Then once the bead is applied wet the tip of your finger with water and run it along the bead filling the gap and sealing it tight. Once you have it the desired thickness peel the tape off and you have a nice line giving it that professional look.

Wow! nice, nice skill!

Thanks man!

 

[Steven0000]

cool

i wish i would have known that before i had done it

 

[ENraged]

Any thing i can do to help

 

[Steven0000]

ok well i redid it because i found a leak and thought what the heck
looks good and sealed

tommorow i will test for leaks and if there are none
i will put all the fiter media in the tank as well as LR and LR rubble
i can't get sand yet but i will eventually

 

[Steven0000]

here are my updates for tonight
tommorow i will get my tank filled
ok
well i went to petsmart
and got a couple things

-master SW test kit (just got a new one because i ran out of PH test)
-aquarium backing
-little stick on thermometer
-sponge
-phosphate remover bag
-salt


i wanted to get one of those little ph suction cup alert things
but they didnt have them because petsmart sucks

anyways

here is a list of how much money i have spent so far on my "project"

10 tank - $9.95
x2 50/50 Bulbs - $14.99
Return pump - $5.59
Filter media- $8.00
fan - $5.00
thermometer - $1.26
plexiglass - $10.00 (because i cracked the first piece)
silicon glue - $6

and thats it

here is a picture of where it will sit and the new backing on it

<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/161581819.jpg">

<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/161581822.jpg">

 

[fishes2889]

Nice start . Put some water in that thing!!!=)

 

[dime079]

looks good, i bought one of those top fin aquariums from walmart a few years back for my daughter (gold fish tank) and it sprung a leak with in 2 weeks so make sure you water test that a while. otherwise, looks nice cant wait to see more.

 

[Steven0000]

well i filled it up today(almost)
it only needs about 4 more gallons

dime it was cheap so i did test for leaks
but thanks for the warning!

<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/161688069.jpg">

here is some of the filter media i put in it
as well as a phospate remover bag
and some carbon in floss
i have an ammonia remover bag should i toss it in there too?

and i tested everything and it works awesome!

hopefully i will get a chance to run up to LFS and get some more water

well thats it for now
i will keep you guys posted!
<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/161688098.jpg">

 

[Steven0000]

well i got some more water
i put some LR rubble in the filter also

and thats it i will post when i get some LS and LR
wich might be tommorow

<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/161759654.jpg">
<img src="http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL617/3951265/10941748/161759637.jpg">

 

[ENraged]

be sure to level it when you put it in its final resting place. from that one photo it appears to lean a bit

 

[Steven0000]

it is

just a tab bit

it was a lot worse but i pit some boards under my desk
and it leveled off much better