DIY 14G XXL, Extra Extra Long

[calvin415]

Well it looks like I'm doing another Nano tank, but this time for a buddy and he's planning on FOWLR. The dimesions are 46"x8"x12.5" built out of 1/2" acrylic so it's a nano beast! Each end has a 1/4" divider which will be used for built in filtration leaving the display area 36" wide. Total display area calculated with acrylic loss leave 12.5 and assuming 5" water height on each overflow give another 1.5 gallons for a total of 14 gallons. Here are some drawings (not to scale sorry) to try to make sense of what I've written but let me know if you have any questions.

Multi View

Wire Frame

Rendered Wire Frame

I'm calling it a 14 gallon XXL (extra extra long). The returns on each overflow box will be a maxijet, one along the front, and one along the back. Each box will incorporate filter pads to run mechanical and chemical filtration (carbon/phosban) with biological handled with live rock in the display. I'll take some actual pics when were done water testing it.

 

[trentula77]

Awesome! I cant wait to see it!

 

[midknight]

Looks like it will be a killer tank. Can't wait to see it running.
One question, are the 2 returns going to be running all the time to create a circular pattern or alternating to create the wave effect?

 

[calvin415]

Thanks Trentula, I'll try to get some pics tonight if it's not too late...


Thanks midknight, I'm planning on running them simultaneously, since it's FOWLR I figure I don't need to worry about a wave effect.

 

[bennerkla]

Eric-

Looks like a great plan. How about lighting?

 

[calvin415]

Going to run twin 36" VHO's, figure that way incase he wants some softies down the road he's good to go.

 

[IsThisNameTaken?]

Check these out.

***** Edited: RC does not allow links to ebay sales. Thanks in advance. *****

interesting options I guess.

 

[calvin415]

Only problem is the window is 46" wide so a 48" light won't fit... I've already got the endcaps and I can get an AS220 ballast for 35 bucks to run a pair of VHO bulbs.

 

[calvin415]

Here's some pics of it after the water test, sorry it's still a little dirty, but should clean up just fine. I think I'll end up removing every other tooth on the overflow screen to allow me to increase pump size down the road. It's just enough for a MJ400 right now.

w/ Flash

 

[Henry22]

Looks really clean and Nice. Good Job

 

[dime079]

wow, that is nice looking! if you dont mind me asking, how much are you charging for something like that?

 

[IsThisNameTaken?]

Great work Eric!!!

 

[calvin415]

Thanks guy's, since the buddy is like a brother I'm doing it for cost which is 180 for the acrylic (plus shipping costs and it's way over built w/ 1/2"). Only other costs for him are the return pumps (2 maxijets) and 35 for the light ballast (AS220 plus VHO bulbs) and lumber for the canopy just a few bucks... All together the tank will cost him about 300.00??? +/- a few bucks.

 

[traveller7]

Nice job Eric.

 

[roni]

very nice tank...what's he keeping in there?

 

[calvin415]

Thanks guys, the plans for now are just a few fish... He'd like a coral beauty as the center piece with a firefish and a couple clown gobies. Of course that could completely change tomorrow.

 

[calvin415]

Got the tank setup yesterday and getting ready to build the canopy tomrrow. Now just the waiting game for the tank to cycle. Used rock that's been cooking in my basement for the last 9 months so I'm curious to see if he even get's a diatom bloom.

Anyway, here's the pics...

Filter box chamber on the left

The box on the right will be for the protein skimmer...

 

[10" Red Devil]

This looks great Eric!

 

[calvin415]

Thanks bro!

 

[calvin415]

I was planning on using a skimmer on the right side, anyone think a refugium would be a better use of the space?