Mattgecko's 13.3g Rimless Bow Front

[MattGecko]

Hi RC -

6 months ago I caught the reef bug again and started a JBJ NanoCube 6 with a 70W HQI that I had build years ago and never started.

I've always been a nano guy, this was my first tank. 2year old 7g Mini Bow with a 70w HQI before I broke it down 6 years ago.

I am feeling cramped in the 6G and decided to upgrade to a 13g plus its a good excuse to buy LED.

New setup (currently building):
Mr Aqua 13.3g frameless bow front
A.I. Sol - Super Blue
Super Nano con Dientes Overflow Kit
Dual 1/2" loc-Line return
Eheim 1250 return pump


Still deciding on / yet to purchase:
3/4" SCDW
10g Sump
SWC-120 Skimmer


I am custom building an oak stand, about 75% complete



Thanks to tpallas for the setup assistance. :beer:

 

[MattGecko]

The new Bow Front

 

[tpallas]

Woot woot! This looks great! Can't wait to see the stand. Are you building it?

 

[MattGecko]

Woot woot! This looks great! Can't wait to see the stand. Are you building it?

Thanks.

Yes I am building the stand, I used to build and sell oak bow front canopies with MH lights. Many years ago.....

 

[tpallas]

Did you build the stand for your previous tank in the pics above?

 

[MattGecko]

Did you build the stand for your previous tank in the pics above?

Yes the stand, canopy and dropped in a 70 metal halide.


I had to order the last remaining plumbing parts and couldn't resist the temptation, bought a MP10 (not going to use the SCWD).

 

[tpallas]

Well done. Can't go wrong with the MP10. It's the best.

 

[MattGecko]

Completed my light tree, more like a shopping cart handle than a tree. I used 3/8" stainless air line.

 

[tpallas]

Matt, looks great. Where do you get that material, and how did you bend it? I tried using conduit but with the radius of the bend, I couldn't get the bar to be centered over the tank correctly. It looks like you have a much narrower radius there.

 

[MattGecko]

Matt, looks great. Where do you get that material, and how did you bend it? I tried using conduit but with the radius of the bend, I couldn't get the bar to be centered over the tank correctly. It looks like you have a much narrower radius there.

I used a small handheld bender since the tubing is only 3/8". The material was new left over from a job.

 

[MattGecko]

The tubbing is to small to drill so I am going to have to make some mounts.

 

[tpallas]

What about simple hooks?

 

[MattGecko]

What about simple hooks?

Hooks would be a great idea, Thanks.



Finished the stand and mounted the light tree.

 

[ange062]

I really like that light stand! I think I may try to rig up something like that for my 3g, thanks for the idea

 

[WhoDey64]

What are the plans for your sump?

 

[MattGecko]

What are the plans for your sump?

I had planned on a 10g DIY sump but I made the door to narrow on the stand and the tank will not fit. :sad2:

New plan: 5.5g sump with SC-65 skimmer and an Eheim 1250 return pump.

I will have a low bio-load.

 

[WhoDey64]

Have you thought about going the DIY Acrylic route to optimize space? You seem pretty handy from the pictures above.

 

[MattGecko]

Have you thought about going the DIY Acrylic route to optimize space? You seem pretty handy from the pictures above.

Your right, I will build my own. Thanks!!

I made the plexiglass fuge/overflow compartment in my nanocube 6 (picture above).

 

[MattGecko]

I really like that light stand! I think I may try to rig up something like that for my 3g, thanks for the idea

No problem!

 

[MattGecko]

The tanks been cycling in the garage for most of December. I'm going to move the tank into the house and make the swap this weekend.


I completed the sump, it was to small to add a fuge so it will be for skimmer and return pump only.


The Eco rock was epoxied large 2 cave pieces that fit together.