Melev's new Nano!

[buttons buster]

melev you are one of the biggest DIY guys i have ever met

I looked at your site many times.

Do you think that when I move off to college(I'm a senior now),
could you build me an all-in-one system?

Depending on where I live(dorm room rules etc.) it might have to be a certain size requirement.
Do you think you might be interested?

 

[melev]

I don't build display tanks for others. If something were to go wrong (breakage, burst seam, etc), I'd feel horrible that all their livestock would die.

There are some good companies in California that could build you something nice that you could pick up locally, saving some money on shipping as well. SoCal Creations comes to mind.

 

[buttons buster]

How noble of you.

How much would a 12(cube) with a 10 gallon sump/refugium(completly drilled/plumbed)run approximately just to get an idea?

THanks

 

[melev]

I don't do that. Sorry.

I do like to make my own stuff, and of course I assume the risk involved and watch it closely for any potential issues.

Why don't you try to make one yourself? You could have a fun experience and be able to enjoy some bragging rights.

 

[buttons buster]

I'll try lol.

No I wasn't asking you how much it would cost from you, but just in general.


I know that the cube is expensive alone, but how much would it cost for an added sump/refuge, drilled and plumbed?

Just asking you because you have way more experience than me, and thought you might know.
Thanks

 

[melev]

I'm sorry, I misunderstood. You meant how much would it cost in materials, apparently.

I'm positive you could build both the display tank and the sump from a 4' x 8' sheet of 1/4" acrylic. You'll want the display tank to have a top flange, at least 1" all the way around to keep the shape. 12" x 12" panels will still bow out slightly with 1/4", so if you prefer and have the cash, I'd suggest using 3/8" instead for the display tank.

The sump can be 1/4".

A full sheet of acrylic runs about $90 or so. Glue and applicators, another $15. Table saw, router - these are normally tools a friend or family member already own, although you may need to buy a saw blade and/or router bit.

Bulkheads online are cheaper, as are most plumbing parts.

I think you could build a nice little system (without stand) for under $200. Add the stand, pumps, heater, lighting... and some livestock. And a skimmer! What was I thinking. Okay, if you buy some of that used, you could probably get everything going for $400 if you are lucky, maybe $500 if you opt for a small MH fixture.

 

[jnarowe]

$90 for a 4 x 8 sheet? That's an incredible price. Cheapest I have gotten here is $128 and that was a "scratch & dent" extruded 3/8" sheet.

 

[buttons buster]

The price might be for 1/4" mabey,
Plus it's melev, he probably gets it cheaper

 

[jnarowe]

Hmmm...maybe I read that wrong. I know a full sheet of 3/8" here typically goes for over $200.

 

[melev]

A 4' x 8' sheet of 3/8" acrylic costs me less than that.

 

[jnarowe]

I guess I am getting the "Seattle Markup"...but the cost is about the same in Kalifornia too. Left Coast Larceny?

 

[melev]

I don't know. Maybe because I buy a lot of it.

 

[melev]

The day I'm leaving for MACNA (9/13), I look into the nano and found my Rose BTA splitting. Normally this would be a time to rejoice, but when I'm leaving town and my tanks for four days, I was very concerned. What if it crawled up into the overflow, and cause the tank to overflow all over the foyer?

I took a few pictures, and rushed to the airport. And hoped for the best.

When I got home late Sunday night, the lights were already out. Still, I had to check. And you'll notice the sand is a lot cleaner now.

Here's the new baby. Not so tiny, when you see the clown in it.

 

[melev]

Here's a great shot of that rogue hermit I found in my main reef.

Some surviving Pavona coral, even after cooking the rock in total darkness for over a month. Somehow some areas survived and are now returning. So much for no SPS in this tank.

The Tigertail cucumber is actually traveling through the rock, pooping out sand at the opposite side. This is the mouth end.

A Nerite snail, one of many I brought home from the gulf coast collection trip.

The cute little mini carpets are still the same, four to this rock. Aiptasia in the background.

 

[adam82]

awsome tank

 

[mhhauser321]

very cool i love the design and the aquascaping seems to be coming togther very well. Where did you get you frags from?

 

[melev]

I'll have to type up a list at some point, but basically all my frags have come from local hobbyists rather than from the LFS. It's kind of neat how this tank came together.

 

[CamBarr]

sweet tank

 

[nanoguy]

Sweet tank.......I likey .

 

[b0bby1]

does that cucumber really help clean the substrate?