My first DIY PICO project

[tkimmons85]

About a month ago I set out to build a pico. I had been wanting one for along time but didnt want to go the usual 2.5 gallon aga route. I built my own tank out of 1/4 inch plate glass. Its display is the same size of a 2.5 but the overall tank includes a refugium in the back side that is circulated by a danner mini65 pump. I also intend to build my own DIY led lights with a dimmable driver on my blues and my whites. This way I can get exactly the shade of color I want. Also I am gonna need practice build an led fixture because in about a year Im gonna attempt one for my 125 reef which wll be fun. Anyway enjoy the pics.

 

[AdrianBryce]

Very nice! I like the dimensions on that. SPS pico?

 

[tkimmons85]

Not sure what Im gonna put in there yet. Im gonna wait for it to cycle before I put anything in there. I may just make it a softie pico I just dont know yet. Im also kinda waiting until I get my LED fixture made. Its gonna be 6 white 6 royal blue cree's with two dimmable buck pucks mounted onto a heatsink with a single cooling fan on top. As for live stock I cant decide between a couple of sexy shrimp or a pom pom crab. But for sure 2-3 astria snails.

 

[undertcontrolj]

Woudl you be interested in making another one of those. PM me if so

 

[eyebedam]

Very clean Set-up. Looks Fantastic.

 

[tkimmons85]

undercontrol pm sent

 

[tkimmons85]

Thanks guys for all the nice comments. I have been throwing around the idea of maybe putting some pulsing xenia on the back glass that seperates the display from the fuge and letting it cover it.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Nice Job, That Zenia Idea will definatly cover the back wall and In time the whole tank, LOL Looks good can't wait to see It full of life...
Bill

 

[orthokardia]

looks good. how hard was the glass to drill?

 

[tkimmons85]

It wasnt hard it was just a little time consuming. I had to really take my time drilling the 6 refugium holes. I pressed too hard the first time and broke the glass and had to go get a new piece. The bulkhead hole was super easy. I got my hole saw from glass holes dot com and my glass drill bits for the little holes at lowes. I also got my bulkhead from glass holes and I got the white pvc L adapter at lowes.

 

[lori13]

Travis,
It is adorable!! If you decide to make and sell, I would like to know what you would charge for one. I would love to have it for a small quarantine tank.
Lori

 

[tkimmons85]

I already have two people interested in buying one. Like I have been telling people the cheapest way is just for me to assemble the tank and you buy the needed equipment. That way all you would pay is for the glass, silicone, and labor. But I can do whatever you would like. You can play around with diff demensions too if you want. Lori PM sent

 

[ZachB]

Dude, very nice. Probably the coolest pico I've seen. Only thing I would add is a black background on the back wall. PM me with some details on cost - I may be interested in one whenever I get my new tank up and going.

 

[MVlk]

Very cool.

 

[tkimmons85]

I thought about doing something to make the divider glass black but I came up wit nothin. I didnt want paint or plastic in contact with the water. I figure I can eventually get coraline algae, xenia, or five star to cover the back wall.

 

[NeveSSL]

Very nice, man! Looks great! I really like the design. Kind of makes me want to do a custom sump for my 30g cube with glass instead of acrylic... hmmm...

How much did the glass cost you?

What LEDs/drivers are you planning on using?

And Zach, one of these would look great on that little filing cabinet behind your desk.

Brandon

 

[tkimmons85]

The glass cost me 45 dollars to have cut.Then I used 12 dollars worth of silicone. Im going to use 6 white crees and 6 royal blue crees with two dimmable buck pucks. This will be mounted on an aluminum heat sink that will have a computer fan on top of.

 

[NeveSSL]

Sweet, man. I'm going to use some royal blues as actinic supplement to my office tank eventually. I will also probably use buckpucks just because I won't be using enough LEDs to get a Meanwell driver.

Brandon

 

[lori13]

Travis,
I looking forward to ordering mine. Would you design a light for it as well?
Lori

 

[tkimmons85]

The meanwell drivers I hear are great but I dont know alot about them. Whereas I have researched the buck pucks quite a bit. Only because the one thread here on rc featuring a large DIY LED fixture used multiple buck pucks so thats what I started looking at.