My take on the nano-reef contest

DarkDevil

New member
Hi everyone, here are couple pics of the tank I built from scratch for the nano-reef contest. More info here

initial1.jpg

all2.jpg

top1.jpg


Any comments are welcome, enjoy!
 
Nice tank. Didn't realize is was a DIY tank until I read the other thread. Just one design flaw - rely on the check valve on your return. Check valve are known to fail unless maintained on a regular basis. You should have also put in a ball valve. So it should go something like tank, ball valve, check valve, and then sump. The ball valve is so that you can take your check valve out and clean it on a regular basis.

Anyway - really nice job on the system!
 
Thanks for all the comments.

supaboy1981: the evap rate is ok I think, at least compare to my old 90G. I think it's evaporating about 1/4-1/2 gal per day.

reefugee: thanks for the advice, I will see if I can add a small ball valve next time I tear it down to clean it. since the check valve is screw on, so I can still take it apart.

hiepatitis: the check valve is used so the water only go one way, which is up in this case. since my hydro flo is set up way lower then the water level, if I don't have a check valve there, once my power went out, all the water above the hydro flo will all drain out, which will be kind of disastrous... but if the check valve fails(knock on wood) then it will be as bad.
 
Nice Work!

I specially like the way you've designed your sump. I'm also in thinking of incorporating a sump in my 20g reef to provide a small fuge and maybe help a little on cooling.

Can I ask you for some input? I'm also in Natomas- Natomas Park, by the Club House.
 
Now that's very sweet!!
I might even be able to create something similar..
Thanks for the awesome design ideas.
 
I like it. Nice work on the light fixture. A few suggestions: That light cable sticks out like a sore thumb. Can you wrap it in white tape? Also, do you have doors for your stand? You could add a few panels that stick on with magnets. These are just the little things that make a tank go from nice to "Awesome!" IMHO. :D Good luck in the contest.
 
That looks really nice. I thought it was a zero-edge at first. I worry that the sump is not able to contain the tank water above the hydor in the event of power/valve failure.
Nice look though. Keep posting as you progress!
 
Oh yes, there are still stuffs that I haven't finish. just like wombat2 said, the huge black MH cable and the "skin" for the stand. actually I was thinking about using 2 simple panels, painted same color as the wall to cover the stand, and use velcro to stick it together, for easy removeral, but magnet will work as well, we'll see.

I was thinking to do a zero-edge design at first, but the money and time used will be way more then this, so I scratched that out, although one day I may attempt to do one of that.

yeah, the sump/check valve will be the biggest problem, I will see if I can come up with any safe guard. maybe 2 check valves, or an electronic valve just in case if a flooding occurs, I will totally keep that in mind.

thanks for all the comments.
 
You could always just get a taller sump. :D

You know, I just noticed you have a ball valve on the intake side of your pump. It will cause a cavitation and shorten the life of your pump if you throttle it down here. It should be on the output side.
 
noted.

that valve there is for testing purposes, I want to see if there are any changes to the main tank when there's less flow, it won't be there for long, but thanks for reminding.

I have thought of making a larger sump, but I can't, due to the limitation of the contest. but I think it should be fine, I mean it has to, right? ;)
 
you guys mean the black piece right? yeah, it was just 2 pieces of 1/4" black acrylic, cut the teeth on a scroll saw, and just stick it together. I used scroll saw because I don't have a dado blade and my router table isn't setup yet, so a scroll saw would be the fastest. enjoy
 
Sweet tank! First thing I thought was a nano zero edge.

Just a few questions. Why do you have the lights so high? My guess is so you don't burn your scalp looking down in the tank :) I should know I actually saw smoke the other day when my hair got singed by my halides. Also how much did it cost to build the tank, if you don't mind me asking? Is there any kind of silencer on the durso? Any flushing noise?
 
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