Office Pico Shallow Reef build

[truebeliever71]

So, while I love my job my workspace leaves a lot to be desired; the constant buzz/hum of computers, servers and switches (though easily drowned out with music) in a long rectangular windowless room decorated in the typical industrial drab fashion with pipes overhead and grey cabinets and shelves. Did I mention that there are no windows? Talk about feeling isolated. Anyway, it's time to stop singing my woes and add some color and life into this place!

One thing I'm blessed with a nice long curved desk with lots of room. Perfect for a 13x13x8 shallow reef tank!

The goal is to have a fairly simple setup with minimal equipment and easier to care for coral and inhabitants. I'm open to any ideas for livestock! I have the majority of the materials and equipment on hand so very few items will have to be purchased.

Equipment..
Custom built 13x13x8 AIO tank (under 6 gallons)
corner divider for overflow, heater, pump, filter media and live rock
DIY suspended LED light

Tonight I plan on painting the divider and getting that installed within the next day or two.

 

[Dave VG]

Sounds like a very cool build I'm subscribing

 

[sedorusc]

Could maybe get away with a yasha goby/pistol shrimp combo. How big a led build? I'm in the cycling step of a three gallon. I added 6x3 watt leds from rapidled. My plan is to keep sps and a clam (which can move into my 30 when time comes). this light should provide plenty for both. Tank looks good.

 

[truebeliever71]

I'm going to running 6 3W LEDs on mine too. I'm not sure if I'll get a clam or not but definitely going to have high light corals in it.

 

[Thinker1920]

You're lucky to be able to do this at your work place, I'm curious to see the fitration setup.

 

[childofgod]

Where are the updates?

 

[truebeliever71]

So, you want an update?! Well, here it is...

So, you want an update?! Well, here it is...

So, I've actually had time to finish this project up. And here's the results...

Details...

I'm using two cutting boards, one for the base and the other for the back to clap the light on.

The light is a just clip-on desk lamp I retrofitted with 4x 3w LEDs (2x 18000K whites, 1x 455nm Royal Blue and 1x 420nm violet) mounted on a 2 inch square piece of aluminum which is mounted on a heatsink/fan I pulled off of a video card.

I went and held the light over my 120G and WOW!! What I love the color! Much more pleasing than just the RBs. (After we move and get settled into our new house I'm definitely ordering more of these up for my 120!)

Here's a shot of the power supply... it's designed for 4 to 6 LEDs...

Tonight I have to plumb it and do a final water/flow test and then I'm ready fill and stock.

 

[truebeliever71]

Well everyone... it's setup and has it's first inhabitants!

 

[reefjunkie42]

looks good tony nice light! By the way what is the filtration? It looks like some type of ovrflow but is it drilled for a sump? or just neatly hidden and recirculated ?

 

[teamdulski]

I believe it is all built into the back chamber.

 

[truebeliever71]

Thanks Dex!

Yes, the filtration is built into the back corner. There are two chambers. The water goes over the overflow, through filter floss, bag of carbon, and teflon pot scrubbers that I've had in my 120G sump to get bacteria growing on them. The second one has the heater and return pump. I'm currently using a Maxijet 600 rated at 160gph.

 

[coralnut99]

Very well done! I thought about doing essentially the same, but with a granite slab under it instead of the cutting board. If you go to places that do marble/granite countertops you'd be amazed at what ends up in a dumpster. You've inspired me to resurrect that idea.

 

[truebeliever71]

Very well done! I thought about doing essentially the same, but with a granite slab under it instead of the cutting board. If you go to places that do marble/granite countertops you'd be amazed at what ends up in a dumpster. You've inspired me to resurrect that idea.

Thank you! I thought about granite idea but chose this route since I know I can nail the two together for the light support. Not sure how I would accomplish it with the granite.

 

[coralnut99]

Noodled that one around in my head too. What I was thinking of was drilling a slightly oversized hole in the granite slab. Fill the hole with epoxy and put a large cement or drywall anchor in the epoxy filled hole. I figured I could screw in a length of threaded rod and bend the top to act as a pendant holder. You can buy wire covers at auto parts stores that will cover the threaded rod rather nicely and run the power cord inside the wire cover. If I do it right, I should be able to just swing the lamp cord and all out of the way when I need to. I have a long ride to work, so I have tons of time to picture this stuff in my head, but no time to get it done, lol!

 

[coralnut99]

The one drawback I saw to the granite slab is that the whole thing becomes REALLY heavy. But I guess in some settings that may actually be a benefit.

 

[reefjunkie42]

looks great the way it is! love it tony!

 

[tommer725]

Updates

 

[crn005]

You heard the man, updates! Please