Project External Glass Overflow

[flaunt]

My first (and current) reef was a 10... Yeah there's less margin for error but by and large it's been a successful venture. IMHO size doesn't matter (no pun intended), but what you have in there and how well you aquascape really matters a lot. Keeping appropriate corals for the environment and really paying attention to the changes taking place in the water chemistry is key. I've seen larger tanks that are just a bore to view, but I'm happy to say most everyone enjoys looking at my little nano.

 

[CoRPS]

Alright, well, if the guy who is trying to get rid of his tank doesn't get back in touch with me, I'll definately think about turning my 10G (Or just another 10G) into a reef.
Do you think 2 Percs would be ok in such a small tank? For some reason I can't imagine one Perc alone :x

 

[flaunt]

Yes, I had a pair of percs in mine for over a year with a full blown reef and zero problems. I only have one now because the male went blind and I believe got eaten by my flower anemone, but that's another story... Yours should be fine. We should probably refrain from hijacking this thread anymore than we already have. :uzi:

Good luck.

 

[CoRPS]

Yeah, I guess we should
Do you have AIM? Me and a friend both are trying to set up a 10Gallon reef, and I'm sure me and him both would love to hear any tips or insights about yours

Anyway, if you have AIM, My screen name is: Levine XB
Thanks!

 

[ninjafish]

Looks good Flaunt, were you concerned about bracing the tank at all?
Tunjee, post some pictures when you get a chance. I'm really interested in your project because it is exactly what I've been imagining ever since I stumbled across this website and learned about nanos.
- Chad

 

[Tunjee]

Looks good Flaunt, were you concerned about bracing the tank at all?
Tunjee, post some pictures when you get a chance. I'm really interested in your project because it is exactly what I've been imagining ever since I stumbled across this website and learned about nanos.
- Chad

Hmm I have 62 photos posted so far since starting the thread. What pictures would you like me to post? Let me know I"ll post it!

 

[Tunjee]

Nice work Tunjee, Any updated pics of the tank?
I'm not very Handy as I've never really had to make anything, but anyway... Nice work, You've inspired me to think about dreaming of making something simliar
See ya

Thanks! I'll get some new pics up soon. There are some new additions to the tank.

1 Pair of True Percs
1 Red Lipped Blenny
10 Margarita Snails
10 Blue Legged Hermits
10 Red Legged Hermits
9 Cerith Snails
2 Nassarius Snails
1 Serpant Star
1 Emerald Crab

1 gorrila crab and 1 Whelk Snail moved to the sump for bad behavior.

 

[Tunjee]

Hey Flaunt looks like its coming along great so far! How's your flow?

 

[imsqueak]

Tungee, how about a new thread with a condensed photo version to show the steps and your tips?

I'm in this tread somewhere towards the beginning, but I tried to cut my test pc of glass and my bit shattered in about 1 min. GO SLOW, is probably the best recommendation. Pls include your best recommendations with your photos, but not necessarily the step by step that is covered by this thread. Great it is, and I've been following for a long time, but others may benefit with a shorter version with your personal trials and tips to succeed.

 

[flaunt]

Looks good Flaunt, were you concerned about bracing the tank at all?
Tunjee, post some pictures when you get a chance. I'm really interested in your project because it is exactly what I've been imagining ever since I stumbled across this website and learned about nanos.
- Chad

Thanks Chad,

I assume you're talking about bracing the top of the tank like Tunjee did. I'm not sure what the physics are justifying the tank bracing, but I guess it couldn't hurt. I wanted to retain as much of the plastic trim as possible because I like the look better (hides the water line) and I like being able to use a hood or cover that rests on the inside lip of the frame. So far I haven't had any structural integrity issues or any sign of an impending issue.

 

[flaunt]

Hey Flaunt looks like its coming along great so far!

Thanks Tunjee.

How's your flow?

Sucks I'm using a hagen 802 powerhead for the return right now, so I need to get the real return pump before knowing for sure about how much water I can turn over. I'm just making sure nothing leaks right now.

 

[Tunjee]

imsqueak ====> if i had the time I would, how bout a nice nightscene macro shot?

 

[Tunjee]

The hermits gang up on that macro every night for some reason. I normaly count up to 10 of them on there at once swayin on the macro with the return blowing on them.

 

[flaunt]

Probably eating micro algae off the macro. Cool pic!

 

[ninjafish]

Tunjee,
was just wondering how it looked now that its up and running and stocked. I took the plastic frame off my tank yesterday and ordered the glass for the overflow box. Just waiting on the diamond dremmel bits i ordered. I'll let you know how it goes.
- Chad

 

[ninjafish]

flaunt,
I was just wondering because I was trying to decide what to do with mine. I dont think that the slots will cause too much trouble because the water line is at the bottom of the slots and there will be very little pressure above that (where the glass has been weakened).
I really appreciate you guys and your advise.
- chad

 

[flaunt]

flaunt,
I was just wondering because I was trying to decide what to do with mine. I dont think that the slots will cause too much trouble because the water line is at the bottom of the slots and there will be very little pressure above that (where the glass has been weakened).
I really appreciate you guys and your advise.
- chad

I agree. I doubt the slots are going to make the tank fall apart. On mine I'm even planning on drilling three more holes toward the bottom for a closed-loop and I still expect no problems. Look at some tanks that have tons of crap hanging on the back of them: power filters, HOT skimmers, HOB refugiums, overflow boxes (the kind that require no drilling)... I would have to imagine that on some tanks that puts a lot more stress on the back pane of glass than a few holes do. AFAIK the main reason for making the rear glass on aquariums a solid sheet without holes isn't because of any structural concern but because they want to make sure it holds water

If someone drilled some large holes that were close together and left little space between them, in that case I would expect problems due to the large amount of stress on the small sliver of glass in between the holes. Even then if the glass were thick enough it might work.

If I were going to lose sleep over it, I would build my own tank, and make the rear glass pane twice as thick as the rest of the panes. But I'm not going to do that, because I won't lose sleep over it. But that should be obvious by now. :lol:

 

[SOMEthinsFISHY]

very good thread going on here !!

 

[Tunjee]

The red macro is really starting to take off. Hermits are doing an impressive job so far picking the rocks clean of algae and detritus.

 

[Tunjee]

Hermit's eye view.