Rickztah's Low Iron 22g Peninsula RBTA / Euphyllia / Clownfish (build)

Rick,

There are several ways you could route the return. But it's always going to be a choice between function and aesthetics.

Unfortunately, you already drilled the tank. So that really leaves you with only three options; 1. route it up and over 2. drill the bottom and have to rely on a check valve (wouldn't suggest) 3. drill the other side for the return and build a clean cover to hide the pipes.

I would suggest option 3 personally, something like this.

da60df98c21e9a8c7eafd038db023813.jpg
 
gveng said:
Rick,

There are several ways you could route the return. But it's always going to be a choice between function and aesthetics.

Unfortunately, you already drilled the tank. So that really leaves you with only three options; 1. route it up and over 2. drill the bottom and have to rely on a check valve (wouldn't suggest) 3. drill the other side for the return and build a clean cover to hide the pipes.

I would suggest option 3 personally, something like this.

da60df98c21e9a8c7eafd038db023813.jpg
Click to expand...

First off, that is a gorgeous tank you have! I believe I ran across your tank early on in my research.

WRT your suggestions, I have considered them all. 1. Is probably going to be my route, but aesthetically it is going to be an eye sore IMHO. I like clean builds with NOTHING in them. I can't help the powerhead, but I was hoping to keep everything else out, which is why I wanted to go with a lily pipe and be as subtle as possible.

As far as your 2. option, I am afraid of back siphoning and relying on a check valve, so I believe this option is out as well. That leaves 3, and unfortunately, this will be a Peninsula tank, and on that specific side, I plan on having an access panel and wouldn't be able to run a hose through that section.

Keep the suggestions coming, even though I know I am making it next to impossible to do something with this setup.

I am seriously thinking of ditching the peninsula idea and just put it up against the wall like I had originally intended it.

Thoughts?
 
Johnny was nice enough to give me some extra acrylic he had. I had originally intended to use the acrylic as baffles but then I thought I may just make a tank lid out of it.

Originally I was going to use glass as a top but I cringed at the idea of possibly dropping the lid and it shattering inside the tank. I didn't want to use a whole piece of acrylic because it bows badly. So, I figured I'd try to make a lid which just had the edges and use fishing line to prevent jumpers. So far I have just done the cut out but still need to drill the holes and buy the fishing line.

Also, I need to buy 2 more clips because the way it sits still bows in the middle. Of course there is no telling if all of these things will prevent it from bowing regardless, but I will cross that bridge when I get there. For now, this will be my temp solution and it came at no extra cost, so why not?

Here are the pics of it in progress:

This is the way the tank looks with the painted bottom btw:
DSC08505 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC08509 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

So first I cut the acrylic sheet down to size and make sure it fits:
DSC08510 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

This is what we started with:
DSC08511 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

All areas marked off. The inner lines represent where I will clamp down a T-ruler and give enough space for blade clearance. Notice I marked little tic marks. Those represent where I would stop with the drop in circular saw so that I could round those corners. Worked out fine:
DSC08512 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

Drop ins done and now time for the jig saw. When cutting acrylic with a jig saw, find the finest blade you can and it would go through acrylic like butter:
DSC08513 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

All done:
DSC08514 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

Here's the lid on the tank:
DSC08515 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

So, few things, I wish I would have marked the outside white paper to do the cutting. I had taken it off initially because there were areas of the acrylic that were cut. I didn't want to use a cut section so I peeled one side off to check which area to use. Then, I didn't want to place the unpeeled side down in fear of scratching it so I marked on that side. Now, I cannot get the marks off by wiping it away. I will have to sand it off I suppose. No biggie, but lesson learned.

I still need to clean the edges as well, but I ran out of time.

Later this week I will make a jig to drill all the holes and get the fishing line to finish this little project. Hope you liked ;)
 
rickztahone said:
Johnny was nice enough to give me some extra acrylic he had. I had originally intended to use the acrylic as baffles but then I thought I may just make a tank lid out of it.

Originally I was going to use glass as a top but I cringed at the idea of possibly dropping the lid and it shattering inside the tank. I didn't want to use a whole piece of acrylic because it bows badly. So, I figured I'd try to make a lid which just had the edges and use fishing line to prevent jumpers. So far I have just done the cut out but still need to drill the holes and buy the fishing line.

Also, I need to buy 2 more clips because the way it sits still bows in the middle. Of course there is no telling if all of these things will prevent it from bowing regardless, but I will cross that bridge when I get there. For now, this will be my temp solution and it came at no extra cost, so why not?

Here are the pics of it in progress:

This is the way the tank looks with the painted bottom btw:
DSC08505 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC08509 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

So first I cut the acrylic sheet down to size and make sure it fits:
DSC08510 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

This is what we started with:
DSC08511 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

All areas marked off. The inner lines represent where I will clamp down a T-ruler and give enough space for blade clearance. Notice I marked little tic marks. Those represent where I would stop with the drop in circular saw so that I could round those corners. Worked out fine:
DSC08512 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

Drop ins done and now time for the jig saw. When cutting acrylic with a jig saw, find the finest blade you can and it would go through acrylic like butter:
DSC08513 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

All done:
DSC08514 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

Here's the lid on the tank:
DSC08515 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

So, few things, I wish I would have marked the outside white paper to do the cutting. I had taken it off initially because there were areas of the acrylic that were cut. I didn't want to use a cut section so I peeled one side off to check which area to use. Then, I didn't want to place the unpeeled side down in fear of scratching it so I marked on that side. Now, I cannot get the marks off by wiping it away. I will have to sand it off I suppose. No biggie, but lesson learned.

I still need to clean the edges as well, but I ran out of time.

Later this week I will make a jig to drill all the holes and get the fishing line to finish this little project. Hope you liked ;)
Click to expand...
Try to use Mr. clean Magic Eraser for marks.
 
Acetone removes Sharpie marks easily, but not sure how it would affect the acrylic. Rubbing alcohol also works, just not as well.
 
rickztahone said:
Thanks, I will try that. I was going to use acetone, but the eraser may be a better choice.
Click to expand...

acetone will react with acrylic which will cause hazing of the acrylic's surface.

While, isopropyl alcohol will cause acrylic to crack.

see what the Mr. Clean magic eraser can do with a little elbow grease.
 
I had previously done a mock-scape and was advised to keep it lower away from the water line. I had some time to mess around with the rocks today and was kind of happy with the turn out. Not completely happy with it but it is getting there. The "ledge" on the right will be a littler higher by being glued somehow and this will hopefully cover my return lines. The scape would be flipped and the right would be closest to the overflow, I just didn't want to flip the whole tank to work on it. Let me know what you think:

DSC08542 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr

DSC08545 by Rick Vasquez, on Flickr
 
I agree you don't want your rocks at the water line, but I think your second scape could use a little more vertical height. I think it's all relative to tank depth, but visually and functionally I feel it looks good at about half to 3/4 of water height.

If this helps, I redid my scape as well

Here's attempt 1

Here's attempt 2
 
Personally, I love the new one. Looks balanced, I like the 2 islands better as it kinda builds a canyon between them, and to my eyes 1 peak draws attention in a good way
 
Very nice and when I was reading your first post and you made the statement of lovin DIY, first thought oh man DIY led with 2 T5 but then seen the pic of the light
 
This is dam awesome. I'm jealous. This is my dream nano tank. Wife still won't let me get one for my bedside table lol. Smh
 
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