Rimless - Zen/Bonsai 5-Gallon Setup?
- Thread starter dapellegrini
- Start date
thrillreefer
New member
That ADA gallery is interesting because I noticed that the tanks mostly include just a few plant species that are thriving and covering the space. When I see top of the line reef aquaria, they are predominantly full of a much larger variety of species. I think I might try letting a few species go wild and take over the space in my tank. I guess the difference is in the grow-out time; the plants can cover half the tank in a few months, where it might take 10 years for the same growth of coral.
IDK, anyone seen any reefs where just a few species predominate?
IDK, anyone seen any reefs where just a few species predominate?
ThomasinKind
New member
post may be beneficial
post may be beneficial
18 Gal ADA Reef
This thread may be of benefit. It's significantly larger than the 5 gallon but you could get some suggestions from a local reefer with a similar setup.
I love ADA. I'm going to have to head up to Phx and hit up AquaTouch.
post may be beneficial
18 Gal ADA Reef
This thread may be of benefit. It's significantly larger than the 5 gallon but you could get some suggestions from a local reefer with a similar setup.
I love ADA. I'm going to have to head up to Phx and hit up AquaTouch.
dapellegrini
New member
Ok - now for the build.
I went out and bought a $50 side table from Target:
Measured everything out and drilled a couple of holes - one for the light pole and one for the electrical wires:
Seems that this little thing is made out of some cousin of cardboard and hollow in the middle (I guess they don't make furniture like they used to). I was concerned that with the weight of the tank, these holes may have compromised this little table's ability to hold. In doubt, I just some pieces of PVC and glued them in as reenforcement around where the tank would be.
I also used a pice of PVC for the pole hole.
... Apparently I have hit my picture limit... Let's see if I can double post...
I went out and bought a $50 side table from Target:
Measured everything out and drilled a couple of holes - one for the light pole and one for the electrical wires:
Seems that this little thing is made out of some cousin of cardboard and hollow in the middle (I guess they don't make furniture like they used to). I was concerned that with the weight of the tank, these holes may have compromised this little table's ability to hold. In doubt, I just some pieces of PVC and glued them in as reenforcement around where the tank would be.
I also used a pice of PVC for the pole hole.
... Apparently I have hit my picture limit... Let's see if I can double post...
dapellegrini
New member
Next, I bent a 3/4" EMT pipe and cut to length. Drilled holes and sprayed with a black Lacquer and mounted against an extra piece of pine underneath the desk:
The hanging kit wires were cut to a closer size (still awaiting final trim) and the light was hung. I used velcro straps to hod the wire against the backside of the pole (out of sight):
Pushed a rubber cap onto the end of the EMT and the pole was complete:
After thank I cut out a piece of cupboard liner as a pressure pad underneath the tank and positioned the tank on the table:
And here is what I have so far:
Last piece is a 1 1/2" Grommet for the wire hole - which is in the mail. Oh and perhaps a power strip mount on the back of the table.
I am out of town all next week and plan on filling with LS and LR when I return.
The hanging kit wires were cut to a closer size (still awaiting final trim) and the light was hung. I used velcro straps to hod the wire against the backside of the pole (out of sight):
Pushed a rubber cap onto the end of the EMT and the pole was complete:
After thank I cut out a piece of cupboard liner as a pressure pad underneath the tank and positioned the tank on the table:
And here is what I have so far:
Last piece is a 1 1/2" Grommet for the wire hole - which is in the mail. Oh and perhaps a power strip mount on the back of the table.
I am out of town all next week and plan on filling with LS and LR when I return.
Excellent thread so far! I have a freshwater Mini-M just getting into its' prime right now, so I am certainly looking forward to your progress!
I do have one question though, how did you bend your conduit pipe? I am looking at doing the exact same thing for my FW tank, the desk lamp doesn't cut it!, and have been stuck on how to mount/hang a light.
Cheers,
Marty
I do have one question though, how did you bend your conduit pipe? I am looking at doing the exact same thing for my FW tank, the desk lamp doesn't cut it!, and have been stuck on how to mount/hang a light.
Cheers,
Marty
dapellegrini
New member
You can buy a "pipe bender" at Home Depot or Lowes made to bend EMT. I have found lacquer to be the easiest spray paint to use.
reefer1024
New member
Great start. What did you decide to do about filtration and flow?
dapellegrini
New member
I am still not sure what I will be doing for filter/flow. I have two 2 tiny tunze power heads, but I may still end up with an Eheim Ecco canister filled with LR rubble... Still debating it in my head... Once I have the LR and LS in and play around with the power heads, I should have a better idea...
dapellegrini
New member
I have 2 "Tunze Universal pump Mini 5024.04":
and a "Micro-Jet 320 Mini-Pump":
to play around with for flow.
I also have a Coralife digital thermometer that I may use:
and am considering getting a 50w Azoo Titanium Heater (only 5.5 inches long):
Of course I want as little as possible in the tank, so we will see how this all works out. Once I have the LS/LR I will be in a better position to decide what I might use and where.
and a "Micro-Jet 320 Mini-Pump":
to play around with for flow.
I also have a Coralife digital thermometer that I may use:
and am considering getting a 50w Azoo Titanium Heater (only 5.5 inches long):
Of course I want as little as possible in the tank, so we will see how this all works out. Once I have the LS/LR I will be in a better position to decide what I might use and where.
dapellegrini
New member
Got the Desk Grommet in the mail to finish it off (impossible to find a 1 1/2" black grommet locally):
And for those of you who don't know what a pipe bender looks like:
And I finally figured out how to measure things out with a 3/4" EMT bend without having to cut both ends after the bend. Basically, once you have decided how long you want the top bar to be, put the pipe in the bender with the top length minus 6" lined up on the arrow:
And for those of you who don't know what a pipe bender looks like:
And I finally figured out how to measure things out with a 3/4" EMT bend without having to cut both ends after the bend. Basically, once you have decided how long you want the top bar to be, put the pipe in the bender with the top length minus 6" lined up on the arrow:
dapellegrini
New member
Ya - I have been keeping an eye on the ballast, but it never seems to get any warmer than room temperature??? Perhaps 70w isn't enough to cause any problems?
dynaschm0e
New member
Sweet FW tanks. Can't wait to see your SW. Tagging along too...
dapellegrini
New member
OK - just finished adding LS/LR and building the hardscape. I picked up 10lbs of LS at the LFS, a 5-gallon bucket of Reef Crystals and then drove 1 hour to get some nice LR. I ended up with 90% cured "tank rock" from their display tank(s) and 10% Fiji Premium that they have been curing for "a long time" (whatever that means).
After hours of screwing with things, here is where I am at so far:
As I started to put things together I decided that both of my powerheads (tunze and Microjet) were just to weak, so I picked up a Rio 90 and that is working a lot better.
I also decided to further reduce clutter I would drill the back of the drawer and put my powerstrip in there:
Still not finished arranging wires, etc, but moving along:
After hours of screwing with things, here is where I am at so far:
As I started to put things together I decided that both of my powerheads (tunze and Microjet) were just to weak, so I picked up a Rio 90 and that is working a lot better.
I also decided to further reduce clutter I would drill the back of the drawer and put my powerstrip in there:
Still not finished arranging wires, etc, but moving along:
reefer1024
New member
Great job with the rocks. I think a black background would look nice.
