wastememphis
New member
It looks like they're 2 x 5gallon tanks.... I have a 2.5gallon in my stand and those look larger (thats what I'm basing the sizes on)
SPS Solana
- Thread starter JGross4
- Start date
TriggerHappyDude
New member
Excellent choices for ATO and Dosing containers, I like it better than the plastic stuff I have. I think I'm going to try to find one for my ATO, and another for dosing later...are these the 8"x16" tanks? Do you cover it with anything?
TriggerHappyDude
New member
So are those the 16x8x10 sized 5.5 gallon?
Like these?
http://www.petsr4u.com/proddetail.asp?prod=2010005
Are they covered or do you cover them?
And two of them fit in the bottom of that Solana tank?
What else do you have in the RO/DI tank there? Just water?
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TriggerHappyDude
New member
I found the 16x8x10 Aqueon tanks, 5.5 gallons, I bought one for now, to use as the ATO water container. I'll have the room down the road for the dosing, and might try doing what you did by creating a 2.5 gallon split. Thanks for the inspiration!
Pink_Gills
New member
HI JGross4!!
I think you have an amazing tank!! Love the whole set up! I think you should add more fish. Just a suggestion...anyways, keep reefin, my fellow reefer
I think you have an amazing tank!! Love the whole set up! I think you should add more fish. Just a suggestion...anyways, keep reefin, my fellow reefer
JGross4
Premium Member
ChrisMc73: Yeah those are the exacts tanks, and I did cover them each with an acrylic sheet. I drilled holes in the covers and made small handles that are easy to access. I'll take a picture and post it when I get a chance. As far as the RO/DI tank goes, its just water and the tunze topoff pump. The 5.5 gallon reservoir last 18 days, and the 2.25 gallon dosing reservoirs last about 36 days.
Pink_Gills: Thanks! I agree and I definitely want to add another fish or two!
Pink_Gills: Thanks! I agree and I definitely want to add another fish or two!
TriggerHappyDude
New member
JGross,
Where did you get the acrylic sheets cut? Could I go to Home Depot/Lowes and have them cut one for me?
If so what thickness and what dimensions (LxW) do I have them cut it to? A picture close up would be awesome. If you don't mind.
Thanks for you help and inspiration!
TriggerHappyDude
New member
I don't have those tools, so I have to rely on the hardware stores that do cut the acrylic...I just need to know the size he had his cut to, so I can compare to what I measured in mine, and seeing some pics would be cool too. The detailed visuals help.
JGross4
Premium Member
I used 1/4" thick acrylic for the tops, and I cut them myself with a jig saw and fine tooth blade. I'm sure Lowes or HD could get them to the rough size you want, but I would bring the tank with me, just to make sure it fits.
If they wont do it, you could always call a place like www.glasscages.com and order the custom cut pieces for a small fee.
The first picture below is of the RO/DI reservoir top. I cut a wide notch in the back to allow for the top-off pump wires and tubing to escape. The little white handle is actually one of those 3M plastic wall hangers for keys, dusters, or just whatever. They attach with double sided tape that is included. You can get them at walmart, target, or even a grocery store. They are everywhere now days, I'm sure you've seen them. They help to lift the lid out of the tank rim and pull it horizontally off for refilling.
The second picture is of the dosing reservoir top. It has two holes drilled in it for two 1/4' RO/DI tubing bulkheads as you can see below.
Hope this helps, thanks!
If they wont do it, you could always call a place like www.glasscages.com and order the custom cut pieces for a small fee.
The first picture below is of the RO/DI reservoir top. I cut a wide notch in the back to allow for the top-off pump wires and tubing to escape. The little white handle is actually one of those 3M plastic wall hangers for keys, dusters, or just whatever. They attach with double sided tape that is included. You can get them at walmart, target, or even a grocery store. They are everywhere now days, I'm sure you've seen them. They help to lift the lid out of the tank rim and pull it horizontally off for refilling.
The second picture is of the dosing reservoir top. It has two holes drilled in it for two 1/4' RO/DI tubing bulkheads as you can see below.
Hope this helps, thanks!
TriggerHappyDude
New member
JGross,
Yes love those pics thanks! Great help.
What size are the tops? Not quite 16x8x10? They have to be smaller to fit inside the black rim of the tank, so what are they, I guess like you said, just take the tank up there and have them cut one?
Or would this not work even better? Just cost more?
http://www.livehermitcrabs.com/peglca55ga.html
Yes love those pics thanks! Great help.
What size are the tops? Not quite 16x8x10? They have to be smaller to fit inside the black rim of the tank, so what are they, I guess like you said, just take the tank up there and have them cut one?
Or would this not work even better? Just cost more?
http://www.livehermitcrabs.com/peglca55ga.html
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JGross4
Premium Member
Yeah the size varies based on brand. I have AGA tanks so they may be slightly different than yours. So I would definitely just take a tank with you.
As far as the glass tops go, they actually are not that much more expensive. I just like the idea the durability of acrylic and being able to easily drill modify the tops. The glass ones would work as well though.
As far as the glass tops go, they actually are not that much more expensive. I just like the idea the durability of acrylic and being able to easily drill modify the tops. The glass ones would work as well though.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
I'm just not that great of a DIY'er and so making the acrylic ones seems to be a PITA.
kc350twin
New member
I copied the dosing tank after seeing this thread. I have the same acrylic curling up affect as you on the lid. Great idea by the way. I divided mine in to three sections Ca, Alk, Mg. Love it.
I'm so glad you got a new camera. It makes looking at your tank all the better.
Looks great as always.
can you explain the water change station a little more? like all the switches and valves when you have time. I'm always looking for better ways of doing things.
I'm so glad you got a new camera. It makes looking at your tank all the better.
Looks great as always.
can you explain the water change station a little more? like all the switches and valves when you have time. I'm always looking for better ways of doing things.
TriggerHappyDude
New member
Yeah, and the black stands that are holding all that stuff in the water changing station and quarantine tanks etc...did you make those yourself?
JGross4
Premium Member
Yeah I made both the of the systems. Here are some of the details...
I decided to try to organize my main aquarium necessities into two structures. I built them from 2x4's and oak plywood. Took me about a week. The first is the water station, It houses my 6 stage RO/DI, a 20 gallon RO/DI Reservoir, two equipment storage bins on top, and 42 gallons of heated SW in the BRUTE can. I built a control panel to manage the system. Now all I have to do is turn a valve and I can get the water I need without a mess.
Second, I built a Coral QT/Frag and Fish QT Station. I used to always have random small tanks set up, but now just two dedicated systems. It also houses lots of spare equipment, filtration media, and dosing liquids.
Unfortunately, I didnt take any pictures during the build.
As far as details about the setup. The water mixing station is pretty straight foward. Water comes into the RO/DI unit and then enters a tee junction that feeds to the two blue valves. One valve provides water to the RO/DI Reservoir and the other to the SW Reservoir. There is a float valve in both containers.
The DJ Power center has four switches, one for a 200 watt heater and a modded Tunze NanoStream 6025 inside the SW Reservoir. The other two are for the pumps in each reservoir.
So say I want to get saltwater, I simply sit my 5-gallon jug by the system, put the hose in the top (it has lock line on the end), turn the black valve labeled saltwater, and turn on the saltwater pump. Same process is utilized for the RO/DI water.
Keep in mind, when the SW Reservoir is out of water, I turn the appropriate blue valve to fill it back up with RO/DI. Then I put in about 44 cups of Reef Crystals. I use to do this about once a month.
Hope this helps!
I decided to try to organize my main aquarium necessities into two structures. I built them from 2x4's and oak plywood. Took me about a week. The first is the water station, It houses my 6 stage RO/DI, a 20 gallon RO/DI Reservoir, two equipment storage bins on top, and 42 gallons of heated SW in the BRUTE can. I built a control panel to manage the system. Now all I have to do is turn a valve and I can get the water I need without a mess.
Second, I built a Coral QT/Frag and Fish QT Station. I used to always have random small tanks set up, but now just two dedicated systems. It also houses lots of spare equipment, filtration media, and dosing liquids.
Unfortunately, I didnt take any pictures during the build.
As far as details about the setup. The water mixing station is pretty straight foward. Water comes into the RO/DI unit and then enters a tee junction that feeds to the two blue valves. One valve provides water to the RO/DI Reservoir and the other to the SW Reservoir. There is a float valve in both containers.
The DJ Power center has four switches, one for a 200 watt heater and a modded Tunze NanoStream 6025 inside the SW Reservoir. The other two are for the pumps in each reservoir.
So say I want to get saltwater, I simply sit my 5-gallon jug by the system, put the hose in the top (it has lock line on the end), turn the black valve labeled saltwater, and turn on the saltwater pump. Same process is utilized for the RO/DI water.
Keep in mind, when the SW Reservoir is out of water, I turn the appropriate blue valve to fill it back up with RO/DI. Then I put in about 44 cups of Reef Crystals. I use to do this about once a month.
Hope this helps!
TriggerHappyDude
New member
JGross,
Back to the 5.5 gallon lids you cut...
Can I drill holes in the acrylic lid I had cut? Instead of how you cut the part in the back of your lid, can I just drill some holes with a normal drill? What size bit fits for the ATO tubing?
I guess I don't know what size tubing I'll be using?
I got the Tom Aqualifter, so whatever size that uses?
Oh and because my pump will be under the tank in the stand, I'll need a check valve so the pump doesn't get back siphon?
Back to the 5.5 gallon lids you cut...
Can I drill holes in the acrylic lid I had cut? Instead of how you cut the part in the back of your lid, can I just drill some holes with a normal drill? What size bit fits for the ATO tubing?
I guess I don't know what size tubing I'll be using?
I got the Tom Aqualifter, so whatever size that uses?
Oh and because my pump will be under the tank in the stand, I'll need a check valve so the pump doesn't get back siphon?
Pink_Gills
New member
Hi 
I was just wondering if you are going to post your tank again for tank of the month? I think you have a good shot at winning! Good luck if you do!
I was just wondering if you are going to post your tank again for tank of the month? I think you have a good shot at winning! Good luck if you do!Similar threads
