The 110 Tall (48x18x30) Project. Picture Intense!

[cerreta]

Well, it has been a long time since I have posted on this thread. So here we go, another project. I built a 30 gallon tall aquarium to fit on the chiller stand. It is plumbed into the main system, sharing the sump, pumps, and closed loop circuit (CLC).

This was the first tank I have built from scratch. It was impossible to find a tank with these special dimensions, and a custom built tank was too costly, so I made it. . . sure hope it does not break 

I will let the pictures tell the story of this project. I loaned my camera out, so I do not have all the detailed photos of the plumbing and canopy.

Here are the glass panels ready for silicone.

Panels held by duct tape

Nano tank is done.

It failed the first two leak tests.

Old nano ready to be pulled out.

110 tall reef tank. I need to stop buying stuff, because I have no room to place the corals.

Old nano and 110tall reef.

CLC extension designed into original plans with anticipation that I may want to put a CLC in the 30 tall nano tank.

Pic after the cap was removed and the gate valve ws placed. I lost ½ gallon when removing the cap.

Nano without water.

 

[cerreta]

Another view.

Plumbing view.

Overflow.

Foam wall view.

Nano without water.

Another tank shot.

 

[Satori]

Awesome Scott! That truly is one of a kind. I really like it!

 

[cerreta]

Thanks Mike. Haven't heard from you in awhile. How is Angela, and the reef tank doing?

 

[Satori]

Both are awesome.

 

[cerreta]

Today I finished up the nano tank. First off, the CLC in the nano was totally wrong! I screwed this up bad. I plumbed the CLC line in through the bottom, but I did not put a drain in this tank. I just thought the main tank could act as a drain. Well, what happens is that when I run off the return pump and leave the CLC on, the nano pushed water into the nano until it rises over the overflow wall where it then drains into the sump. This will continue to happen until all the water gets dumped onto the floor. Bummer. So I just left the locline in the bottom of the tank and I capped off the inlet to the CLC loclines.

All else is working as expected. I replaced all the MH lamps in the tank today. I measured the LUX and was surprised to find that the lamps did not loose that much intensity over one year. I will do the math and post it later. I think these lamps have more life in them. I did see a slightly better color, but not what I was expecting.

Here are the pictures.

Nano canopy with the MH and led strips mounted.

Front slant view of both tanks

Side view of nano

Front view

Closer front view

Side view

Neon Green Frogspawn

 

[cerreta]

Front view of zoos

Side view of zoos

Another side view of the zoos

Shot with just the LEDs on

I have some cool news about pobrecito and his dad. I will post this is the pobrecito thread. It is very cool!

 

[McCrary]

Man Scott, that is freaking sweet. I still can't believe that you built that tank by hand. It looks awesome next to the 110 and you can brag about how the new nano is custom built.

 

[AZreefkeeper]

Scott,
looks great...
If you need a place to put all your coral you keep buying, might I suggest my tank:lol:.

You've got alot more zoas since the last time I stopped in. are you bringing those to the swap? I am going to post pics of the actual pieces this week on that thread.

 

[cerreta]

lol!!!

I may have a few zoas, but most of what you see there I will be trying to grow at, so they won't make the trip.

 

[cerreta]

bump

 

[cerreta]

Bump for JHendu.

Go to page 2 of the thread. You will see photos and a description of the AGA mod Durso. Note the small hole in the cap. To make this work, you must glue the PVC pipe to the elbow. Then the cap will turn freely and you can adjust the size of the hole.

I sure do miss this tank. This project took over four l o n g months to complete.
Cheers

 

[cerreta]

Page four are details of the aquascaping.

 

[McCrary]

Lol, dragging this old thing up again Scott. I start to cry everytime I think about how beautiful your 110 was, lol. Hopefully I will be able to talk you into upgrading your nano soon.

 

[cerreta]

nope. . . nanos rock! Much less time involved for upkeep. I can also do a 15% water change in 10 minutes. Woohoo!

 

[philblumenfeld]

Scott, Did you get rid of that beautiful tank you setup. You must have put hours and hours and $$$ and $$$ into it.

 

[cerreta]

Yup to all three counts. I sold it at the beginning of 2007 before a three week trip to Africa.

I miss the corals, but not the work.
Cheers

 

[McCrary]

Maybe you should speak about how to maintain SPS in a nano aquarium when we come together in January. It is very difficult to maintain many SPS in a nano and you seemed to have mastered the technique, maybe others could learn from you.

 

[philblumenfeld]

Scott, What size nano do you have now and do you have any pics for us?

 

[cerreta]

The tank is about 16gallons, about 21"x18"x12" tall.

I will try to work up some current photos