20G mixed nano
 

This is my entry into the nano contest #2

Its a 20 Gallon Hagen tank with a DIY overflow section in 1 end leaving approx 15 gallons for the display.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...DSC_8385-1.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_8394.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_9628.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_9644.jpg

Nice start!
 

Did you do the acrylic yourself? Can't wait to see more.

Oooh, black silicone!

the pictures ave been either moved or deleted?

I think I like the way the overflow worked out, its pretty basic but it should serve its purpose. I added a secondary overflow in the back to create 2 seperate chambers, 1 side will house some rubble and the heater and the other side has the return pump. This is going to be a skimmer less tank so I need to figure out some sort of filtration(although I think I will have a low fish count) to help remove particles floating in the water. Did a leak test and am happy to say no water leaked from 1 chamber to the next...woohoo!!
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_9670.jpg

My return pump is very simple, a MaxiJet 900.
I built a return with parts from my work, 1/2" wirsbo and some 90's.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_9675.jpg

Then I cut a piece to cover the rear section(to avoid algae growth).http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_9678.jpg

Have any thoughts to what live stock you are going to add?:twised:

very nice and clean. i love the look cant wait to see some water and rocks in all of these.

well I got the stand stained last night...I think it worked out pretty good, the wife wants doors on it but I dont think it needs it.
Next I have to figure out how to hang my light overhead.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_9684.jpg

So I think I figured out what to do with my lighting, I had a piece of black acrylic(1/8"), a few cuts here, a few cuts there, some mythelene chloride...ta da....hood/light support:biggrin:
It turned out pretty good, but the acrylic was pretty roughed up so I sanded it and painted the outside with some flat black krylon paint.....turned out nice. What do you all think?
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_9691.jpg
Then i figured there should be some airflow to keep my lights cool so I cut a hole for a fan I yanked from an old computer tower I had.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_9695.jpg
I just realized that I havent explained where the tank is gonna go and what kind of lighting I am using for this:neutral:
I have a sunlight supply new wave T5 24" fixture 4 bulb so it should be good for pretty much anything I want to keep in this tank.
I'm setting this up next to my desk so that makes it a 3 sided viewable tank....hope it looks good in its final position.
I have about 20 pounds of rock curing in my sump for about 3 months now so it should be cycled and ready to go.
Anyway hers a pic of the tank in its spot.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_9751.jpg

Very nice! Looking very clean indeed :biggrin:

Thanks eh!!!
Funny thing is I'm just winging it as I go along.....I'm quickly finding out how much I enjoy working with acrylic.

I did a little modification to my hood/light stand.....I didnt like the fact that it was black on the inside, so I painted the inside with white krylon paint...seems to be more reflective now...:smile:
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_9746.jpg

Pretty sure the rock I have for this tank is cured by now(2 months) in my display sump, so I think this weekend I will be putting in.

Do we not get to see what your rock structure looks like? Any thoughts on inhabitants?

So I've been thinking about what to do in this tank for filtration...obviously there isnt any room for a skimmer, but I wanted floating particles to be removed at the least. So I built a little hanging basket from acrylic to fit inside my second chamber of the overflow...figure I could use filter floss and carbon or whatever else I want.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_0038.jpg

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I'm following along and looks pretty good so far :) . Keep up the good work.

I think I will enter the next nano contest if Christy hosts another one.

Just didn't have time for this one.

Cheers

Well I finally got the rock out of my sump, lots of neat shapes so I figured I could come up with something interesting. I really didnt want the pile of rock look so out came the drill and the zap straps. This is whay I came up with.....I like it. Then for fun I threw in a couple of frags just to see what it looks like.
Right side
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_1454.jpg
Front
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_1465.jpg
Left side
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_1466.jpg
Now to get some sand and I am set:razz:

How many rocks did you strap together? I like how it looks.

Theres 4 pieces, about 18 pounds

Sweet scape!!

thanks....I'm happy with how it turned out.
Never realized how much I like the 3 sided view.

Anything more than 1 is great.. :mrgreen:

looks great man, are you going to add sand??? man this is going to be a sweeter looking tank than it already is, and good choice on the lights.

Thanks eh!
I am going to add sand, saw some bahamas oolite at J&L that look really nice and fine so I think I'm going to add it.
I really like this light fixture, almost a 100 watts and no heat! Mind you that fan I am using really pushes a lot of air.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_1490.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_1487.jpg

I have the same light - it's great. What bulbs did you go with?

This is the order of lights
Giesemann Aquablue +
UV 75.25(pink and 10k)
UV 454(blue and 10k)
Giesemann Aquablue +

That last picture looks like you have a oil slick on the top of your water!
I got to start a nano again:biggrin:. Nice tank

Looking very good!

Thanks guys
I just added the sand....WOW what a sandstorm, I'll post some pics when it settles down.

Nano Action
 

Looking great. I hope that light works 'cause if it does, I might have to switch from MH to T5.....But probably not!!:wink:
Can't wait to see the photos with the sand in it! It must have settled out by now.
How much have you spent so far?

Has the sand storm cleared yet?

reply
 

Yes, lets see some more.

Wow its been almost 3 weeks since I last updated!
Well after adding my sand I just couldnt wait to start adding livestock.....so heres what I have so far.

Right side
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_1871.jpg
Front view
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_1881.jpg
Left side
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_1897.jpg

Looks REALLY nice. Can you post a pic of the tank from a couple of feet back? I'm interested in seeing how your custom fan solution, the T5 hood and the tank look as one piece.

heres a shot no flash
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_1916.jpg
heres with flash
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/DSC_1923.jpg

Very nice.

I would never leave the computer if I had a tank beside mine! Looks really nice.

thanks guys

Very nice looking. Great rockscape.