Michika's 28g long nano-esque tank!

[michika]

So I'm upgrading again!

My current tank isn't as SPS friendly as I had hoped, so now I'm upgrading once again. This tank will feature stronger and more random flow, more length, less height, and run with just T5s for lighting. I plan to DIY most items in an effort to keep the cost low. The tank will continue to house my 9 clams, a variety of SPS, and a few select pieces of LPS. This tank will house few fish, 4-5 at the most.

The tank:
Outside dimensions are 33" wide, 18" deep, and 12" tall, which is 30.9g. I will be limiting the water height to just 11", giving me 28g of usable space.

The tank will feature an external overflow with 2x 1.5" bulkheads for drainage. The external overflow will measure 10" wide, 5" deep, and 8" tall.

The water will be returned from the sump/refugium via a Reeflo Snapper pump, via a Calfo manifold. There will be four additional holes drilled into the bottom pane of glass to facilitate futher flow, as well as for easy water changes.

Lighting:
Since I'm on a Wattage budget I've chosen to go with T5 lighting for the display tank. At this time I believe I'll be going with 8 T5 bulbs run on two Workhorse 7 ballasts. While the initial investment for this lighting setup will be higher then just picking up a second MH, and supplimentary PC lighting, I think it will be better in the long run. T5s will put off less heat, as well as the power consumption will be lower. The cost of bulb replacement is comparable to MHs with approximately the same frequency.

Finally a few photos of the tank. I'm so excited to start the project I haven't even cleaned the tank out!



With overflow sketch

[saltynuts]

wow girl you just left my place and look at you go!
poor kevin!!!!

[Mik_101]

Grate looking tank you got your self cant wait to see it up and running!

[Redrover]

" Dam" this sound like a great adventure...keep us posted, along with some Pic's.

[Delphinus]

Neat stuff.

Just curious, how come you want to run the tank at 11"?

What do you use for Ca and Alk, do you run a reactor for those 9 clams or are you dosing manually?

[mr_alberta]

Be careful about drilling so many holes in the bottom of your tank. You're probably only using 1/4" glass right? 4 holes may be much for such a thin piece of glass.

[michika]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Neat stuff.

Just curious, how come you want to run the tank at 11"?

What do you use for Ca and Alk, do you run a reactor for those 9 clams or are you dosing manually?

The total tank height is only 12" and since I would like a bit of a buffer I chose 11" incase of splashes, etc.

I run a kalk, calcium, and phosban reactor to keep all my levels in the right places. I also do weekly water changes and that seems to keep everything happy.

Originally Posted by mr_alberta

Be careful about drilling so many holes in the bottom of your tank. You're probably only using 1/4" glass right? 4 holes may be much for such a thin piece of glass.

I think your right, I may skip on drilling the bottom pane. Although now I will have to look finding an alternative way to do easy water changes. Suggestions?

[mr_alberta]

Just put in an extra valve in your drain line to your sump from the tank?

[Pan]

Originally Posted by michika

So I'm upgrading again!

My current tank isn't as SPS friendly as I had hoped, so now I'm upgrading once again. This tank will feature stronger and more random flow, more length, less height, and run with just T5s for lighting. I plan to DIY most items in an effort to keep the cost low. The tank will continue to house my 9 clams, a variety of SPS, and a few select pieces of LPS. This tank will house few fish, 4-5 at the most.

The tank:
Outside dimensions are 33" wide, 18" deep, and 12" tall, which is 30.9g. I will be limiting the water height to just 11", giving me 28g of usable space.

The tank will feature an external overflow with 2x 1.5" bulkheads for drainage. The external overflow will measure 10" wide, 5" deep, and 8" tall.

The water will be returned from the sump/refugium via a Reeflo Snapper pump, via a Calfo manifold. There will be four additional holes drilled into the bottom pane of glass to facilitate futher flow, as well as for easy water changes.

Lighting:
Since I'm on a Wattage budget I've chosen to go with T5 lighting for the display tank. At this time I believe I'll be going with 8 T5 bulbs run on two Workhorse 7 ballasts. While the initial investment for this lighting setup will be higher then just picking up a second MH, and supplimentary PC lighting, I think it will be better in the long run. T5s will put off less heat, as well as the power consumption will be lower. The cost of bulb replacement is comparable to MHs with approximately the same frequency.

Finally a few photos of the tank. I'm so excited to start the project I haven't even cleaned the tank out!



With overflow sketch

Love the colors bright green level, bright pink drink can did you build it?

Where do you get the t5's?

[michika]

Originally Posted by 'Ol Nobodaddy

Love the colors bright green level, bright pink drink can did you build it?

Where do you get the t5's?

Nope I didn't build the tank, it came from Ed Holland! I haven't yet picked up the T5s, but I have two potential sources in mind for the bulbs. The ballasts are coming from an electrical wholesaler, and possibly the end caps as well.

As for the pink popcan and the neon green level....I have no comment!


Thanks Harvey, I'll figure out how to do that instead!