2pairs 10 gallon DIY AIO

[2pairs]

OK,
I know it has been done before but this time it is all DIY.
The tank was a used tank from my breeder setup, the pumps were old used pumps that were just in a box of junk, and the acrylic was all scrap from other projects.

I used some acrylic to divide the tank and to make a skimmer for it and even for the light box.
here are some pics.


Wet Test
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/WetTest001.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/WetTest002.jpg

Skimmer


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/CollectionCup.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Skimmerparts.jpg

Lights


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Lights.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/LightBox.jpg

Whole Tank


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/WholeTankShot.jpg

Filled with water and rock


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/WithRock2.jpg

Well hopefully this will give everyone a idea of what I am doing.
It isn't pretty but it works and it didn't brake the bank.
I wish it was the 9th!:hypnodisk::hypnodisk::hypnodisk::hypnodisk:

[tazzy695]

cool looks like you are off to a solid start

[jolson10450]

very nice! i did that with my 5.5g tank! let me know how those LEDS work, what type are they btw? are they the kind you can get on ebay as "grow lights" ive always wondered if those pushed enough par to grow coral.

[jimsflies]

Nice...cool skimmer.

[2pairs]

very nice! i did that with my 5.5g tank! let me know how those LEDS work, what type are they btw? are they the kind you can get on ebay as "grow lights" ive always wondered if those pushed enough par to grow coral.


The lights are my reason for doing this.
I am glad you asked they are 1/4 watt leds that are usually used in automotive applications. This is my experiment to find out if they will in fact grow coral. I think in a small shallow tank it might work. But we all will see.

[2pairs]

Nice...cool skimmer.

It even works.

[Sir Patrick]

Thats a sweet little set up ya got there! That skimmer should keep things really nice and clean! Looking forward to seeing how those lights work out for ya.

[whitetiger61]

dang..very nice..very creative on the dyi side of it Jim..i also did this with a 5.5 gal without the skimmer and LED's.. cant wait to see if those lights will grow corals.

Rick

[Paulo]

Nice work jim.

[rosebud161616]

Very cool tank! I'm very impressed with the skimmer! You said that was all DIY, right?

Do you have a PAR meter to test those LEDs? We tried using automotive LEDs a year or two back on a tank and they lost their intensity pretty quickly. They started out super bright, but that didn't last real long. We did a quick search and found that to kind of be the consensus, but that was a year or two ago. I'll be interested to see how these work out!

[jolson10450]

Very cool tank! I'm very impressed with the skimmer! You said that was all DIY, right?

Do you have a PAR meter to test those LEDs? We tried using automotive LEDs a year or two back on a tank and they lost their intensity pretty quickly. They started out super bright, but that didn't last real long. We did a quick search and found that to kind of be the consensus, but that was a year or two ago. I'll be interested to see how these work out!

yes one thing i do believe about to automotive/general use aka grow LEDS that i have seen is they are not constant current so they vary in the amount of light the put out that is why i am curious! i hope it goes well! i guess we will find out soon!

[2pairs]

Very cool tank! I'm very impressed with the skimmer! You said that was all DIY, right?

Do you have a PAR meter to test those LEDs? We tried using automotive LEDs a year or two back on a tank and they lost their intensity pretty quickly. They started out super bright, but that didn't last real long. We did a quick search and found that to kind of be the consensus, but that was a year or two ago. I'll be interested to see how these work out!

Yep the skimmer is a DIY, except the pump and that is a mj 900 with a 1200 impeller.
I don't have a par meter to check, I will just have to go on observation. I do know the life of the diode is shorter but 10 to 20,000 hrs at the price is good, not to mention the saving on electricity.


yes one thing i do believe about to automotive/general use aka grow LEDS that i have seen is they are not constant current so they vary in the amount of light the put out that is why i am curious! i hope it goes well! i guess we will find out soon!

The constant current can be dealt with by using a regulated power supply. They will work on a wall wart but a good power supply makes a difference and a monster fan and they stay cool.
I don't think these will work on most tanks just the small shallow ones and they should make great night lights. (moon lights)
Time will tell and so will I.

[2pairs]

OK I think this makes it official.


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/CRisGreat1.jpg

:thumbsup:

[whitetiger61]

This is the day corals can go in the tank right?????? Good luck Jim..You got a great looking tank there.. I need to meet with you someday and pick our brain on some ideas i have...lol

Rick

[2pairs]

This is the day corals can go in the tank right?????? Good luck Jim..You got a great looking tank there.. I need to meet with you someday and pick our brain on some ideas i have...lol

Rick

After I do the water tests the coral goes in, unless I find something bad.

We can meet anytime but if you pick my brain you might get a empty basket.:hypnodisk:

[whitetiger61]

lol..i doubt that..good luck on the water test

Rick

[2pairs]

OK, here we go.
I did the water tests yesterday and all things are good enough to put in the coral.

Results
Temp 77
Salinity .024
Ph 8.3
No3 0
Po3 0
Ammonia 0

Here are the receipts so far.
Some of the things on the receipts are not for the for the 10 gallon, I will list them and subtract them from the totals.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Receipt1.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Receipt.jpg

On the first receipt from Fish Doctors a $30 coral and $3 SALT FISH
On the one from Trop $9.97 emerald crab

Giving me a total of $376.40 and 1/2 of that is $188.20 and add $50 from a private seller gives me a grand total of $238.20 so far.

Now it is time for a couple of pictures.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/TankwithCoral.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/TankwithCoral1.jpg

As you can see I am still having micro bubbles.

If you have any questions just ask.

[Sir Patrick]

Hope to see pics of the coral, in the tank today! The suspence is killing me!

[Skyhigh]

Yea, where are the pics!!!!!!!!

[Sir Patrick]

Sweet! We have pics!!!

[2pairs]

Yea, where are the pics!!!!!!!!

I put them back, I don't know why but it dropped about 1/2 my post.
So I put it in again using the edit.:hypnodisk::hypnodisk::hypnodisk:

[2pairs]

Sweet! We have pics!!!


They are not great picks but the closer you get the bubbles mes it up more.:hypnotized:

[2pairs]

Might be a better picture.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/TankwithCoral2.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

Much better!!!

[whitetiger61]

Wow Jim..very impressive indeed let that bad boy grow out..


Rick

[cg5071]

2pairs/Jim, Does your wife? go under the same name on M.R.? LOL Just that I was under the impression you were famale for some reason. Sorry if I was waaay off, lol.

Nice tank. I am trying to get the neighbor to do a similar tank so there wouldnt be a sump ect. in the living room between their chairs. What about cost to make it? or what would it cost about if you didnt have it all laying around?

[2pairs]

Much better!!!

I will get better pics sooner or later.


Wow Jim..very impressive indeed let that bad boy grow out..

That is the plan, except a couple of snails and crabs when needed.


Rick


2pairs/Jim, Does your wife? go under the same name on M.R.? LOL Just that I was under the impression you were famale for some reason. Sorry if I was waaay off, lol.

No not female! I signed up on MR in her name to try and get her involved and that was a no go, so I just kept the screen name.

Nice tank. I am trying to get the neighbor to do a similar tank so there wouldnt be a sump ect. in the living room between their chairs. What about cost to make it? or what would it cost about if you didnt have it all laying around?

It could be done very low cost if I was to buy everything tank, divider, skimmer parts, heater, pumps, lights. If bought new about $100 or less if used about 1/2 that.

[cg5071]

Thanks. I really like the idea of making a custom all in one tank.

[jolson10450]

can ya give us a total price you paid for your stock, then do the sponsor math and give is what your dollar count is at? just curious. the frags look good! trying out the sps in the nano i see!

[2pairs]

can ya give us a total price you paid for your stock, then do the sponsor math and give is what your dollar count is at? just curious. the frags look good! trying out the sps in the nano i see!

I put in a total, it is after the receipts.

Yep the idea is to find out if sps will grow under the cheep led's in a small shallow tank.

[jolson10450]

I put in a total, it is after the receipts.

Yep the idea is to find out if sps will grow under the cheep led's in a small shallow tank.

whoops! didnt even notice! i seen earlier you just had to reciepts so i just scrolled past it and didnt realize it sorry!

[2pairs]

whoops! didnt even notice! i seen earlier you just had to reciepts so i just scrolled past it and didnt realize it sorry!

No problem.
It is some pricey stock for a 10 gallon AIO nano.:hypnodisk::hypnodisk::hypnodisk:

[jolson10450]

No problem.
It is some pricey stock for a 10 gallon AIO nano.:hypnodisk::hypnodisk::hypnodisk:

yeah my personal ones are going to kill me, a 20 polyp acan, 15 polyp acan. at $5 a polyp thats $175 just for 2 items! one of the acans i bought from trop last year so maybe it will be allowed that i can take 1/2 off that if i do come close to the budget that is.

cant wait to see how your sps turns out! i was always curious about those lights just never tried them.

[whitetiger61]

yeah my personal ones are going to kill me, a 20 polyp acan, 15 polyp acan. at $5 a polyp thats $175 just for 2 items! one of the acans i bought from trop last year so maybe it will be allowed that i can take 1/2 off that if i do come close to the budget that is.

cant wait to see how your sps turns out! i was always curious about those lights just never tried them.

yeah i hear you there..thats why i decided not to enter..i only have personal stuff and that would put me way over budget..especially at 20 a polyp for purple deaths..

Jim keep up the good work..our tank looks great..cant wait to watch it grow..

Rick

[2pairs]

(cant wait to see how your sps turns out! i was always curious about those lights just never tried them.)

Yup, I don't want to hex anything but the 2 pieces of soft coral are showing defiant improvement. It is to early to tell about the sps but they look better than under t5's:):):)

[2pairs]

I fed the tank coral frenzy last night and wow the skimmer went nuts, I think it must have been a bit much. I will have learn it is a smaller tank and needs less.
This morning I noticed a faint brownish tint to the sand bed, so I made a trip to fish doctors YPSI and picked up 4 tiny blue leg hermits and 2 Asturias snails. This should make a good little clean up crew.

Here is the receipt.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Invertsreceipt.jpg


This takes my total to $245.09 SO FAR!


OK, Now with inverts NOT counting my Corrected Total IS $238.20

[jolson10450]

I fed the tank coral frenzy last night and wow the skimmer went nuts, I think it must have been a bit much. I will have learn it is a smaller tank and needs less.
This morning I noticed a faint brownish tint to the sand bed, so I made a trip to fish doctors YPSI and picked up 4 tiny blue leg hermits and 2 Asturias snails. This should make a good little clean up crew.

Here is the receipt.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Invertsreceipt.jpg


This takes my total to $245.09 SO FAR!

do snails and hermits count? not to sure on that one? if so i haven't accounted for mine yet.

[2pairs]

Unless I misunderstood, livestock will be everything that is alive and in the display tank.

[CalmSeasQuest]

Unless I misunderstood, livestock will be everything that is alive and in the display tank.

I think we get a free pass on fish and inverts - Quoted from the rules....

"Fish and Inverts: You may add any other non-coral livestock you wish to your tank. These additions must be documented on your build thread. The last date any livestock may be added is April 30, 2010. Fish and other livestock do not count toward the coral spending limit."

Document, but don't count toward spending limit.

[jolson10450]

I think we get a free pass on fish and inverts - Quoted from the rules....

"Fish and Inverts: You may add any other non-coral livestock you wish to your tank. These additions must be documented on your build thread. The last date any livestock may be added is April 30, 2010. Fish and other livestock do not count toward the coral spending limit."

Document, but don't count toward spending limit.

i believe the only inverts that count are anemones and clams. Also, that date is wrong it says 2010 lol i just fixed it to say 2011.

[jimsflies]

Anemones and clams (and other sessile invertebrates..e.g., sea apples, filter feeding cucumbers, etc.) should count toward the spending limit as they are more coral-like than fish-like....crabs, shrimp, and starfish would not count.

[2pairs]

Yup, That got cleared up.
So now I will have to subtract the cost for the cleaners.:duh::duh::duh:




I CORRECTED THE TOTAL

[2pairs]

Did any of you notice that when my rock work is turned on its side it is the state of Michigan.:jester::jester::jester::jester:

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/MichRock.jpg

[jolson10450]

Did any of you notice that when my rock work is turned on its side it is the state of Michigan.:jester::jester::jester::jester:

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/MichRock.jpg

lol i did notice that, i was going to say you got a high five in your tank!

[cg5071]

Nice, so on the map show me where your house is :)

I live at the tip of the ring finger!

[vittleking]

haha thats cool Jim. Neat little set up.

[2pairs]

Nice, so on the map show me where your house is :)

I live at the tip of the ring finger!


Around here.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/MRock.jpg

[cg5071]

Ha!

[2pairs]

I guess it is time for a little update.
I did my first water change and I even had to dump the skimmer, wow did that stink after a week. I guess that means that it is working. And of course with it being a new setup I have the micro bubbles back, not that they ever went away completely but they had cut down allot.
So here are a couple of pic's to show it is still here.:)

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/1stwaterchange.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/1stwaterchange1.jpg

I told ya the micro bubbles were back.

[cg5071]

Giving the fish some privacy? :) screening their home w/ bubbles?

[2pairs]

Well I guess it is time for a couple of pic's.
They aren't great but in time I will figure a way to get some good ones.

It is still going.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/N1.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/N5.jpg


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/N3.jpg


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/N2.jpg


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/N9.jpg


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/N6.jpg


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/N7.jpg


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/N8.jpg


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/N10.jpg


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/N11.jpg


Like I said not great pic's but I will work on it.:duh::duh::duh:

[MizTanks]

I want Favia!!! ;) Sweet little setup 2pairs. What lighting are you using?

[2pairs]

I want Favia!!! ;) Sweet little setup 2pairs. What lighting are you using?

Lighting,
That is the reason I got in this thing.
To see if these cheep little 1/4 watt LEDS will keep and grow sps coral.
They cost $.40 each and come pre wired and will run on a simple wall wart.
Oh did I mention I built it all out of scrap from other projects, except the LED's
I have only had them running for about 3 weeks so far and it is hard to believe but, I like the way they look and the coral seams to be happy.
It isn't very bright but the coral colors just pop.
So at this point I would have to say for a small short tank this might be a cost efficient way to have led lighting. Time will tell.:oldman::oldman::oldman:

[MizTanks]

Can't wait to see em a month from now :)

[2pairs]

I am trying to get you all some better pic's

Did you know the algae on the glass looks like this.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/x.jpg

OK here are a couple of coral shots, I have to work at getting a steady hand back.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/x2.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/x1.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/x3.jpg

Well what ya think?:stupidme::stupidme::stupidme:

[Heidi]

I really like this little tank! I love that little skimmer! Did you make that or buy it? I can't wait to see how this goes under those lights, that will be supper cool if it works.
:highfive3:

[vittleking]

so far so good Jim. Looks great. Neat little project you got going I must say. Wish you the best success buddy.

[Sir Patrick]

Looks like you have been playing with your lenses!!! Very nice so far Jim!

[2pairs]

I really like this little tank! I love that little skimmer! Did you make that or buy it? I can't wait to see how this goes under those lights, that will be supper cool if it works.
:highfive3:

Thanks
Yes I did make the skimmer anyone could make one, you could use regular PVC i just had some clear acrylic.
Time will tell if the lights work.




so far so good Jim. Looks great. Neat little project you got going I must say. Wish you the best success buddy.

Thanks
You need to update Little's tank.


Looks like you have been playing with your lenses!!! Very nice so far Jim!

Yep,
I will get it sooner or later.:hypnotized::hypnodisk:

[cg5071]

I like the favias also, like they are opposite of each other. Would look cool (I think) side by side :) I am interested in thise little leds also. Hope they grow for you but if not it would certainly work for some more color and or moonlights.

[Sir Patrick]

Seen this one in person today!

Pics dont do this little tank justice!!!!!

[2pairs]

I guess I should give a update after the swap, as hard as it was I only bought 1 red mithrax crab for this tank. I didn't get a receipt but it was $10 and being part of the cleanup crew it doesn't count in the total.
I think the tank is as full as I want it, I want to have room for growth.
So their isn't much to report on, so far so good.

[2pairs]

Well here we go again, not that much to tell all is going as expected. Doing weekly water changes running a skimmer and 1 drop daily of MB7 and feeding Coral Frenzy once a week.
Every thing seems to be doing good their are definite signs of growth of most of the corals. I did have one mishap the red crab knocked over a Monty and the coral it hit isn't happy but I think it will be OK. I might have to glue down everything but I hope not, I want them to attach naturally.

OK,OK,OK here is the pic to show it is still running.:):):):):):)


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/2-4-11.jpg


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/2-4-111.jpg


:oldman::oldman::oldman::oldman::oldman::oldman:

[Heidi]

lookin' good 2Pairs!

[2pairs]

OK,
Here is the entry I never wanted to post but I am committed to sharing my findings.
On Saturday while doing weekly water change and water tests I found two things going bad, both of them can be corrected. First is the easy fix the skimmer is skimming to wet and by emptying that much water it is removing salt with it. so top off will need to be salt water and not fresh water. This will work until I fix the skimmer.
Now the second thing also a easy fix but one I really didn't want. This whole thing was to find out if I could keep and grow SPS coral under cheep 1/4 watt LED's and I found out IT DOESN'T WORK. I found one loosing its color and two others are actually shrinking. To check if it was the lighting I added more lighting and things started to look better in just 2 hrs.
So in my opinion NO IT DOESN'T WORK.

This left me with a question, Do I quit and put the corals in my other tank or do I Fix the skimmer and get new lights and keep this little tank going.

NO, NO, NO I am not going to give up on it.

So I built a new light this one will be enough. 4 - 3 watt blue and 2 - 3 watt white LED's and this little light is BRIGHT!
I will fix the skimmer some time this weekend.
:duh::duh::duh::duh::duh::duh::duh::duh::duh::duh: :duh::duh::duh::duh::duh::duh::duh::duh::duh::duh:

[2pairs]

Here is a quick pic, I have the light on a box to keep it high and will lower it a little at a time.


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/newlight.jpg

[jolson10450]

good info to know! you can make a fixture like i did for my frag tank, i just took pvc 1" and made a fixture to hold my leds over my frag tank, i will take a picture for you tomorrow to show you what it looks like. it literally cost me about $5-6 to make and i just used some black wire to hang it from the fixture and it worked out perfect! you could just lengthen the wires each week until everything is acclimated or even just cut the pvc each week (nothing is glued) and them stop at the desired height.

6 leds should be nice! that is what i use on my 5.5g frag tank but i use 1:1 ratio rather than your 2:1

you will like the 2:1 better that is the ratio i have on my 2.5g nano contest tank.

[whitetiger61]

i got to see this tank and light in person yesterday..pics dont do this lil tank justice..Jim very nice tank and it was good to see both of you again..tell the 3 kids hi for me...lol

Rick

[Sir Patrick]

I really like the adjustable bow idea!!!

[2pairs]

good info to know! you can make a fixture like i did for my frag tank, i just took pvc 1" and made a fixture to hold my leds over my frag tank, i will take a picture for you tomorrow to show you what it looks like. it literally cost me about $5-6 to make and i just used some black wire to hang it from the fixture and it worked out perfect! you could just lengthen the wires each week until everything is acclimated or even just cut the pvc each week (nothing is glued) and them stop at the desired height.

6 leds should be nice! that is what i use on my 5.5g frag tank but i use 1:1 ratio rather than your 2:1

you will like the 2:1 better that is the ratio i have on my 2.5g nano contest tank.



Yep a pic would be good, I have a couple of ideas but for temporary the cardboard box was cost effective.



i got to see this tank and light in person yesterday..pics dont do this lil tank justice..Jim very nice tank and it was good to see both of you again..tell the 3 kids hi for me...lol

Rick


The little ones said you can come and pet them anytime.





I really like the adjustable bow idea!!!


Sounds like a good idea, I will have to think on it for a wile before I decide what I like and what I can build. Who knows maybe I will come up with something a little different.

[jolson10450]

sorry man i forgot i was going to the redwings game yesterday, i will get you a picture today of it. i just spray painted it a matte black and it turned out good for me. i will get you the picture tonight though.

temporarely here is a picture of the tank when i first set it up with the fixture i used, disregard the crappy wall in the background and the power supply for the LEDS, i ended up just wrapping black electrical tape around it to blend in with the fixture lol. cheap and easy. but it pretty much wraps around the sides of the tank as you can see in this picture, goes up in the center of the back with a T, then 90's at the top, then another T with how wide you want to make the hanging bar and that is it. just be sure you find the center point of where you want the light and calculate where to place the first verticle T and after coming out of the 90 at the top you will need to calculate how far in to go... the center of the hanging bar should be the center line of the tank.

http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr126/boonesville/fragtank.jpg

[2pairs]

sorry man i forgot i was going to the redwings game yesterday, i will get you a picture today of it. i just spray painted it a matte black and it turned out good for me. i will get you the picture tonight though.

temporarely here is a picture of the tank when i first set it up with the fixture i used, disregard the crappy wall in the background and the power supply for the LEDS, i ended up just wrapping black electrical tape around it to blend in with the fixture lol. cheap and easy. but it pretty much wraps around the sides of the tank as you can see in this picture, goes up in the center of the back with a T, then 90's at the top, then another T with how wide you want to make the hanging bar and that is it. just be sure you find the center point of where you want the light and calculate where to place the first verticle T and after coming out of the 90 at the top you will need to calculate how far in to go... the center of the hanging bar should be the center line of the tank.

http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr126/boonesville/fragtank.jpg


That was one of the stiles I was thinking about. I had one like that on a 12gal nano with a 70 watt halide over it and surprisingly with all of the heat it worked good and never sagged.
THANKS!

[jolson10450]

That was one of the stiles I was thinking about. I had one like that on a 12gal nano with a 70 watt halide over it and surprisingly with all of the heat it worked good and never sagged.
THANKS!

no problem! it is an easy design and super cheap, like 4 ft of the pipe costs like $ 2 then i used 4 end caps, 3 90's, 2 t's, and paint that i had lol so super cheap. good luck!

[2pairs]

OK, so this is what I came up with. I wanted it to be made out of things that were just laying around at no extra cost. Something simple clean and different, It also needs to be high enough not to shock the corals and also needs the ability to be shortened.
So what do you all think?

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Light.jpg

And let their be light.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Light1.jpg

A simple piece of acrylic with a couple of wholes and two bends.
I can cut off the legs as needed.

[jolson10450]

OK, so this is what I came up with. I wanted it to be made out of things that were just laying around at no extra cost. Something simple clean and different, It also needs to be high enough not to shock the corals and also needs the ability to be shortened.
So what do you all think?

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Light.jpg

And let their be light.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Light1.jpg

A simple piece of acrylic with a couple of wholes and two bends.
I can cut off the legs as needed.

looks good! i like it better than the old one! i like the fixture it looks good! cant wait to see it in about a month to see if the sps is growing good from it!

[2pairs]

I think it is time for a up date.

As mentioned before I was still having a lot of micro bubbles from the skimmer. This has been fixed and I am happy to report it was a simple fix. I lowered the water level in the back chamber and now it is working like a charm. Not overly wet and not to dry.
This is 4 days.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/AIO1.jpg

I also thought it was time to lower the new light, I took it down 2 inches. This should be a good spot for a wile, it gives a little more light and it also lets it set in the center better.
Before

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/AIO2.jpg

After

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/AIO3.jpg

As always a shot to show it is still going.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/AIO4.jpg

Tonight is my Feed night (coral frenzy) and Saturday or Sunday I will do the weekly 3 gallon water change.

[Sir Patrick]

Pics look sooo much cleaner without the micro bubbles!!!!

[MizTanks]

Very clear. What a difference! Oh and by the way 2pairs. If you look at a map of MI, look waaay up and you'll see that your rock looks more like the U.P. only it's backwards lol :) lol

[2pairs]

Pics look sooo much cleaner without the micro bubbles!!!!

Yup it helps a lot.


Very clear. What a difference! Oh and by the way 2pairs. If you look at a map of MI, look waaay up and you'll see that your rock looks more like the U.P. only it's backwards lol :) lol

It is OK to think it looks like the U.P. after all it is still MI.

[MizTanks]

Yup it helps a lot.



It is OK to think it looks like the U.P. after all it is still MI.

Very true :)

[2pairs]

It is about time to do a update, Most things are going quite well with the exception of a couple of corals fading. This started on the 4 corals back in the beginning under the first light. I thought it would color back up with the light change but it hasn't. It has been suggested that I need to feed more often and I will try that and hope for the best.
I also made a change to the light, I didn't like the looks - color and I felt it was way to bright. So I removed one of the whites and added 2 more blues now it looks better and not so bright. Hopefully this will also help the corals that are loosing color.
Well next week will tell if the 2 changes help.

Here is a quick pick to show it is still going. (bad pic new light)

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/3-1-11.jpg

Still doing
weekly water changes 2gals.
MB7 every day 1 drop.
Reef fuel once a week 1 drop.
adding 2 drops each of A B solution with water change.
AND HAD BEEN FEEDING ONCE A WEEK BUT CHANGING TO EVERY OTHER DAY.

[jolson10450]

It is about time to do a update, Most things are going quite well with the exception of a couple of corals fading. This started on the 4 corals back in the beginning under the first light. I thought it would color back up with the light change but it hasn't. It has been suggested that I need to feed more often and I will try that and hope for the best.
I also made a change to the light, I didn't like the looks - color and I felt it was way to bright. So I removed one of the whites and added 2 more blues now it looks better and not so bright. Hopefully this will also help the corals that are loosing color.
Well next week will tell if the 2 changes help.

Here is a quick pick to show it is still going. (bad pic new light)

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/3-1-11.jpg

Still doing
weekly water changes 2gals.
MB7 every day 1 drop.
Reef fuel once a week 1 drop.
adding 2 drops each of A B solution with water change.
AND HAD BEEN FEEDING ONCE A WEEK BUT CHANGING TO EVERY OTHER DAY.

lookin good! hopefully over time with the new lights and feeding everything colors up! it might just take time considering these tanks have only been set up for almost 2 months now.

[whitetiger61]

looking real good Jim..watchin this one grow out..Give the corals some time they should come back..

Rick

[Sir Patrick]

Very nice growth!

I saw it in person yesterday, and things are really growing!

Hope to see the fadding go away!

[2pairs]

lookin good! hopefully over time with the new lights and feeding everything colors up! it might just take time considering these tanks have only been set up for almost 2 months now.


Yup they are young tanks, I haven't given up on this little tank yet.
Some day when it grows up and becomes mature it will be head turner.



looking real good Jim..watchin this one grow out..Give the corals some time they should come back..
Rick


Sure going to give it a try, and anything else I can come up with.





Very nice growth!

I saw it in person yesterday, and things are really growing!

Hope to see the fadding go away!


Well we will find out if it is a food shortage, I have just been afraid to put in to much with it being small and kinda new.

[jolson10450]

Well we will find out if it is a food shortage, I have just been afraid to put in to much with it being small and kinda new.

jim i feed mysis 2 times a week and coral frenzy 2 times a week and i dont have an issue but i have just acans, no sps. my nitrates stay around 10ish and i only change 1/3 gallon per week. i do not have a skimmer and i do not run carbon, i just run filter floss that is changed weekly.

i wouldn't worry so much about food just turn all pumps off and target feed or use the bell method (cut the bottom off a bottle then hold it over top the coral and put the food in the drinking end so all food falls on top the coral)

[2pairs]

jim i feed mysis 2 times a week and coral frenzy 2 times a week and i dont have an issue but i have just acans, no sps. my nitrates stay around 10ish and i only change 1/3 gallon per week. i do not have a skimmer and i do not run carbon, i just run filter floss that is changed weekly.

i wouldn't worry so much about food just turn all pumps off and target feed or use the bell method (cut the bottom off a bottle then hold it over top the coral and put the food in the drinking end so all food falls on top the coral)

I never did anything like the bell method, sounds better than just squirting food on each coral. Do you leave the battle over the coral till all of the food settles out?

[jolson10450]

I never did anything like the bell method, sounds better than just squirting food on each coral. Do you leave the battle over the coral till all of the food settles out?

yeah you can, if you have no pumps going and the food wont come off the coral then you wont have to, just pick it up slowly otherwise you got a snow globe of food but i would leave it on. people mainly use it for sun coral and other NPS coral feedings so peppermint shrimps and cleaner shrimps dont steal the food from the coral causing it not to eat which would eventually result in death. it works great! a lot of times people will zip tie a small rock or something on the bottom to hold it to the bottom or their rock work, because they are so light weight they tend to float up easy.

[2pairs]

It has been almost a week and some things have changed.
#1
I have been feeding every other day instead of once a week.
I am still not sure but I think it might be helping. (at least I feel like I am doing something)
#2
I shortened the light again.
So hopefully a little more light for the coral, I don't want to shock them.

And here are the weekly pic's
Light
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/AIO2.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/AIO3.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Lightshortened.jpg
And one to show it is still up and running.
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/3-5-11.jpg

[Mr. Microscope]

Hi there!

This tank is looking fantastic!

I really like the look of your light. It's a really clean design. I've got a bunch of questions about your build.

Where did you get that acrylic? How thick is it? Also, how did you bend it so nicely?

For the LEDs, what kind are they (Cree XR-E, XP-G, Steve's LEDs, etc.)? Also, what colors? I saw you said white and blue, but is that cool white, neutral, warm, royal blue, cool blue, 10,000K?

What kind of drivers are you using? Did you add dimmers?

Be careful with light acclimation. I bleached a bunch of stuff when I switched from PC to LED about a year ago.

Good luck!

[2pairs]

Hi there!

This tank is looking fantastic!

I really like the look of your light. It's a really clean design. I've got a bunch of questions about your build.

Where did you get that acrylic? How thick is it? Also, how did you bend it so nicely?

For the LEDs, what kind are they (Cree XR-E, XP-G, Steve's LEDs, etc.)? Also, what colors? I saw you said white and blue, but is that cool white, neutral, warm, royal blue, cool blue, 10,000K?

What kind of drivers are you using? Did you add dimmers?

Be careful with light acclimation. I bleached a bunch of stuff when I switched from PC to LED about a year ago.

Good luck!


The acrylic was scrap from other projects, originally bought at Lowe's Home Improvement Store 1/4 inch thick.
Bending acrylic is very simple, you just heat it with a propane torch till it bends.
I have been using Luxeon LED's Bright white = 10K Blues are 460 to 470 NM this gives between 14K and 20K and for me that is good because I like a bit of blue.
For driver I used Mean Well LPC-35-700, This is a constant current driver and is not dimmable. (darn)
For light acclimation I started with the light 1 foot above the tank and have lowered it twice so far 2 inches each time and will only lower the light one more time to keep the light spread

One more thing with every thing being scrap except the Led's and the driver cost was under $35, YUP you can call me cheep.:)

[2pairs]

Here we go again,
This time their is some bad news to report, I had to remove 4 corals that didn't make it. They are the ones that haven't been doing good from the start. 2 chalices a birds-nest orange dig.
With looking back I believe it was due to 3 things I did wrong.
#1 was the lighting not being enough.
#2 only feeding once a week. (fear of over feeding such a small tank)
#3 skimmer was skimming to wet and removing salt water this made top offs drop the salinity.

Well now that things have been corrected most of the rest are doing good and growth has restarted.
OK OK so here is the update Pic to show it is still running.:oldman:

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/3-20-2011.jpg

[2pairs]

I know every one must be getting kind of tiered of hearing the same old thing but their isn't much else to say.
Still doing the same things and just letting it grow and it is, I think it is a little slow but I see it every day others say it is growing good. I guess I will let you all be the judge of that.

OK Pics.

The Light no changes

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Light3-28-11.jpg

Skimmer after one day

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Skimmer3-28-11.jpg

And the Tank

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/Tank3-28-11.jpg

[AJ :)]

I got to see this tank in person.

Really sharp looking setup. Pics don't do it justice.

[2pairs]

Well a little some thing different to tell along with the same old routine, feed every other day and top off every day (about 3/4 cup) and yes the weekly water change.

So for the new part, I just installed 45 degree lenses on the light and let me tell you if you think optics don't make a definite difference think again. I use to have a wash of light on the wall and every thing in the room at that level but not any more and you guessed it all of that light is now going in the tank. Now the only problem is I might need to raise the light back up a couple of inches. But that is OK I have more scrap to do it.
I am planing on changing the circulation pump or using a second small power head to improve the flow.

OK here is the pic.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/4-4-111.jpg

[rosebud161616]

Be careful with those optics! They really focus the light like you said! In our 37 SPS cube I used 40*s in the center of the LED panel to focus a lot of light in the center. I get around 400-600 PAR at the center of the tank on the sand bed of a 24" deep tank and with the light hanging 2' over the tank (so we're talking 48" below the light). On the outside of the tanks I'm getting closer to 200 PAR all over because the light just doesn't reach there as much with it being so directed in the center. That is with 24 LEDs rather than your smaller number, but I hope that shows just who powerful the optics can make things!

[2pairs]

Be careful with those optics! They really focus the light like you said! In our 37 SPS cube I used 40*s in the center of the LED panel to focus a lot of light in the center. I get around 400-600 PAR at the center of the tank on the sand bed of a 24" deep tank and with the light hanging 2' over the tank (so we're talking 48" below the light). On the outside of the tanks I'm getting closer to 200 PAR all over because the light just doesn't reach there as much with it being so directed in the center. That is with 24 LEDs rather than your smaller number, but I hope that shows just who powerful the optics can make things!

That is why I will be raising the light.
I also get less par with the glass top and running the LED's at 700ma.
But I will keep a eye on it.

[2pairs]

It has been a wile since my last post so I thought it was time to update.
I have raised the light and things are doing fine, it is a bit strong and you have to keep it from shooting a strong beam on the corals but their is enough open room for that. I am still thinking about going higher with the light.
I have stopped the weekly water changes, I am on the third week and haven't had to clean the glass for the last two weeks.
The MB7 and Bio-fuel have kicked in. You just have to love that carbon dowsing.
Nothing else has changed except a little growth.

Thees pics were taken on the 10th none since then.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/4-10-111.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj228/poboxjc/Nano%20Build/4-10-11.jpg

[Sir Patrick]

I have to say, that is great growth- especially for those chalice!!

[Corvette Reefer]

really nice tank!!

[2pairs]

After much thought, I have come to the conclusion it is time for me to drop out of the contest. I have been in the process of down sizing for a while so I can concentrate on my display tank, and I need to use this tank to house some of my coral while making the changes.
I want to say thanks to every one that followed along and for all of the kind words.

AND BEST OF LUCK TO EVERYONE, I will still be following along.

[NcRoW14]

Any chance of seeing a build thread on your mini DIY skimmer? I know this thread has been down for some time now, but I just came across it and love what you did with this tank.