Rosebud161616's 2013 Nano Contest Submission

[rosebud161616]

I'm going to keep this first post as the current status of the build, so that it will be easy to find what is currently happening.

1/12/13: Still in planning stages, on the verge of starting the build.
http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/Nano20134.jpg

[rosebud161616]

Well I'm hesitant to post too many details at this point. I haven't ever seen what I want to do done before, and I'm a little worried it might not work. But... what fun would a giant surprise be?

Here is a google sketch up of what is coming:

http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/Nano20134.jpg

So what are the pillars, and how will this all work? You didn't think I was going to give it all away did you??? :mouth_zipped:

First things first, I need to get a glass drill bit. I told my husband to order me a 1/2" drill bit off ebay and he took that very literally. It came in the mail and was 1/2" across... not for a 1/2" bulkhead. :shake-head: So order #2 (http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=2) is placed, and the drill bit is on its way to me.

I have lots to do to get this thing moving...


I'll need a custom acrylic piece so I have to get with Andy up at The Blue Glow.
I'm going to need a stand, so I have to find the time to get that built. We're in progress of relocating from Columbus to Cincinnati, so our tools aren't very accessible. I might have to get creative here...
The plumbing situation is going to be complicated.

I have to get lots of unilock bulkheads. This will involve some curved/wavy surfaces, so the regular type of bulkheads are out of the question...
Unfortunately, I'm going to have to rely a lot on on check valves. I'll need to get some of those ordered, with lots of back up ones...

I have to start getting some parts together for the lighting. I'm thinking I'll try using some of the new LED multi-chips that are hitting the market from China. They're not quite as efficient as CREEs, but they're extremely cost efficient. Plus I'm all for a new project.


We have a massive project at work that is severely behind. That means I'm working 60 hour weeks right now. It should be wrapped up very soon and I'm hoping I'll be able to get this thing moving! Lots to be done to get this thing up and running!

[CalmSeasQuest]

Very intriguing Erika - Looking forward to seeing your plan. :thumbsup:

[rosebud161616]

Well we are finally wrapping up this project at work so I got my first day off in 3 weeks today! I have no plans to open my work laptop...

No work = progress!

http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/drilling.jpg

These are actual flower vases that I ordered off of the internet. I finally got the correct drill bit and got these babies drilled! I have to say... if you're ever concerned about drilling a tank, do not start with drilling vases! This is not for the faint of heart...

I have a Bulk Reef Supply order placed with the unilock bulk heads, lockline, and check valves.

More to come soon!

[rosebud161616]

My BRS shipment arrived with the lockline, check vales and unilock bulk heads! I'm read to plumb this thing, just need to get that acrylic piece worked out and the stand...

[rosebud161616]

I'm still in this even though I haven't made much progress lately. We just closed on our house after spending a year of living in multiple places to make a relocation happen. Our stuff is in boxes in 3 different locations, so everything is a bit of a mad house right now. We have movers getting our stuff in this weekend, and then I hope to be able to get back to getting this tank setup. I will be using cycled rock in the tank, so this should minimize the amount of time it takes to wait out the cycle. More to come soon!

[sinistervato]

way to think out of the box

[rosebud161616]

Well I'm trying to get back in this thing, but things aren't going my way. I contacted Andy at the Blue Glue to try to get the custom acrylic piece made that I need for this. Unfortunately his life has gotten pretty busy and he is no longer doing custom acrylic pieces. The other people I know who were doing custom acrylic work have also gotten out, unfortunately. I'm afraid I only know of one other person, and he will charge a small fortune to do the work.

I'm looking at going other routes that I could work on myself. These other routes will take a bit more time and that's less time spent trying to get into this contest!

Here are a couple of shots of what I was looking to get made:

http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/TopColor.jpg
http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/BottomColor.jpg

[jimsflies]

binford4000 was doing some acrylic work... maybe he can hook you up?

[binford4000]

Well I'm trying to get back in this thing, but things aren't going my way. I contacted Andy at the Blue Glue to try to get the custom acrylic piece made that I need for this. Unfortunately his life has gotten pretty busy and he is no longer doing custom acrylic pieces. The other people I know who were doing custom acrylic work have also gotten out, unfortunately. I'm afraid I only know of one other person, and he will charge a small fortune to do the work.

I'm looking at going other routes that I could work on myself. These other routes will take a bit more time and that's less time spent trying to get into this contest!

Here are a couple of shots of what I was looking to get made:

http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/TopColor.jpg
http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/BottomColor.jpg


Do you have the material and dimensions ?? If so send me a PM and I can get it machined up for ya.looks simple enough.

[rosebud161616]

Thanks, guys! I think I found someone local who does acrylic work, but if it falls through, I'll let you know!

[rosebud161616]

We made a trip to Ikea today and I found a new stand for this tank. Here is a quick cell phone pic I snapped with the vases on it. Getting closer...

http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/Stand.jpg

[tcp316]

Are you going to use a sump and skimmer?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

[CalmSeasQuest]

Looks great Erika - Love the stand! Can't wait to see it come together.

[rosebud161616]

Are you going to use a sump and skimmer?

I will be using a sump for this, probably a standard old 10 gallon. I'm not sure on the skimmer yet. On the nano contest a couple of years ago, I did use a skimmer. I had constant problems with the skimmer getting clogged due to having such a small sump and the chaeto growing right into it. After awhile I just turned it off, and really didn't have much of a problem with out. I don't typically run tanks without skimmers so that was an experiment of sorts. I do plan to have quite a bit of algae involved in this tank, so I might just skip the skimmer all together.


Looks great Erika - Love the stand! Can't wait to see it come together.

Thanks, Tom! I'm getting very excited so hopefully I can get this acrylic piece together! :propellerhead:

[Tom@HaslettMI]

This is a really cool idea! I'm looking forward to watching it develop. What type of corals are you planning to keep?

Tom

[rosebud161616]

Well I have been in a huge rush to get this tank up and running in order to get live stock in before the cut off date! The acrylic piece turned out to be much harder to get than I ever expected! I was able to pick up the piece over the weekend and got a lot accomplished.

Here are a couple of shots of the piece being made. A local reef club member was able to create this tray for me, and took pictures along the way. I really appreciated this because it was awesome to see this thing come to life! He took a video also, but it was over 200 MB, so it's a little bit big to get uploaded and posted on here! :stupidme:

Full acrylic piece before going into the CNC:
http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/Acrylic01.jpg

Full piece after the CNC:
http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/Acrylic03.jpg

All built and just waiting for me to come get it:
http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/Acrylic04.jpg

[rosebud161616]

After bringing it home, I got right to work! Still a ton to be done!

Here is a shot of the tray sitting on the stand with the vases on it:
http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/Setup_Without_Light.jpg

I decided I'm going to light the main vase with a PAR38 bulb. The acrylic tray will have water in it, so using a clamp on light isn't very ideal. I headed out to Lowes and found a cheap, modern looking floor lamp for $15. Perfect! It gives the look of a clamp on light, but is supported by the floor.

Sorry for the blurry phone pic...
http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/Setup_With_Light.jpg

I have an order in with AC-RC on Ebay for the lights for the other two vases (that's a surprise so no more details here yet) and for the PAR38 bulb. AR-RC is in China, but they have been responding super fast. I have a tracking number so hopefully this won't take too long to get here.

I have done some painting of the main vase, lots of drilling, lots of dry fitting of plumbing, etc. This afternoon after work, I'll be right back to the grind getting this thing up with more pics to come!

[MizTanks]

Ok I'm totally intrigued! This build is very unique :) Subscribed!!

[rosebud161616]

Ok I'm totally intrigued! This build is very unique :) Subscribed!!

Thanks! :propellerhead:

I'm making more progress...

I turned the stand into swiss cheese... mmmmmmmm
http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/Stand_Drilled.jpg

And can't forget the shelf, it has a few holes as well. Standard 10 gallon for the sump.
http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/Shelf.jpg

Here you can see how the back two "tanks" will line up with those nice big holes in the stand, and the "windows" in the tray:
http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/Tray.jpg

I got the main "tank" painted black, the return installed with a bit of locline. I'm hoping you won't even see the locline once I have the rockwork in, but it's a tight fit to try to keep it hidden... I have standard CFL bulb in the light for now just to give a bit of a look like it might once I have the PAR38 bulb.
http://kevintoomey.com/reef/Nano_Build_2013/Fullshot01.jpg

Now I just have to get the rest of the plumbing done! The rest of the night will be spent here and hopefully all will go smoothly...

[binford4000]

Very nice ! Glad ya got the parts cut ! Cool idea very art envouge I must say . Lol. Very appealing to the eye