Titus's 20g Clown tank build

[Titus]

So if you follow my wall tank build, you may recall that I have now purchased 3 small used tanks, each one intending to become a QT tank at the time of purchase. The second one purchased was a standard 20g tank that I found at a garage sale for $10. I decided to use it as a test to see if I could muster up the ability to build my own stand and canopy. It turned out I could, and the family decided it was too nice to have hidden away somewhere as a QT tank. A family meeting was called, where a location and theme would be chosen. The girls decided that they want it to become an anemone and clown tank for their girl cave.

Here is where it started, as I built and stained the stand and canopy:

[Titus]

The first purchase was the Super Nano con Dientes Overflow Box Complete Kit with hole saw from Glass-Holes. I really liked the looks of it, but managed to crack the tank while drilling it. So... I hunted craigslist for another cheap 20g, found one, bought it, and successfully drilled it. After that, I painted the back wall of the tank black, making the overflow almost invisible.

Overflow and 1 coat of paint.


After a second coat of paint.

[Titus]

The next big thing was a custom built sump. Before I began that, I decided I would buy the stuff that goes in it first so that I could be sure it would fit. So, an AquaticLife Internal Mini Protein Skimmer 115, Quiet1One 1200 return pump, and a Finnex 100w titanium heater were purchased.




I also went ahead and got a bag of sand for it:

[Titus]

Now that I have the sump contents, I need to build the sump. I didn't think about a sump when I built the stand, so a 10g won't fit. I will most likely have a local acrylic sump builder make me a custom one, but I am still on the fence. The plan for next steps are as follows:

1. Get the sump built
2. Plumb it up and get it some water in it
3. Rock- I hear Marco Rocks is bringing a truck load of rock to MACNA so I will be getting some from him, and then will add a piece or two from the sump of my big tank
4. Flow- I have not made up my mind here. Maybe I will win an MP10 at the MACNA raffle and can call it good
5. Lights- I really wanted to do a DIY LED, but this tank is destined to house an RBTA, and I have heard lots of problems with them under LEDs. I probably will end up going with an odessa 4x24 T5 fixture off of ebay and upgrade the bulbs to ATIs.
6. Livestock- A mated pair of clowns as soon as it is cycled, then some soft corals followed by an RBTA after the tank has been running for several months.

[BC United]

The stand and canopy look great. I look forward to seeing the sump after it is put together. This will be a very sharp tank.

[Titus]

The stand and canopy look great. I look forward to seeing the sump after it is put together. This will be a very sharp tank.

Thanks... Melev is local to me and will likely be making the sump. He is swamped with MACNA planning right now, so it may delay the build a little.

[binford4000]

Nice job on the stand and hood ! Looks really profesional. Looking forward to the completed job.

[Titus]

Nice job on the stand and hood ! Looks really profesional. Looking forward to the completed job.

Thanks... I am very pleased with how it turned out. After the experience of building it, I no longer feel like the LFS stand and canopy prices are crazy. I spent $160 on wood, hardware, glue, stain, etc, and I probably spent at least 10 hrs on it.

[binford4000]

I think your stand and most diy stands far exceed the mass produced partical board stands we purchase. Load bearing capability is also much greater ! If you we're to purchase your exact. Stand at a lfs or online vendor you would be flabergasted ! Lol nice job !

[Titus]

I think your stand and most diy stands far exceed the mass produced partical board stands we purchase. Load bearing capability is also much greater ! If you we're to purchase your exact. Stand at a lfs or online vendor you would be flabergasted ! Lol nice job !

Yep... you are spot on!