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#1
09-25-2012, 07:09 PM
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Coastings 2012 Nano Contest Entry.
Coastings 2012 Nano Contest Entry. This is my Nano contest entry. I dont know if there is a whole lot of inspiration behind my idea other then it being a learning experience. This will be my first ever attempt at drilling a tank. First attempt at making my own sump. First attempt at ever using a skimmer or return pump. Let it be said now that I have no idea what I'm doing  I am looking for this to not only be functional but look nice. The display portion will be sleek, dark, highlighting the tank inhabitatnts. I am hoping to create a sump with a fuge in the middle that will double as a second display for the cats. Tanks stand will be on castors so it can be moved within the room, as well as for easy access for sump care and cleaning. Supplies used are what I have collected over the past year and never bothered using. They have been tucked away in the garage or closet or basement. Most are cheap brands nobody would ever dream of using. Most were free anyway so I cant complain. Time to put them to the test! __________________________________________________ ___ 
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#2
09-25-2012, 07:19 PM
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Tank: Aqueon Evolve 8.
~I liked the look of this tank, and how it came with its built in overflow area. Despite being called an 8 and claiming to be 8 gallons... the display area only holds about 4 gallons of water. This will be drilled for a 1/2" overflow and 1/2" return, however the ending locline is less. Sump: standard 20 gallon tank. Of coarse it wont get filled to the brim and with rock and sand in the display the system is under our 20gallon limit. I will have to cut my baffles and silicone them in place once I figure out exactly where they can go as I want a decent sized "fuge" in the middle between the return and skimmer. Livestock: 1 fish per display area. Possibly my grumpy female clown in the top, maybe a clown goby or damsel, something that has colour but will stay small. Few snails, no crabs. Any coral added will be bright and wavy looking. So I'm thinking no SPS or zoas or anything else that doesnt appear to have "flow" to it. Lighting: Will be looking to add just a simple 50/50 10,000k/actinic for the top and bottom "fuge". May eventually go LED if I ever oder some for my bigger tank and temp use them on this nano. Lighting is still a hazy area for me. Equipment: Have a seaclone 100 skimmer and a few aqueon powerheads, and an aqueaon return pump. Everything will be hard plumbed together, so no flexible tubing. My rock is currently cycling in a bucket in the basement, so we're starting fresh. Might use a rock or 2 from the current tank as a part of the "fuge" in the sump.
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#3
09-25-2012, 08:07 PM
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I was going to use an Aqueon Evolve 8 as well and even bought it. Unfortunately it was the only one the store had and when I took it out of the box the acrylic was all scuffed up and I had to return it. It was a very nice set up and had lots of room in the back to add more filtration if needed. A simple all in one cartridge filter was convenient too. I look forward to seeing your build!
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#4
09-26-2012, 04:54 PM
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Building the stand:
  Some Equipment:  Standard 20 gallon for sump  Instant Ocean sea clone 100 skimmer, will need to mod it slightly because the output will drive me nuts.  Aqueon Evolve 8  Drilling:   Nothing fancy, the loc line will be screwed into the back then just slipped through the hole in the front. Nothing fancy. Some water will obviously escape into the back there through that hole.   Added some extra holes to where the filter pad will sit to ensure proper drainage will go down my overflow.
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#6
09-26-2012, 05:16 PM
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Very nice! Those are such great looking tanks.
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#7
09-27-2012, 05:21 PM
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when your making the lengths for your baffles just remember to leave enough space so that the glass fits in with out having it too tight, less is better as you can use silicone to hold it inplace anyways
 also use cd's for spacers when making your sump cheers
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#9
10-05-2012, 10:42 PM
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Plumbing
Well that was an interesting adventure. There were some mess ups' and issues and "Crap wrong part" but regardless it should work, hah! Even one of the dogs managed to get some of the cement on him... My wheels are on!  My hole in the stand is drilled.  Had to do this part twice... My goal was to be able to take everything apart and off the stand for proper cleaning as needed, Started cemending the unions to their pipes and forgot to put the loose piece that screws on over the pipe before cementing, so its a little shorter in the back after cutting them BOTH off. Ended up using them under the stand. And of coarse forgot to use a T joint for the overflow line, wanted to do a durso style, but yet again forgot I wanted to do that until everything was done. If the noise gets to me I will do something later.      I'm sure I managed to screw something up but again let me stress the "I have no idea what I'm doing" part. Baffles will be going in next Have to paint/seal the stand, get my panneling for the outside to prevent the kittys from going swimming. Its getting there!
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