6g nano cube to 20g long

[Michaelbknudsen]

Just picked up a 20 long at petco for their sale... Couldn't resist the temptation, and opportunity to go bigger just like everyone said I would want to.

I plan on building a system similar to my jbj 6 with black plexiglass in the rear center. The intake will run into the center, where i will have rubble and an area enclosed with egg crate for the heater. The chamber will be open on each side fir the return pumps. Each return will have a koralia rotating deflector.

The build will begin this week, and I will be posting plenty if pics along the way.

Any thoughts/feedback is greatly appreciated!

Here is a quick sketch of my plan:

 

[begginersluck]

Exiting when you get a new tank ey!

What equipment are you putting on there? Lights especially......

 

[Michaelbknudsen]

Exiting when you get a new tank ey!

What equipment are you putting on there? Lights especially......

I'm really excited to get this set up, even though it will be weeks before I can even think of starting to transfer anything over.

I will be purchasing a odyssea 4 bulb T5 from aqua traders. In addition, I will have 2 125 return pumps in the overflow I am constructing on either side of the center chamber. Those will run out through two rotating deflectors, and I will have one koralia 420 on one end of the tank. Looking to start with about 15 lbs of base rock, seed with five pounds of live then add the 7-8 from my nano in addition to a 4"x4"x12" center chamber in the overflow near full with rubble both new and from my nano. I will start with all fresh Fiji pink sand.

I'll post pics as I work on this tank... I just started the overflow this afternoon with lexan from Home Depot.

 

[Michaelbknudsen]

Decided on marineland 400's for the two returns which will put out 500 gph each. Slightly less with the rotating deflectors, but thought I would need more flow in the tank.

 

[Michaelbknudsen]

Overflow nearly done... Painting it black tomorrow after the silicone sets on the outtake nozzles.

 

[Michaelbknudsen]

Tank painted:

 

[Michaelbknudsen]

Overflow complete, waiting until tomorrow to seal it in place when the paint is dry

 

[Masoniac]

Excited to see it come together. Following!

 

[Michaelbknudsen]

Overflow installed! Waiting on 15 lbs dry rock from reef cleaners and she'll be ready to fill.

 

[neeker4]

That looks great!!! Cant wait to see it up and running!

 

[Masoniac]

Any update?

 

[jhawk__]

I just skimmed through this thread so I'm not sure if you already mentioned this or not but did you build your little cover on the back that hides your heater and filter or buy it? If its DIY, how'd you do it and if not, where'd you buy it? I want one for my 10 gallon salty. My equipment sticks out like a sore thumb

 

[Michaelbknudsen]

Had to put the tank on hold as I was working double time, and didn't have time to get it filled and running. I'm hoping to get it going this week! I built the overflow in the back with lexan sheets from Home Depot that I then painted black. The corners are reinforced with squares of eggcrate. It's amazingly sturdy and was quite easy to construct.

Here is a pic from the top down:

 

[jhawk__]

Had to put the tank on hold as I was working double time, and didn't have time to get it filled and running. I'm hoping to get it going this week! I built the overflow in the back with lexan sheets from Home Depot that I then painted black. The corners are reinforced with squares of eggcrate. It's amazingly sturdy and was quite easy to construct.

Here is a pic from the top down:

Okay thanks! Yours looks very nice and professional!

 

[Michaelbknudsen]

Started to fill!!!

 

[Masoniac]

Looking good. What do you have in mind for lighting?

 

[Michaelbknudsen]

Looking good. What do you have in mind for lighting?

I'm going to do a 4 bulb t5 HO fixture

 

[Michaelbknudsen]

Powerhead and one overflow pump installed with a rotating deflector. Going to pull the other one out of my 6g when I make the transfer. Heater also in with a big ol' raw shrimp. Threw some of the rubble in the overflow i had in my 6g and will pick up done more tomorrow woth maybe one more piece of live rock. Let the cycle begin.

 

[Michaelbknudsen]

Nitrites spiking, tank seems to be cycling nicely on day six. Hopefully it will be ready in about 1-2 weeks. Added some more live rock, as well as rubble to the overflow. Here's the new aqua scape:

 

[Michaelbknudsen]

20 looks to be near the end of the cycle... Ordering lights tomorrow, and should be all set for the move by the weekend or early next week! Here are the last shots of my 6g nano cube.