A Rimless Bedroom Shallow Reef Build

[CRJ]

Starting a little behind on my progress, I am upgrading from my 14 gallon biocube, to a used 35 gallon i bought of Kijiji. Ive had my BioCube running since May, and though it looks and runs great, its now crowded and in need of some serious work. The worst part of these tanks is the lack of rear flow. If it flows too quick, it doesnt filter, if its too slow, things sit in the back and break down causing high nitrates.

Ive already started the stand build, and i tore down the 35 gallon to start getting it cleaned up. The tank has some pretty bad scratches so i probably will keep it for the year and next winter move to a larger rimless tank. I love the shallow look, and rimless i think is the only way of life. My stand is a 2x4/2x4 with plywood setup. I wanted a lot of room underneath for everything, as my bedroom isnt huge and is tight for space. Everything from my tank will go to the new one, except for the obvious tiny pumps and biocube. 

The tank i bought is a Neo Nano built in 2008. It came with the stock sump and stand, but everything was in less the horrible shape. (he had a powder brown, trigger, anthia, clown, angel, and damsel in a 35 gallon.....) Now however, it looks good!


Equipment is as follows.

Ecotech XR30w Radion
Vortech MP10w
100 watt heater
18x18x18 Sump running live rock, and Refugium
Reef Octopus Skimmer (currently have Marineland 300 which is for sale)
Eheim return
JBJ ATO with 5 Gallon reserve
Phosban 150 w/ GFO on MJ900
Phosban 150 w/ carbon on MJ 400 (of maybe MJ1200 to feed both)
Some sort of reef keeper later in the winter will be added.
DJ Power Center 8 Switch


First, heres what i have right now.

 

[CRJ]

.

The Tank i bought was in very rough shape, so first thing i did was take the fish to a LFS, and tear down the setup.

The rock was moved to storage tanks and im keeping as much water alive as i can as right now i dont have 35+ gallon mixing tanks or a RO system.

 

[CRJ]

The stand is a 48Lx36Tx24D box. Its 2x4 base and support, with a 2x6 top rail. It is good for about a 100 gallon, so i will be keeping it when I upgrade.

I started by framing the bottom out, with the supports. i worked on the floor to keep everything straight and true.

I then built the 2X6 top frame, placed it on top and grabbed a car battery and my 100lbs floor jack. I placed them on top to seat everything, and used a dead blow to align the legs for screws. Its held together with 3" screws, every hole was pre-drilled.

I then skinned it and added the side and rear support to stop and twisting forces.

The back view.

Front view.

This is where i am as of Nov 14th. The plan is water in it by Dec 1st, and it running with fish by a week after that. I still have to figure out the under stand layout, and paint/seal/stain it. It will have a dry section hopefully, and i will update as i make progress.

My original plan was this tank, i will probably take its dimensions and modify it some, but keep the shape for my next tank.

Nate

 

[CRJ]

My current list of To-Get..

Reef Octopus (or similar) skimmer
Arago sand bag
Salt
Hose clamps
Filter sock holder of some sort w/ socks
some PVC and flex line
Stand Supplies (Silicone, paint, stain, brushes, wood filler...)

I'm going to see if i can get the stain, sand and a few other things tonight. this morning i bought the door magnets.

Nate

 

[Poseidon]

cool build... unique tank size as well.. i will be following!

 

[CRJ]

Well this weeks been busy! I have the stand built and inside, it is being stained and will soon be cleared. I have the internal paint, and I bought a light for inside. the filtration is still up in the air, ill get it nailed down shortly.

Tonight im going to put on the second coat of stain, and grab some clear coat to add sunday afternoon. The interior will be painted, and i will then scrub the old tank and get it ready for the install.  The switch will most likely be this coming friday and sunday. other then needing help getting the stand upstairs, all else should go smoothly.

 

[Giglio324]

That's a beefy stand your tank won't be goin anywhere. Looks awesome tho

 

[teebone110]

Hi Nate,

Your stand looks solid..Nice work.  8)

Welcome to the forum!


Cheers

 

[pulpfiction1]

looks great

 

[CRJ]

Thanks guys! I got the second coat of stain on, it looks great now!


Does anybody know where i can find a sump? I want a larger shallower sump then what i have now, to hold a fuge and ATO chamber.

 

[unibob]

Don't know what size you need, but here's one for sale. Few different tanks

http://www.thefragtank.ca/forum/index.php?topic=3420.msg28933#msg28933

 

[CRJ]

More progress!

1st coat of sealer went on tonight. Second coat tomorrow night along with hopefully the outside sealant.

 

[Darryl_V]

looks good!

 

[Royal Aquariums]

nice work, following along 

 

[CRJ]

Im headed after work to pick up a bucket of IO salt for $20 i found in Kijiji, and a 36x12x12 Sump w/ 30lbs of live rock. Ill post some pictures once i have it home around 9pm. I will be adding a chamber or 2 to the sump.

 

[CRJ]

Tonight was fun! Bought 2 things off kijiji. I got a half bucket of IO for $20, and a sump w/ a good 20lbs of live rock plus bioballs, pump and filter material.

Unloading

New sump

Trickle section

And all the rock in my old sump in keep alive mode!

Whats the best option for cleaning this tank?

 

[Duke]

vinegar is probably the best option to clean the tank.

 

[Royal Aquariums]

Razor Blade

 

[unibob]

vinegar is probably the best option to clean the tank.

Razor Blade

+1 this is what I used on biocube when I got it used.

 

[TORX]

Vinegar, magic eraser and good ole elbow grease with a razor.

I use vinegar and razor myself, gearshift reviews on magic eraser working well to.

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