20Gallon Long Build

[DreTheReefer]

So I started with a nano tank and recently moved and set up a 60 cube. I love the larger tank but miss having a nano. The thing about larger tanks it costs alot to stock with the corals i want. So I've decided to start a 20 long. I've icked a bunch of ideas around and have concluded I am going to experiment with constructing an AIO with a foam/rock wall. One of my main goals is to do this and not spend more than $350. Thats everything lights tank stand skimmer and rock wall construction.
So as I was wating my time today I ran across a stand for a 20L on sale for $65. I was going to build the stand myself but this just saved me a bunch of time and was pretty good deal. So I purchased a top fin 20L for $31.

Here Is the equiptment list:
Top Fin Stand-$65
Top Fin 20L -$31
aquatraders 4t5 fixture-$65(i know aquatraders but My buddy has one works great and I will eventually build a diy led for the tank)
biocube protien skimmer- $40

That's where I am at so far. I got my AIO inspiration from JasonBJones build thread. I am a huge fan of tanks with a lot of open space so that is my goal.
I havent given to much thought to stocking except for a few frags i'm gonna make from my current 60. I was definately thinking of a small group of cardinals and a goby pistol shrimp pair.
As far as the filtration besides the skimmer i'm goind to ake a drip tray that sits behind the overflow. I'm going to use some floss chemi pure and some diferent types of filter pads like a phosphate remover. I plan on building a fuge in thge largest compartment but I will work that out when I have the false wall built.

Once I start cutting and building I will post some pics. Hopefully I will get all builing meterials on sunday. Until then any comments or ideas will be considerred especially on the fuge area.

[nanonubey]

Here's a link to my 20L you might like.

[duncantse]

Where is the link?

[nanonubey]

Haha my bad
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1965551&highlight=20l+frag+tank&page=2

[duncantse]

What is your future filtration?

[DreTheReefer]

I desided to add a canister with bio pellets to help aid with the lack of live rock. I figure I will have about 12-14 lbs of live rock. I want to keep a bunch of open room. The rest of my filtration will consist of polishing pads pads and chemi pure in a drip tray set up in the over. The water will then move to a refugium. I plan on a 3 inch sandbed a bunch of rubble and macro algea. then some type of skimmer I have a aquaticlife mini skimmer on the way. I wqas planning on using a biocube skimmer but after seeing a mini in action the other day I ordered one. Maybe another reactor running phosban in the future. I plan on attaching the canisters in the stand. I am kind of excited to have an empty stand. i also plan on a 2 gallon WC weekly if not twice a week.
I also am debating tearing down my 60 cube. I rent and even though it's not a huge tank I just dont want to think of moving. So I might tear it down when this tank is ready for coral. I would frag all my zoas and palys and my huge monti cap and duncan. Doing this would should help me fund some sweet frags and hopefully some DIY LEDS.

[DreTheReefer]

So i also picked a few things up: 2 cans of becketts waterfall foam $25
1 piece of 1/4 acrylic 18x24 4free
1 huge sheet of egg crate $12
2 tubes of silicone $7
1 aquaticlife mini skimmer $60

total including light tank stand $265
and I already have the rock and sand so I have $85 left in my budget. HHHMMMM what should i do with it?

[DreTheReefer]

So here's so.e progress . I've never posted pictures from my phone so let's see what happens
<a href=http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/?action=view&current=IMAG0099.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/IMAG0099.jpg border=0 alt=></a>

[DreTheReefer]

here is the start of wall I'm going to try to use the pvc for caves.<a href=http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/?action=view&current=IMAG0102.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/IMAG0102.jpg border=0 alt=></a>

[DreTheReefer]

So here's the wall. I ran out of foam. The other can was bunk so I'll just fill it with coral epoxy.
<a href=http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/?action=view&current=IMAG0105.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/IMAG0105.jpg border=0 alt=></a>
<a href=http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/?action=view&current=IMAG0103.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/IMAG0103.jpg border=0 alt=></a>

[JasonBJones]

Tank is coming along, looks familiar for some reason :D

Have you tested the flow through the filter compartment yet and the water level. From just eyeballing your set-up, the holes look small on the inlet to allow enough water to flow through. I think you want the water level to be where the bottom set of holes are, but I just can't see that happening with so few in there. If you have tested it and I am off base, awesome. I had that problem with mine at first and had to open up the slits

[DreTheReefer]

UPPER RIGHT CAVE
<a href=http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/?action=view&current=IMAG0106.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/IMAG0106.jpg border=0 alt=></a>

[DreTheReefer]

Yeah man thanks forth inspiration . I've been wanting put a tank together for ny 5 year old and that sparked it . No i just finished it a few hors ago. I'm gonna sand it and epoxy it first i think.

[duncantse]

Can't wait for your rock wall to complete!

[DreTheReefer]

I drilled more holes after the picture was taken. Hopefully they were enough

[DreTheReefer]

So I built a little media basket with left over egg crate
<a href=http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/?action=view&current=IMAG0109.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/IMAG0109.jpg border=0 alt=></a>

[DreTheReefer]

Finally done some silicone needs to cure and I'm waiting for the hardware for my stand was missing so I'm waiting for it to show up on Monday
<a href=http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/?action=view&current=IMAG0118.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/IMAG0118.jpg border=0 alt=></a>

[duncantse]

Nice rockwall!

[DreTheReefer]

So here's where the tank is at all plumber and waiting for the stand and some salty h2o.
<a href=http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/?action=view&current=IMAG0122.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/IMAG0122.jpg border=0 alt=></a>

[collegeman]

Looking good. Good luck with everything.

[Russter]

looks great!

[DreTheReefer]

All filled up and cycling. What do you think of the piece of live rock I put in. Does it fit
with the rest?
<a href=http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/?action=view&current=IMAG0143.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/IMAG0143.jpg border=0 alt=></a>

[nanonubey]

That wall look great, and the live rock looks fine.

[DreTheReefer]

So ammonia spiked and is starting to go down and had an algae bloom. Hope its almost ready.

[NomisRider23]

hey man, can we see inside of your filtration and what not? or maybe a list of what you used...i am interested in seeing how you set this up!

[DreTheReefer]

<a href=http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/?action=view&current=IMAG0151.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/IMAG0151.jpg border=0 alt=></a>

[DreTheReefer]

The first chamber has floss and Chen pure elite second chamber has sand rubble and cheato third has skimmer probes heater and return pump

[DreTheReefer]

Third chamber also has ato sensor in it

[NomisRider23]

awesome, thanks man!

[DreTheReefer]

So I had something u couldn't figure out happen in my 60 and felt that I had no option but to move some stuff over. Some stuff I don't think would make the move.

[DreTheReefer]

This is where it's at now
<a href="http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/?action=view&current=c9daa7bb.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd367/Dre3281/c9daa7bb.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

[Speedoking]

you made your own self contained nano.. so sick props:)

[DreTheReefer]

Thanks

[Clownfish 11790]

Hey, Dre! This 20L looks good! I really like the rock wall and AIO system.

I'm excited to see your DIY LED lights, too! I may do that later on as well.

Good luck with all the stuff you moved over from your 60!