Logik's Monster 10

[logiktest]

Thats right.

This will be my new 10 gallon tank build thread. I plan to (try to) keep the cost as low as possible, and do as much DIY as I can.

I have idea's, I have tools, and I have a camera. Watch me break stuff from the comfort of your own home without the mess.

First picture is of my 10 gallon tank. I would like to thank "NITRO" from Aqueon, for assembling such a fine glass box to hold my water.

[chadfarmer]

you are going to need thick trim to trim out that 10 gallon in the basement

[biz50]

lets build that tank i,m with you

[sirreal63]

Will this be an inwall tank?

[latazyo]

before you ask - yes you can drill that tank

I did it last week

[zt444a]

It would beat hanging pictures! Yep Jack's right... Go inwall.

[paulamrein]

If you so happen to need a mulligan on this project, I think I still have a 10g somewhere at the house.

[logiktest]

Now, time to drill.

I used a 45mm diamond coated hole saw to create the hole for a one inch bulkhead.







I traced around the hole saw so I could see where to drill. Using plumbers putty, I created a damn to hold water in and keep the drill bit cool. On the underside of the tank I placed a few strips of painters tape to help catch the glass disk. I also placed a towel underneath just in case the glass disk fell, I didn't want it to strike the tank and crack the other side.






At a very low speed, I started to drill at about a 45 degree angle to prevent the bit from trying to "walk". After the bit ground through partially, I slowly straitened out the bit to be flush with the glass. I used very light pressure until the hole was completed, using a slow speed setting on the drill all the while. Please keep in mind that a 10 gallon tank has about 1/8" glass thickness, I was sweating a little during this process.







Lastly, I installed the bulkhead with the rubber gasket on the water side of the tank. Hand tight.






Start to finish time: About 15 min. A few to prep, a few to drill, and a few to clean up.

[paulamrein]

What is your plan? Or are we going to watch unfold before our eyes?

[logiktest]

Originally posted by paulamrein
What is your plan? Or are we going to watch unfold before our eyes?

My bad.

I would like to have the 10 gal display drain to a 10 gal sump that will be split into three sections consisting of a fuge area, skimmer area, with a return area in the middle.

I am farther along on this project than I have showed you so far. It's just a matter of getting my pictures organized with my thoughts, and posting. I was also waiting to get my equipment in order for this build. I didn't want the thread to stall because I had to wait for some stupid part to arrive in the mail.

I also didn't want to start the thread until I had an idea of how I would construct the stand, as I have been thinking about different options for a while now. I came to the conclusion that I HAVE NO IDEA what I want to do with the stand... I will just cross that bridge when I get there.

More pictures are on the way. Soon.

[logiktest]

Just got my return pump today. Mag 7. This will create a typhoon within the tank (I would like to have sand) so I am looking for a mag3 impeller and housing to convert it. I will use a ball valve until then.

[sirreal63]

I was really hoping to see a 10 gallon in wall setup. There is still time you know...

[logiktest]

Jack, I know this may sound funny, but I really though about it before deciding not to. I could stuff it under the stair well in my basement. I just decided that it might look funny, and thats not the best location for tank viewing in the house as it would end up facing into a hallway. It would be much easier for me to build though.

I'm no good when it comes to fine woodworking.

[sirreal63]

I have seen crazier setups than a 10 gallon in wall...but I do think it would be cool if the display and sump were both visible.

One thing you need to consider...a Mag 7 is a very hot running pump and will heat your water more than you think it will. It is basically a 70 watt heater in about 15 gallons of water. I use a mag 7 to mix water and I never use a heater, it heats 30 gallons of water to 79 degrees overnight. Mags are the worst pumps made for efficiency. Eheim or Ocean Runner are a much better choice.

[logiktest]

Jack, Good point. I hope when I convert it to a mag3, it will help alleviate the heat issue. $35 for the pump was hard to beat. I will have to spend another $10 or so to make the conversion.

[sirreal63]

Aqua World on Gravois may have the mag 3 impeller in stock...he used to keep a lot of Mag parts.

[scubabill]

you could always add a chiller

[logiktest]

Good lookin out Jack! I found the mag3 impeller, I need the mag3 pump cover now.

[logiktest]

Originally posted by scubabill
you could always add a chiller

When I read that all I heard was "$$$$$$$$$".

I suppose I could use a drop in variety of chiller, but in my mind I think that if I need a chiller for this system, I screwed something up.

I'm trying to be cheap too.

[logiktest]

Now for the rock wall.

This turned out much better than I thought it would. Pictures don't really do it justice('cause I am a horrible photographer). This was super easy to do.

I drilled and zip tied "aragocrete" rocks (cured) that me and Nicole made, to egg crate. With wax paper on the floor under the egg crate and rock (to protect the work area), coated the egg crate with "Great Stuff" foam. While the foam cured, I stuck a bunch of little pieces of rubble in it. After the foam was fully set, I created my "coralline algae", then glued sand on for texture.

Here are some before sand / after sand pictures:







And from another angle:







Again, this was super easy to do. Fun too.

[reefer96]

i hope you have this drilling thing down to a science my friend.

looks like you've had a productive day

wheres the sump?

[logiktest]

So far the sump looks eerily similar to the first picture on this thread.

I still need to run out and get the glass cut for the sump. Not sure of the baffle dimensions yet either.

[saltyshoe_nano]

lookin good cant wait to see the finished deal!

[ncox38]

That background looks good. Did you find the Great stuff Pond locally or did you use the regular?

[logiktest]

Thanks!

I used the "regular". 1/3 the price for the same stuff.