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07/28/2011, 10:16 PM | #26 |
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The drip plates will need a place to rest, so I am cutting 4 one inch pieces of plexi that will be glued to the walls in the fuge in the appropriate place so it will sit directly below the overflow.
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
07/28/2011, 10:22 PM | #27 |
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4 pieces scored and snapped.
All four pieces super glued into place. In hind sight, I should have allowed for some fall from the over flow to the drip plate for better gas exchange but this will run quiet. I guess that I can allow for some fall below the drip plate via water level in the fuge.
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
07/28/2011, 10:28 PM | #28 |
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Time to super glue the bottom plate in the fuge where a sponge will be placed and water will flow to the return pump/heater chamber. I cut away a small section of the silicone adjoining the glass for a good flush fit.
It's time to call it a night, more updates tomorrow or over the weekend.
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
07/30/2011, 11:24 PM | #29 |
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Next, I super glued the divider between the fuge and the return pump / heater chamber. Once this was solid and in place, I sealed where acrylic meets glass with aquarium safe 100% silicone.
Then it was time to glue in the acrylic wall dividing the display from the mechanical portion of the tank. Once the super glue was set, I sealed all of the seams with more of the silicone. All glued and sealed. Getting close to taking it to the office and mixing some salt water! Tomorrow it's time to paint some glass black to hide pumps, heater, fuge, etc.
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
07/31/2011, 02:39 PM | #30 |
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Location: Atlanta,Ga
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That's going to look pretty good
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07/31/2011, 08:46 PM | #31 |
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All taped up and ready for some gloss black Krylon. There is a vertical strip of tape in the middle of the fuge (right side) so I can peek in at the fuge and watch water levels. The taped section in the lower right hand corner of the back wall is where I will velcro the custom LED fixture to light the fuge.
First coat on, 2 more to go. When I got done with the 3rd coat, you couldn't see the sun through the glass! Krylon is good stuff! The tip is even a turn-able fan style tip! After the 3rd coat, I stripped off the tape and paper. You have to be careful, but I always like pulling tape off when the paint is still semi-wet. This will keep it from peeling off paint when you pull the tape if you wait for it to dry. You can now see the vertical strip I left unpainted for fuge viewing and the rectangular section left unpainted for the fuge LED light. It was almost 100 degrees today and a bit windy. The paint dried VERY fast and it is ready to take to the office tomorrow. More pics to follow documenting the water, sand, and rock fill, plus the LED and Display lights
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
07/31/2011, 08:46 PM | #32 |
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Thank Cooley!
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
07/31/2011, 08:57 PM | #33 |
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That looks amazing! I should convince my dad to let me make one for him :P
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07/31/2011, 10:46 PM | #34 |
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Thanks hagar! I'll post some better pics tomorrow before and after I get water in it. This tank is 2.5 gallons and I'm estimating that the display is 1.5 gallons (I'll measure and calculate exact display volume). Does anyone think that I'll have enough light for some sps with 9 watts 10k and 9 watts actinic power compact? That's 6 watts/gallon for the 10k and 12 watts/gallon if you add in the actinic. Plus the depth is 7.5 total and if i put the coral on rock, they'd be 2 or 3 inches from the light.
Thoughts / ideas??? I've ditched the idea of a fish and wil probably go with a few sexy shrimp, a tiny blue legged hermit, and a snail or two. Anyone have any complaints about the sexy shrimp? They pick at coral? They do anything interesting?
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
07/31/2011, 11:46 PM | #35 |
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Yeah no problem . I might do a 5 gallon with the design your doing so i can have about 3.5 of display. Would be cool on a table in the kitchen :P. I need to just read up on this now. Have any advice for the AOI? And also for a first build should be easy enough right?. Also with the drip plates...where do those go? and how do they work?
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08/01/2011, 01:30 PM | #36 |
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hagar, I'll upload some pics later showing the location/use of the drip plates. They basically sit below the overflow in the top of the refugium. The water flows from the display to the drip plates, then the water drips down into the refugium.
Looks like I have a problem. I believe my Rio 400 is overkill and it is making my tank hot!! No lights are on and the temps are 84 degrees! I'm thinking about taking it out and getting a rio 50 or a rio 80 (or whatever is small and on sale). =) I used this pump in a 5 gallon bowl and didn't have any heat issues. I guess that going from a 5 gallon to a 2 gallon was enough of a change to make it run hot??? Ideas anyone? I do not want a chiller!
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
08/01/2011, 01:56 PM | #37 |
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Look at the wattage of your powerhead. A 20W pump is like having a 20W heater on all the time!
My default for nano reefs has always been the Mini-Jet 404, 5W @ 106 GPH. Other options include the Tunze Universal pump Mini, 5W @ 79GPH; Zoo-Med 104 4W @ 55GPH; and of course the Rio 50, 5W @ 69GPH. Based on the numbers, I think the 404 wins. If you remove the bottom intake screen completely, I believe you can eke out a few "bonus" GPH. There's also the Mini-Jet 606, same size as the 404 and only 1.5 additional watts gets you another 50GPH for an excellent watts-to-GPH ratio. I find the 606 hums objectionably loud, however.
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Tylernt's Dymax IQ3 2g pico http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=276637 Past tanks: 2.5g AGA Mini-bow, 10g AGA Current Tank Info: Dymax IQ3, 2g pico |
08/01/2011, 03:52 PM | #38 |
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Thanks Tylernt! I looked it up and it seems that the Rio 400+ is a 10watt pump and the flow is way too much so I have it throttled down about 50% which is probably adding to the heat issue. I think I'm going to go pick up a Rio 90+ (because they are cheap) and it is only rated at 3watts!
I'm also thinking that I need to install a fan on my coralife mini aqualight because it gets VERY hot (light not running and tank is at 84 degrees)!
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
08/01/2011, 03:58 PM | #39 | |
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Quote:
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Tylernt's Dymax IQ3 2g pico http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=276637 Past tanks: 2.5g AGA Mini-bow, 10g AGA Current Tank Info: Dymax IQ3, 2g pico |
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08/01/2011, 09:34 PM | #40 |
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This makes me want to get an office job so I can build one haha.
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08/01/2011, 10:43 PM | #41 |
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Top down view: heater and pump (rio 400 getting swapped out for a rio 90 tomorrow) chamber on the right. Fuge on the left (you can see 3 of the 4 clear acrylic drip plate rest points) with sponge in the flow path to the chamber on the right.
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
08/01/2011, 10:49 PM | #42 |
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Drip plates installed, working like a charm.
Bird's eye view with water circulating View from the front (need to zip tie and hide cords) View from the back with fuge viewing strip visible
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
08/01/2011, 10:51 PM | #43 |
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'Fuge viewing strip is genius.
This project is looking good!
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Tylernt's Dymax IQ3 2g pico http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=276637 Past tanks: 2.5g AGA Mini-bow, 10g AGA Current Tank Info: Dymax IQ3, 2g pico |
08/01/2011, 11:00 PM | #44 |
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Thanks tyler! I was taping it up for paint and it dawned on me... I should put a strip of tape vertically so I can see the filer floss, drip plates, and fuge from my seat. It should save me from removing the light, lid, floss, and drip plates to see what'sgoing on.
I also built 2 legs out if plexi for the light to sit on, and did a mod on the light to incorporate a fan to help keep temps down. Pics tomorrow...
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
08/01/2011, 11:26 PM | #45 |
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How is the noise level? Do you get even coverage of the drip plates with water? This is a nice build, you might be inspiring me to do the same!
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08/02/2011, 01:53 AM | #46 |
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good stuff. keep those pictures coming
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just keep telling myself that i only spent half of what was actually spent.. and ill be ok. Current Tank Info: 14G Oceanic BC, RapidLed Retro kit with Cree LEDS, intank media basket (middle chamber turned into fuge),Intank fishsaver, MJ900 return pump,hydor deflector, intank water director, intank fuge underwater light, jbj ato, EcoTech MP10ES |
08/02/2011, 05:30 AM | #47 |
"ship it"
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Maybe look into the led upgrade they make for the small fluval edge tanks. That would take care of adding any extra heat. I had a small AIO tht stayed hot. I took 3 small water bottles and filled them with water and froze them i would put 1 in the back chamber every morning tht worked well for awhile. You were also asking about sexy shrimp, they are really cool if you pair them with a mini-carpet anemone. They will actually host them. Good luck keep us updated. Cheers!
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"You gon learn today!" Current Tank Info: SPS Dominant 29g BB Rimless Bio Cube lit by 2x AI Primes, IM desktop Reactor, Tunze ATO, Tunze. 9001 skimmer ........ 40g Breeder with 20g long sump/refugium. ATI 4 bulb T5s....Mixed reef stock heavy on SPS. |
08/02/2011, 11:31 AM | #48 |
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Removed the Rio 400+ and installed the Rio 90+ this morning. So far, temps are at 80 degrees (which I'm cool with) down from 84 degrees yesterday with the bigger pump. I built two 1.5 inch black plexi stands for the light to sit on, giving it some separation from the glass and installed a small fan on the light which should help keep things cool.
More pics soon...
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
08/02/2011, 11:37 AM | #49 |
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@ Patriot - The noise is almost silent, especially with the smaller pump, and can't be heard when the AC kicks on in the building. I'm running the water level about 3/4 of an inch below the drip plates so that portion is silent. The drip plates are working very well. I wouldn't say that the drip is 100% evenly spread, but it is working really well, especially with filter floss installed on top.
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
08/02/2011, 03:37 PM | #50 |
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All set up. Temps seem to be holding steady at 80 degrees, but with the light running, it seems that they may creep up to 81 degrees. IMO this isn't too hot, what do you guys think??
I'm not in love with the light either, so an LED upgrade will be in the works.
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Current Tanks: Biocube 29 reef and AIO DIY 2.5G LED powered office Pico reef Past Tanks: 10G Reef and 5G reef Bowl w/custom LED fixture and various freshwater tanks. Freshwater 1999 to 2003. Saltwater 2003 to present. My LED build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2053315 My 2.5g tank build - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2048992 |
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2.5g, aio, led, pico, refugium |
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