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Neto's 20 gallon Shallow Reef


Neto

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Hello Guys!

 

I am new to the forum but have been in the hobby for 4-5 years now. I am originally from puerto rico but live in Urbana, MD. This is my 3rd nano tank so far, I started with a 29g no sump, then went to a 10 gallon with a 5.5g sump and now with a 20g /10g sump.

 

I am a big fan of DIY and I built this project this past summer. I built everything from the glass, wood and even light fixture using CREE LEDS. I think it was really fun, my first exposure to a table saw and miter saw lol, well wood work in general really. The main concept of this build was to have a tank where you can see through all 4 sides and also to have a contemporary/modern look. The tank has a herbie style overflow and its really silent. I spent less than $400 for everything excluding tools. The glass itself was $130 for low iron and regular bottom in a glass shop in Frederick md, and the wood was around $100 for 2 panels and the 2x4's all from home depot. I used 1/2" birch woor panels. My neightbors say "your house glows blue at night" lol.

 

 

Here are some more details:

 

Tank Specs

Dimensions: 24"x24"x9"

Volume: 20gal

Silicone: 999 dow corning (black)

Glass: 1/4" Polished edges, low Iron on Sides (Front, back, left, right) and regular on bottom

Overflow Type: herbie

Sump: 10gal / chaeto / skimmer / substrate

 

Stand Specs

Frame: 2"x4" wood

Panels: 1/2" birch

 

Light Fixture Specs

DIY LED Fixture (built before 18 leds 9w/9b

 

Other Equipment

2 koralia nano's

10g overflow (50% filled)

mag drive 2 return pump

herbie overflow

Eshopps PSK-75 skimmer (A true workhorse!)

 

Future Plans

More SPS!

Stabilize parameters

DIY 2 part additives

DIY water topoff

DIY dosing pump

 

Problems

Currently battling an algae problem and have tried alot of different ways to get rid of it. I lost my RBTA recently while trying different additives to fix this algae... I am not sure if its diatoms, cyano or dynos but I have tried different things from Red algae remover, 3 days no lighs, Peroxide water, manual removal, etc and still no luck.

 

 

Pictures

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Edited by Neto
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Welcome to the club.

 

Great build and and a very nice looking tank. I too would like to hear about how you built the tank itself. As far as your algae problem if you post a picture we should be able to help you figure out what exaclty it is and the best ways to treat it.

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Wow! What a great build. I love how clean it all is. What tools did you use to build the tank and keep the glass at right angles? Did the glass company bevel or polish the edges for you? Also, how did you affix the birch panels to the frame? I don't see any holes or screws (a good thing!) Sorry for all the questions; this is a very impressive project.

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Welcome, as the others have said very nice!! Tell us more please.

Edited by surf&turf
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(edited)

Thanks all for such comments! I will try to answer all questions

 

Boricua? Welcome! Wow, very impressive. Nice job.

 

Yep, lived in Vega Baja for 18 years, moved to Florida (college) and now I am here in MD (Job)

 

 

Wow! Looks awesome! Tell us more about how you built the tank itself!

 

My original concept was to create a cube type frame with a shallow tank on top, kind of like a contemporary modern look. I used a 10" table saw to cut the panels and most of the cuts where 45 degree angles. There is a inner frame built with 2x4's to hold the tank, the panels itself are just cosmetic. I attached the panels just using glue and clamps (I think its strong enough), the frame was build with screws & glue as well. Sanded all panels with 100 grid and then 150. Used a polyshade semi-gloss paint with no color, just clear.

 

Welcome to the club.

 

Great build and and a very nice looking tank. I too would like to hear about how you built the tank itself. As far as your algae problem if you post a picture we should be able to help you figure out what exaclty it is and the best ways to treat it.

 

Well as far as the tank itself, I taped part of the edge of each glass, applied silicone and put together. Once its put together, I just put some tape from one glass to the other so that it supports it while is trying. Also, I would recomend using a silicone edger for a smooth joint and remove the tape a couple of minutes later, when the silicone is "tacky."

 

As far as my algae problem well, it started a mew months ago since the migration to this tank and I havent been able to get rid of it this algae. I am not sure if its my lack of flow maybe? or my water source, idk I tested my 5 stage RO unit and I get a TDS in water of 4. I use oceanic salt, but I am thinking on going back to reef crystals.

 

I just took some pictures, maybe you guys can detect what type it is.

With Flash

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No Flash

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It looks nasty, makes me mad really and so far I have lost an RBTA (traded from a member in WAMAS recently), SPS colony (costed -$85 @ mr coral) and green slimer sps frag that used to look like this

P1020695.jpg

 

 

 

Wow! What a great build. I love how clean it all is. What tools did you use to build the tank and keep the glass at right angles? Did the glass company bevel or polish the edges for you? Also, how did you affix the birch panels to the frame? I don't see any holes or screws (a good thing!) Sorry for all the questions; this is a very impressive project.

 

I used a table saw, recently I got a miter saw but I did not use it for that build. The glass company did polish the edges and made 3 holes in the bottom glass for the return and herbie overflow. I used glue to attach the panels to the frame!

 

 

Thanks everyone for such comments, here are some pictures of the crappy sump and FTS as of 12/02/11

 

DSC_0736.jpg

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Edited by Neto
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Do you think you have enough flow in the tank? What are your parameters? Do you dose? Do you use distilled or ro/di water? How often do you change water?

 

Could be cyano. Does it look like it's going away when the lights are off for a while? Do you get more when the lights are on?

 

Is it the same color of the algae looking stuff on the walls of your sump? Does the stuff on the walls of the sump accumulate much? Does it look like it's dripping down the walls sometimes? Cyano comes and goes with light. Dinos don;t. It accumulates and then looks like drippy mucous.

Edited by Jan
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Loos like Cyanobacteria.

 

I was thinking that, or dino's, can't really tell from the pic. Is it more red than brown?

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Do you think you have enough flow in the tank? What are your parameters? Do you dose? Do you use distilled or ro/di water? How often do you change water?

 

Could be cyano. Does it look like it's going away when the lights are off for a while? Do you get more when the lights are on?

 

Is it the same color of the algae looking stuff on the walls of your sump? Does the stuff on the walls of the sump accumulate much? Does it look like it's dripping down the walls sometimes? Cyano comes and goes with light. Dinos don;t. It accumulates and then looks like drippy mucous.

 

I am not sure If I have enough flow in the tank, I have two koralia nano's (240 gph) and the return from the flow. I am exchanging one of my 240's for a 420 soon.

 

Parameters are:

  • Calcium: 320 (low)
  • Alk: 12 dkh
  • Mag: unknown
  • Nitrates: 0
  • Phosphates: 0
  • PH: 8.2-8.4
  • Temp: 79
  • Salinity: 1.025 (swing arm)

I dose 5ml coral vite (calcium basically) daily and sometimes alk. I try to do my waterchanges weekly, about 4 gallons. Yes it almost goes away when the lights are off and I think it feeds more on yellow light.

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I was thinking that, or dino's, can't really tell from the pic. Is it more red than brown?

 

It looks more brown to me.

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(edited)

Also, I dont think the stuff in sump is the same type of algae. I also treated the whole tank with Ultralife red slime remover with no success. I dosed twice.... I noticed that below my 2 koralias there is almost no algae.

Edited by Neto
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Then it's probably cyano. Increase flow. Aim powerheads at those dead spots where the cyano grows and syphon the cyano with tubing or turkey baster. I removed all of mine with red slime remover. I've had to use it twice. It worked. Some people have success with leaving the lights off for 3 days, changing water and increasing flow. I think once you start to get cyano your just get it. Key is keeping it in check. It will kill corals.

 

 

BTW my Great Grand Mother was from Vega baja. Dad from Ponce, mom from Dorado. I was in Isabela last November for mini vacation at Shacks. I can't get enough of PR. Love it!

 

Yes it almost goes away when the lights are off and I think it feeds more on yellow light.

Edited by Jan
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Awesome tank. I just did do something similar with a 30 gallon breeder - given not as custom as yours but I also like the aesthetic of "the pool". Still working on aquascaping...

In regards to flow, I run am MP10 which gives me excellent flow but still end up with dead spots along the rear of the tank. I put an HK 750 there and run it intermittently. I have two others and an extra HK nano if you are looking for power heads.

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I just noticed the pic of your sump with the heater. Looks like the heater is out of the water a good bit. I know those ehiem jager heaters can be fully submerged, but Im not sure about a minimum water water level. To me it looks like too much is out of the water.

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