aquemeni's 3G Nano

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aquemeni5110

New Member
Here's my latest project that I been working on. Not sure what I'm going to stock this tank with yet but It will definetly have frags from my 6G to start off with. I'm going to pimp this tank out. Nothing is going to be left stock or untouched.:lol3: My goal is to build a small tank with no visible equipment and for easy access/maintainence features. Here's what a list of what I bought on and done so far:

- Eclipse 3 tank
- AquaClear 50 filter
- Coralife Power Center
- Coralife Digital Themometer
- Coralife 8w Blue Led moonlight (From my 6G)
- 25w Stealth heater (on the way)
- 13w fuge light kit
- (3) 18w ballast kit w/ 50/50, 10k, and actinic bulb
- 12v 1000mah plug for cooling fans



DAY 1:
Starting off with the AC fuge conversion. I've seen this done a lot and been wanting to do one personally.


I left enough room for a filter pad slide right in.


After adding a few more pieces this is what I came up with.


The middle plastic beam had to be cut to fit the AC fuge. Now you see it...


Now you don't.


Putting the AC fuge to the test and checking for leaks.


I'm planning to use the stock AC cover and made a cut out for lighting.


Here's how it looks



DAY 2:

I really liked Erik's (dirty811) 10 gallon skimmer mod. So that's what I decided to do but instead of the triangular set up I'm going with the regular box style. I'm making it big enough to fit the AC fuge intake and the 25w stealth heater.


After 2 hours of cutting, dremeling and gluing, it's finally done.


Here's how everything looks right now. It turned out a lot better than I expected. I'm pretty lousy with the dremel and cutting acrylic so I was a bit surprised with the results.


I'm trying to build a fuge light and I'm still waiting for the other half of the hood lighting to arrive, as well as the heater. I'll have more updates very shortly. Let me know what you guys think! Thanks. Brian
 
EDGRAY

EDGRAY

New Member
:shock: WoW really nice.... were did you guys get the black acrylic .... all the time i want to make a MOD like that i cant find the acrylic and then i say F@#$ that :lol:.... but anyways really nice ... also please link me were did you get the 25w stealth heater please i need one...

Eddy

P.S: i thought my 2.5g look nice with the little surface skimmer i did but your mod put mine to shame :cry:
 
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drty811

New Member
I really liked Erik's (dirty811) 10 gallon skimmer mod. So that's what I decided to do but instead of the triangular set up I'm going with the regular box style.

i had the triangle style, but didnt like it so now i have had a rectangle style. DIY overflows are always a challenge.

your tank looks great, keep those progress pics coming.
 
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aquemeni5110

New Member
UPDATE:

Thanks for the feedback!!

Day 3:

Testing the new overflow.


I've decided to paint my AC fuge. 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of flat black and I even masked a part of it for viewing algae growth.



My heater arrived as well as the rest of the lighting. I was missing the 50/50 bulb that comes with the retro kit. I email Nick at Nanocustoms and he said that Fedex had taken out a broken bulb. So a replacement is on the way. I thought it might me easier, so I ordered a 3.18 heat shield for 6G nanocube. It already has pre-drilled holes for (3) 18 watt bulbs. And the of course..JBJ ATO.

Heater fits perfectly. But this idea may have to be changed if I decide to have the ATO. The ATO sensor has to be inside the overflow in order to work so I'd have to put the heater somewhere visible in the tank. I really don't want to but I don't see any other options.


More updates to come. :gcool
 
EDGRAY

EDGRAY

New Member
Great.............. NICE :wow:.... so far the setup is incredible lets see what you stock it with ... cant wait... (or is gonna be a zoaeater nudibranch tank only) :lol: :mrgreen: :lol: J/K... :oops: :lol:
 
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aquemeni5110

New Member
LMAO :lol: Let's hope not. I felt desperate at one point to just put a clown and anemone but I have better expectations. :mrgreen:
 
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aquemeni5110

New Member
Thanks Jesse. The overflow works great. Skims like a champ. I only wished that I built it a little wider to fit the ATO sensor.
 
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aquemeni5110

New Member
UPDATE:

Day: 4

I've decided to make the overflow 3/4 of an inch longer to fit the ATO sensor. To do that, I removed the front and right side of the overflow and gave the back piece a trim.


Here's how the new overflow looks. I had to trim the floating device on the ATO sensor in order for it to work properly and not get in the way of the AC intake tube.


Nice and snug: I was relieved to see that my plan had worked. :D Heater and sensor both out of sight.


More testing: Topping off seems to work. There's a 2 to 3 second delay for the ATO to turn off the pump once the water level is back up. It actually makes the water level a bit higher but it keeps the heater submerged at all times so I'm cool with that.


The Hydor Rotating Deflector is a great wave maker but it's just too big for this tank. So I looked into pumps. These were the smallest pumps I could find. Yes, they are "Jebao" not "Jebo". Bought on eBay, they pump 0 to 40 gph. I will have them both on timers alternating every 15 minutes.



Just about 1/2 way done with this tank. I move on to build the hood and fuge lighting and a stand to hide the timers and, plugs. Thanks for looking!
 
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drty811

New Member
lookin good so far....cant wait to see the canopy and stand. you are definitly a great DIYer. keep us updated on the progress.
 
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aquemeni5110

New Member
UPDATE:

Day 5:

Fuge light in the works




Here it is primered, painted and glued to the AC cover




I don't think this fuge light idea is going to fall through. In order to remove it and replace the filter pad, I have to take off the hood too.


I'm thinking of going with this Jebo setup for easier access


Hood lighting completed with mood light and cooling fan.


back view




Still have a few more kinks to work on. More pictures and updates soon. Thanks for looking!
 
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