Got my 20 all setup today...my totally mobile nano...

[Physh1]

Well, UPS dropped off some of my goodies today so I set my 20 back up and it's totally mobile...I can move it anywhere...lol

First off I places my 20 on a rolling kitchen cart which I used heavy duty casters on. BTW, this cart has a butcher block top on it .

Next I got a rubbermaid container at WalMart that fit the cart.

Here is the back of my tank. I had already installed an overflow box with 1" bulkhead. I'm running a flex drain hose to the sump.

The drain hose has been fed through the back of the cart and hooked up to the side of the rubbermaid container with a 1" bulkhead. I used a few T's and elbows to help fasten a filter bag to.

Here's another pic of how the hose feeds the sump.

Here's a pic of my modified 500w regent halogen fixture that housed a 70w Aqualine B 13k bulb. I am using a Ice Cap 70w electronic ballast.

Here is what the stock sockets look like....

Here is what the modded socket looks like. They needed to be trimmed lightly to fit the larger glass on the HQi bulb.

Here are both sockets reinstalled and ready for the reflector to be reinstalled.

Some wiring work...

 

[Physh1]

My DIY light hanger...this setup will allow me to move the light up and down, along with the ability to swing it out of the way.

Her's another sump pic. Now I've got some water in it, my heater and my return pumps. I chose to use 2 old MaxiJet 1200 pumps. I have a ton of them so why not use them.

Here's shot of the front. You can see the overflow box and 2 return u tubes.

Here's a shot of the back of the cart with everything run. I mounted the power strip and ballast to it, all the plumbing is done, and the lighting system is wired and hung. I still have to solder the wiring on input side of the ballast but I'm going to run it for a few days to make sure everything works as it should before I commit to it.

Side shot...

Almost full of water...

I've had it running for around 2 hours now...no leaks and it is incredibly quiet. It's located in my dining room temporarily until I get a spot cleared in my room.

Any questions just ask ....

Cameron

 

[djconn]

All I can say is wow. That was an awesome project! I really like the idea of it being completely mobile. Don't think I've ever seen that before.

One question, where is the auto top-off? hehehe :lol:

 

[incysor]

It looks very cool. Are you going to add seperators in the tub/sump?

B

 

[Physh1]

Hehehehe....top off is drying :lol:

I'm not sure about dividers....no real need for them. I'm a bare bones kinda guy and don't run skimmers or anything so I'm not sure if I'd benifit from dividers. Also, considering how flexible the sump is I'm not sure if they'd hold.

Cameron

 

[opihi]

wow, Cameron! that looks great!

i'm especially interested in the DIY hanger you installed... what kind of parts did you use? can you describe it please?

 

[Physh1]

wow, Cameron! that looks great!

i'm especially interested in the DIY hanger you installed... what kind of parts did you use? can you describe it please?

They are 3/4 pvc conduit parts with slip/slip couplers connecting the riser to the 390 pipe. There is a slip/thread coupler from the 90 pipe to the regent hood. Ran about 4 bucks for all the stuff.

Here are some more pics of the tank with rock, sand, fish, and a top off system.

The rock I used, along with the sand, were already from an existing tank and well established. It's been running now for a week w/ no ammonia and no trite. Everything is good....

Cameron

 

[djconn]

Great setup. All the planning certainly paid off. Your rock looks amazing!

 

[dragon79]

agree

I agree with dj, i love how the rock looks, and hows it covered in purple, I'd like to have that look going on. Very nice!!

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Very impressive Cameron! Great set up!

 

[incysor]

That's really a great setup. You did a fantastic job.

B

 

[Purple Haze]

Nice DIY. One thing you might want to think about changing is that surge protector location. Just a few drops of water on that bad boy and you've got some issues.

 

[Physh1]

Nice DIY. One thing you might want to think about changing is that surge protector location. Just a few drops of water on that bad boy and you've got some issues.

I've built a cover for it so even if you dump a 5 gallon bucket of water on it nothing will happen. Nifty little DIY deal I've used many times. Works excellent 8)

Cameron

 

[incysor]

Nice DIY. One thing you might want to think about changing is that surge protector location. Just a few drops of water on that bad boy and you've got some issues.

I've built a cover for it so even if you dump a 5 gallon bucket of water on it nothing will happen. Nifty little DIY deal I've used many times. Works excellent 8)

Cameron

Well, now we need a picture of that. :wink:

B

 

[YMCA]

WOW that is a great idea now u can move it were ever u want. Nice looking tank great work

 

[nickleslik]

very cool Amazing tank! :applause:

 

[Physh1]

Nice DIY. One thing you might want to think about changing is that surge protector location. Just a few drops of water on that bad boy and you've got some issues.

I've built a cover for it so even if you dump a 5 gallon bucket of water on it nothing will happen. Nifty little DIY deal I've used many times. Works excellent 8)

Cameron

Well, now we need a picture of that. :wink:

B

I've just picked up a new battery for my camera so I'll take one ...

Cameron

 

[bjk]

awsome! where'd you find the tank and stand by the way?

 

[Babycakes]

great tank! how do you like the flex tubing? i was thinking of using that but would probably go with pvc.
yeah rubbermaids! i think that's the best and most affordable way to do a sump/fuge. i got some sterilite tubs from walmart, they're more square-ish so i figured i could easily put baffles or use other tupperwares to make compartments

 

[Jen]

Great tank, what a great idea, of course with my luck, the dogs would help move it around a little.
Jen