Picture Frame 20's!

[AlexfromSATX]

Ok, so I got to thinking after someone suggested the TOM suggestion, and I wanted to do a Show tank that looked like a picture frame coming out of my wall!! I decided to do two 20L aqauriums w/ black backgrounds (spraypaint). the top one is going to be a reef tank with only a pair of Black and White Percs. And the bottom is going to be a Refugium Display with Different types of Macros. Then I will have a 10 Gallon sump on the bottom to put all of the equipment, i.e Heater, ATO, Skimmer, and LR Rubble, Chemi pure(maybe). I have built the main stand that will hold the tanks, only took about 4 hours (Pics will be here tonight), and siding I am putting on today after work. Once the Tanks come in on Thursday I will use them to build the front to cut out the frame for the tanks and start putting the front on. Then the Molding to make it look framed! And of course paint the stand (any color suggestions? I was thinking all black with some deep red brushed in). The System will be run on a Mag 7 with 1" PVC Pipe. I will have 1 hole drilled in the back left corner of each 20L tank so the return line to the sump will work on gravity where it will be filtered through Filter Floss and then pushed all the way to the top of the tank (about 5 ft) using the mag 7. All the plumbing will be hidden behind the tanks.

Any questions, coments Suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks!

 

[AlexfromSATX]

Because I am bored at work I was doing some more reading, and I was thinking, should I use a Mag 9.5, since I want this to be my flow (I just don't want PH's in the tank)? and will it work with 1" Piping? Thanks again!

 

[reefman23]

You should use a Mag 9.5, but I have heard of some heat issues with them... 95 watts!

There are pumps out there like the QuietOne's (that is what I am currently using) that use half the watts, but have a higher head loss... the comparable QuietOne uses only ~50 watts...

As far as the return line, go with twice the diameter of the outlet of the pump... so if the mag is using a 3/4" outlet, go with 1 1/4" PVC (again, that is what i did for my QO4000) return line. here is a good headloss calculator to show how the diam. affects the GPH...

Just for reference, a Mag 9 with 4 ft head:

1" PVC= 772 GPH
1.25" PVC= 802 GPH

So it isnt a huge difference, but 30 GPH is worth it.

Jesse

p.s. Really look forward to seeing this project progress!

 

[TimSchmidt]

Yes I love the idea. I'm not sure how the black and red will look. It really all depends if you want it to stick out in your house. I personally like dark green colors but not sure how that would look. Oh well go with hunter green!

 

[AlexfromSATX]

You should use a Mag 9.5, but I have heard of some heat issues with them... 95 watts!

Just for reference, a Mag 9 with 4 ft head:

1" PVC= 772 GPH
1.25" PVC= 802 GPH

Thanks Jesse! I didn't realize it used 95 watts! Maybe I won't need a heater while using it! Also where did you get that Calculator?

I'm not sure how the black and red will look. It really all depends if you want it to stick out in your house. I personally like dark green colors but not sure how that would look. Oh well go with hunter green!

I have a black entertainment center and a dark red and Black Coffee table so I was trying to match it with that. I was even thinking of going w/ a Silver, kind of like the Oceanic Bow front canopy and stand, but thought that it would be WAY too much Silver in one place. I was even thinking green too, so it's still in the air on what color I want. Probably have the Girlfriend match up a color with my apartment and see what goes best.

Thanks guys! Keep up the great Feedback!

 

[reefman23]

I got that calculator over at reefcentral.com .... there are a few very helpful calculators and tools over there on the homepage, left-hand side a little ways down.

Hope you can find it!

As far as the wattage goes, that is personally why i went with the Quiet one. Once i got it situated so that it wasnt touching and sides and it was sitting on the rubber feet, it is SILENT. And it is pushing up 4 feet and through a SCWD+manifold. I still get about 650 GPH out of it while only using ~55 watts.

Jesse

 

[AlexfromSATX]

Thansk Jesse I found them!

 

[AlexfromSATX]

OK Picture time!!!!!!

This is the frame of the stand. The Fuge will sit on the Bottom shelf, and reef tank will be on the top shelf. Both Tanks sit inside of 24 inch sections. SO I can put in lighting and fans with enough room. the 10G sump will sit on the floor.

This is the Frame with the Sides up. Keep in mind this will all be painted.

More pictures to come on Thursday of the tank drilling, and then friday when the Front is done.

 

[reefman23]

Very nice, very clean. Great work! I REALLY cant wait! 20L's are my favorite!

Jesse

 

[EDGRAY]

:shock: wow looks really tall :shock: :lol: .... common rush rush i want to see how the tank looks like...

 

[AlexfromSATX]

I know! I can't wait until Thursday for the tanks to come in! The Stand isn't that tall. It stands 6 ft tall, 2ft deep and 3 feet across. Tonight I am cutting the Front panel to size and I may go buy a 20L just for measurement and then return it :lol: ! That way I can get the stand done, and start painting! Then friday get the tanks drilled and set up the display for test run! :mrgreen:

 

[Anonymous]

i like this idea and even tried something like it about 5 years ago but abandoned it because i didn't leave enough room to work in the tanks once the lights were in place - my bad - i should have made it all taller and roomier. i saw a pic of a european guys tank once set up like this and it was awesome!! it was floor to ceiling - three tanks plumbed together all the bells and whistles, and when you closed the doors it looked like a a piece of quality cabinetry. i wish i could find this link because it was really a very nice set-up...
yours looks like its heading in that direction

 

[AlexfromSATX]

Just a quick update, due to weather issues (ie. Hail lightning and Thunder) I am finally today getting to the door of the stand. Also tanks come in today and drilling begins, so look for pictures late tonight, early tommorrow! i can't wait. I'm off to the LFS now!

 

[Anonymous]

Looks pretty cool so far Alex. Hope the tank drilling went well. Don't forget to post plenty of pics as you go. I was going to do something very similar to this a few years back, but for coarl propagation. Never got around to it.

 

[Dickie52]

Looking good.....

Just a thought, but I would also add screws through the plywood, on the support brackets....

It will add strength to the shelves as well as keep it all square.

 

[AlexfromSATX]

I would also add screws through the plywood, on the support brackets....

Good Idea! Thanks! I'll add those tommorrow!

Ok because the weather has not been cooperating I did what I could. Here are som Pics.

Tanks w/ the bulkheads. The drilling went Very smooth! Easier than I though it would be!

Tanks being Spraypainted for a nice background. This was before it started raining!

Plumbing. this was the hardest part figuring out how to run the plumbing. Some of the Plumbing pictured has been altered, but still almost the same as the pics.

FTS w/ no front due to weather :lighting :anxious

Hopefully tommorrow will be better weather and I can finally get the front done! Any comments suggestions help is welcome and appreciated!!! Thanks everyone!

 

[Jennie]

Looks like you have been busy dispite the weather! :mrgreen:

 

[ripcurrent]

Diggity! That is awesome!

Is the junction I so cleverly circled your drain? If so you may run into some noise issues and water level issues. For the water to properly drain there has to be a source of air to allow the water to freely fall. That config is basically going to create a vacuum sucking air into the drain to allow the water the ability to fall and not be stuck in like a syphon state... if that makes sense... probably not though so I'll show some pics.

Exhibit A. Sweet Setup and incredible artwork!

Exhibit B. Jesses setup. Just drill a hole in the top of that sideways "T" unit and voila! Water can freely fall because there is air readily available to break the vacuum.

 

[reefman23]

Hey thanks Rip! Yeh, it doesnt take a very large hole at all... I cant remember the exact size, but it was no larger than 3/32". Start out very small and work your way up from there till you get it the way you want it.

Hope that helps,

Jesse

 

[AlexfromSATX]

Cool, thanks again guys! I'll do that today! Sun is out and the day looks like it's going to cooperate to finish up this project! I'll try to get pics up tonight! thanks for the input.