Nano Building Anyone...
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: DIY
Forum Description: Do it Yourself
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22403
Printed Date: July 21 2025 at 7:15am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Nano Building Anyone...
Posted By: superman1981
Subject: Nano Building Anyone...
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 2:55pm
|
So the wheels in my head are turning (scary I know). And as many of you have probably already seen, my plan for the 20gal I got from Fax didn't work out, so I"m back to the drawing board. I've been looking for a good nano, but haven't found one yet, so I'm thinking of building my own, say 14x18x oh I don't know 18-20 tall.. I'm thinking of building that actual tank 14x14 and then leaving 4 inches in the back to build somewhat of an internal sump, kind of like a nano cube. Has anyone ever built a project like this? Also, is acrylic going to be my best bet, or should I use glass? Just a random idea I came up with at work today. I'll play with google sketchup later to build a 3-D model. Oh real quick on this topic. I have a ballast for two 24" PC bulbs, could I use this to run shorter bulbs, possible 3 shorter bulbs over my creation? Thanks, Tim ------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Replies:
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 5:01pm
|
I don't think it would be too tough. I would figure out which lights you are going with first. Maybe a quad 96watt PC would work well?
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: fj40fax
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 5:06pm
|
I built a small nano for my kids freshwater tank. I think it
turned out to be 11g or so. If I had to do it again I would use
3/8" rather than 1/4". It only scares me a little, being
freshwater and on a very old dresser.
------------- Fax 318-3632 90g 2x250W 14kK MH Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle Adjustments and Massages for Frags! |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 5:09pm
|
I was actually thinking of being on the safe side and just going with 1/2 inch... How hard is acrylic to assemble Fax? You're in trouble letting me know you've done it before. I'll probably bug you in the next month or two as this project takes life...
------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 5:14pm
I was thinking either 3, 28 watt bulbs, or 3, 36 watt bulbs... I wonder if that would work ------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Mike Savage wrote:Posted By: fj40fax
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 5:20pm
|
If I had to do it agian I would just get a glass nano. In fact, I
just might. I think a 12g nano would fit very well where the tank
is now.
------------- Fax 318-3632 90g 2x250W 14kK MH Sump, Fuge, G3, UV, O3, ACIII Pleasant Grove, UT Across State Street from the Purple Turtle Adjustments and Massages for Frags! |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 5:24pm
Look at bulb replacement cost too. It is probably cheaper to replace one bulb than two or more and the ballast/socket pricing may come into play too.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 5:29pm
|
I have considered that. I just don't want the bulbs to be too long, because I'm planning on building a canopy over my creation (assuming I actually get around to building it...)
------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: Danner
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 5:30pm
| ya the quad 96w bulbs are about 45 bucks and if you do 3 you are gonna pay about 65 bucks for all 3 so you will save a little money there, i use the quad 96 and it works great. so basically you get 2 antics and 2 10k |
Posted By: jonafriendj
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 5:33pm
|
Are you thinking about building one to save money, or just to have a custom tank? That would be sweet to have something custom, but IMO there are some pretty sweet looking nanos for sale out there!
------------- Pleasant Grove |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 5:58pm
|
I'm thinking about building it for a couple of reasons... First off, I'm guessing I can save a few bucks. Secondly, I want a narrow, but tall tank... the reason for this one will later be revealed... Finally, I have a specific spot where I want to put it, and all though a 6 gal nano would fit there nicely, I'd rather a 12, but those are a little bit wider than what I want... So now I'm thinking I could build my own tank that would fit perfectly... and I could try out some crazy ideas with it... Really, I'm thinking of building one, just because I can  ------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: jonafriendj
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 6:11pm
All excellent reasons!  Best of luck!
------------- Pleasant Grove |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 6:37pm
That's a great reason!
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 8:43pm
|
K, for the price I'm going to pay for acrylic, I think I may have to go with a glass box, but build the overflow region out of acrylic. Anyone know of a good place to buy glass at? Would 3/8 be thing enough for what I'm thinking for doing? Thanks, Tim ------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 8:50pm
|
I'm sure it would perfect. You can use the calculator on GARF to size the glass. I can send you a link if you like about building a glass cube tank.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 9:09pm
|
Mike, if you could send me the link, that would be great! ------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 9:19pm
|
according to garf.org, if I make it 20" tall I need 3/8, if I make it 18" tall I only need 1/4. Any thoughts as to why the 2 inches make such a difference. Looking at glass prices online, 1/4 is about half the price of 3/8, so if two inches shorter saves me like $30 it may be the way to go.
------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: LordMaximo
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 9:19pm
|
I am using a 5gln hex from the wallyworld shelf with the rough sump I displayed. All that is required is to use a less aggressive return pump and use the scwd to alternate the currents in the micro-reef hex. It should be enough to keep it balanced and interesting as a small reef.
The sump is roughly 18 gln capacity.
Maximo
------------- Trigger Master |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 9:23pm
|
anyone know where I can buy glass sheets at locally? Also does the bottom need to be tempered, since it usually in on any tank you buy? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to decide whether this is even worth attempting... ------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: jonafriendj
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 9:58pm
|
P.M. sent on where to get glass ------------- Pleasant Grove |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 10:19pm
|
1/4" seems thin to me. I would use 3/8" just to be on the safe side.
Sorry I didn't have time to post the link earlier. Eva and Alex had just pulled up to the house. This is Corey K's thread about building his 60G cube. There are still pictures in the gallery here too.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=263616&perpage=25&pagenumber=1 - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=263616&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 10:20pm
|
I think you will find glass is pretty expensive. Maybe you should just go with the 125 for now though this would be a cool project.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: JS
Date Posted: December 10 2007 at 11:32pm
|
Hey Tim, I have a custom acrylic tank that I built but have yet to use. I was tinkering with the same idea you have now. It is sitting in my garage collecting dust. The tank is 12.47 gallons and measures 15 wide X 12 deep X 16 high. I think it is 1/4 inch acrylic but not positive. Not sure why you would need to go thicker than this as pro plastics has a tank that is about 90 gallons built out of 3/8 inch acrylic. I have the acrylic cut to make a center overflow that would hide a maxijet1200 inside and all of the return plumbing for the tanks filtration. If you are interested I would let it go for cheaper than the acrylic cost me. Jason ------------- Be careful who watches your tank! http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27846 |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: December 11 2007 at 12:23am
|
JS, How much do you want for your tank (it's pretty close to what I'm looking for, I was just thinking a little bit taller...) ------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: December 11 2007 at 12:27am
Yes this is true, cheaper than acrylic, but still pricey. So why is it that my 29 gal is made out of 1/4 inch, but GARF says to use 3/8 for this size of tank... any thoughts? As for the 125, it's kind of on hold right now. I decided to hold off on spending a ton of money on fish stuff until Christmas is over and the baby is born. Unless of course I get the job I interviewed for last week. That would probably give me a hefty enough raise that I wouldn't be thinking about finances near as much... this could be dangerous... Oh, also, my wife doesn't like the 10 gal we have our chocolate chip star in and wants something smaller, say a 6 gal nano, but I'm convinced I can build something cooler for the same price. Thats why I'm thinking way too much about this project. ------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: JS
Date Posted: December 11 2007 at 3:14am
|
PM sent ------------- Be careful who watches your tank! http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27846 |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 11 2007 at 8:51am
|
Tim,
I think the 1/4" 29 gallon has to do with the top bracing the manufacturer puts on. My 34 gallon RSM is 5/16" As far as what GARF recommends talk with Scott (Garf volunteer) he designed the calculator but I don't know where he got the information about glass strength/safety. It might have to do with window glass vs plate glass?
Good luck on the job.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 11 2007 at 8:52am
|
Another thought. Thicker glass gives you more room on the edge for the silicone joint.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: December 11 2007 at 9:00am
I've only ever built a couple glass tanks... so this certainly isn't my area...
but I don't think thicker glass gives more of a bonding area???? I never siliconed between the glass on edge, I would just butt them up together and silicone down the seam. (meaning the glass could be 1/8", 1/2", 2", 6", and I'd still have the same bead of silicone)
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 11 2007 at 9:22am
|
It's my understanding that the holding power of the silicone is on the edge of the glass not in the corner. Maybe I didn't understand.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: December 11 2007 at 9:24am
|
Mike- you may totally understand correctly. I really don't know.
It is more likely that I've always just done it wrong.
Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: December 11 2007 at 9:41am
|
Moral of the story, don't trust Adam when it comes to DYI projects Anyone know where I can buy glass locally?
------------- Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix 6 gal nanocube 65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread |
Posted By: loganutah
Date Posted: December 12 2007 at 5:51pm
|
if you keep it under 13" you can use 1/4 inch acrylic. If its much taller use 3/8 or 1/2" I made a 11 gal. You will also need WELD ON #16. (actually chemically melts the 2 pieces together. I would just order it online, hard to find. Silicone will not hold, Epoxy wont hold, Use weld on. The 16 is thicker that say Weld on 5. If your seams dont line up you can fill it in with the weld on 16. |
Posted By: LordMaximo
Date Posted: December 16 2007 at 7:28am
|
10 mm acrylic is an ideal thickness for most small tanks. It is stronger then glass and is lighter in overall wieght. I have a 5 gallon hex made out of 5mm acrylic, and I would not want anything over 10 glns made from such a thin material. Mostly because of water wieght causing the gravity effect of bowing the materials on any thing taller then 18".
Food for thought.
Maximo
------------- Trigger Master |
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: December 16 2007 at 6:52pm
|
just a side note, don't know if they fit or not but aquatica still has their 24 gal round corner nanos with stand for $200, including the lid and the rear plumbing/filter area. Might end up being cheaper than a diy tank.
------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |