Author Topic: Mussin's 10g Custom Nano tank (Read 9462 times)

Blown76mav · « **on:** January 22, 2012, 16:32:21 »

Jeremy called me the other day and asked if I'd be willing to help out on a custom nano build, as soon as he mentioned acrylic work I was in. He wanted to take a standard 10g tank and hide the pump, heater, thermostat and add a place for some live rock rubble and filter floss. He had seen a similar build on another site so we had a general idea of what we wanted to do.

The parts. 1 10g tank, a MJ1200, a Nano Korlia and a piece of 12" x 2' black 1/4 acrylic.

So I started by cutting the back wall and baffles for the "sump" area.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2012, 16:36:23 »

Since I needed a way for the water to get to the first chamber I made 1/8 slots in the acrylic. As you can see space is limited. The first chamber will house the heater and thermometer, second chamber will be live rock, and the last will be the return which will also have some filter floss and sponge to catch any big stuff. At this time I made a hole for the bulkhead for the return pump.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2012, 16:37:49 »

After gluing in the baffles it was time for a test fit.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2012, 16:42:47 »

Everything looked good to us, just had to finish up some small stuff and it was ready for water. We installed the bulkhead, hose and pump then set the fake wall in place, then I applied silicone the wall so it wouldn't fall out.

After that it was time for some finishing touches. I added a piece of light diffuser so his sponge and filter floss could have a place to sit.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2012, 16:45:16 »

The final things were to add a lid to keep out light, some tabs so his light would fit the tank and some vinyl on the one side again to block light. Since this is going to sit in a corner vinyl isn't needed on the back or other side.

Blown76mav · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2012, 16:48:13 »

Finished product. Not a bad build, took about 1 1/2. This was by no means an expert build, with the right tools almost anyone could do this. On a scale of 1-10 I'd call it a 3, maybe 4.

I'm thinking this idea may work out nice on a 29g for a frag tank

HUNGER · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2012, 17:40:57 »

Wow great job it looks awsome

Myreef55 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2012, 18:17:51 »

Very nice! Great work guys.

starfishprime · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2012, 19:17:10 »

pretty nice!

Blown76mav · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2012, 19:35:02 »

We calculated out the water volume at 7.5 in the main part, so that leaves 2.5 for the sump area. You should see it with the lights he bought on ebay, I'm thinking he's got less than 200 in the setup including lights.

Myreef55 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2012, 19:37:17 »

Do you use a jig to make the slots? Where do you buy your acrylic?

Blown76mav · « **Reply #11 on:** January 22, 2012, 19:39:43 »

No jig, I think he bought it at US Plastics.

Myreef55 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 22, 2012, 19:50:13 »

how do you keep them so uniform? Looks really nice. I live close enough and my brother lives in lima. He is just setting his tank back up and actually just joined this club as well. I have been wanting to come see your setup for awhile. Maybe sometime we can swing over on a weekend to get some inspiration..

Blown76mav · « **Reply #13 on:** January 22, 2012, 20:03:58 »

stop on by I'm usually home most weekends.

Myreef55 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 22, 2012, 20:05:04 »

Sounds cool. May do that sometime soon.

HUNGER · « **Reply #15 on:** January 22, 2012, 20:26:54 »

He does great acrylic work he did my sump

Mussin · « **Reply #16 on:** January 23, 2012, 08:13:04 »

Thanks again Lonnie. Or shall I call him Mr. Acrylic?? He knows his stuff when it comes to fabbing. It really was a nice basic build. I love how clean it looks, I didnt want a HOB filter hanging off the side. I couldnt believe how quickly Lonnie knocked it out, I was just the helper. Thanks for the kind words.. I have some more pics as well as a parts list.
Here is a list of parts I used..
10G standard tank
Maxijet 1200
Tetra submersible heater (78-80deg)
thermometer - meijer brand
acrylic - 1' x 2' Black..
Fittings, bulkhead, 90deg, line loc, and a nozzle
Odeyssea quad 20" T5 light
Korilla nano
tube of GE ttype 1 scilicone
2' section of 1/2" hose......