Mystery 8gal Nano Build

[ilyad]

:^::^::^::bounce::bounce::bounce::D:mrgreen: :question: :question:

Sorry guys, but Im really excited about the new build Im putting together. I have always seen pictures of peoples' homes with multiple tanks and never knew why that happened, thinking to myself, why wouldnt they just keep one large one? Anyways, now Im one of those people with multiple tanks! Here is the build for my new 8 gal nano.

I will keep you posted on the progress as I get things done, but I will keep the final project a secret until its quite obvious (for those who know, shhhh! LOL)

So this is what Im working with, an Innovative Marine 8 gallon tank

This is where the tank will sit

The unboxing of all the goodies :mrgreen:

Making sure the lights work

 

[ilyad]

So I learned that the smilies up top count as pictures you are including

Anyways, back to the build

All set up where in its place

A 24 hour leak test with tap

The next day I went ahead and drained out the water (phhhew, no leaks!)

I went ahead and made a mock up of where I want my rocks to be

The Right

The Left

The Back

All Three in LIne

How the rock work will look

From the Front

The Left

The Right

And Zoomed Out

And what I'll be working with, the notorious eggcrate

The tools - Dremel w/ Diamond wheel

 

[ilyad]

Then I went ahead and marked off the eggcrate using the mock up

Remember, use protective eyewear as pieces spray up in hot molten plastic

The eggcrate fitted in the tank

It is very flush with the glass on all sides

So there are some mixed reviews online regarding the fact that eggcrate either leeches phosphates or has other properties which cause weird algae to grow on it... the best solution, from what I researched, is coating it with Krylon Fusion, which allows you to spray plastics without having to prime or sand them down

So I prepped an area for spraying

Before Painting

And after, there is no difference in the color you use, and the only reason I picked blue was because they were out of black and all other colors were extremely bright

The next step is to make all three pieces into one

In order to keep it in place, I used a bunch of zip ties to secure the eggcrate

Then I went ahead and glued the pieces together with some crazy glue I had laying around the house

After letting it set, I cut off the zip ties

As you can see, it is holding well

Hopefully it still fits in the tank

And it does

 

[ilyad]

You can see it is a very good fit

OK guys, this is what I have built so far... unfortunately for me (and any of you who are anxious to see what this will be), I have a huge appellate brief to write this week, so I wont be able to continue with this project for a few days... I hope you stay tuned and see what I have in store for all of you (:whoopee!: hopefully a future TOTM :P)

 

[ErinCahir]

Consider me tagged along!

 

[R3verb]

another 10ish gal tank! come join the competition!

 

[ilyad]

Consider me tagged along!

Thanks Erin, welcome to the thread

another 10ish gal tank! come join the competition!

Ill see you there!! :P

 

[ilyad]

OK, fine... you guys convinced me to give you one more update...

In addition to the crazy glue, I used epoxy to add extra support for the eggcrate...

Here is the epoxy I used. I really like this stuff!!! I have used it in my other tank and it is very strong...

This is how it looks

Before Mixing

Mixed together

Then I went ahead and added the epoxy on the eggcrate

Front of right side

Back of right side

And because of how the eggcrate matched up, I was only able to do it on one side of the left half

Now on to the rocks!!!

Earlier I went ahead and soaked the base rock to get all of the dirt off

And then I used the same dremel and eye protection to cut 2 sides so they are flat... Here is the sample of the rocks

 

[Smitty]

I saw one of those tanks at my lfs, and I must say that they look awesome...and I think yours is gonna look even better. :)

 

[slm32123]

I am so confused on what you are going to do with the aquascape, so now I absolutely HAVE to tag along so I can find out. :)

 

[NanoReefer]

cant wait to see all that rock on the wall, its gonna look awesome!!!

 

[little_fish]

your kitty going to love this tank!

 

[beeguiles]

Wow this looks like its going to be awesome! I can't wait for more updates!

 

[ilyad]

I saw one of those tanks at my lfs, and I must say that they look awesome...and I think yours is gonna look even better. :)

Smitty, did you mean that you saw the same 8 gal or that you saw them make the scape the same way as mine?

 

[ilyad]

I am so confused on what you are going to do with the aquascape, so now I absolutely HAVE to tag along so I can find out. :)

Lol. And that is why it is a mystery ;)

 

[ilyad]

cant wait to see all that rock on the wall, its gonna look awesome!!!

Wow this looks like its going to be awesome! I can't wait for more updates!

Thanks guys!

 

[Samhain]

Following! I has a curious...........

 

[ilyad]

your kitty going to love this tank!

Thankfully this tank has a glass cover. Otherwise she would be swimming in it :P

 

[little_fish]

I would high suggest making a mesh top. The glass tops restrict gas exchange and hold in heat, both bad things for your tank

 

[ilyad]

I would high suggest making a mesh top. The glass tops restrict gas exchange and hold in heat, both bad things for your tank

I'll check how it runs before I put in any livestock, but the lid is made to allow for that. When it sits, it's about 1.5 inches above the water, there is a good sided gap that goes all the way around and a drilled hole in the middle. But yes, usually it is a problem, I know because my other tank is a closed top nano and I had major heat issues