Twisty's 29g custom aquapod

[twisty]

Well after seeing Xenon's 29g, I was inspired to create my own Nano.
I recently moved into an Appartment and don't have space for the Big tank anymore.
So i purchased a Current USA 29gl Aquapod from Patrick @ Ottawa Inverts.
I also purchase Xenon's Current USA 20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18w T5 fixture.
I will be removing the false wall from the aquapod in order to gain the extra realestate in the display tank.
I will then cut an opening in the back glass to Create a Calfo External Coast to Coast overflow.
I will build a glass overflow @ the back of the Tank with a Durso Standpipe.
I'll have the tank drilled for the return.
I'll update this thread as time goes on and as my project progresses.
Tomorrow IT STARTS!

[jimskoi]

I guess your GF has gotten over you getting another tank?

[twisty]

Day 1.
Just got back from work... and ready to get customizing!
First things first.

Make sure you test this on a Cheap Tank.
I tested on small size Nano... I'll probably plumb this one in beside the 29gl.
here's a pic of my first attemp


I wanted to remove the Fake Wall to recover lost space.. as all the hardware will be below in a sump.

Wall Removed


I then Prepped the opening for the Coast to Coast by cutting out the Plastic trim @the back of the Nano

Here's a pic of the prepped opening


Then proceeded to the Shower to cut the glass
I placed a plastic bag over the dremel to make sure it didn't get soak while the water was running to cool the cutting process. Note.. If large tank.. The dremel might over heat in the plastic bag.


Here's a picture of the end result.. took me approx 1/2 hours to notch out the teeth.
The key is to let the bit do the work..
If the flow is insufficient i will PUNCH out the teeth and use EGG Crate.


Tomorrow I will order the glass to build the external overflow box.
I'll post pictures as my project goes on!

[Hookup]

sweet work.  Well done on cutting into a perfect good new expensive tank... not everyone can do that without a good stiff-drink or two first.

[twisty]

My girlfriend wasn't thrilled when I told her.
"I'm going to test the Cutting process on your Nano Tank"
After trying on the inexpesive tank. I was confident i could do it on a BRAND NEW TANK!
I'm having a beer now... and thinking about what i'm going to do NEXT.

Anybody have a suggestion for silicon to glue the overflow box?

[twisty]

Day2!
Order the glass for the External Overflows.
Going to plumb both tanks into the same sump.
Any suggestions for the silicon?

Also going to build a custom stand on the weekend.

[RossW]

For silicone, use the GE I in the blue tube.  I have extra, but live in Greely.

http://ovas.ca/index.php?topic=10196.msg80314#msg80314

[twisty]

Thanks!

[twisty]

Time for an Update
Well received my glass for the overflow's over the weekend.
Here's the break down of my build.

Tools Needed.
- Cut Glass (6mm thick glass)
- Construction Grade GE silicon (Ottawa Inverts)
- Corner Vices
- Caulking Gun




So i started by doing a Dry Run of the assembly.
Make sure all the pices fit properly. You never know.
I not a carpenter. 
Guess i measured properly

After confirming everything is good.
I assembled the first corner.


This construction grade silicon sets real quick.
I proceeded to assemble the rest of the puzzle.
Note: When applying the silicon use a welding style movement in order to push the bead of silicon down the glass with the gun. I couldn't take a picture of this, only have 2 hands.
I'm not a master caulker either, notice the finger prints on the glass.
I will remove these when the silicon is completly dry.

Here's a pic of the final product.
I built two boxes, One for the Aquapod... and the other for my GF's 7gl Tank.


Tomorrow i'll silicon these to the back of their respective tank.

More to come!

[groupie02]

It was nice meeting you today. Now I would like an update to this thread 

[twisty]

Nice meeting you as well.
Umm there's a reason i haven't update this thread yet.
0 progress!
Actualy still planning stuff as we speak.
Here's a pic of the stand I want to build to house both tanks.

Going to meet a cabinet maker on the weekend. He's going to give me pointers.
He will also help me source the wood.

Also in the planning process is the plumbing. I plan on plumbing both overflows together.
I want to purchase an Octopus recirculation skimmer and drive this with the flow from the overflows from both tanks. Does anybody have experience doing this? There doesn't seem to be much documentation regarding this.

[xenon]

Also in the planning process is the plumbing. I plan on plumbing both overflows together.
I want to purchase an Octopus recirculation skimmer and drive this with the flow from the overflows from both tanks. Does anybody have experience doing this? There doesn't seem to be much documentation regarding this.

That's easy!

If you plan to gravity feed your recirc skimmer with the drains from both tanks the amount of water that flows thru the skimmer is determined by the amount of flow from your return pump in your sump.

Put a ball valve on the return so that you can control the flow in the skimmer.

[twisty]

We'll I haven't updated this thread in over a month.
Reason being is I was waiting for the lumber to build my stand.
Well the stand is complete.
I now need to stain, varnish and set it up...
I'll post picture of the unfinished construction.
It looks really good

[twisty]

Here's a picture of the stand...
Applied a coat of Stain this afternoon.
Really brought out the grain of the OAK.

Going to apply the varnish in a couple of days from now.
Will post the Final picture... My project is slowly, comming together!

[salvini55]

Nice work on the stand! I too am waiting for my stand to get started, should be two to three weeks.

[twisty]

It's been a while since i've updated this thread.

Well my stand is completely stained, varnished and setup.
Now I start the Fun part, The plumbing.
I'll post pictures of the stand tonight.

I'll be looking for suggestion.

[White Lightning]

Hey Twisty,

This is a really cool thread. Obviously you have put a lot of thought and hard work into your display tank. It's looking great thus far. Have you thought about what you are going to be putting in this tank? My one suggestion would be to go to Rona and pick up some puck lights to place on the two shleves as some cool accent lights.

[twisty]

Actually the top shelf will be the home for the smaller or the two nano's
I might try and find a 70w Halide for this tank

[White Lightning]

Oops I missed that. Now I see it in the above posts. Even much cooler! I can't wait to see the finished product.

[Hookup]

Actually the top shelf will be the home for the smaller or the two nano's
I might try and find a 70w Halide for this tank

If I can suggest....

Could you use the top tank for a fuge?  The range of "OMG WOW" macro algae is pretty substantial, and you could put it on display, and have some sea horses, etc... and plumb it all together... would look OMG WOW... IMO.. BBQ