[gm333]

I started thinking about setting up another saltwater tank and found I didnt have any room for any more tanks. So I decided to get rid of the dreaded guppy tank and ram tank and turn them into a nano tank for softies.
I will be using a 15gal long tank for the display and a 10 gal refugium. I have already drilled the 15 gal and added an overflow that was custom built for another nano tank. I will be using the aqua-c nano skimmer in the sump and a rio 2100 pump for return. The return pump will be mounted outside the refugium tank to keep heat issues to a minimum. I will be building a custom stand and custom hood for the tank. The hood will consist of 2 24" t-5 bulbs, maybe three or four in the future. Right now I think 2 will suffice. I dont have plans to add a fan in the hood yet. We will have to see what the temp will get to running the t-5's.
I spent most of the day building the stand. I have almost completed it. I still need to add the trim to the door and caulk and paint the stand.
I also need to build the canopy. It will open from the top with the t-5's attatched to it.
Here are some pics of the cutting of the tank and a link for how I did this here. http://www.fishtankforums.com/28-diy...html#post39590 (Drilling small tanks)

Pics of the drilling

[gm333]

Here are some pics of the stand and where it is at right now.

[Rychek]

Nice setup. Where did you get the overflow kit?

[gm333]

It was custom made out of an old overflow from an ancient tank. I took it off another nano tank.

[Rychek]

Ah, ok. Thanks.

[gm333]

Here is an update on the tank build. So far I have completed all the building of the stand. Now the canopy just needs to be sanded, caulked and painted.
Found out after ordering the lights they might not fit. Will have to wait and see if I can get them in the hood or not.

[Duffee]

Looking good Gary. I've built my own stands before but they never look like I bought them such as yours. I can't help but wonder if my tank created some inspiration in you starting this nano. I wish you started first so I could learn off of you. I will say that looking at your reef did inspire me to start one. Have you seen my mushroom question?

Any thoughts on livestock yet?

[Nereaga]

Very nice gary. You are a wizard in this hobby, taking a bunch of stuff and viola!!! You have a new setup. It will look really sweet once it all set up, esp with the T5's in there. Are you using flex line or tubing for the plumbing or hard plumbing it? I guess for such a small setup, flex/tubing will be easier.

Keep the pics coming! I like seeing what ideas you use, and them I mimick them! Sweetness.

[gm333]

Nereaga: You know I am not a fan of loose plumbing, but in this case the return will have some "hose"( how I hate that word associated with reef tanks). I will post all of the plumbing and such as soon as I get it done.

Duffee: I have been contemplating this build for awhile now since I had to scrap the 2.5gal nano. I had planned for this build to be with my 20gal. long turtle tank. But I didnt get his outdoor pen built this year and he needs to be inside for the winter so he still resides in that tank. You did help me into getting around and starting it though.
I thought i responded to your mushroom question. If not I will. As far as livestock for this tank goes I was looking into a picasso clownfish, but I ran into an ORA naked clownfish today that I want. Unfortunatly there is one left and he cant go into the 135 so looks like I wont be able to get him. I am also looking into a small goby.

[Duffee]

I just looked up that clown. Wow those are awesome. I would prefer those over a Picasso.