18 Inch Cube - NPS Nano

[bimborocks]

Introduction:
I had an 18inch cube tank that was used as my quarantine tank as well as an old skimmer, heaters and pretty much everything to set up a tank but I wanted to do something different and or keep corals or fish/inverts that I cant keep in my big tank. After much research I decided that a Non photosynthetic coral tank would fit the bill

System Objectives: Keep NPS long term while managing nutrient levels

System Type: Non photosynthetic corals

Display System:

Strike up Date: June 2016

Display Tank: 18 inch cube with sump

Display Lighting: NA

Stand: Steel stand - 25mm angle iron

Hood: NA

Sump: Plastic tub ATM



Support systems:

System Water: Natural salt water

Display Water circulation: Powerhead

Return Pump: Jeabo DC6000

Skimmer: AquaC Remora HOB

Evaporation Top Up: Osmolator


Chemical Support:

Calcium Addition:
Alkalinity Addition:
Other Chemical Maintenance:

Current Water Chemistry: If applicable
Nitrates:
Phosphates:
Alkalinity:
Calcium:
Salinity / Specific Gravity:
Magnesium:


Images:

[bimborocks]

Initially the tank was set up standalone but as it is now going to be a display and with tank space at a premium I wanted to add a sump so that means I needed as way to get there water out of the tank and down to the sump (as silently as possible according to my wife). I decided on using a internal overflow box that flows into a glass box on the back of the tank with 3 drains - one full syphon (adjustable and main drain) a durso as redundancy and a fully open as emergency overflow. I went with 20mm for the first 2 and 25mm as the emergency which should be more than capable. So I whiped up this - I did make a rear acrylic bo but then deciede that a glass one siliconed to the back of the tank just mean less places for any potential leaks.




All made from 4mm black acrylic and cut using a track saw, the overflow comb came from guppy's I think.

Net up was the stand, I wanted a steel stand and decided that 25mm x 2.5mm gal angle would be up to the task and set about cutting and welding it all together. I have a few welders at my disposal but this was welded using stick

This was all then primed and top coated in a gloss black enamel.

Next up was the rear glass section of the overflow box, I haven't done a great deal of glass cutting before but it turned out OK


Next was to drill the holes in the rear of the tank to join it all together and the base piece of the rear box - taking it slow with the trusty Makita cordless and a dam to hold water using a disposable cup and some of the kids Plasticine did the job


All siliconed up


Overflow pipes ready to go in

[wayne2.0]

That's some top DIY

Are you thinking Sun coral or something else?

[Roy]

Nice DIY, how big will the sump be?

[Rod the Reefer]

Looks excellent so far!

Good luck with the NPS, I know there was a couple of really good goes at it a while back.

Rod.

[bimborocks]

Thanks, not 100% on corals cause it kinda depends on what I can get my hands on but definitely a few more gorgs/seafans and some tubastrea.
Sump will be around the 18x16x16 size, I have 2 old tanks to cut up and salvage the glass from, that will get done this week as long as work isn't too hectic. I just need to work out what skimmer I would like to use long term and make sure I build the sup to accommodate it. I also have a few liters of seachem matrix I would also like to use for additional filtration

[matts20891]

Refreshing to see something a bit different - looking forward to seeing this one progress

[bimborocks]

Bodgied up some lights last night, will finish them up and post some more pics/info tonight but while there was some light on the tank I decided it was a good chance to take some photos of the corals for comparison down the track. Picked up a few new pieces today as well. So far I haven't had any lfs order anything in specific for me just been doing the rounds and picking up a coral or 2 here and there.
Dendrophyllia?

Light yellow Tubastrea?

Purple gorgonian

Lfs owner gave me 2 Tubastrea to see if I can get them back to health. This one is starting to show much more regular polyp extension


Cheers
James

Sent from my D5503 using Tapatalk

[pebbles]

Hi James

My guess is first one is a balanophyllia.

The remaining tubastrea can be returned to full glory fairly fast with daily feeds of meaty foods....get ready for the bristle worms to congregate though...

Always had a weakness for these corals. Am very interested to see how you go with the dry gorg foods as there have been a number of developments food wise over the years.

Cheers

[bimborocks]

Thanks Angie, its always great to talk to someone that has actually kept stuff like this before.
I am also looking for fish suggestions if anyone has some ideas