Tom Gunner Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Due to the fact that it might be a while until I buy a house and setup a new large tank, I decided to experiment on the other end of the scale and built a 2 gallon pico reef. I've done quite a lot of research online, and there's some quite impressive tanks out there in the 2 gallon range - some of which are quite established. Here's what I started with: The light I ordered from Canada. It's a Coralife 2 X 9 watt Actinic / 10,000k. This is going to be coupled with the Aquaclear mini HOB which will run Chem Zorb when needed, and will hopefully provide enough circulation for such a small tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 you might have issues with the light, are you going to use a transformer?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Here's the light that I pulled apart, reassembled, and tidied up the wiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 These are the freshly sanded base and lid - ready for staining and oiling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 to eager amI Just checked out the other pics, looking really sharp, love the little cabinet, im actually going to make a little one for my tank aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 cool, keep detailed updates, should be interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 The finished woodwork. I stained the wood with a dark wood oil-based stain, and then oiled it with 4 layers of Danish oil. The Danish oil has a great satin finish, especially when wire-wooled in-between coats - it's also quite a resilient finish that should stand up to the occasional soaking of saltwater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 The inside of the hood. It was quite tricky to fit all of this in and still have room for the HOB filter. I kept the ballests at the back, and connected the fan to a variable power AC adaptor so I can play around with the fan speed. There should be enough space to keep the high temps in check - these small lights are notorious for kicking out a lot of heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetskisteve Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Cool, Makes my 90L look like a monster!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 The first full tank shot. I managed to get some really nice LR pieces at The Pet House, and I'm quite happy how the aqua-scaping. The lights look great and give me around 9WPG as a rough guide of illumination. I'm still experimenting with the fan speed to keep the lights on and off temps pretty stable. I added three blue LED's for the moon lights - I'm pleased with the effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 That is super stylie. 10/10. If you want some mushrooms, yellow polyps etc, come around, I am sure we can work something out. Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 can i ask questions now???? first of all fantastic, great to have someone else enjoying the satisfaction of doing it nano style. what are your plans?? coral, shrimp?? a glass shrimp would have a ball in there (and they are fairly cheap ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 now all you need is a 1,000 litre sump, kalk topup, calcium reactor, deltec skimmer and zeovit reactor and you're set Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Brianemone - The light's hooked up with a transformer - not ideal, but should be ok. I'm glad you liked the cabinet - I've been checking your office tank out. That would look awesome with a custom stand and hood. jetskisteve - Yeah, it's pretty small - but ironically, probably still quite high maintenance - I know the evap rate is going to be an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 evap isnt an issue if you have a glass cover, that why i opted to drill (after buying a HOB) and with the fan having it covered shouldnt push up the heat too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Pies - Cheers mate, I really apprieciate the offer. I'll give you a shout in a few weeks time when the stocking starts. Brianemone - My plans are pretty flexible at the moment. I think I'd like a shrimp of some description with a couple of hermits and snails. Coral wise I'd like the centre piece to be a torch coral, and then probably a collection of Mushroons, Rics, pulsing Xenia and Zoos surrounding. The glass cover I have is a little short due to the HOB - I'll probably mod this so it's cut around and offers a tight fit. chimera - A sump and a skimmer would be nice - I might however see if I could make a DIY micro HOB skimmer for the HOB filter! Anybody have any plans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 I have some small snails, can probably give up 4-5 or something. Make the lid from perspecs? Easy to cut and shape. I have a sheet at home your welcome to enough for your lid. Cheers Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Pies - That would be awesome. Thanks man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 with your light any of those corals should be ok. because you wont have any fish you shouldnt need any added filtration. im still on the hunt for a mini goby for my tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Gunner Posted September 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 I mini goby would be sweet. I was thinking of getting one of these: http://www.lostmymarblz.com/7gal-clowngoby1.jpg but I'll probably keep it 'fish free' due to the size. Are they easy to get hold of over here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brianemone Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 yeah the clown gobies are fairly common, i think jansens in auckland has 3 at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lduncan Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Very impressive. You got some solid DIY skills there. Layton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slappers Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 very well done, keep the updates and photos coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kermit Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Awsome, thats a cool looking tank top marks. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogmatix Posted September 6, 2005 Report Share Posted September 6, 2005 Big ups to you, looking great Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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