Aquaforest SPS Pico Work Tank (12 litres)

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chrismelb
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Aquaforest SPS Pico Work Tank (12 litres)

Post by chrismelb »

Started a new Pico tank as previous Pico crashed due to a pump melt down, which cooked everything :konk: .

Again going for a simple design but with better and more reliable equipment.

System Type: Small simple coral reef type

Strike up Date: May 2014

Display Tank: DIY build 8mm Acrylic 25L x 25W x 20H ~ 12litres

Display Lighting: 28/5/2014 Changed to Coral Flare Mini (2X Neutral white, 1X Cool White, 1X Warm White, 1X Royal Blue 455nm, 1X Blue 470nm, and 1X True Violet 420nm). Previously was a Par 30 BoostLED 2 royal blue, 1 blue, 1 cool white and 1 neutral white.

System Water: as of Oct, RedSea Coral Pro (previously: Natural salt water)

Water circulation: Hydor Koralia Nano 900lph

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Tank lid sits on a slight angle to allow condensation to run off (thanks for the clever idea Duane :clap:).

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Also built a small stand so that I could attach the gooseneck light stand and this also allows for the installation of a drain pipe at the base of the tank for large and easy to manage water changes. Stand was made out of 16mm MDF and painted with too many coats normal spray paint (vivid white and clear gloss).

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This was my first attempt at flame polishing. For this I used a propane torch. The edges looks much neater than sanding.

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New design features include a small partition at the back to hide the heater, and allow for close to 100% water changes using drain pipe (John Guest valve and hose)

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I thought the hydor pump being a 900lph, in a 12litre tank, would stir up the substrate but positioning it this way, it doesn't.

Just filled it up today, so far no leaks. Now just have to decide what to put in it LOL
Last edited by chrismelb on Tue Aug 09, 2016 8:01 am, edited 3 times in total.
naqua
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Re: New Pico Work Tank - 12 litres

Post by naqua »

LOVE it! Really innovative having the back partition to hide the heater and position the wavemaker.

You have a fair bit of sand in there - could do with less to maximise display space?
chrismelb
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Re: New Pico Work Tank - 12 litres

Post by chrismelb »

naqua wrote:LOVE it! Really innovative having the back partition to hide the heater and position the wavemaker.

You have a fair bit of sand in there - could do with less to maximise display space?


Thanks Pete. You're right there is a bit too much sand. I may take some out. The idea was to fill it with enough sand to hide the heater. I didn't realise that i would need that much sand though.
Wakareefer
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Re: New Pico Work Tank - 12 litres

Post by Wakareefer »

Looks awesome mate what type of filtration will you go with?
cody.sheridan-2008
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Re: New Pico Work Tank - 12 litres

Post by cody.sheridan-2008 »

:clap:

Looks terrific, I don't think there is TOO much sand, looks great :)
MASS President 2013, 2014
900x620x500 Rimless SPS tank - Pico time!
chrismelb
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Re: New Pico Work Tank - 12 litres

Post by chrismelb »

Wakareefer wrote:Looks awesome mate what type of filtration will you go with?


Due to the small water volume and ease of water changes, I will rely on large water changes. Some filtration will also occur from the live rock (yet to add) and sandbed.
Wakareefer
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Re: New Pico Work Tank - 12 litres

Post by Wakareefer »

Fair enough, how come you have switched back to the boost par30 bulb?
Was the 12k naqua too white?
chrismelb
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Re: New Pico Work Tank - 12 litres

Post by chrismelb »

Wakareefer wrote:Fair enough, how come you have switched back to the boost par30 bulb?
Was the 12k naqua too white?


It wasn't that it was too white, I just thought the 12k naqua was too much light for a tank this size. But I have recently had to switch back to this light as one of the LEDs on the boostled went :(.

I am currently looking at doing a DIY LED setup so that i can dim lights and get a nice spectral coverage.
sparker
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Re: New Pico Work Tank - 12 litres

Post by sparker »

This is amazing, love your work!
Sam
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Re: New Pico Work Tank - 12 litres

Post by kodez »

Looks good dude.
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