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Thread: Super easy DIY nano tank w/scrubber

  1. #1
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    Super easy DIY nano tank w/scrubber

    Here is a super easy DIY nano tank that can easily be made at an acrylic or glass shop. You would want at least a 13 watt bulb no matter how small the nano:


  2. #2

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    Re: Super easy DIY nano tank w/scrubber

    How do you reasonably manage the water level?

    Since the screen is the overflow, the water level in the main nano will not vary, but the water level in
    the screen area (effectively the sump) will go up and down.
    But the screen/sump has very little volume.
    First, it is small length/width.
    Second, you must keep the water level low, to keep the screen out of the water.
    That means that a fairly small amount of evaporation could drop the level below the pump.

    Interesting idea though. Seems like it could be applied to large tanks as well, if water level issue
    can be solved. Maybe a second-sump? So overflow to second sump is just above the level of the ATS pump.
    Since second sump is not a filter, very little flow would be needed there.

  3. #3
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    Re: Super easy DIY nano tank w/scrubber

    It's a huge screen for the tank, so losing the bottom half is not bad. Most nano tanks are manual anyway, so whenever the level gets low, you top it off.

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    Re: Super easy DIY nano tank w/scrubber

    You might want to do the calculation on how often to top off.
    Yes, a nano is small, but the ATS section is even smaller.
    It is small percentage of surface area, and there is increased evaporation due to ATS.
    Could be ok, or could require a top-off every day.

  5. #5

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    Re: Super easy DIY nano tank w/scrubber

    I like this idea.

    Maybe you can put a lid on top at the back section to elminate most of the evaporation?
    I think it will work great then!

  6. #6

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    Re: Super easy DIY nano tank w/scrubber

    I want to pick a used Biocube 14g so i can rip out the wall and make my own using this filtering method. Wouldn't having the light horizontal be better? I was thinking of using one, 12" 36w Coralife aqualight.

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    Re: Super easy DIY nano tank w/scrubber

    Whichever position puts the most light on the screen

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    Re: Super easy DIY nano tank w/scrubber

    I have been reading this thread with interest, it sort of looks like the design i have been looking for.
    But what if you use it as a sump instead, do you think it could work, please have a look at my design idea and comment.


    [attachment=0:1plop971]Sump scrubber.jpg[/attachment:1plop971]

    Regards Anders F.

    Soon to set up my second marine aquarium, had to give up the first because we moved.
    Attached Images Attached Images

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    Re: Super easy DIY nano tank w/scrubber

    Yes that would work.

  10. #10

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    Re: Super easy DIY nano tank w/scrubber

    Agree, it would work.
    BUT:
    1) Only if you have very little water in your sump.
    Just look at the drawing. This largely negates the use of a sump.
    2) Only if you have a very good automatic top off.
    Or as water drops, it will burn out return pump.

    So possibly impractical as drawn.

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