El Veach'o Pico

[chickenofthesea]

Ok, So got this crazy idea that I wanted to set up a pico tank. Mostly because In July, the Army is shipping me off to Hawaii (I know, it's terrible news) lol, and I am taking down my 47g column because I can't take the corals with so whats the point right? Well, somehow in my brain I came up with a solution, set up a pico when I get there. But of coarse that's not how the bug works. When the bug bites you respond and that is what has happened. the gears have started turning and this is the result.

I got a 4g Star fire glass tank from "cadillactattoo" with an Ecoxotic light with 9 1w LED's. Doesn't look like much in this pic but a little elbow grease got it lookin' good.


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here it is all cleaned up


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Then, I decided I didn't want any of my equipment to be in the system so a refugium was in order. Knowing nothing about working with acrylic I placed an ad on RF for help and "peppie" answered that call. We spend afternoon putting together a refugium that will almost double my water volume and allow me to keep my junk out of the display and grow some macros.

 

[chickenofthesea]

Here are pics from today's efforts. First is the mock up after the walls and bottom where cut.


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Peppie working his magic


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First Cuts


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[user 26995]

This looks like fun. I am following along.

 

[chickenofthesea]

Mock up where the pump will be


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Spill way


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Look at that seam! Good Work Peppie


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[chickenofthesea]

Refugium is complete and will be water tested tomorrow! I'll post more pics of the water test.

 

[Krish]

Looks really cool man!! Get her filled!!


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[SaltwaterNoobs]

That refugium looks amazing!!! Great job, guys!!

 

[justforfun]

i was just in hawaii a couple months ago and stopped in at the aquarium.....they mentioned you CANT have coral in ur tank here......only place that legally can is the aquarium...there worried about people shipping invasive species over to hawaii then when they get tired of the tank they dump it into the ocean(there are lots of people that try to ship it in *** but customs takes it before it gets to you then u get criminal charges) so i would do a little research on what you can and cant bring with you.....i know they said all coral & live rock is not allowed but maybe you can bring your fish....
ps: not trying to derail thread just wanted to let you know what i know**

 

[josh88]

Wow, that's kinda lame, I understand about bring over other species, and then dumping the tank, So the stand point makes sense, but its still lame. ? Though don't they have coral in Hawaii, so would you be able to purchase coral native to them, or is it completely outlawed to have them in your tanks

HTC EVO

 

[justforfun]

outlawwed because whos to document if u got the coral from there(u cant harvest rock or coral from hawaii either way)(just algae) the misses wants to retire there i said noway i cant have a reef tank lol.....when i was at the aquarium in the center of thier main display they have eggcrate with all the corals custom siezes(they give them to the aquarium) when the ohau aquarium trims there coral they can only trow it in garbage or give to the aqaurium in maui...tried to get myself a couple pieces shipped to states but its against the law(once again who can prove it came from there tank and not the ocean) it was tempting to put some in the kids mlik bottle and bring back lol( federal felony) so i chose not to....

 

[user 26995]

Definitely do some research. Contact one of our sponsors, Wet Pets Hawaii. His name is Les. He could tell you more. I would think that there are a couple of people licensed to collect coral in specific areas and resell them.

 

[josh88]

Oh BTW I like the spill way construct, looks good. Def like the refugium next to the tank idea. Great build guys

HTC EVO

 

[Peppie]

We dont even know if it holds water yet!!!


DOES IT??????????
And if so does your little pump, pump enough water to get it to the spillway height??

 

[chickenofthesea]

Ok, so totally trackin the no corals in Hawaii Not happy about it but figure I can have some really cool fish and if I can get my hands on some corals, legally of coarse then that would be nice. But I appreciate the heads up. Good lookin out! As for water, I will fill it here in the next hour or so. Had a long day and the kids are going to bed soon so Daddy play, lol. Don't worry Peppie, you will be the first to know if it doesn't hold water, hahahahaha!

 

[chickenofthesea]

So the moment you have all been waiting for....


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YES IT HOLDS WATER!!!!
Only thing is, The pump works too well and the spill way is small the water level reaches the cut out for the pump plumbing and you can see it dripping out from this pic. I think an easy fix would be to just cut another piece and raise the cut out sot hat the pump plumbing just sits in a groove?


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The spill way looks great and the water is silent even when the water level is an inch below it!


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[Peppie]

So the slot that the U tube for the plumbing is were the water is exiting the sump??

If that is the case you can cover that slot with some acrylic and weld it with the 16.

 

[chickenofthesea]

Thats what I was thinking too. I'll just leave a little groove to keep the plumbing in place. Maybe build a little bracket with some nylon screws and glue the bottom portion of the bracket to the sump so it will stay in place. Using a small piece of tube acrylic to secure the plumbing.

 

[Peppie]

Just seen the photo of where it was leaking sounds like you have a good plan to correct the leak.

 

[chickenofthesea]

Hey Peppie, can I just use a regular whole saw bit to cut the groove?

 

[SaltwaterNoobs]

Lookin' good! And you'll have some nice surface movement with it, too