Elmo's 26 Gallon Tank

[Elmo18]

Hi all, so the time has come! Last night after work, I picked up my new tank. It is a 18"x18"x21" exterior dimensions, with interior dimensions that makes it to about 26 gallons. This is a small tank compared to many of you, and is a small tank compared to the 75 gallon tank that I am taking down at the moment.

THE TANK

First, I have to thank Tom (bigT) for making my new tank. We kept in contact through PM's, emails, phone calls, and pulled out a very nice tank in my opinion. Tom is the real deal, and a great guy. He just does great work with acrylic. The tank itself has a center back overflow, topped with eurobracing of 2" from the tank sides. Black backing and overflow is made from 1/2" cell-cast acrylic, and the sides are 3/8" cell-cast. The bottom is 1/4" cell-cast. More posts will follow, but below are tank construction photos.

Construction photos:

- Elmo

 

[szidls]

SWEEEEEEET!
Looks like a great new tank Elmo. Congrats.
Scott

 

[Elmo18]

THE LIGHTING

This will be an in-process project, but at this moment I'd like to thank Brett (BCT182) for supplying a free reflector measuring 48" by 7" inches wide. I did not take a photo of it, but I should have. However, I have turned it into a single MH reflector by cutting it into three pieces lengthwise, and then overlapping parts to create a faux spiderlight type reflector. Thank you Brett. I will add more info here...as I progress.

The 2 PC BALLASTS for Actinics - Nano Ballasts that run bulbs from 28-55W

- Elmo

 

[NaH2O]

Awesome looking tank, and great work on the reflector! Can't wait to see this one come together!

 

[Curtswearing]

Looks great. I'm assuming the hole drilled in the overflow is for the return and the 3 wholes drilled in the back are for a closed loop. If so, you are going to have very nice flow in that tank.

 

[big t]

Well it looks good! I am really looking forward to seeing this baby up and running. You weren't supposed to post pictures of my messy shop on the internet :lol:
Have fun plumbing that sucker

 

[DonW]

Well it looks good! I am really looking forward to seeing this baby up and running. You weren't supposed to post pictures of my messy shop on the internet :lol:
Have fun plumbing that sucker

Looks great Tom!! If will make you feel better both of my shops look MUCH worse.

Don

 

[Elmo18]

THE SUBSTRATE

Thanks to Dave (Schottman) for actually having some Southdown sand (yes, sand), I will put use that as my substrate. I also have to thank Erik (Macbeth417) for providing a zoanthid trade for it. Here it is, its good, its cheap, and yes, it is Southdown sand. One bag is 0.5 cubic feet, and with my inner tank dimensions will be roughly 3" of sand. I may cut down a bit, but I will see.

- Elmo

 

[TonyMc]

Keep the pics comming Elmo. Tank looks great. I love cubes.

 

[Elmo18]

THE PLUMBING

Closed Loop Photos:

The closed loop is run by a low-powered external pump, the Iwaki MD20RLXT spitting out 540 GPH @ 4 FT of head, which is split into two 3/4" outlets into the tank. The intake for the closed-loop is 1", and a slip drain has been installed.

My return pump will be here on Friday afternoon, so I will get photos as soon as I can hook it up. It is a Mag 7 pump.

- Elmo

 

[Elmo18]

THE HOOD

Definitely not a very great piece of work, but the one I made works and functions well. Just a regular cube hood, about ~12" high. With the metal halide installed in the mogul socket, it will be about 9" above the water line. May have to resand and paint later on, but here's the preliminary hood photos. I will post finished hood on Saturday or so

My living room now is just a bunch of peanut foam!!

- Elmo

 

[DonW]

Your set-up is awsome. It just goes to show that you dont need a monster size tank to have a great one. Very cool!

Don

 

[jasontatro]

You'll have to let me know how that Iwaki works out as your CL pump. I run the MD30RLXT on my 29 and I dont feel like it gives me enough flow.

 

[Gordo]

I love that sump. Are you going to run a skimmer? If so, where will you put it?

Great job Elmo!

Gordo

 

[big t]

He hasn't shown a pic of his sump yet has he? I love you sig gordo!!!

 

[big t]

Looking really good there Elmo! I cant wait to see it going bud.

 

[Gordo]

Look in the background of the last pic.

 

[esmith]

Tank looks great, that is going to be awesome once it's all setup & running.

Eliyah

 

[Elmo18]

What's a skimmer? no, actually I will not be using one. Will run bed and a caulerpa/chaeto fuge.

- Elmo

 

[Elmo18]

CURRENT TANK STATE

Tank as it is October 28, 2004.....water tested...no leaks...staying at below output bulkhead from sump so as not to fill up the sump and overflow yet.

Mag7 return will come tomorrow, and I will test it with freshwater.

Sand bed cloud should dissipate; will rinse a bit more.

This is with ONE 28 watt PC actinic lit from the left side of the tank; no MH lit.

- Elmo