Mirage's 2.5 gallon, yeah I've been bored!

[MGDMIRAGE]

I always liked these little AGA tanks but one thing that drove me nuts was the silicone job, so I retouched all of the corners. Secondly I can't stand using HOB filters so I decided to just go ahead and drill this tank with 3/4" bulkheads. Not much comes close to the fun of drilling 1/8" glass! Here are some pics of what I have done so far.

I was shopping around in Lowes the other day and stumbled on this awesome little cabinet. It was clearanced for $9.50 down from the regular price of $91! So for under $10 I figure I can't go wrong by purchasing it. The cabinet has two shelves also but I only have one in place at the moment. I plan on placing the sump on a shelf somewhere in the middle to limit headloss from using a small pump. I will also be putting a board or a 12" x 12" tile on top of the stand, and perhaps the bottom for stability. Here are some pics of my find.

This tank should be up and running very soon. I will be working on this and my 12 gallon long at roughly the same time.

 

[Krish]

Very cool! What's the plans for this tank?

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

Thanks!

Planning Zoas, Mushrooms, and a couple Birdsnests. The lighting will be LED. 1 Tiny 1" goby Trimma or Eviota most likely, and some small inverts. The sump will either be another 2.5 gallon or I may use a 10 gallon I already have baffled from my 40 gallon Hex setup. For the 10 gallon I'd have to make a little box next to the tank since it would definitely not fit in this stand.

 

[Peppie]

Cool. You could build a small acrylic sump to fit the stand. Make it a little taller for more water vol. Are you going to add an ATO?

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

Yep, going to run sump in middle of stand, and ATO at the bottom so no gravity issues with topping off hehe. Yeah I have spare acrylic, wish someplace in town carried Weldon 4

 

[Peppie]

I think you can get it shipped form Tapps Plastics. I know they carry it. Weldon #3 will also work. Worst case #16 will also work.

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

Local plastic place carries #3, just wasn't sure about using it since i haven't done acrylic welding before.

 

[Peppie]

The # 3 sets quicker than the #4 I have used it on a bunch of 1/4 thick projects.. Just do a couple of practice runs before you do the sump. It is really no different than using the # 4 unless you are working with really thick stuff.

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

Yeah it would be 1/4". Does the cheap acrylic from lowes work ok for something this small?

 

[Peppie]

Yes I have used it several times for small projets
Your local plastic store may sell there scrap by the lbs. It could be considerably cheaper that way.

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

This is where I am at currently. I'm working on the overflow strainer and trying to decide on a sump.

Not sure I've mentioned the lighting but it will be two par38 12watt bulbs.

 

[Peppie]

What are you using for substrate? Have you considered a bare bottom? More water volume. Less detritus trapped under rocks and in the substrate.
Just a thought.

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

Using some super small crushed coral since I'm really sick of sugar sized sand and how it blows all over the place. I could never go bare bottomed I can't stand the look hehe. I had thought about using starboard but I think this will work out great.

 

[Peppie]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Peppie]

Dont get me wrong, I love the look of a nice white CLEAN sandbed. I just cant sleep at nite knowing there is junk in there polluting my water. lol

Rock work looks good. Nice sizes and sweet arch.

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

Now with water.

 

[Krish]

Nice!! That plumbing looks huge in there!!! eace:

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

So yeah i was moving this tank today and cracked it.. oh well. I'll use the rock in my 12 gallon long.

 

[Peppie]

Sorry to hear you cracked the tank. Areyou going to replace it? That was a nice set up!
Was it dry when it cracked?

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

It was drained below the bulkhead, but I torqued it too hard and put too much pressure on the bulkhead and heard a little crack If i replace it I may get a 5.5 gallon, the 2.5 just had zero room in it