Office Nano (1 Viewer)

[porkchop]

I have been on and off of the forum for a few years....and man, it feels like a lot has changed. WOW.

That said, I am planning to build a small desktop pico for work. Maybe something 3-6 gallons. I am thinking 12"x12"x6". Basic idea is to run rimless, par 30 light overhead (I have from my original 6 gallon), tiny hydor powerhead, nano heater, and a small water change twice a week. Ill pull some LR out of my sump in the 40 gallon to get the pico going.

I was thinking that I could pull "good water" from my 40 gallon at home and put it into the pico, maybe a quart each time. Hopefully bringing nutrients and such over as I do. (or would it be best to keep the two systems completely separate?

Only wanting to stock softies/lps, a few sexy shrimp, and maybe someday...a small goby (but not anytime soon).

Looking for something simple, easy to maintain, and super clean. I do not want to have anything hanging off the tank that is not 100% necessary. I can run a small hob filer occasionally if needed to polish up the water before/during/after cleaning.

I am on the fence about sand....maybe just a super thin layer to hide the bottom of the tank. Maybe bare.... not sure.



Thoughts?

 

[porkchop]

No response? Is it normally this slow in here?

 

[d2mini]

I was going to post until I saw the dimensions... you'll need a custom tank.
Originally I was going to suggest an A-I-O nano from Nuvo or something.
I have an 8g AIO at my office. It's easy, clean looking and very hands off. Exactly what I was looking for in an office tank.
Mine is cacdlights but the flow design isn't the greatest. Probably going to switch to the new Nuvo 10g.
Both of these have much taller dims than what you are looking for though.
For lighting I got one of the NanoBox Mini led units with the controller upgrade.
Nano Box Mini
Much better than the stock light.

 

[porkchop]

You have a good point. I really should build this as an AIO or involve a small sump. Otherwise I will be all OCD like I was with the 6 gallon that I started with.

Im thinking AIO would be the cleanest/simplest way to go.

 

[d2mini]

Here's mine when i was first setting it up...

I got rid of the black sand.
It was magnetic and stuck to the glass cleaning magnet.
Plus nothing did well in the tank. As soon as I switched it out for regular sand, everything started doing well.
Here it is now, a year later... it's a REALLY slow build.
I spend almost no time on it. lol

 

[porkchop]

I really like that!

I am trying to fly under the radar so to speak...I think the 8 gallon may be pushing it... Maybe the cadlights 4 gallon would work. There is nothing that says I cannot have a tank where I work....but Im not trying to push boundaries. lol

I really like the shallow tanks, I have just never tried anything THAT shallow (under 10"). Maybe I can build a small 12x12x6 and run it at the house for a few weeks to test out. If I decide to build an aio and add dimension for the rear chamber, how much should I add? 2.5", 3", 4"?

 

[Jason]

Secret office tank!

 

[porkchop]

I asked my immediate boss if he minded me having a glass bowl on my desk. What about if the bowl had a couple gallons of water in it. What if there was a light over the bowl........He laughed and just said "there are no rules saying that you can't"......"but if someone complains, then you may have to remove it".He used to have a few reef tanks himself, so I think he's actually a little excited.

I'll take those chances.

 

[d2mini]

I doubt anyone would complain. My office loves mine. Always stopping by to check it out and say hi to the clown. lol

 

[porkchop]

Been hunting the internet and the office to figure out exactly what size tank I want.

I am really drawn to try something long, and shallow. Maybe 18wx8dx6t. My only issue with these dimensions is figuring out where to put the baffle and pump and stuff (AIO area).....

 

[d2mini]

What about the mr aqua 12g long?
That's a sweet dimension. Had that tank as a fw shrimp tank for a while. Pretty cool.

 

[porkchop]

12gal is bigger than I want.

I want to stay under 6 gallons. Pico Sized

 

[turtlesoup2]

If I can wedge everything into my tiny tank you can figure out a proper size lol

 

[turtlesoup2]

No response? Is it normally this slow in here?

Also it might be slow here because this post is in one of the subsections

 

[porkchop]

Also it might be slow here because this post is in one of the subsections

A few years ago, it seemed like this whole forum was busy all day, everyday. Maybe its just a perception on my part, cause I was new and learning and asking a ton of questions.

 

[i_am_poor]

Can't really beat the Fusion 10g with a kessil 150/160

 

[porkchop]

Can't really beat the Fusion 10g with a kessil 150/160

If only it was half the size, a shallow/long design and AIO.....It would be perfect!

 

[i_am_poor]

Harder to find a decent light for a long nano tank

 

[EightBiht]

Its a little smaller than what you are looking for in your first post, but check out this tank made by Deep Blue Professional:
Betta

The website says 2.3g, and I am nearly certain the dividers aren't already silicone'd in place. Its a pretty sweet pico tank, from a dimensional standpoint.

There is always the route of buying materials and making your own tank

 

[malira]

This thread has got me wanting an office tank. My son said he would help me. He sounds more excited about it than I am............Father's day gift.