Orca Nano with a few mods

[At Safe Depth]

While i am waiting to move house and get my bigger tank, i thought i might try a few mods to this Nano tank.

As standard it has a UV, Skimmer, T5 lights, moonlight LED's and cooling fans.

Here it is having just picked it up;

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/1A.JPG



After assembling the stand this is what i ended up with, not too impressed with the stand:

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/2A.JPG



Heres a pic showing the lighting, skimmer and other equipment, all bio balls and ceramic chips have been removed;

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/3A.JPG



I will be installing a closed loop on this system, then this egg crate will sit on top, i may have to trim it down methinks;

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/5A.JPG



This is a Newjet 1200 pump that i will be using for the closed loop, not sure if it will be man enough? Just have to wait and see;

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/4A.JPG



Pipework for the closed loop promptly delivered by CoralCulture, 20mm and fittings;

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/6.JPG



Pump ready for installation;

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/7A.JPG



Pump installed;)

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/8A.JPG



Closed loop assembled;

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/9A.JPG




Closed loop installed;

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/10A.JPG




Egg crate cut to size;

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/11A.JPG



Now i just need to clean the pipes (ahem), glue the bits together then do a wet run. If the pump is not powerful enough i will try to source a higher rated one or reduce the outlets from 4 to 2.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/12A.JPG




Stand by for next weeks installment 'Fitting a small lit refugium'

[clippo]

looks good! - ingenious modifications.

Can't help but wonder if its all really necessary though.... these systems will be fine for most things as they are, given good husbandry.

[At Safe Depth]

Lol, probably not. But it gives me something to play with for the 6 or so weeks until i move house.

[JAYJT]

Can't help but wonder if its all really necessary though.... these systems will be fine for most things as they are, given good husbandry.

Yeah but thats no fun:D :p Looking good :)
Jay

[Tom2006]

Someone just likes playing with plumbing;)

[Reefer Madness]

Nice one mate, this is the first Orca thread i've noticed, keep the pictures coming.

[JASONC1]

how much was the tank?

[adam.crouch]

If ur interested in lookin at some more orca threads there quite a few at www.fishkeeping.co.uk

[At Safe Depth]

how much was the tank?


The tank was £99.50, and the stand was £30.

[At Safe Depth]

After doing a wet run with tap water, it seems the pump is not powerful enough, therefore i will be using an Ocean runner PH3000, i will have to cut away one of the bulkheads in the back compartment.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/HPIM0419.JPG




This 90 controls the level in the tank, most of the water passes through the skimmer with the remiander flowing over this.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2006Q4/HPIM0418.JPG

[CrazeUK]

Hi are these tanks as a standard any good?
I am considering one, their is one for £125 on ebay including postage.
I have never lkept a nano what is maintanance and cleaning like on a modertaly stocked tank?

[At Safe Depth]

I really could not tell you to be honest. The build quality seems ok, i dought the skimmer will be up to much but i think it represents good value for money as a package.

[JASONC1]

if its as good as the d+d it should be a good little system

[clippo]

not sure I understand exactly how it works, but that overflow has the potential to be blocked (by a snail most likely). Whether or not that would lead to an overflow, I can't tell.. just something to be wary of. I had a very similar thing on one of my systems... ended up fitting a long, strainer like attachment after my mantis decided to climb into it!

[Tom2006]

Agree, get some form of cover on that overflow.

[Mandarin Dragonet]

what's a closed loop, and will you ide the pipes with LR?

[withoutabix2002]

this wouldnt be classed as a closed loop but easier to call i that than come up with a name
a closed loop usually consists of a pump that sits outside the aquarium itself holes would be drilled in the tank to accomodate the pipework this would consist of a strainer from which the pump draws water then throught the pump and upto the outlet pipe back into the tank via some more drilled holes the advantage of this mainly has to do with removing large bulky pumps from within the tank and it aslo has added protection from inverts such as anemones as they are unable to shredded by impellers etc

and i would assume the pipework will be hidden by liverock

[powder]

Hi great idea!, having just bought one myself i have allsorts of ideas running through my head, have you got any further yet?

[LEEWINK]

Just to say about your closed loop idea.

I had 2 MJ1200's on my closed loop, this for a 27"x12" tank, that to me wasn't enough, although i had a reef clean style system im mine, probably shouldn't say "reef clean" but thats what it did!

If i had the choice again, i would of externally fitted at least a 3000ltrh pump on it, sounds crazy but when you break the flow down over 50 3-4 mm holes, then spread that over the area of the base, then my MJ's didnt cut it.

I had in total over 6500ltrh of flow in there, still again spread out, and i didnt feel it was enough.

Flow doesnt mean one jet coming out of a powerhead either, its what the total does for the tank, mine was a ratio of over 40x turnover.

Hope it works out for ya

lee

[LEEWINK]

.... my pics are below on the link, although you may have to copy and paste the address if it doesnt work, i dont have the tank anymore though :(