Brenton's Mr. Aqua 12 gallon long reef build

Well during my latest move my 3 gallon pico cracked, while everything is currently in a 5.5 gallon tank from petco, I am going to upgrade into a 12 gallon nano reef. I purchased the Mr. Aqua 12 gallon long tank for this and it is being delivered tomorrow! I will be building a custom stand and sump over the next few months. Equipment list to follow soon as well as unpack pictures. Hope y'all can enjoy the journey as much as I am going to. A current photo will always be below so that you can quickly see any changes that have been made.

update FTS 9/18/13

 

sad news about the transit damage, brenton
but good news it gave you oppportunity to upgrade


good luck with the build

Steve

 

Aquarium Came! and Equipment List

Aquarium came yesterday! Unboxed and will do a leak test today. So far seems to not have some of the silicone issues that others have had in the past. This thing was boxed to go through a hurricane, props to marinedepot. Photos of the packaging and tank are below but here is a quick draft of the equipment list

Water movement and filtration
Sump: custom built with coral grow out area and refugium
Skimmer: Aquatic life mini internal 115 skimmer (have used this for over a year now in the sump for my three gallon and it works great!
Heater: Finnex digital control heater
Return Pump: not selected yet
Circulation: mp10

Lights: So far 1 par 30 bulb from boost led, I will be buying two more either par30 or par38 bulbs and have not decided yet which ones I will get


Box


Pulled the aquarium out!


And totally unwrapped with my fiance looking at it for size comparison, it definitely looks bigger than 12 gallons, the optical illusion is nice

 

Congrats on a new tank (and making it safely!). I always liked Mr.Aqua rimless tanks. Cant wait to see some pics!!

 

No updates on the tank specifically. However I just ordered a green toadstool which will be the center focal point for the aquarium using the rule of thirds towards the overflow that I am building so that it is not getting pounded by the mp10. I also ordered a beautiful metalic green birdsnest. Coming in a week!

As for the tank I will be starting the stand build next week. Being on crutches really makes it hard to build things, however lowes in my area will cut the wood for me so that will make it 1000 times easier. I'll update once I have something to show for the stand.

 

News, looks like this build is going to take longer than I thought. I'm going to need to wait till my ankle heals up and I'm off crutches to really do very much. I guess this gives me some time to gather equipment. Danner mag drive 2 ordered or the return pump from the sump. Any arguments towards running it wet or dry? I just can't decide. Thanks for the advice.

 

Subscribed.

 

Mag drive 2 arrived today! As well as other small plumbing odds and ends. Now time to order the acrylic for the DIY sump build, initial plans for which were translated to a terribly done Microsoft paint image for your viewing enjoyment!

 

Did some construction work today and got the framing for the stand done! I know it's extremely overkill as it would probably support 150 gallons but, oh well.


I also painted the back of the tank black this weekend. The stand is 36"x36" and will house a sump plus loads of storage. Right now I am thinking light pennants either connected to the stand or totally hanging down from the ceiling. I will continue to update as I progress through the build. Thanks for looking!

 

i will also be getting a custom extra long tank, love the look.

Cant wait to see how you do with your tank b/c i'm doing the same thing with my tank but it will just be longer and bigger. but me and you are going for the same look