zjpeter's zoatope build

Discussion in 'I made this!' started by zjpeter, Apr 20, 2010.

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  1. zjpeter

    zjpeter Ritteri Anemone

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    Iowa
    i've had this idea for quite a while, i want a system that appears to have no filtration or external plumbing but standing alone on my desk. this will eventually manifest itself in a higher quality build but in the meantime i have more ideas than funds. what i'm doing is building a "zoatope" that has all the filtration in a small sump hidden by my desk. the live stock will be three bumblebee snails currently living in the sump and possibly two sexy anemone shrimp in the future.

    the tank is a $10 Marina Betta tank. as you can see, there is a notch out of the back which will become the "overflow". i'm planning on siliconing a nylon hose to control the path of the water and reduce splashage (why does firefox tell me that's a typo, it's totally a word).
    [​IMG]

    i've also fabbed an acrylic splash box where the overflow water will collect and run down a drain. i just need to drill the hole for the bulkhead and finish the silicone.
    [​IMG]

    for lighting, i've got five strips of LEDs (2whites and 2blues and 1UV/purple) that i'm gluing to the underside of the lid
    [​IMG]

    the finish produce should look like this, with the drain and plumbing blocked/hidden by my computer monitors. the back of the tray just hangs over the edge of the desk and i'll run nylon tubing into the sump.
    [​IMG][​IMG]

    right now all i've got to move the water is an Aqualifter but i'm betting i'll need something more substantial than that... it's still all in the planning phase. let me know what you think, offer any suggestions or let me know if you see any problems.
     
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  3. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Very nice and spillage is a rarely used word so your spell checker will have issues with it.
     
  4. zjpeter

    zjpeter Ritteri Anemone

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    so if all i've got is a few snails and maybe shrimp. what would i really need to do in the way of feeding? i'm assuming zoas will need at least a few nutrients in addition to lights but what about the livestock?
     
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  5. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    Ina system like that, I would only feed the shrimp as much as they need. The zoas would get most of their energy from the lighting, and the rest from the shrimp poo.

    And yes, spillage is a word, just like gallonage that firefox tells me isn't as well.
     
  6. fischkid2

    fischkid2 Dirty Filter Sock

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    cool! man i would love to a water change on that *grabs an eye dropper*.
    i would think that whatever flow you get form the return pump would be fine for this setup. also i would be worried about bumping the overflow that is hanging off your desk so i would take any steps to insure there is no "bumpage" and maybe secure the tank to the desk... the LEDs are going to look really cool for this tank cant wait to see it!
     
  7. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Spillage ain't a real word...
    I like this build zj!
     
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  9. NU-2reef

    NU-2reef Montipora Digitata

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    ;D ummm neither is "ain't". should be isn't.....:-X
     
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  10. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Thanks! It was added to be rhetorical. ;D I call it stylistics:-X
     
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2010
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  11. bama

    bama Humpback Whale

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    This is cool.. Although the overflow idea has me a little worried.. I think if you got a simple maxijet and attack tubing to it, that would be a perfect return..
     
  12. zjpeter

    zjpeter Ritteri Anemone

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    sometimes you just gotta go for style points...


    thanks for checking it out guys. i forgot to mention that the overflow tray will be fixed to the tank, however it will still be a bit tipsy so i'll have to be a little careful about what i put around it.

    i'm kind of swamped at school this week but i should be getting something done this weekend. look forward to a few pics