11 Gallon GLA Rimless LED office tank Build

nanokeeper · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 11:36 AM

I really love the rimless look and want to try my hand at building an LED array so I'm putting a tank on my desk at work. I didn't want to deal with a sump but needed something to deal with surface scum and a place for a heater, carbon bag, and auto topoff float switch so I siliconed the smallest overflow box in that would hold all of that. I really hate the look of the box in there but I feel that it is neccessary for what I'm trying to acomplish. I plan to stock it with higher end LPS and softies with a minimalist approach to the aquascaping.

I haven't had a nano tank setup in about 2 years so I'm very excited. I've always loved nano sized tanks (hence my screen name) and have missed not having one. I've had a 90 gallon running at home for almost 3 years and I like it a lot but it doesn't have the appeal that a nano does for me.

Harware specs:
11 Gallon Green Leaf Aquarium (Low Iron) tank (18x12x12)
Tunze 6025
MiniJet 606 (in overflow box)
Rapid LED kit with 12 emitters
Stealth heater
Autotop off float switch w/ a 5 gallon AGA RO storage tank below the desk

Anyway here's the start of it.

Rapid LED kit and a HeatsinkUSA heatsink. Since I won't be putting any SPS in this tank, I felt like 12 LEDs would be enough. I won't be arranging them in a straight line. I plan on putting them in two clusters for the two islands of rock that will be in there.

Digital wireless thermometer and top off float switch.

Please check it out and let me know what you think.

Jeb0823 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 11:50 AM

Looks Great! I love the whole rimless looks. The overflow box doesn't look bad at all compared to the benefits you will receive from it. Those LED's are going to look great on there as well. Nice build.

7designs · #3 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 11:56 AM

Very nice, gonna be following this build.

oceandude · #4 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 04:07 PM

Awesome tank...please disregard the PM. I thought it was for sale. I just really excited when I saw how sleek and cool your tank. (as he says being embarrassed about trying to buy your build)

redfishsc · #5 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 05:00 PM

Nice, I love LED builds. I'll be watching with gusto!

nanokeeper · #6 (**permalink**) 03-18-2010, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oceandude

Awesome tank...please disregard the PM. I thought it was for sale. I just really excited when I saw how sleek and cool your tank. (as he says being embarrassed about trying to buy your build)

Glad you like it. Thanks for checking it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redfishsc

Nice, I love LED builds. I'll be watching with gusto!

Thanks redfish. Your the one here that sparked my interest in using LEDs. I'm hoping for a good outcome. We'll see how it turns out.

oceandude · #7 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 10:30 AM

Yeah, yours is sleek. It has inspired me to do one like it.

nanokeeper · #8 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 11:27 AM

This is my way of setting up a sleek rimless/led tank since my wife won't allow a rimless tank in the house. I spend about 45 hours a week at this desk so I should definitely be able to enjoy it.

Update: I discovered last night that one of the Royal Blue LEDs is bad. I'm awaiting an answer from RapidLED to get a replacement.

gatorchem · #9 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 11:59 AM

Very cool! I need one of those in my office. I might have to sneak on in.

nanokeeper · #10 (**permalink**) 03-19-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorchem

Very cool! I need one of those in my office. I might have to sneak on in.

Yea, I feel lucky that the bosses don't mind at all. I had a 15 gallon setup a few years ago with a 250 halide over it for about a year. Everyone loved to come by and look at it. The president would even bring his grandchildren into our office to look at it. My two co-workers had nanos setup too so we had 3 nano tanks in one large office.