2.5 aio pico tank

[rjmurd]

Im making a 2.5 aio pico tank for my sister in law. I have everything else except the black acylic to make the false wall and the divider between the refugium and the return sump area. I will be making a T shaped piece where the sump will only take up 4 of the 12 inches of the tanks length.

My question is, what thickness acylic do I need. Its only a 2.5 gallon tank with the demensions of 12x6x8.

thanks

[MADtanks]

you would be fine with 1/8" you will not only have a baffle back there but you will also have water back there so the pressure from the display area will not be as much as if you didnt have any water there.... do you have the acrylic yet? i mean if at all possible get like 1/4" will make the tank look nicer anyways

HTH

[rjmurd]

I havent bought it yet, but I found some on ebay that is cheap and I was looking at the 3/16 thickness. I assume that this would be okay. any thoughts?

[MADtanks]

absolutely that is fine bud, i might actually have some scraps before you purchase it when i get home fromw ork i will take a look and you can pick it up free of charge its mostly 1/4" though I just have to make sure i have the right length and hight for ya.

[eddiesylas]

NOTE: pressure of water on any given surface is based only on DEPTH not volume. Pressure of water is 60 lbs/sq. in. per 100 feet depth. 8" is 0.4 psi. 1/8 is fine, especially if the seam is less then 6". But that is 2.4 lbs on the bottom most joint. .

Sorry, just being geeky. But it is good to think about the mechanics as you go.

[MADtanks]

not a jerk Aaron, better to have more input than just one person...... and i totally agree.... the higher the tank is the thicker the material needed. but at the same time, the depth he has will not be significant enough to cause his joints to fail. So yes he is good to go, and about the scraps unforntunately the only black scraps i have are in 1/2"

Sorry bud...

[rjmurd]

I would think about that stuff but I personally dont get it myself- so I ask others on here with more knowledge.

Does that mean that using plexiglass that is 3/16 thick with pieces that are roughly 6x8 inches- would that thickness be ok? Im assuming yes, but since the tank is not for me I just want to doublecheck. thanks

[MADtanks]

i will put it to ya like this... i have made overflow boxes out of 3/16" on 17"deep tank with no failure in 2 years so far. So answer is yes feel comfortable.

have fun with the build.

[erbgo]

I may have a peice of black for you

[rjmurd]

already ordered it off ebay- but thank you anyway erbgo. and thanks to eddiesylas and madtanks for the input. once again, i dont know this stuff myself. cant wait to see the finished product.

[rjmurd]

Ok- trying this tank again- but with a new heater with controller and a new led light.

This tank died twice with crappy heaters getting stuck.

[rjmurd]

Got the tank cleaned, got the new light today, heater is coming tomorrow- should be up and running next week. Hopefully it will make work a little better

[Masedaddy]

What light did you go with for the Pico?

[rjmurd]

This one- an e7 21 watt led-

4-12k and 3-actinic - all bridgelux
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=130997436007

[Masedaddy]

Looks good!

[rjmurd]

Yeah, it should help with the heat aspect. I had PC's running on it last time. I feel pc's are good for small tanks but just make too much heat. Plus, I dont think im doing a refugium this time so i need a more directed light.

[rjmurd]

Finally got around to do some pics. It has been running for 2 months now.
Heres the light-

[rjmurd]

Got a tiny Chinese heater with controller- smallest i could find with controller

[rjmurd]

Dry fitting all the stuff-


FTS

[Masedaddy]

What type of heater did you get? I haven't been able to find a small one with a controller.....

[rjmurd]

This one- 25 Watts Aquarium heater Submersible 1.3- 8gal tank
http://www.ebay.com/itm/25w-25-Watts...item3f096c04ca

Product name：SU APOLLO Scale-Heater 25W x1
FOR 1.3 - 8 gal(5~30L) fish tank
****MADE IN TAIWAN****

25W AC100-240V 50/60 Hz 0.25A
for buyer whom located in european the voltage in AC 200v~240v purchase electronic products would including a free adaptor.

Features:
1. State of the art electronic thermostat and split type.
2. More safe and convenient: explosion proof of tubular heater will not happen during the process of water replacement.
3. For the safety, when the heater leaves water surface that heating process will be cut off automatically.
4. Relay is built in, free from EMI.
5. Control temperature range: 22°C~32°C, deviation: +- 0.5°C.
6. The confirmation with CNS qualified of standard.
7. Item code access: R35741.So far it has been perfect, and since I needed a tiny one that would lay flat- this was perfect- but it is in Celsius.

[Masedaddy]

Thanks! It looks perfect for my pico! How does it regulate the temp though without a temp probe?

[rjmurd]

Don't know, but it has worked well for me so far. I haven't had it more than 2 months so I can't say for long term use, but so far so good.

[rjmurd]

Heres an update on my 2.5g.

This is without actinics

[rjmurd]

Heres one with the blue lights- not as good of a pic- sorry