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Being that my original idea received less than rave reviews, I set about re-thinking my nano tank stand idea. It seemed to me that most people liked the bottom of the stand but the top reminded them of a gallows :icon_frow. From a purely functional aspect, I found out that the 13w AH Supply light wasn’t cutting it for me with the HC as well. So I ordered another 13w kit for a total of 26 watts (much better) and approached the design from a different angle.
-Enter new approach-
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The new design is just your average lid design except nano-ized. There are 2 AH Supply 13w kits inside for a total of 26 watts. I plan on using just one of the lights for most of the day and then having the other one come on for a noon day effect.
Here is a good shot of how it looks with both lights on.
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With the lid open
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It was important to me that I had good access to the tank for maintenance. In my first design the whole assembly rotated out of the way so I could get my big mitts in there. In this design I made a hinged door which opens big to satisfy that need
It was a little tricky figuring out where to put the ballasts. I wanted to make the hood as small as possible so I made a little "box" that sits on the back of the hood that houses both 13w ballasts. It's open on the bottom to allow the heat to vent off. You can see it better in the first photo.
I also bought a new filter (Zoo Med 501) which again, you can see in the first photo. I bought it for two reasons: I wanted it to be more "stealthy" in the tank
and the Deco Art Nano Filter I have just doesn’t cut it :thumbsdow. So far I am really impressed with the 501. It seems to have just enough flow without being overkill.
I will keep everyone posted once I begin the planting. Until then...
Original Post
-Enter new approach-
The new design is just your average lid design except nano-ized. There are 2 AH Supply 13w kits inside for a total of 26 watts. I plan on using just one of the lights for most of the day and then having the other one come on for a noon day effect.
Here is a good shot of how it looks with both lights on.
With the lid open
It was important to me that I had good access to the tank for maintenance. In my first design the whole assembly rotated out of the way so I could get my big mitts in there. In this design I made a hinged door which opens big to satisfy that need
It was a little tricky figuring out where to put the ballasts. I wanted to make the hood as small as possible so I made a little "box" that sits on the back of the hood that houses both 13w ballasts. It's open on the bottom to allow the heat to vent off. You can see it better in the first photo.
I also bought a new filter (Zoo Med 501) which again, you can see in the first photo. I bought it for two reasons: I wanted it to be more "stealthy" in the tank
and the Deco Art Nano Filter I have just doesn’t cut it :thumbsdow. So far I am really impressed with the 501. It seems to have just enough flow without being overkill. I will keep everyone posted once I begin the planting. Until then...
Original Post
I was sick of the plain 2.5 gallon tank sitting on my table so I came up with this:
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I utilized my new 13w AH Supply light kit overhead. I'm really pleased with how everything turned out
What do you guys think?
P.S. the light swivels out of the way for easy planting/maintenance!!
