DIY 20 gallon home office reef.

[reef_mst3k]

Hello,

I have a larger reef on our main floor but working from home gave me the urge to build a small office tank using leftover equipment and some DIY. The tank is far from done, but just kinda taking my time with it and having fun. I always enjoy seeing the interesting ideas of everyone’s builds so I thought I’d stop lurking and contribute to the fun, anyway hope you enjoy!

About the tank:
- Display is a standard 20 gallon long.
- Sump is also a 20 gallon long with a baffle kit.
- skimmer is an SCA 302.
- Ato is an auto aqua.
- Overflow is an Eclipse (800 gph)
- Return pump (Amazon pump unknown I believe max 800 gph)
- Rock is dry Marco rock
- Refugium/algae scrubber lights are cheaper Amazon lights (but work great.)
- controller is an old reef keeper lite with 2 powerbars, have 3rd don’t know if I will need it.
- Light is an AI Prime HD
- no wavemaker at the moment, seems to get pretty good flow from the return but I’ll reassess eventually.

Livestock
- pair of small clowns
- some hitchhikers from the big tank.
- May add some more inverts but would like it to be lightly stocked and more coral heavy.
- No corals yet with the exception of one leather frag, debating on the direction I want to take this tank.

 

[Peace River]

Looks like a really good start! Good luck on your new adventure!!!

 

[reef_mst3k]

Thank you!

 

[reef_mst3k]

Just a quick progress update. Tank is doing well, switched the prime for an ATI t5 and the corals all seem very happy. Lots of cyano, but in the last few days I can see it is starting to recede.

 

[OldRed1]

Hello,

I have a larger reef on our main floor but working from home gave me the urge to build a small office tank using leftover equipment and some DIY. The tank is far from done, but just kinda taking my time with it and having fun. I always enjoy seeing the interesting ideas of everyone’s builds so I thought I’d stop lurking and contribute to the fun, anyway hope you enjoy!

About the tank:
- Display is a standard 20 gallon long.
- Sump is also a 20 gallon long with a baffle kit.
- skimmer is an SCA 302.
- Ato is an auto aqua.
- Overflow is an Eclipse (800 gph)
- Return pump (Amazon pump unknown I believe max 800 gph)
- Rock is dry Marco rock
- Refugium/algae scrubber lights are cheaper Amazon lights (but work great.)
- controller is an old reef keeper lite with 2 powerbars, have 3rd don’t know if I will need it.
- Light is an AI Prime HD
- no wavemaker at the moment, seems to get pretty good flow from the return but I’ll reassess eventually.

Livestock
- pair of small clowns
- some hitchhikers from the big tank.
- May add some more inverts but would like it to be lightly stocked and more coral heavy.
- No corals yet with the exception of one leather frag, debating on the direction I want to take this tank.

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I am a million years late to the party, but is it possible you could share the measurements of your stand? I love your design and would like to attempt to replicate a similar design for a 25 gallon tank.

 

[reef_mst3k]

Thanks, much appreciated! The length/width/height came out to be 35”/20.5”/32”. Definitely a bulky stand for a 20g long but even at that size I was just able to fit a 20g sump underneath.

 

[OldRed1]

Thanks, much appreciated! The length/width/height came out to be 35”/20.5”/32”. Definitely a bulky stand for a 20g long but even at that size I was just able to fit a 20g sump underneath.

What kind of wood did you use?

 

[reef_mst3k]

The frame was made with 2x4s, the top was plywood and then it was covered in a some decorative weathered wood plank.