Rear view of Tank 1, a 30 gallon mini-reef installed in
a customer counter. Notice the DIY equipment. The
small cooler to the right not only keeps drinks cold,
it acts as a tank chiller, due to a custom built heat
exchanger and circulation control system.
Prototype custom electronic controller used to regulate
3 banks of lighting, 2 pumps, and heater / chiller.
Front view reveals a Plexiglas shield used to protect
the tank's front glass from children and their toys.
The shield and foam insulation visible here helps to
reduce heat exchange with the air. This allows a small
heater to be used, and reduces the load on the chiller.
The filtration system consists of an anaerobic plenum
in the tank, live rock and protein skimming. The large
collection cup drains into a 1 gallon jug, which eases
the job of emptying skimmed waste material. Plastic
valves used throughout are ball gate types.
A double layer of foam insulation around non-exposed
tank walls allows the temperature to be controlled very
accurately, and reduces the swings in temperature that
often occur in small tanks. The area this tank faces is
exposed to the outdoors when the door is opened.
Several of the displays presented by the controller in
operation. Battery backed for power outages, and user
settings stored in EEPROM means easy maintenance.
