12gal peninsula kitchen countertop build.

[jpnegrete14]

I've had many tanks, but I've never had a bare bottom or a peninsula tank so needless to say EXCITED is an understatement. I think learning about different approaches is half the fun in this hobby. Also very impressed with Mr. Aqua's build quality! First time owning one.

So the overall goal is creating a tank dedicated to my clowns and RBTAs. I believe the 36" length will compensate for the height and width. If I feel the clowns aren't adjusting well I will move them back and go to plan B.

Ive transferred a few pieces of live rock from my 45gal cube and the rest of the rock is new. Doing a fishless cycle with Dr. Tims ammonia (lights were only on for picture purposes. They'll be off during the cycle) Not in a rush by any means. I know in particular the anemones will need a stable tank.

Gear

• Mr. Aqua 12gal "bookshelf" tank 36"x8"x8"
• MP10
• Kessil 160WE
• Kessil A series mounting arm
• Eheim liberty 75 HOB filter
• Tunze Nano ATO
• Ink Bird wifi heater controller
• EcoTech battery backup (on order)
• Two 50w hydor heaters (controller has two temp probes and two heater outlets)
• 1gal reservoir (flower vase that's dimensions just worked out! lol)

A few notes on my gear choices and approach. I didn't want to mount two lights on such a small tank especially when I am going to have a screen top. So I needed to pick a light that gave me the option to mount it high enough to where I could keep it on the far end of the tank and still get a decent spread on the 36" length. And the reality is at the end of the day the anemones are going to move where they are happy with the light. So I think this setup will give them enough spread on the tank that they will have some good options even if it's not the entirety of the 36". Hopefully it will be tho.

I went bare bottom because of the 8" height. I don't think I could have proper flow with a sand bed on such a short tank that really limits my powerhead placement.

Little tip on the Kessil mount. Running that orange line through the top of the mount and tying it off to the battery cord and using the line to pull it through worked very well. At first I was just trying to put the cord through the mount by feeding it from the bottom with nothing to help pull it from the top and it was not working.

As always thank you for reading and look forward to hearing any input or suggestions. Happy reefing!

 

[Chrisfish]

Congratulations, tank looks beautiful!!

 

[DRW0212]

Very nice looking setup

 

[jpnegrete14]

Congratulations, tank looks beautiful!!

Thank you! I was really aiming for as clean a look you can get without a sump or cabinet. It was a fun challenge.

 

[jpnegrete14]

Very nice looking setup

Thanks!

 

[DaneGer21]

Looks classy! Nice work.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

My first thought was wondering how this would turn out but it looks sleek! Nice job!

 

[jpnegrete14]

Looks classy! Nice work.

"Classy" was exactly what I needed to hear! The fiancé who is moving in soon hasn't seen it yet....and it's taking up kitchen counter space. I'm currently in unchartered waters ;Nailbiting haha

 

[jpnegrete14]

My first thought was wondering how this would turn out but it looks sleek! Nice job!

Trust me the feeling is mutual lol and thanks I'm happy with how its coming together

 

[Jeffcb]

no bacon greases!

 

[mikee002]

Looks awesome. I’d considered something similar.

 

[jpnegrete14]

Here's some more perspective on the placement and space.

 

[jpnegrete14]

Looks awesome. I’d considered something similar.

Go for it! looking at the tank makes washing dishes go by quicker....and there isn't even livestock in it yet lol I think that's the reef geek in me ;Happy

 

[mikee002]

Lol, yeah. I was contemplating how to hide everything... and then of course was going to be convincing the wife that it was going to be a good idea, in a brand spanking new house. That’s a complete other story.

Decided to go with a drop off 36G bowfront... in the planning stages still.

Go for it! looking at the tank makes washing dishes go by quicker....and there isn't even livestock in it yet lol I think that's the reef geek in me ;Happy

 

[jpnegrete14]

Lol, yeah. I was contemplating how to hide everything... and then of course was going to be convincing the wife that it was going to be a good idea, in a brand spanking new house. That’s a complete other story.

Decided to go with a drop off 36G bowfront... in the planning stages still.

Those drop offs look sweet! Good luck and looking forward to seeing it

 

[jpnegrete14]

So I’ve been out of town working for the past three weeks. Sisters were looking over the tanks.

Just got back last night to find out the tank had been cycling with the lights on 24/7. My plan was to have them off throughout the whole cycle. Not the end of the world tho.

Ammonia came back 1.2 after 12hrs this morning. So I wanted to increase the surface area for beneficial bacteria since it’s a bare bottom.

Had ordered bio balls with the plan of letting them just sit on the bottom. Had completely forgot bio balls float. No real space in HOB filter so I pulled out the ol’ lego skills and went to town haha they are firmly in places, completely submersed, and have water actively passing all around them.

have I gone mad or will this accomplish it’s intended purpose? ^_^