New Diy 5 Gallon Acrylic Drink Dispenser Nano Tank

HI Fishlore! I am building a unique DIY Nano Tank using a 5 gallon clear drink dispenser as a Nano tank.
So the dispenser comes with a handle and lid (not pictured) and is the minimum size for a Betta Tank. Oh its BPA free and the spigot will help with water changes. I intend to pour my dirty water into a metal bucket (strictly for waste water) and pour it on my outdoor garden as 100% organic fertilizer. The goal is to to have a planted Nano Tank with Substrate and gravel. Once cycled with planted plants, this Nano tank will house just a single Betta. My plans are to purchase another 30 gallon long and shallow tank to be my main tank on Black Friday this year. After setting up the larger home for the Betta, I will transfer my future Betta to its larger home and then use this Nano tank as my backup tank quarantine/ hospital tank. So, first things first, the dispenser, and I will be using Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum topped with medium sized gravel. What are your thoughts? Any suggestions?

Acrylic Drink Dispenser as Nano Tank

• BettagoSplenda
• Aug 25, 2018

5+ gallon clear BPA Free

Fluval Plant and Shrimp Substrate for Nano Betta Tank

• BettagoSplenda
• Aug 25, 2018

 

Looks like a really good idea, what kind of filtration are you going to use? Like a sponge or hob? You may want to put some kind of filter on the spigot, just like some netting or panty hose to keep critters from getting/getting sucked in.

 

Very cool looking. The tap thing will make water changes easier!

 

Looks like a really good idea, what kind of filtration are you going to use? Like a sponge or hob? You may want to put some kind of filter on the spigot, just like some netting or panty hose to keep critters from getting/getting sucked in.

HI phoensunfire, great question. I will be using an internal canister filter. I am also thinking of supplementing with a DIY filter. That will be the next post. Hobs won't fit on the circular opening and also with the hob the lid will not fit and the potential for flying Bettae is too great. Wow, yeah filter medium cut out stuffed on the inside of the spigot is a very good idea. Great catch! I think I will DIY some filter sponge put in on the inside of the spigot. This should discourage Betta from sleeping in the spigot...also the substrate and gravel should be kept out.

 

HI phoensunfire, great question. I will be using an internal canister filter. I am also thinking of supplementing with a a DIY filter. That will be the next post. The hob won't fit on the circular opening and also with the hob the lid will not fit and the potential for flying bettae is too great. Wow, yeah filter on the inside of the spigot is a very good idea. Great catch! I think I will DIY some filter sponge put in on the inside of the spigot. This should discourage Betta from sleeping in the spigot...also the substrate and gravel should be kept out.

Sounds like you have it all figured out, post pictures when it's set up

 

Very cool looking. The tap thing will make water changes easier!

Thanks BottomDweller, yes it will. Also I am thinking that because the spigot is very low flow rate, the disruption to the tank is gentler on the system and the critter.

 

Thanks BottomDweller, yes it will. Also I am thinking that because the spigot is very low flow rate, the disruption to the tank is gentler on the system and the critter.

More than likely, you should still do some gravel vacing to get the rest of the gravel.

 

More than likely, you should still do some gravel vacing to get the rest of the gravel.

Definitely! Will cover potential filters and siphon/gravel washer in next post. Will keep you up to date!

 

HI Fishlore! I am building a unique DIY Nano Tank using a 5 gallon clear drink dispenser as a Nano tank.
So the dispenser comes with a handle and lid (not pictured) and is the minimum size for a Betta Tank. Oh its BPA free and the spigot will help with water changes. I intend to pour my dirty water into a metal bucket (strictly for waste water) and pour it on my outdoor garden as 100% organic fertilizer. The goal is to to have a planted Nano Tank with Substrate and gravel. Once cycled with planted plants, this Nano tank will house just a single Betta. My plans are to purchase another 30 gallon long and shallow tank to be my main tank on Black Friday this year. After setting up the larger home for the Betta, I will transfer my future Betta to its larger home and then use this Nano tank as my backup tank quarantine/ hospital tank. So, first things first, the dispenser, and I will be using Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum topped with medium sized gravel. What are your thoughts? Any suggestions?

Acrylic Drink Dispenser as Nano Tank

• BettagoSplenda
• Aug 25, 2018

5+ gallon clear BPA Free

Fluval Plant and Shrimp Substrate for Nano Betta Tank

• BettagoSplenda
• Aug 25, 2018

For some reason I'm not seeing the pics but is sounds awesome!

 

Cool idea. I would use something that doesn't have all those ribs in it.
Also egg crate in the bottom the height of the spigot input, put fine mesh on top of that and then the substrate.
Every time you drain it should function kind of like a under gravel filter / gravel vac.

 

Should work fine, as long as you don’t buy the matching cups and keep them by the tank - could lead to an unfortunate misunderstanding.

 

Should work fine, as long as you don’t buy the matching cups and keep them by the tank - could lead to an unfortunate misunderstanding.

LOL, well along those lines, I am thinking of adding some Indian Almond Leaves to tan the water. That way it really would look like iced tea dispenser ;-)

For some reason I'm not seeing the pics but is sounds awesome!

AmStatic, sorry you are not getting the pix. I will post more as I get the tank setup hopefully you will see those.

 

Yeah, it could definitely work! It would be unique for sure, it just has to be done right

 

Cool idea. I would use something that doesn't have all those ribs in it.
Also egg crate in the bottom the height of the spigot input, put fine mesh on top of that and then the substrate.
Every time you drain it should function kind of like a under gravel filter / gravel vac.

Wow, cool tips NYFishGuy! So, I want to understand you clearly. First layer egg carton on the bottom of the dispenser up to the height of the spigot input. Then place mesh on top of the egg carton and then form substrate layer and then gravel layer. What type of egg carton should I use? I would think the more plastic kind and I guess I would flip it upside down to have the peaks of the facing up to hold up the mesh. Also question about the mesh, I assume I can use something like the plastic mesh that people grow mosses on for carpeting bottom of tanks? Really good ideas and I will try to get some mesh today build setup it up outside of the tank.
On the ribs...yes I agree with you. I don't like the ribs but it is one of the few acrylic dispensers I could find at 5 gallon size. There are glass ones 5 gallons or larger but reviews say the spigot leaked after some time. Also weight considerations, I can lift this model with 5 gallons of water in it...glass ones I am afraid of weight and also me breaking it.

Looks like a really good idea, what kind of filtration are you going to use? Like a sponge or hob? You may want to put some kind of filter on the spigot, just like some netting or panty hose to keep critters from getting/getting sucked in.

HI Phoensunfire, I am planning to use the following filter and gravel washer/siphon. Hope they will be okay.

Python Gravel Vacuum

• BettagoSplenda
• Aug 26, 2018

Penn PLAX World Aquarium Filter

• BettagoSplenda
• Aug 26, 2018

Low flow internal canister filter for Nano Tank

Yeah, it could definitely work! It would be unique for sure, it just has to be done right

I agree aosuna11, that is why I am consulting Fishlorists and so far I am really appreciating the helpful advice that is making me realize improvement and potential issues before a Betta goes in. I understand at 5 gallon there is not much room for error so I want things to be well planned and thought out. I will be buying most of the items on the 28 of August since my local fish store has a 10% discount on the last Tuesday of every month for special people like me.

 

I agree aosuna11, that is why I am consulting Fishlorists and so far I am really appreciating the helpful advice that is making me realize improvement and potential issues before a Betta goes in. I understand at 5 gallon there is not much room for error so I want things to be well planned and thought out. I will be buying most of the items on the 28 of August since my local fish store has a 10% discount on the last Tuesday of every month for special people like me.

One thing that could be of concern is not enough surface area, it is a little limited, but if you use a sponge filter, that would remove the concern of low oxygen

 

LOL, well along those lines, I am thinking of adding some Indian Almond Leaves to tan the water. That way it really would look like iced tea dispenser ;-)

“Ice? Lemon? Fish?”

 

“Ice? Lemon? Fish?”

plastic ice balls used as floating and not frozen, plastic lemon slices, could be a whole theme for the tank actually... (I am joking here but not that much).

Cool idea. I would use something that doesn't have all those ribs in it.
Also egg crate in the bottom the height of the spigot input, put fine mesh on top of that and then the substrate.
Every time you drain it should function kind of like a under gravel filter / gravel vac.

Found the perfect mesh...what do you think?

 

plastic ice balls used as floating and not frozen, plastic lemon slices, could be a whole theme for the tank actually... (I am joking here but not that much).

You could name your betta Orange Pekoe, or Earl Grey, or Darjeeling. . .

 

You could name your betta Orange Pekoe, or Earl Grey, or Darjeeling. . .

Fishcat, this going to be come serious then. I think I will put tea cups (I have loads of them) and use them as decor. I even have a tea pot I can use to make a DIY sponge filter. So the entire theme of the 5 gallon will be tea. How does that sound? Instead of plastic ice balls, I will use Marino balls and probably can construct white cubs from plastic canvas and put java fern on those to get the ice cubes.
these would just lay on the bottom. May have to get a smaller tea pot from the goodwill store to make the sponge filter. There are always concerns regarding pottery in tanks but I would assume safe for humane consumption should alleviate any worries?

 

Found the perfect mesh...what do you think?

That does look close but the holes get bigger at the edges, maybe a double layer or something different.
I was thinking about it a bit more and egg crate may block some flow and build up debris in the cells, so cutting on the bottom would help or just finding something else that supports and raises the screen above the spigot.
Also I read stratum does break down over time so pebbles or eco complete etc may be better in the long run.

 

Fishcat, this going to be come serious then. I think I will put tea cups (I have loads of them) and use them as decor. I even have a tea pot I can use to make a DIY sponge filter. So the entire theme of the 5 gallon will be tea. How does that sound? Instead of plastic ice balls, I will use Marino balls and probably can construct white cubs from plastic canvas and put java fern on those to get the ice cubes.
these would just lay on the bottom. May have to get a smaller tea pot from the goodwill store to make the sponge filter. There are always concerns regarding pottery in tanks but I would assume safe for humane consumption should alleviate any worries?

I think I might go for, DaEarlofGrey, should look for a grey Betta. LFS is offering a 5 USD discount (after I bought a small fortune of items) ;-)

Looks like a really good idea, what kind of filtration are you going to use? Like a sponge or hob? You may want to put some kind of filter on the spigot, just like some netting or panty hose to keep critters from getting/getting sucked in.

I am replying to phoensunfire but other feel free to chime in too. I just got all the supplies. So I am building the DIY filter first. So here are two pictures. Unused bud vase, airline, ceremic filter rings, and filter fiber. What do you all think?

One thing that could be of concern is not enough surface area, it is a little limited, but if you use a sponge filter, that would remove the concern of low oxygen

HI aosuna11, I am attaching a setup for my DIY filter, I am using ceramic rings for biological filtration and to increase surface area, filter fiber for mechanical filtration. A youtuber also added carbon and zeolite but I am skipping those. This will be in addition to the Penn-Plax filter. The airline is attached to a control valve so I can adjust the flow rate. What do you think?

 

I think it needs holes for inflow ?

 

HI aosuna11, I am attaching a setup for my DIY filter, I am using ceramic rings for biological filtration and to increase surface area, filter fiber for mechanical filtration. A youtuber also added carbon and zeolite but I am skipping those. This will be in addition to the Penn-Plax filter. The airline is attached to a control valve so I can adjust the flow rate. What do you think? View attachment 472548 View attachment 472549

It does look like it works well, of course, test it out first.
I don't think I clarified what I had meant by surface area, I was talking about the actual water surface and air exchange. It looks like your filter runs using a air stone, which would help oxegenate the water greatly. Everything is looking good though!

 

Lol! Good idea.

 

Following this. Dont use that pen plaxx air driven filter though. It will be really poor.

Just get a standard sponge filter and stick it in a tea pot or something. Will follow your theme well and look homemade like lol.

 

That does look close but the holes get bigger at the edges, maybe a double layer or something different.
I was thinking about it a bit more and egg crate may block some flow and build up debris in the cells, so cutting on the bottom would help or just finding something else that supports and raises the screen above the spigot.
Also I read stratum does break down over time so pebbles or eco complete etc may be better in the long run.

Thanks for your continued advice. I am now planning to perhaps build square box using PVC pipe and fitting minus the club instead of the egg carton to maybe two layers of the canvas before putting in pebbles. Will upload a pix of my construction when I am done.

 

I’d be worried about the spigot leaking. I doubt that thing is commercial grade. And when it leaks (not if) how will you fix?

 

I’d be worried about the spigot leaking. I doubt that thing is commercial grade. And when it leaks (not if) how will you fix?

HI mfer, great point! When it leaks, I will plug the spigot from the inside, and it simply will become a decorative spigot. There are also spigot replacement kits etc.

 

It does look like it works well, of course, test it out first.
I don't think I clarified what I had meant by surface area, I was talking about the actual water surface and air exchange. It looks like your filter runs using a air stone, which would help oxegenate the water greatly. Everything is looking good though!

aosuna11, so you mean the water surface at the top, yes, that is a concern too. There should be a surface area of 78 inches squared. I am definitely going to go with the tea pot and sponge filter in addition to plen-plaxx.

 

That does look close but the holes get bigger at the edges, maybe a double layer or something different.
I was thinking about it a bit more and egg crate may block some flow and build up debris in the cells, so cutting on the bottom would help or just finding something else that supports and raises the screen above the spigot.
Also I read stratum does break down over time so pebbles or eco complete etc may be better in the long run.

HI NYFishGuy, Okay made a platform for the canvas. I think it will work

Canvas-base

• BettagoSplenda
• Sep 2, 2018

PVC base about 4' tall, 6.5' wide at base, 10' wide at top to hold canvas, substrate and gravel.

 

HI mfer, great point! When it leaks, I will plug the spigot from the inside, and it simply will become a decorative spigot. There are also spigot replacement kits etc.

Didn’t think it would be “repairable”. Good to know there is a kit. I’d order one and keep it!

Good luck.

 

Didn’t think it would be “repairable”. Good to know there is a kit. I’d order one and keep it!

Good luck.

HI mfer, the repair kits are replacement spigots for glass dispensers. I don't have much hope for the acrylic one that I have. I do have a bucket ready but will definitely just plug the hole at first sign of leak. Right now my bucket with dechlorinated water is right below the spigot...just in case.

 

I think it needs holes for inflow ?

HI rainbowsprinkles, that is what I am wondering to but according to the source I am following, no inflow is apparently needed, apparently it seems that the vacuum created by the bubbles rising up causes a flow of water into the vase.

 

HI rainbowsprinkles, that is what I am wondering to but according to the source I am following, no inflow is apparently needed, apparently it seems that the vacuum created by the bubbles rising up causes a flow of water into the vase.

Makes sense. Tell us if it works! My thought was that water coming in and out the same narrow hole might not filter as much new water as one that has unidirectional flow. ??? But maybe it’s enough. I’ve been toying with the idea of making one as well. Just for fun. A screw top plastic jar (easy to open and clean) with holes drilled on the sides and an uplift tube on top (over a larger hole) ..might not be pretty like yours though.

 

You inspired me. The only thing really different that I did was add an uplift tube from an old ugf. This way water goes in the top and out the tube from the bottom.

Layers from bottom: carbon scrubber pads, uplift tube on top of that so water can flow in.. then black lava pebbles for beneficial bacteria, carbon in a media bag, pre-seeded floss from another tank on top. I might add egg crate on top of that.


Here it is disguised with a fake plant. I’m waiting on a tank stand for the 25g so this is how I am biding my time LOL.

Thanks for the inspiration!

 

You inspired me. The only thing really different that I did was add an uplift tube from an old ugf. This way water goes in the top and out the tube from the bottom. View attachment 475811
Layers from bottom: carbon scrubber pads, uplift tube on top of that so water can flow in.. then black lava pebbles for beneficial bacteria, carbon in a media bag, pre-seeded floss from another tank on top. I might add egg crate on top of that. View attachment 475812View attachment 475813
Here it is disguised with a fake plant. I’m waiting on a tank stand for the 25g so this is how I am biding my time LOL.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Looks good to me. I guess I would test it first to make sure there is proper flow. Mine works!!! I just set it up and because my substrate created a huge cloud, the filter works because now the tank is clear (after 48 hours) and there is black substrate powder caught in the floss part. So I think you will find out if it work also if the floss goes dark from your gravel or substrate. Your recycling of the old under gravel filter (ugf) is a very good idea. I would suggest a appropriate size sponge filter as a backup (I have one now). The one nice thing about your design is that your fish will be safe from the water in-take and the floss is very secure. In setting up my DIY filter, I realized the bottle or jar in your case allows the easy transport of water, and filter mediums in a jar. So if you need to setup a second tank, its really easy to move the entire setup to a new tank. I am now fishless cycling my setup. Will post pix soon.

I am very flattered to be your inspiration.

 

Looking forward to seeing your pics!

 

I actually had the very same idea (minus the cool tea theme lol) a while back, but didn't end up doing it as I couldn't find a glass (or plastic) drink dispenser that was clear enough for my liking (most of the ones around here have that sort of textured glass or are just cheap / poor quality and would probably leak). I was going to fill the bottom with larger gravel (up past the tap) that the water would flow through, or if the water was flowing out too slowly, I'd put a layer of filter foam underneath the gravel (much like an undergravel filter would work). Would love to see the final product Good luck with it.

 

Looks good to me. I guess I would test it first to make sure there is proper flow. Mine works!!! I just set it up and because my substrate created a huge cloud, the filter works because now the tank is clear (after 48 hours) and there is black substrate powder caught in the floss part. So I think you will find out if it work also if the floss goes dark from your gravel or substrate. Your recycling of the old under gravel filter (ugf) is a very good idea. I would suggest a appropriate size sponge filter as a backup (I have one now). The one nice thing about your design is that your fish will be safe from the water in-take and the floss is very secure. In setting up my DIY filter, I realized the bottle or jar in your case allows the easy transport of water, and filter mediums in a jar. So if you need to setup a second tank, its really easy to move the entire setup to a new tank. I am now fishless cycling my setup. Will post pix soon.

I am very flattered to be your inspiration.

I filled the filter with treated tap that has ammonia already in it (our tap sucks)- and let it run with the bubbler on- no tank yet because I’m waiting on the stand (Monday!)..anyway it instantly cycled because today it has detectable nitrates. Am0, ni0.. I’m now going to let it run in a bucket until I get the tank set up.I think it will work to cycle the tank quickly. My tap makes a fishless cycle easy- lol

 

I filled the filter with treated tap that has ammonia already in it (our tap sucks)- and let it run with the bubbler on- no tank yet because I’m waiting on the stand (Monday!)..anyway it instantly cycled because today it has detectable nitrates. Am0, ni0.. I’m now going to let it run in a bucket until I get the tank set up.I think it will work to cycle the tank quickly. My tap makes a fishless cycle easy- lol

Hahahaha, no need to search for the right type of ammonia! I am glad its working out for you. Mine is doing its job of creating lots of surface area in a compact space. I am envious of your 20+ gallon tank. I plan to do this in the future and keep the tea dispenser as a back up planted tank etc.