RRK - 60G Build

[Anonymous]

I ordered the 60G Marineland cube and stand today. 24x24x24. Should have it Tuesday night.

Now I need to figure out what I am going to do for everything else.

Thinking of this skimmer

Super Space Saver Octopus XP-1000SSS Cone Skimmer - http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supp ... 00SSS.html

I need a sump of some sort - 10G or a 15G High tank? I prefer a premade sump if you got any recommendations. It needs to hold the skimmer, heater, return pump and hopefully a filter sock of some sort.
I need to also get a small reservoir for the auto top off in the stand as well.

I need lighting
T5's, MH or LED. I want to keep the cost down and power consumption down. I need to figure this out ASAP.

If I go T5 - will 4 x 24W be enough? I need a fixture of some sort as I will not have a canopy nor can I make one that will match the stand.

Marineland just came out with this LED light that may work.

Marineland - Reef Capable LED Lighting Systems 18" - 24"
* Correct spectral output and intensity for Reef Aquariums
* Three mode switch for all on, all off, or lunar (night) light
* 1W 10,000k Whites / 460 nm blue LED's
* 21 LEDs ( 1 watt)
* 18 – 10,000K (white)
* 3 – 460 nm (blue)


Return pump - mag 7?

The plan
- Move the current tank across the room temporarily.
- Get ~40 lbs more of cured LR
- add the new LR to the new tank and some SW for a few days
- Then move everything over from the 29G Biocube in one shot.

 

[Anonymous]

The Marineland reef capable LEDs are not very good for reef lighting. I would spend some cash and get an AI(Aqua Illuminations) LED. Even the Ecoxotic retro would be a better option. The 50 watt LED Canon is also an option. There is another guy that uses the Ecoxtic 17.5" hood and his tank is doing great.

 

[Anonymous]

I am not going to have a canopy on this tank so I need a complete fixture. Or someone that can make a canopy that can match the stand exactly.

I do like the AI lights but am afraid I may need 2 of them plus the controller. ~$1,500 for the light.

The exotic retro looks OK but may need the canopy as well to make it look pleasing.

I will look at the Exocotic panorama stuff.

 

[Anonymous]

http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supp ... -6062.html

A mag 7 should be good, but I would check their GPH rating and adjust for headloss to make a final decision.

 

[Anonymous]

Now will the 17.5 one be enough or should I look at the 23.5 inch?

Dimensions 17.5” x 15” x 3”
Total Number of LED’s 48
White 8000K LED 36
Actinic Blue 460nm LED 12
Input Line Voltage 120V
Frequency / Hertz 60 Hz
Total Watts Consumed 46

Dimensions 23.5” x 15” x 3”
Total Number of LED’s 72
White 8000K LED 54
Actinic Blue 460nm LED 18
Input Line Voltage 120V
Frequency / Hertz 60 Hz
Total Watts Consumed 73

 

[Anonymous]

If the cost difference isn't a killer for you get the bigger one. Bigger is better in most cases, but the 17.5" will cover the tank well.

 

[Anonymous]

Will the 17.5 be enough for SPS/Clams as well?

I still like the AI design but just do not know if one will be enough for the tank.

I am now searching for a sump that I can fit in the stand along with a top off reservoir along side the sump. I do not want anything outside the stand.

 

[Anonymous]

I would suggest the AI,especially because the cost id close to the Ecoxotic. The AI unit should close to covering a 24x24 tank. You will just miss a little coverage on two of the edges. If you use the 70* optics and mount them a little higher you will be close to having complete coverage.

 

[Anonymous]

For the sumps, you can get the custom ones made at glass cages.

 

[Anonymous]

I found a guy in Queens that is going to make me a custom sump.

I am leaning towards the single AI (At least for now). Where can you get the 70 degree lens replacements? And do I go with the White or Blue SOL? I like the blue flouresence but want some white as well.

I am still researching pumps. I am looking for ~ 700 - 900 GPH. A Mag7 would work but I am looking to see if there are any pumps that use less wattage and less heat.

I am going to use the Vortech MP10 (On current tank) and a Korilla 1(currently have) for now. I may have to upgrade to a MP40 down the road.

If all goes good I am hoping to get this going next weekend. Just got to find out who's got the light in stock and some other things.

 

[Anonymous]

OK Ordered some equipment

AI SOL Blue (with hanging kit and controller)
Tunze 1073.040 (792 GPH) - Return pump
Super Space Saver Octopus XP-1000SSS Cone Skimmer
Sump - 18x18x16 cube
test kits

Will pick up the tank on Monday

I think I have all the equipment ordered. Once the tank is here I will start making the water and the day of the cutover (Scheduled for 22nd) I will pickup the additional LR.

 

[Anonymous]

I think you are making some excellent choices. The AI sol blue is great and will make the tank look awesome. Plus you can fine tune it to the exact color you like. Tunze makes great pumps, some of the best IMO. They are also very efficient. I also love mag drives, I have used mag drives for years and they are great, strong, pumps. They are just use a bit too much power. The Octopus XP1000 SSS Cone is also a great skimmer. I will get one of those for my next tank(70 Cube).You will definately want to make that Korallis a MP40 later. Good luck. Can't wait to see some pics.

 

[Anonymous]

Also really looking forward to seeing this build. Sounds like a great start.

 

[Anonymous]

Light, light mounting kit, skimmer, return pump, test kits arrived.

Picked up the sump yesterday as well. I will post pics soon. Planning on getting the tank this weekend. Due to football season (JETS Playoffs) still gong on this postponed the build a few weeks. We are also goign to paint the room first now. Debating on changing the carpeting there as well.

 

[Anonymous]

Have a setback here. My wife picked up the new tank the other day and brought it home. The tank is fine except for the fact that it is drilled in the BACK and not the bottom. This has to be one of the dumbest designs ever. You can not even get the bulkheads out without breaking the overflow off. And since the bulkheads are in the the back once you add plumbing the tank needs to be ~ 5 inches off of the wall now. This is huge. I was planning on putting the tank along a wall that is seen from the stairwell/front door. Meaning that when you walk in the front door of my house and look downstairs you see a tank that is way off the wall and pipes. Not a pretty site.

I am now seeing if I can return the tank and do not know if I will upgrade now as that is all that will fit on that wall (Its between 2 doors) and there is ~ 38 inches between the doors and a light switch that I need access to. Leaving ~30 inches for a tank so that is why we chose the 60G cube (24x24).

This is a bummer since I bought all the lights, skimmer, pump, and a custom sump for this tank already that is not returnable. Why could they not have drilled the tank on the bottom like every other reef ready tank?

 

[Anonymous]

I want the 70 cube Marineland makes and I have researched it thoroughly and I noticed that the tank is drilled in the rear. I found it bizarre as well. Sorry to hear that it throwsa monkey wrench in your plans.

 

[Anonymous]

I want the 70 cube Marineland makes and I have researched it thoroughly and I noticed that the tank is drilled in the rear. I found it bizarre as well. Sorry to hear that it throwsa monkey wrench in your plans.

Yeah it sucks. I may have a cube sump for sale. Been looking for other tanks and have not found one that will fit besides this tank. I hope I can return all the other stuff I ordered.

 

[Anonymous]

Keep the sump and use flex PVC to run it back under the tank.

 

[Anonymous]

The problem is after you add the elbow to the bulkheads you are out ~5 inches. That is too far away from the wall especially when the tank is in plain sight on the side. If the tank was against a far wall where you did not see the side it would not be a problem but when you walk into my house the first thing you will see is the side view.

 

[Anonymous]