E.intheC

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<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com<img src=" http:="" acropora.manhattanreefs.com="" forum="" images="" smilies="" redface.gif="" border="0" alt="" title="Embarrassment" smilieid="2" class="inlineimg"></o:smarttagtype>I just finished downsizing from a 72 gallon bowfront to a 45 gallon Marineland Cube. There were many reasons for this downsize, but mainly it was to keep everything simple, and use high quality equipment. To me, it's much easier to accomplish these goals with a smaller tank. I'll go into this more in the future.


I love cube tanks, and this is the largest one I can fit in the space of our admittedly small <st1>apartment. </st1>
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I have a few goals with this tank:

-Keep everything as simple and automated as possible. This automation will also help keep consistent water parameters which will be crucial when I jump into the world of SPS corals.

-Only buy things that I really LOVE looking at. I’ve spent a lot of money on corals and fish that were only “OK” but not my absolute favorite just because they were cheaper at the time.

-Buy or trade as many corals as I can from other local reefers, thus lessening my negative impact on the oceans. (Also a great way to fulfill the previous goal)

-Do as much DIY as I can. This isn’t just to keep costs down (which is a main reason) but also to force myself to go slow and learn a lot about the whole process. In addition, this gives me flexibility and customization that I wouldn’t get with store bought.
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OK, on to the details: :spin:
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Equipment list. I've put a lot of effort and planning into the equipment stage, including many, many hours of reading, drawing up sketches, and asking silly questions. :biglaugh:<o></o>
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Tank:

-45 Gallon Reef Ready Cube by Marineland. Dimensions are 24 x 24 x 18h.
-DIY stand and canopy. Painted black.
-20 gallon high DIY sump.
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Lighting:
-PFO 250 Watt Metal Halide Pendant with Ushio 14,000K bulb.
-Ice Cap Electronic Ballast.
-2x Current Powerbrite Actinic LEDs
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Flow:
-Vortech MP20.
-Marineland Utility Pump 1700 return pump.
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Filtration:
-Vertex IN-100 skimmer.
-BRS Carbon Reactor.
-BRS GFO Reactor.
-I’m also going to start dosing 2 part and a carbon source (probably vodka, but no need yet. I need to research this a lot more before it happens though).
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Other Equipment:
-Reef Keeper Lite to control MH, LED’s, and heater
-autotopoff.com ATO unit.
-(Eventually) a dosing system.
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Livestock List:
-2x Onyx Clowns from Sea Quest Marine
-Purple Firefish.
-In the future, I might get a pearly jawfish or a neon goby and a flasher/fairy wrasse. I’m not 100% set on the livestock, but it must get along with current inhabitants who are extremely peaceful.
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Corals:
-My tank will be a mixed reef full of corals. I’m going to have mostly LPS, SPS, and Zoanthids.
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Here are some pictures of the tank in progress:
 

E.intheC

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Here are some pictures of the tank in progress:

001-5.jpg


003-5.jpg


006-4.jpg


And one pic of the sump:

002-5.jpg
 

E.intheC

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Like I said. It's nothing fancy, but so far I am happy with my own work :lol:

It was my first time building a stand on my own. I'll have pictures of the finished product up in a little bit.

I hope you all like it. Feel free to post suggestions/comments/etc. :D
 

E.intheC

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If you don't mind me asking, How much was the tank itself?

You got PM.


NYreefNoob only 1 baffle in the sump ? looks good so far though, making a canopy ?


I thought about adding another baffle, but decided against it. I've had sumps with 2 baffles, and sumps with 3. So far so good. Hopefully no bubbles will come, but I haven't seen anything yet.

I've got a canopy built. Those pictures are actually from a few weeks ago :D
 

Awibrandy

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I saw this build of E's in person not long ago!

E, you're doing/did a great job with the stand & canopy! I loved the cube, and I am really excited to see what you do with this setup!!!:)

I see you decided on the out to the side swing door for the canopy vs the upwards swing. I can't tell from the pics. What hinge/hinges did you decide on?
 

E.intheC

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I saw this build of E's in person not long ago!

E, you're doing/did a great job with the stand & canopy! I loved the cube, and I am really excited to see what you do with this setup!!!:)

I see you decided on the out to the side swing door for the canopy vs the upwards swing. I can't tell from the pics. What hinge/hinges did you decide on?

Hey Awilda, thanks for the kind words! I ended up sticking with the regular hinges on the side. I thought about the hinges that would allow me to swing the door upward, but decided it would be too high up (and would probably end up having the door swing down and hit my head) Also, when I'm out of town and other people are feeding my tank I want it to be easier for them.


There's a few things that I don't really like about the canopy but there's not a lot I can do about it now. (For example, the screws coming out too far... Believe it or not, the stores I used didn't have short screws that were wide enough to handle the door. :( Good thing you don't notice it unless you've got the door wide open...)
 

E.intheC

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Quick question. My entire overflow chamber recently has been filling up, then draining (and creating a loud gurgling noise) then filling up, and repeating the process. Anyone know why this happens, and what I can do to prevent it?
 

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