Dragon Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 I'd like to start this build thread by thanking Jeff at Cuttle Fish and Corals. He has helped me out on so many occasions and without him, I probably would have never gotten into the hobby. Very rarely do I come across a business that I truly support, but that's certainly one of them! Thanks Jeff! I'd also like to thank JR (Gaidin) for his help and guidance with my build. Ok, now on to the build. This is my first build thread, so please bear with me. This tank build is one of three tanks I'm currently setting up, so I've been very busy and haven't done the best job documenting. The planning and initial gathering of equipment began back in the spring and it's been a long and exhausting process, but I'm hoping all will be worth it in the end. Doing multiple tanks at once is not easy and I've had to take things slow to make sure they all come out well. Tank details: - Custom 36" x 36" x 14" rimless starphire glass cube with built in overflow from Oceans By Design - 29 gal. acrylic sump - Singe herbie drain with dual return lines - 2 Arctic-T247 LED's - Reef Keeper Lite - 2 WP-25's (Have plans to upgrade to maxspect riptides when they're available) - Reef Octopus skimmer - Jebao DP-4 Dosing pump - Hydor ATO - Still figuring out what return pump to use - Custom stand by Paul at Natural Wood Crafters - 75 lbs. of Life Rock and Real Reef Rock tonga branch - 100 lbs. of fiji pink live sand I decided last winter I wanted to do a large FOWLR tank build. The only problem was that I couldn't part with my reef tank livestock, so I knew I needed to keep a reef tank as well. I've always been into cube tanks and particularly love shallow cubes. There's something about the proportions and the look-down element that I really like. I ended up deciding on these tank dimensions to increase tank footprint from my 90g, decrease size by 15g and be large enough to house most reef livestock, particularly my wrasses. I also plan to stock this tank with some clams that I can enjoy looking down onto. On to the photos (sorry for the poor quality cell phone images mixed in) The start of my aquascape. I used driveway marker rods and hydraulic cement. The custom stand from Natural Wood Crafters took quite some time, but was well worth the wait. This stand will match the stand of the big FOWLR tank in the adjacent room. Both stands have a side compartment that will house electrical and controllers. Gaidin helped me out with my plumbing and did an awesome job. We talked it over a lot and came up with this clean setup. I originally made custom aluminum light mounts, but they flexed more than I wanted them to with these lights, so I decided to make new mounts with 80/20 aluminum. I was able to repurpose the brackets I made from the previous mounts to attach the lights to the 80/20. I wanted to make the lights easy to detach and keep the fans free of any blockage. You'll also notice the 1" thick foam I used under the tank. I taped the two pieces together and sealed all the edges, for a clean look when you open the stand doors and see the front edge. Rocks and sand in. The aquascape was intended to be minimal and leave a lot of swimming room. It was designed around a central channel that curves through the middle of the tank and features arches, flat overhangs for coral placement and cantilevered branches. The are lots of little details in the aquascape, despite it looking very minimal from afar. I plan on using a bio-block filter in the sump to help account for the minimal aquascape. And finally after months and months, I have water in the tank and have begun the cycling process. Upon filling it and running the return pump I realized the water level was too high. I am working on figuring out if a smaller return pump will fix that, or if I need to make some adjustments to the overflow box. I also have a screen top on in these photos that will help keep my wrasses from jumping out. I will be replacing the current clips with Innovative Marine clips soon. Also note that all electrical and cords have yet to be addressed. The side of the tank seen from the kitchen. This angle looks down the channel a little bit. The water is still a bit murky without much filtration, at the moment. More to come as the build progresses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derbird Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Wow that is a nice clean build (clap) What are your plans for this tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derbird Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Wow that is a nice clean build (clap) What are your plans for this tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Z Reef Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Wow, super clean! Loving the scape! Keep it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanz Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Sweet! Rock scape looks sweet, lots of swimming room for fish to weave in between. I'll add you to the club now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefnjunkie Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Thats a sweet looking set up, and as others have said love that aqua scape! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubasteve Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Awesome rock work!! What brand of hydraulic cement did you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CuttleFishandCoral Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Dude, this tank is going to be incredible. Really nice work so far. Really looking forward to seeing these tanks come together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 Wow that is a nice clean build (clap) What are your plans for this tank? Thanks! It's going to be a mixed reef. For fish I will have a collection of wrasses; mainly leopard wrasses, and a couple of nice fairy wrasses as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 Awesome rock work!! What brand of hydraulic cement did you use? I used Quikrete Water Stop Hydraulic Cement, but I'm pretty sure any portland cement will be reef safe. I think it's best to do when first cycling a tank, as there is a little curing time where the ph is slightly elevated. It's a little messy, but worked well and allowed me to do things epoxy wouldn't have.... and cost a lot less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rworegon Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 I like it. The OCD guy in my head wants to point out that the two T-247's are set to different times though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 I like it. The OCD guy in my head wants to point out that the two T-247's are set to different times though. Yup, still have to set the lights. I will be doing that tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerald525 Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Wow Dragon that is a beautiful set up. I can tell you have done your homework and really planned it out. Clean set ups like that don't just happen accidentally! I also love rimless shallow tanks. My frag tank was actually one of my favorite tanks. I can't wait to see how it looks when you get coral in there. Jeff is a great guy to deal with very great about customer service and Gaidin did a good job helping you with the plumbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriz2fer Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 Looks perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaidin Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Glad to see water in it. Better get that sucker cycling fast. We need to move your livestock into it and then setup your 300 and your 240. Lots of work still to do. (laugh) Aquascape looks great. I love how can see it from other rooms its gonna be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerixx Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Very nice tank and rock scape, I've always liked the look of shallow cubes, gives the fishing room Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boots Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 All I have to say is I'm very envious right now!!! This is like the exact think I'm want to do next but maybe a tiny bit bigger. Love the aquascape and everything going on here so far, I will be following for sure.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Great looking tank!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted November 12, 2014 Author Share Posted November 12, 2014 Thanks guys! Really appreciate the kind words. The tank has cycled and I just transferred most all of my livestock over. I will post an update as soon as I get some new pics taken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 Here's some photo's of the tank from early December that I forgot to post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 Here are a couple of new additions to the tank: Male Bluestar Leopard Wrasse I've been talking with Jeff for a while about getting this wrasse and now I finally have one, I mean two !! Big thanks to Jeff at C&C!! Both are females and the smaller one is in an acclimation box with a Mauritius Jeweled Leopard Wrasse, as they are a bit smaller and need some time for the other fish to get used to them, so they don't get bullied. I'll try to get some photos of those guys soon. Female Blue Striped Tamarin Wrasse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badxgillen Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Very nice , those wrasses are killer, Jeff always has the goods. I see you have a taste for the zoanthids and palys, I gathered you really went for the Acroporas and some chalices. Maybe I can throw you some nice polyps next time we cross paths, was good meeting you at the Portland Aquarium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earthbound Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 +1 on the beautiful wrasses, you have a great collection indeed. How is the mystery wrasse as far as aggression with the others? I have almost got one several times but have heard they can kinda be bullies as they get big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanS Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 That rock work is amazing, really cool tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Love the update, those are trophy wrasess, love all the zoas too. Good looking setup! It was great to meet you at the Portland Aquarium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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