Njudson's 60g Cube

[njudson]

Even though I won't be putting this new tank up for a month, I've got nearly all the equipment collected and am starting to get excited. Have a few questions that hopefully you can help me out with. Here's a pic of the tank and stand. Gonna need a bath and some new paint.



Equipment list:
24"x24"x24" 3 rimless side starfire tank
Custom Acrylic Sump
Ecotech Radion XR30w
2x MP10es w
Apex Lite - pH, temp, WXM
SWC cone skimmer - not sure if its the 120 or 160 will have to measure it but either will be fine I think
Eheim-JAGER 200 Watt heater
CA 2200 return
BRS Dual Reactor / Phosban Reactor - have both likely will use one or the other unless I run bio pellets at some point

So this will be my second tank and my first with a sump. How would you setup this sump?


Filter sock holders in the top right make me think drain there but then what is that PVC on the top left. plus the baffles are over there.
Bottom right is too small for the skimmer so I figure its the return section?

Will post more updates as I get things cleaned up and looking right. Should be getting wet and transferring livestock in early 2012.

-Nick

ps sorry about the crappy iPhone pics I will get out the DSLR once I have something nice to take pics of

[MHG]

Thats a nice set up... Have fun cleaning...

I built a slightly larger stand for my 60 cube and I ran out of space in the cabinet already.

Looks like that sump takes up the whole stand...

[njudson]

The sump does take up nearly the whole footprint but that seems like a good problem. I will need to fit reactors and an ATO reservoir somewhere. The stand is nice and tall so I am hoping to use some the space above the sump.

[njudson]

Last night I picked up what I hope will become the centerpiece of the new tank. wish me luck






Its not a pale as it seems in these pictures as I'm sure you guys know its tough to get a picture of this sort of thing true to how your eyes see it. This Mag is very sticky, stuck to my glove almost instantly when I was placing it in the tank, and has a real sting compared to the btas I've had experience with before. My clowns knew something was up as soon as it hit the water, they were in it within half an hour.

[njudson]

well I broke my RODI unit and am going to try using tap water on this system. Hopefully NYC tap water treated with Prime will let me keep a reef. Feel free to share any tips for doing tap water the 'right' way. I would rather use RODI and know exactly what I'm putting into my tank but our water pressure is only ~35psi so even if I fix my unit making water takes forever. Hopefully this works. Will be moving livestock over later this week.

[gmate]

Sorry to hear about your RO/DI system, Nick. Best of luck though hope it turns out to be a beauty like your last tank. What is the size of your sump (in gallons)?

[Arkayology]

Is it not possible for you to find a LFS with RO for sale?

[strange33w]

I would def get another RO/DI system

[njudson]

Well I did the initial fill last night with tap water treated with Prime and my usual ESV salt. My tap water has a tds around 40 I believe which isn't horrible. If and when I run into issues I'll go back to RODI or find a place to buy RO water but I'm gonna give this a shot first.

If this influences what critters I can keep I think I may just need to accept it for now.

gmate - I'm not sure on the exact size of my sump but the way I have it setup right now it holds ~12 gallons which is about half full.

[njudson]

I added some rubble rock, chaeto and some of my least prized corals from my established 40 to the new tank last night. Some zoas were open and looking normal this morning before I left for work. Hopefully a sign of good things.

[njudson]

[gmate]

Nick can you PM me pics of your old tank and setup so I can see if it'll fit in my toyota or if I'll have to come down with a truck? Thanks dude.

[njudson]

I managed to do ok with my first try at the rock work. Loving the shape of this tank and these leds. Only running them at 30% and its so bright. I couldn't get mp10s to stick thru 1/2" despite it working during my test run. Brought over my old Koralia's and got the flow going a bit last night. Also I setup a phosban reactor with some GFO and Carbon. Looking forward to seeing the tank settle in over the next few weeks.

[njudson]

swapped these pumps out for an mp40 after taking the video

[njudson]

Got the camera out this morning. Just getting back from a week in hawaii!!! saw some cool fish down there. Tank has had some ups and downs some things thriving but some SPS dying off. Guessing ive got some nitrate etc issues as I'm growing chaeto like crazy.

Clam


Shrimp


Magnifica w/ clown




Nick

[njudson]

Well this summer was rough on this tank in my warm NYC apartment and I lost many of my favorites. (Magnifica, mandarin, orchid dottyback, etc) After a few months of neglect the tank is rebounding and I am getting back to working on it. A new pump for the skimmer which has it working like never before; I also figured out how the bubble plate is supposed to fit. Also I expanded my fuge area in the sump.

Picked up a new BTA, Six Line Wrasse and cleaner shrimp Saturday. Pics soon.

[njudson]

Clowns finding the new BTA

[TMS]

Jumping in here have a 60 cube also, always good to see what works.

Sorry about the Mag I have always wanted one.

[njudson]

Clowns laid eggs!

[GobeGuardian]

Wow congrats with the clowns laying eggs man!

[njudson]

[njudson]

tank is having a good summer - moved some rocks and things have resettled nicely