Slow Pre-Built Cube 40g rimless Shallow Reef

joelabu · 08/29/2009, 11:16 PM

After a disastrous 150g tank built in mid 2008 I almost gave up on the hobby as the tank is itself kept drowning my wallet buying on new equipment without any success in neither reducing the problem nor putting new corals in the tank.

Hence learned the hard way that I need to do more research in this hobby before proceed to buy stuff or build it 1st.

As for that this thread is going to be pre-build so that I maybe can share or gain some perspective from others on how to build a reef tank.

Some equipment specs:

Display
24x24x16(40g)

Sump
42x20x16(33g)

Lights
15k 250w XM MH
Industrial electronic Ballast
Spider reflector(to shop list)

Skimmer
Deltec AP851

Wavemaker
1x Vortech MP20(to shop list)

Return Pump
1x Eheim 1260/2(to shop list)

Temperature control
1/4 hp outdoor split unit

Additional
Carbon, rowaphos, balling(to do list)

On the last build I had chosen a 150g tank as most of my reading suggested that bigger is better and stability control. But bigger also mean more $$$ and $$$ is quite a strain. For that the reason I choose a cubic 2’ tank which is due to the cost and easy maintenance it is going to incur to me as that would be more affordable.

Most of the items are still in the to shop list, which im going to get from other reefer(2nd hand)(cost constrain)

Currently im follow couple of built thread on RC as it also resemble my up coming tank.
.

So any suggestion is REALLY appreciated if any of these items are really necessary before I drain my wallet again.

joelabu · 08/29/2009, 11:36 PM

Let’s get started, 1st of all on the display/main tank. Below are some of early sketches of my shallow cube designs.

There will be only 2 holes for the overflow and return pipe will be outside of the overflow box(need to resketch the design)

After trying to figure some rockscaping on the tank I had issue on the overflow designs. The overflow will have a durso standpipe consist of 1.5” PVC. Need suggestion if I should transfer the overflow to the outside of the tank instead(refer below)? Any idea? Suggestion?

joelabu · 08/30/2009, 06:24 AM

space isnt an issue since the stand/cabinet is going to be around 5x3x3.5..thanks for the opinion.

another question, if i use an external overflow concept, which should i adapt?

1. external durso pipe(something like the gl#######s kit)

2. internal durso pipe

what are the pros and cons of both concept?

jungliztkruger · 08/30/2009, 06:45 AM

instead of a spiderlight reflector with your tank dimensions i would highly suggest the lumenbright. the finished pendant would look pretty nice hangin over it too

joelabu · 08/30/2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jungliztkruger
instead of a spiderlight reflector with your tank dimensions i would highly suggest the lumenbright. the finished pendant would look pretty nice hangin over it too

thanks for the suggestion, but i was thinking making a small canopy to cover the spider reflector..refer below..

d2mini · 08/30/2009, 08:18 AM

http://www.glass-holes.com

joelabu · 08/30/2009, 09:23 AM

After pondering on internal vs external durso, im opted to use the internal durso stand pipe with the exteral overflow box. Reason for the internal durso is the option to variate the height of the standpipe if there is a need in the future.

Henryreef · 08/30/2009, 10:34 AM

Cool Build, It will be interesting to see how this tank turns out. Good Luck

joelabu · 08/30/2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Henryreef
Cool Build, It will be interesting to see how this tank turns out. Good Luck

its a pre-build, just getting some idea and suggestion from others so that i wont mess up again during the actual build

anyway, did a research on the herbie overflow, and i guess if it could silence the noise that would be great, another thing that i like about the herbie is there is 2 standpipe, now i can channel the durso pipe to my refugium while the standard pipe to the skimmer section.

did a quick sketch and here how it looks like(the ball valve is not needed on the durso pipe)

Johnny C · 08/30/2009, 05:23 PM

From what you've described, it sounds like you have a very well thought out system. As far as the overflow goes, it's a tough decision. I own (and love) the Glass-Holes kit, but I think the external overflow that you've pictured is also great. IMO if you do go the G/H route, know that they're overflow boxes are VERY small and wouldn't limit your space on a tank that size. JM$.02, HTH!

PS... If it were me, I'd most definatly choose T5... awesome for "nano" tanks!

joelabu · 08/30/2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaliDreaminjC
From what you've described, it sounds like you have a very well thought out system. As far as the overflow goes, it's a tough decision. I own (and love) the Glass-Holes kit, but I think the external overflow that you've pictured is also great. IMO if you do go the G/H route, know that they're overflow boxes are VERY small and wouldn't limit your space on a tank that size. JM$.02, HTH! PS... If it were me, I'd most definatly choose T5... awesome for "nano" tanks!

as mention above the cube will be on a 5ft cabinet/stand, i'd guess that will have more space to choose for an external overflow box. i will try and sketch again to see if it does leave a clearance on the stand.

as for the lighting, i already owned 2 MH 250w bulb, so if i had to get a T5, need to sell the 2 MH 1st...but for now id stick with the MH

thanks for the suggestion anyway!

Red Firefish · 08/30/2009, 11:20 PM

Depending on the corals you wish to keep and their flow needs, you may also want to consider adding some holes for a closed loop driven by an external pump. Powerheads will be difficult to hide in a small tank like that, and having hidden outlets would make for a very clean aesthetic. And you'd probably spend less than you would for your Vortech pump. Also, as mentioned above T5 flourescents make great looking tanks and put off much less heat- enough to maybe save you from needing a chiller. Cheers to you for planning beforehand though! Good luck!

eros · 08/30/2009, 11:34 PM

I'm debating between the same overflow options as you are. I'm building a 30x30x20. I was going to go with glass-holes.com overflow until my friend suggested we do an external. Now I'm really confused on what to do...

joelabu · 08/31/2009, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Red Firefish
Depending on the corals you wish to keep and their flow needs, you may also want to consider adding some holes for a closed loop driven by an external pump. Powerheads will be difficult to hide in a small tank like that, and having hidden outlets would make for a very clean aesthetic. And you'd probably spend less than you would for your Vortech pump. Also, as mentioned above T5 flourescents make great looking tanks and put off much less heat- enough to maybe save you from needing a chiller. Cheers to you for planning beforehand though! Good luck!

As a starter i would like put some polypops like glove/clove and maybe some zoas, eventually the idea is heading for a SPS..perhaps 1-2...

A close loop is great idea but i think a Vortech MP20 would be sufficient despite the aesthetic looks...

The chiller and the MH are already with me on the current system..guess i'd stuck with them at the moment..

Quote:

Originally posted by eros
I'm debating between the same overflow options as you are. I'm building a 30x30x20. I was going to go with glass-holes.com overflow until my friend suggested we do an external. Now I'm really confused on what to do...

reason for me to opted on the external is due to flexibilty...i can variate the height of the standpipe as i wish compared to the fix holes bye glass-holes kit...

eros · 08/31/2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

reason for me to opted on the external is due to flexibilty...i can variate the height of the standpipe as i wish compared to the fix holes bye glass-holes kit... [/B]

I like that advantage too, especially since I'm going rimless and not exactly sure where I should have the water level...

joelabu · 08/31/2009, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by eros
I like that advantage too, especially since I'm going rimless and not exactly sure where I should have the water level...

its more of asthethic kinda of thing on the water level, for best result should be 1" or max 2" from the top...

but if we were to choose 1" the flow of the wavemaker need to be tune nicely so that it wont split out of the water.. the Vortech is capable of doing that

08/29/2009, 11:16 PM	#1
joelabu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 46	Slow Pre-Built Cube 40g rimless Shallow Reef After a disastrous 150g tank built in mid 2008 I almost gave up on the hobby as the tank is itself kept drowning my wallet buying on new equipment without any success in neither reducing the problem nor putting new corals in the tank. Hence learned the hard way that I need to do more research in this hobby before proceed to buy stuff or build it 1st. As for that this thread is going to be pre-build so that I maybe can share or gain some perspective from others on how to build a reef tank. Some equipment specs: Display 24x24x16(40g) Sump 42x20x16(33g) Lights 15k 250w XM MH Industrial electronic Ballast Spider reflector(to shop list) Skimmer Deltec AP851 Wavemaker 1x Vortech MP20(to shop list) Return Pump 1x Eheim 1260/2(to shop list) Temperature control 1/4 hp outdoor split unit Additional Carbon, rowaphos, balling(to do list) On the last build I had chosen a 150g tank as most of my reading suggested that bigger is better and stability control. But bigger also mean more $$$ and $$$ is quite a strain. For that the reason I choose a cubic 2’ tank which is due to the cost and easy maintenance it is going to incur to me as that would be more affordable. Most of the items are still in the to shop list, which im going to get from other reefer(2nd hand)(cost constrain) Currently im follow couple of built thread on RC as it also resemble my up coming tank. . So any suggestion is REALLY appreciated if any of these items are really necessary before I drain my wallet again.

08/30/2009, 08:18 AM	#6
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	http://www.glass-holes.com __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

08/30/2009, 10:34 AM	#8
Henryreef Ocean Lover Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 957	Cool Build, It will be interesting to see how this tank turns out. Good Luck __________________ - Henry Current Tank Info: 50 Gallon Rimless

08/30/2009, 05:23 PM	#10
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	From what you've described, it sounds like you have a very well thought out system. As far as the overflow goes, it's a tough decision. I own (and love) the Glass-Holes kit, but I think the external overflow that you've pictured is also great. IMO if you do go the G/H route, know that they're overflow boxes are VERY small and wouldn't limit your space on a tank that size. JM$.02, HTH! PS... If it were me, I'd most definatly choose T5... awesome for "nano" tanks! __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau

08/29/2009, 11:36 PM	#2
joelabu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 46	Let’s get started, 1st of all on the display/main tank. Below are some of early sketches of my shallow cube designs. There will be only 2 holes for the overflow and return pipe will be outside of the overflow box(need to resketch the design) After trying to figure some rockscaping on the tank I had issue on the overflow designs. The overflow will have a durso standpipe consist of 1.5” PVC. Need suggestion if I should transfer the overflow to the outside of the tank instead(refer below)? Any idea? Suggestion?

08/30/2009, 06:24 AM	#3
joelabu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 46	space isnt an issue since the stand/cabinet is going to be around 5x3x3.5..thanks for the opinion. another question, if i use an external overflow concept, which should i adapt? 1. external durso pipe(something like the gl#######s kit) 2. internal durso pipe what are the pros and cons of both concept?

08/30/2009, 06:45 AM	#4
jungliztkruger Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: ohio Posts: 154	instead of a spiderlight reflector with your tank dimensions i would highly suggest the lumenbright. the finished pendant would look pretty nice hangin over it too

08/30/2009, 09:23 AM	#7
joelabu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 46	After pondering on internal vs external durso, im opted to use the internal durso stand pipe with the exteral overflow box. Reason for the internal durso is the option to variate the height of the standpipe if there is a need in the future.

08/30/2009, 11:20 PM	#12
Red Firefish Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: AZ Posts: 64	Depending on the corals you wish to keep and their flow needs, you may also want to consider adding some holes for a closed loop driven by an external pump. Powerheads will be difficult to hide in a small tank like that, and having hidden outlets would make for a very clean aesthetic. And you'd probably spend less than you would for your Vortech pump. Also, as mentioned above T5 flourescents make great looking tanks and put off much less heat- enough to maybe save you from needing a chiller. Cheers to you for planning beforehand though! Good luck!

08/30/2009, 11:34 PM	#13
eros Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 878	I'm debating between the same overflow options as you are. I'm building a 30x30x20. I was going to go with glass-holes.com overflow until my friend suggested we do an external. Now I'm really confused on what to do...