Dcropley's 34g waterfall build

Dcropley · 04/06/2016, 05:39 AM

Hello all,
I am new to the community and figured I post my new build. I reciently bought a Deep Sea Aquatics 34G Starfire cube with waterfall return. It has a glass sump and came with some equipment but I plan on swapping it out for new stuff. Going BB and getting reef saver rock from BRS soon. Just finished the stand and what a chore to sand and buff that thing but I have to saw it came out nice. I soft plumbed the 1 1/4'' drains to start and added some pink knobs for my coming daughter.

sw tank1.jpg

sw tank2.jpg

sw tank3.jpg

sw drain.jpg

sw tank4.jpg

Devaji108 · 04/06/2016, 10:15 AM

looks cool so tell us more about this water fall..
does the return fall down the back?

Dcropley · 04/06/2016, 02:58 PM

Yes, The return is the waterfall. It fills up and overflows. When I get some water in it and start the cycle I'll post a video. Its pretty cool, I will have 2 mp10wqd's on the back wall for water movement, the water fall creates nice surface agitation and oxygenation. Sounds nice too not the typical running water sound I'm use to with sumps. I am going with the Syncra Silent for the return and a Reef Octopus 110SSS. And a XR15w Pro. Also going bare bottom with Starboard.

Dcropley · 04/08/2016, 05:42 AM

I got the bottom in last night looks good I like it.
BOTTOM.jpg

BOTTOM2.jpg

BOTTOM4.jpg

Dcropley · 04/11/2016, 07:21 AM

So I played with some news paper to get a idea for my hard scape. Any input is appreciated.

SCAPE1.jpg

SCAPE2.jpg

SCAPE3.jpg

trixter227 · 04/11/2016, 07:42 AM

Are you actually going to leave some of the rock outside the water like that? If so thats pretty BA, never seen that idea before plus the water fall? Amazing ideas.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Dcropley · 04/11/2016, 09:33 AM

Yes, The top of the arch is going to be out of the water with the waterfall behind it. Going to get some mangroves for the back corners also. Thanks for the comment.

Dcropley · 04/17/2016, 04:59 PM

Placed my order with BRS supplies should be here this week, can't wait to get the water cycling and rock cooking.

lennyd19 · 04/17/2016, 07:48 PM

Looking good so far lucky little girl to have that in her room. Lol.

Dcropley · 04/22/2016, 07:06 AM

Well I got my order from BRS and finished the hard scape. Now I just need to install the return and Ill be all set to fill it.
DRY ROCK 2.jpg

DRY RODK 3.jpg

DRY RODK.jpg

Jah2707 · 04/22/2016, 10:56 AM

following this one for sure. Love the Scape and interested to see how the waterfall looks.

Dcropley · 04/22/2016, 01:58 PM

The scape was harder than I though. First time working with dry rock and reef scaping. It took me 4 hours, 6 designs to get one that would work and stand by its self. Then using reef epoxy stuck it all together.

vashawn · 04/22/2016, 02:03 PM

following
tank looks awesome. need more update
GL w/build

Dcropley · 04/25/2016, 10:02 AM

Well I have the tank filled and the cycle is started. dosing with ammonia and monitoring. I did some researched and found threads talking about exposed rock in reef tanks and read the even though the rock is exposed it wicks the water and will actuality have coraline algae grow on the exposed sections out side of the tank.

SW FILLED.jpg

trixter227 · 04/25/2016, 10:15 AM

This is so amazing i cant wait to see "ventureing" hermits becoming the king of the hill. Also I think it would be very fascinating to watch coraline grow outside the water.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

SFish · 04/25/2016, 01:58 PM

Interesting idea

Dcropley · 04/29/2016, 06:41 AM

So small update, I ordered 2 spears gate valves for the drains so I could fine tune them, and what a difference is sound. Having one over flow submerged and only a trickle down the other makes this almost 100% quite. Was kind of a pain to redo the plumbing but I had to do it and glad I did. Have to say the valves were $50 each! Also my Ecotech Radion xr15w Pro came in last night, I need to get the hanging kit but I had to un-box it and turn it on. Crappy pictures but figured Id share. I have to say this is one of the brightest led's I have seen. Need to get the reef link to play with the spectrum and set the schedule.

SUMP.jpg

RADIO 2.jpg

RADION.jpg

TANK9.jpg

Dcropley · 05/04/2016, 05:50 AM

Yesterday I hung the fuge light and am happy with the Kessil. Nice quality light.

kessil.jpg

fuge 2.jpg

fuge.jpg

juniorrocketdad · 05/04/2016, 06:33 AM

Tank looks awesome so far

CafeReef · 05/04/2016, 06:55 AM

great idea on running the kessil. I'll be following along to see how that works for you. Been wanting a sleek and clean light to run my fuge. Right now just running live rock, but will add some macro in the not to distant future.

Dcropley · 05/06/2016, 08:59 AM

Ya thanks, the kessil was a pricey light for a fuge but figured I'd give it a shot. I love the form and light output. The one thing about the Ecotech vs the kessil is I thought the case on the Ecotech was going to be aluminum like the kessil. Both are great quality but I feel the quality with the kessil. But I'm happy with both. I see your running the same Ecotech on the same footprint tank.

Dcropley · 05/06/2016, 09:02 AM

My tank is cycling I have a spike in nitrite and am keeping the ammonia at 5ppm, never done a fish less cycle before, and one have tips or suggestions ? Time like for the nitrite to drop and I get a spike in nitrate? Also I don't have a heater yet water is 70 degrees (room tempature) the heater will be here today and the controler by the 13th. Not sure if the tank will cycle properly ?

CafeReef · 05/06/2016, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dcropley

My tank is cycling I have a spike in nitrite and am keeping the ammonia at 5ppm, never done a fish less cycle before, and one have tips or suggestions ? Time like for the nitrite to drop and I get a spike in nitrate? Also I don't have a heater yet water is 70 degrees (room tempature) the heater will be here today and the controler by the 13th. Not sure if the tank will cycle properly ?

I did a fishless cycle on all 3 of my tanks. I just ghost fed my tank daily, I also used Stability daily for a week, then a 50% water change in the end (my 50 cube I just setup I only did a 10% as I was in an emergency move from my 21gallon)

CafeReef · 05/06/2016, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dcropley

Ya thanks, the kessil was a pricey light for a fuge but figured I'd give it a shot. I love the form and light output. The one thing about the Ecotech vs the kessil is I thought the case on the Ecotech was going to be aluminum like the kessil. Both are great quality but I feel the quality with the kessil. But I'm happy with both. I see your running the same Ecotech on the same footprint tank.

I have had the same thought. One thing that surprises me about the ecotech is how heavy it is, even with being plastic. My concern with kessil was how "focused" the light is. was worried I would burn up my corals if I went crazy on the settings.

Dcropley · 05/06/2016, 03:12 PM

What lens are you using the 120 or the 80? I haven't checked what one is in the light now, the hanging kit arrived today so I will be hanging it tonight.

04/06/2016, 05:39 AM	#1
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	Dcropley's 34g waterfall build Hello all, I am new to the community and figured I post my new build. I reciently bought a Deep Sea Aquatics 34G Starfire cube with waterfall return. It has a glass sump and came with some equipment but I plan on swapping it out for new stuff. Going BB and getting reef saver rock from BRS soon. Just finished the stand and what a chore to sand and buff that thing but I have to saw it came out nice. I soft plumbed the 1 1/4'' drains to start and added some pink knobs for my coming daughter. sw tank1.jpg sw tank2.jpg sw tank3.jpg sw drain.jpg sw tank4.jpg

04/22/2016, 02:03 PM	#13
vashawn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: queens, NY Posts: 179	following tank looks awesome. need more update GL w/build __________________ Shawn Current Tank Info: 300gal reef

05/04/2016, 06:55 AM	#20
CafeReef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Elkhorn, NE Posts: 1,405	great idea on running the kessil. I'll be following along to see how that works for you. Been wanting a sleek and clean light to run my fuge. Right now just running live rock, but will add some macro in the not to distant future. __________________ 50 Gallon cube

04/06/2016, 10:15 AM	#2
Devaji108 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Jackson Hole Wy Posts: 3,430	looks cool so tell us more about this water fall.. does the return fall down the back?

04/06/2016, 02:58 PM	#3
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	Yes, The return is the waterfall. It fills up and overflows. When I get some water in it and start the cycle I'll post a video. Its pretty cool, I will have 2 mp10wqd's on the back wall for water movement, the water fall creates nice surface agitation and oxygenation. Sounds nice too not the typical running water sound I'm use to with sumps. I am going with the Syncra Silent for the return and a Reef Octopus 110SSS. And a XR15w Pro. Also going bare bottom with Starboard.

04/08/2016, 05:42 AM	#4
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	I got the bottom in last night looks good I like it. BOTTOM.jpg BOTTOM2.jpg BOTTOM4.jpg

04/11/2016, 07:21 AM	#5
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	So I played with some news paper to get a idea for my hard scape. Any input is appreciated. SCAPE1.jpg SCAPE2.jpg SCAPE3.jpg

04/11/2016, 07:42 AM	#6
trixter227 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 136	Are you actually going to leave some of the rock outside the water like that? If so thats pretty BA, never seen that idea before plus the water fall? Amazing ideas. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

04/11/2016, 09:33 AM	#7
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	Yes, The top of the arch is going to be out of the water with the waterfall behind it. Going to get some mangroves for the back corners also. Thanks for the comment.

04/17/2016, 04:59 PM	#8
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	Placed my order with BRS supplies should be here this week, can't wait to get the water cycling and rock cooking.

04/17/2016, 07:48 PM	#9
lennyd19 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: ny Posts: 334	Looking good so far lucky little girl to have that in her room. Lol.

04/22/2016, 07:06 AM	#10
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	Well I got my order from BRS and finished the hard scape. Now I just need to install the return and Ill be all set to fill it. DRY ROCK 2.jpg DRY RODK 3.jpg DRY RODK.jpg

04/22/2016, 10:56 AM	#11
Jah2707 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: springfield Posts: 889	following this one for sure. Love the Scape and interested to see how the waterfall looks.

04/22/2016, 01:58 PM	#12
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	The scape was harder than I though. First time working with dry rock and reef scaping. It took me 4 hours, 6 designs to get one that would work and stand by its self. Then using reef epoxy stuck it all together.

04/25/2016, 10:02 AM	#14
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	Well I have the tank filled and the cycle is started. dosing with ammonia and monitoring. I did some researched and found threads talking about exposed rock in reef tanks and read the even though the rock is exposed it wicks the water and will actuality have coraline algae grow on the exposed sections out side of the tank. SW FILLED.jpg

04/25/2016, 10:15 AM	#15
trixter227 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 136	This is so amazing i cant wait to see "ventureing" hermits becoming the king of the hill. Also I think it would be very fascinating to watch coraline grow outside the water. Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

04/25/2016, 01:58 PM	#16
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	Interesting idea

04/29/2016, 06:41 AM	#17
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	So small update, I ordered 2 spears gate valves for the drains so I could fine tune them, and what a difference is sound. Having one over flow submerged and only a trickle down the other makes this almost 100% quite. Was kind of a pain to redo the plumbing but I had to do it and glad I did. Have to say the valves were $50 each! Also my Ecotech Radion xr15w Pro came in last night, I need to get the hanging kit but I had to un-box it and turn it on. Crappy pictures but figured Id share. I have to say this is one of the brightest led's I have seen. Need to get the reef link to play with the spectrum and set the schedule. SUMP.jpg RADIO 2.jpg RADION.jpg TANK9.jpg

05/04/2016, 05:50 AM	#18
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	Yesterday I hung the fuge light and am happy with the Kessil. Nice quality light. kessil.jpg fuge 2.jpg fuge.jpg

05/04/2016, 06:33 AM	#19
juniorrocketdad Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 733	Tank looks awesome so far

05/06/2016, 08:59 AM	#21
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	Ya thanks, the kessil was a pricey light for a fuge but figured I'd give it a shot. I love the form and light output. The one thing about the Ecotech vs the kessil is I thought the case on the Ecotech was going to be aluminum like the kessil. Both are great quality but I feel the quality with the kessil. But I'm happy with both. I see your running the same Ecotech on the same footprint tank.

05/06/2016, 09:02 AM	#22
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	My tank is cycling I have a spike in nitrite and am keeping the ammonia at 5ppm, never done a fish less cycle before, and one have tips or suggestions ? Time like for the nitrite to drop and I get a spike in nitrate? Also I don't have a heater yet water is 70 degrees (room tempature) the heater will be here today and the controler by the 13th. Not sure if the tank will cycle properly ?

05/06/2016, 03:12 PM	#25
Dcropley Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 22	What lens are you using the 120 or the 80? I haven't checked what one is in the light now, the hanging kit arrived today so I will be hanging it tonight.