Rimless Cube Tank Build **Picture heavy**

[chowberg]

Hey guys - I've been putting together a cube tank and wanted to share my progress and build. I'm pretty happy with it so far, I like that the setup is really quiet (skimmer could be more quiet, but extremely tolerable).

Tank: 22x22x20 Rimless Cube (Advanced Acrylics)
- ¾ inch acrylic
-Built in external overflow
-Black Back and Bottom
[IMG][/IMG]

Sump: 10 gallon acrylic
-Skimmer and Live Filtration Section
-Drilled for External Pump

Stand: DIY (Pictures below are prior to the decision to go with the Herbie Drain Overflow, hence missing an additional drain hole)
-Stained Oak Skin
-White Quartz Marble Top
-Kilz coated interior
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Under the Stand -

Skimmer: Euro Reef RS-80 with Sedra 3500 Pump
Live Filtration: (4) Detox Blox
Heater: Eheim 125 watt
Return (external) Pump: Panworld NH-40Px
[IMG][/IMG]

Plumbing: Flexible PVC
-(2) ¾ inch return
-Herbie/Durso Style Drain. (2) 1 ¼ inch drain pipes
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Controller: Neptune Apex (Fusion)
-Apex Jr. w Temp Probe (Skimmer, Return & Heater)
-Apex VDM (2ch LED & 2ch Powerheads)
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Lights & Filtration (Pictures to come)
Powerheads/Flow: (2) Tunze 6055 *Controlled by Apex for custom Pulse*
Lights: Kessil 360we *Controlled by Apex for ramp up Sunrise to Sunset*
-Le Russo Designs Kessil Mount


Live Rock/Sand – Approx. 40 lbs of each
-Aquascape done with E Marco 400
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Live Stock – Pair of B&W Clowns (Juvie)

That's it so far, the rocks and fish are transferred to the tank, I'll post a FTS later.

[650-IS350]

looking nice, love cube tanks.

[africangrey]

Must be expensive to have the quartz fabricated to your specifications.
Looking nice and I am looking forward to the progress. One thing I would suggest is to put a coat or two of boat resin to completely seal the whole thing to keep the moisture off the wood.

[chowberg]

Originally Posted by africangrey

Must be expensive to have the quartz fabricated to your specifications.
Looking nice and I am looking forward to the progress. One thing I would suggest is to put a coat or two of boat resin to completely seal the whole thing to keep the moisture off the wood.

I'm sure it would be pretty costly. I have some family that is in that business and had some left over raw material for a large site. I actually got the idea when I was walking through the unfinished site with him and luckily he could spare some!

Is the resin a difficult process? That isn't a bad idea because I really do worry about the moisture.

[africangrey]

The resin is very easy to apply but with some obnoxious fume which you won't want to apply indoor. cure in 10 minutes if use hardener.

[chowberg]

Originally Posted by africangrey

The resin is very easy to apply but with some obnoxious fume which you won't want to apply indoor. cure in 10 minutes if use hardener.

As this set up is currently up and running, I'm going to look into doing this if I ever need to move the tank (or for future tanks). I was actually researching out to water seal the inside and didn't even think of resin. Thanks again for the suggestion.

[chowberg]

Here is some pictures of the tank w/ Kessil 360we light and mount. This is my first time using LED (used to use MH) and very excited about the dimming features. I have it controlled with my Apex VDM, it ramps up and stays at 50% intensity currently. It is actually so bright that my fish hide during the day, do they eventually get used to it? Should I dial it down if I currently have no corals?

[IMG][/IMG]

Full tank shot of the aquascape:

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Also, here is some close ups of the rear drain and detox blox. Anybody else use these? I've only heard good things.

http://aqua-tecture.com/?wpsc-product=detox-blox

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[chowberg]

Also - does anybody have and GSP, Xenia or Kenya Tree trimmings that they're looking to get rid of in the SF area?

Thanks!

[scuzy]

Skip the Xenia's they will grow like weeds. Gsp is ok too if you isolate them.

[chowberg]

Originally Posted by scuzy

Skip the Xenia's they will grow like weeds. Gsp is ok too if you isolate them.

I was really thinking about scratching softies in general and going straight to SPS but the whole dosing aspect of it worries me. I've kept corals before, but never SPS - the light/flow is definitely strong enough for SPS but I'm not set up for a doser.

[EnderTurtle]

You can grow xenia , gsp, kenya tree in a glass box with nothing more than a heater, monthly water changes and some sunlight hitting the window.

Growing those weedy corals with your set up is kind of a waste

But hey if thats what youre into. Theres tons of people who will give you those corals for free.

[chowberg]

LOL So what you're saying is to put on my big boy pants and step it up? I may have to rethink what to stock this with.

What are some easy SPS for me to start out with?

Originally Posted by EnderTurtle

You can grow xenia , gsp, kenya tree in a glass box with nothing more than a heater, monthly water changes and some sunlight hitting the window.

Growing those weedy corals with your set up is kind of a waste

But hey if thats what youre into. Theres tons of people who will give you those corals for free.

[b7fig]

Yes, skip those soft corals, they are a weeds and will completely take over a tank.

That being said, you don't need to go straight to SPS. LPS are very nice and not nearly as finicky as SPS. Some nice frogspawn, hammer corals, torches, etc would be a nice start.

[EnderTurtle]

Why not go for a mix reef setup.

LPS and SPS?

Throw some zoas in there, acans, elegance corals, etc

Try birdsnest as your first SPS. Then step your game up with a 10$ frag of tricolor acropora valida. Then if you can keep those two alive, try some more 10-20$ frags. Then if you really like acros/milles pick up some nice ones.


Based on your set up im assuming this is not your first reef tank and that you can keep stable reef chemistries.

But if this is your first reef tank, i would try green star polyp, duncans and acans frags as your first corals

[D-Nak]

Though I was willing to give you softies to start, I agree with what the others are saying. Put on the big boy pants and step up to SPS.

You can definitely start with some LPS, as IMO many are just as easy as softies.

In terms of dosing, since you already have an Apex, you can buy a couple of dosers from BRS to take care of Alk and CA. You can manually dose Mg when you need it. If you have some extra cash, then pick up a Neptune DOS. It has some nice features that the BRS dosers don't have -- you'll have to decide if it's worth the $100 premium.

[chowberg]

Originally Posted by b7fig

Yes, skip those soft corals, they are a weeds and will completely take over a tank.

That being said, you don't need to go straight to SPS. LPS are very nice and not nearly as finicky as SPS. Some nice frogspawn, hammer corals, torches, etc would be a nice start.

Frogspawn is actually on my original roster, but was going to get it a little bit later. I might have to rethink softies all together. Thanks for your input.

Originally Posted by EnderTurtle

Why not go for a mix reef setup.

LPS and SPS?

Throw some zoas in there, acans, elegance corals, etc

Try birdsnest as your first SPS. Then step your game up with a 10$ frag of tricolor acropora valida. Then if you can keep those two alive, try some more 10-20$ frags. Then if you really like acros/milles pick up some nice ones.


Based on your set up im assuming this is not your first reef tank and that you can keep stable reef chemistries.

But if this is your first reef tank, i would try green star polyp, duncans and acans frags as your first corals

You're right, this currently isn't my first set up but still consider myself pretty new. Previous setups consist of 70 gallon reef and nanocube. Neither were very fancy. I haven't had a tank for more than 6 years and just moved back to the west coast and decided to set one up.

This is my first time building my own stand and using a controller device (Apex's are freaking awesome). Everything was bought used or DIY except for the tank itself (I had an old 20 inch glass cube but decided to go rimless) and LED light. My major concerns was noise level and power draw, which I think my tank does pretty well. One of my regrets, and partly due to space, was that I don't have an ATO system set up.

Anyways - back to the corals. I think I might scratch softies, but I'm very concerned with dosing. I've been reading about it but it seems very unforgiving. My water volume is pretty low too.

I like that you laid out a few recommendations - is there a reason why you presented the corals in that order other than testing the care level? Another words, does it matter if I introduce LPS or SPS first to my tank?

Where should I buy a birdnest frag and how much should it run?

[chowberg]

Originally Posted by D-Nak

Though I was willing to give you softies to start, I agree with what the others are saying. Put on the big boy pants and step up to SPS.

You can definitely start with some LPS, as IMO many are just as easy as softies.

In terms of dosing, since you already have an Apex, you can buy a couple of dosers from BRS to take care of Alk and CA. You can manually dose Mg when you need it. If you have some extra cash, then pick up a Neptune DOS. It has some nice features that the BRS dosers don't have -- you'll have to decide if it's worth the $100 premium.

Hey, I was actually just about to PM you. Looks like I might not stop by this weekend, but thank you regardless!

Any LPS/SPS recommendations (other that Birdnest stated above)?

[vhuang168]

Neptune Aquatics in San Jose n California Reef in Fremont have a good selection of LPS/SPS

[Carebearcatz]

I personally feel like dosing is required once you got a tank full of coral. Either dose manually by hand or set up an automatic dosing pump. Unless you plan on doing big water changes OFTEN.

Once you fill that tank with coral and you got coralline algae growing, your alkalinity/calcium is gonna drop.

Right now you dont have to worry about it since your coral load and fish load is super low.

Gary I feel like if you can program an apex, you're most likely going to be able to set up a dosing pump.

I'm actually in the process of setting up a dosing pump right now. Not that hard. I've got 3 cups that I'm dosing into right now to make sure it doses the correct amount before I add the dosing pump to my tank.

[CoralsAddiction]

Nice build! To all the NorCal reefers, the OP is a great guy. Clowns are looking comfy in their home.

[andyman]

I would avoid any gap or soft coral in that small tank. It will take over your tank and you'll wish you started over. Also watch out for some fast growing spa's too.
I would also watch out for zooanthids. Those suckers are taking over my rocks as fast as a GSP would.

I think if you got a hand full of full cured rubble from someones tank and you got a dosing setup from BRS, you can start with SPS immediately.


andy

[D-Nak]

Originally Posted by garychow

Hey, I was actually just about to PM you. Looks like I might not stop by this weekend, but thank you regardless!

Any LPS/SPS recommendations (other that Birdnest stated above)?

Most LPS will be fine in your tank. It boils down to personal preference as you what you get. However, many LPS have sweeper tentacles that require you to keep them away from each other.

The hardiest SPS tend to be the quickest growers, but that can also be a curse because once they take off they require a lot of pruning. Here's a short list of hardy SPS (along with my favorites):

1. montipora capricornis (starburst monti)
2. montipora digitata (forest fire digi)
3. most staghorn acropora (Bali green slimer)

Originally Posted by vhuang168

Neptune Aquatics in San Jose n California Reef in Fremont have a good selection of LPS/SPS

+1. Neptune has a ton of $10 frags to choose from. Aquatic Collection in Hayward is also worth checking out. They have quite a fish selection too.

Originally Posted by Carebearcatz

I personally feel like dosing is required once you got a tank full of coral. Either dose manually by hand or set up an automatic dosing pump. Unless you plan on doing big water changes OFTEN.

Once you fill that tank with coral and you got coralline algae growing, your alkalinity/calcium is gonna drop.

Right now you dont have to worry about it since your coral load and fish load is super low.

Gary I feel like if you can program an apex, you're most likely going to be able to set up a dosing pump.

I'm actually in the process of setting up a dosing pump right now. Not that hard. I've got 3 cups that I'm dosing into right now to make sure it doses the correct amount before I add the dosing pump to my tank.

Dosing pumps on the Apex are really easy to set up and maintain. For about a $150 premium over two BRS dosers, the Neptune DOS unit is nice, especially when combined with the dosing containers. It'll let you know when the dosing containers are low, and will give you a visual display for what and when you're dosing via Fusion. It also has oversized motors so it should last a long time.

Originally Posted by CoralsAddiction

Nice build! To all the NorCal reefers, the OP is a great guy. Clowns are looking comfy in their home.

So when are you moving up here? First Clorox, now Gary... you're next!

[CoralsAddiction]

Originally Posted by D-Nak

So when are you moving up here? First Clorox, now Gary... you're next!

Been thinking about setting up a satellite office for my firm in Palo Alto or San Jose for couple years now. Plus family in the East Bay is getting old. It's just a matter of time I think. Lol.

[chowberg]

Originally Posted by vhuang168

Neptune Aquatics in San Jose n California Reef in Fremont have a good selection of LPS/SPS

Thanks for the recommendation - I actually haven't checked out any of the local fish stores in the bay area yet.

Originally Posted by Carebearcatz

I personally feel like dosing is required once you got a tank full of coral. Either dose manually by hand or set up an automatic dosing pump. Unless you plan on doing big water changes OFTEN.

Once you fill that tank with coral and you got coralline algae growing, your alkalinity/calcium is gonna drop.

Right now you dont have to worry about it since your coral load and fish load is super low.

Gary I feel like if you can program an apex, you're most likely going to be able to set up a dosing pump.

I'm actually in the process of setting up a dosing pump right now. Not that hard. I've got 3 cups that I'm dosing into right now to make sure it doses the correct amount before I add the dosing pump to my tank.

I'm thinking about getting a dosing system and ATO now. I probably should have known that I'd try to go more elaborate and accounted for this during my build!

Originally Posted by andyman

I would avoid any gap or soft coral in that small tank. It will take over your tank and you'll wish you started over. Also watch out for some fast growing spa's too.
I would also watch out for zooanthids. Those suckers are taking over my rocks as fast as a GSP would.

I think if you got a hand full of full cured rubble from someones tank and you got a dosing setup from BRS, you can start with SPS immediately.


andy

Andy, I believe when we first talked I was thinking about SPS but went back on my decision. The fellow reefers post piqued my interest in SPS again.

My rock/sand is already live (pulled it from a holding tank that I've had up for over half a year) with beneficial bacteria and curious for the purpose of cured rubble. Thanks for your advice!

[chowberg]

Originally Posted by CoralsAddiction

Nice build! To all the NorCal reefers, the OP is a great guy. Clowns are looking comfy in their home.

Originally Posted by CoralsAddiction

Been thinking about setting up a satellite office for my firm in Palo Alto or San Jose for couple years now. Plus family in the East Bay is getting old. It's just a matter of time I think. Lol.

Thanks for the kind words! Agreed with D-Nak, when you coming to the bay?