Fusion 30l build thread

[flinster]

I thought I was getting out, but unfortunately my kids wouldn't let me sell the clowns! HA!

Here's what I have so far:

Fusion 30l

Vanity that's going to be covered in granite as a stand

two eheim 600 return pumps

tunze 9004 Aquamaxx WS-1

MP10wqd

Radion XR15 pro x 2 Nanobox hybrid ATI 24" 4 bulb with dimmable reef brites

Tunze nano ATO

Intank filter floss holder x 2

Intank media baskets x 2

Apex with DOS for cal and alk

Custom cover build by Smiz

 

30# Tampa Bay live rock

20# Tampa Bay sand

 

Planned inhabitants:

snowcasso clown pair

gyometric pygmy hawkfish

goby and pistol shrimp pair

a couple of flasher fairy wrasse

 

Unfortunately I've got to wait for the granite to be fabricated. Hopefully I'll have water in about a week and a half. Thanks for looking and give me your thoughts and recommendations.

[spectra]

Nice set up so far. I am a sump fan but did have a fusion 20 for a while. The 30L has always been a favorite of mine!

 

Was that a factory vanity? If so where did you pick it up at?

[azn-allstar]

Awesome equipment list. I can't wait to see how this build turns out.

[flinster]

I picked it up at a Home Depot liquidator. Not bad for $200. It retails for over $800. It's new with a few dents and dings I can touch up. I just broke down a 100 rimless with sump, vertex 170. I got tired of dealing with maintenance, 30 gallon water changes, cleaning all of that glass, etc. I'm happy to do smaller and didn't want the hassle of a sump. The nicest tank I ever in terms of coral growth and coloration was a AIO solana.

I hope nr doesn't mind the link:

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=32173

[LongDoggy]

Nice build. I like the idea of using a quality piece of furniture to blen in with your home decor. Something I'm considering for the new house & new tank after we sell and move. Makes the AIO a little more intriguing since the stand can be really anything as you don't need to support the sump etc...

Following along to see how this turns out.

[flinster]

My old fixture was hung from my ceiling. I can't decide whether I want to do that or use one of these:

Here's a picture of my old fixture hanging:

[flinster]

I've got a deltec mce300 sitting around that I may use instead of the 9004. I just don't like the fact that it's a HOB. It is the best HOB skimmer out there, IMO. Look at all of the bubbles!

[DemonUnleashed]

Those 6061 mounts look nice. Definitely got me thinking of getting one.

[flinster]

All ready for water

[Tmr8188]

Really nice setup so far! I love the stand and radion mount.

[DemonUnleashed]

That granite looks nice with the stand. I'm looking forward to this build!

[flinster]

Water, rock and sand added!

I've got a pair of snowcasso clowns, a mckosker's, a filament fin flasher, a geometric pygmy hawk, and a pair of yasha gobies with a pistol shimp in QT. The tamba bay rock should cycle in a matter of days.

[flinster]

Here are a few updates:

The fish have been moved in.

I added some overflow covers to raise the water level in the tank. IMO, the stock overflows are too low. I held them in place with 4 nylon screws so that they don't fall off when I kill the pumps to feed.

I have a nanobox hybrid on the way. I really liked the look of my old tank and the fixture hanging from my ceiling. I'm going to replicate that with the hybrid.

I used the shelf from the cabinet as a false wall to hide cables/ATO reservoir and 2 part containers.

I plan to make a mesh top or get a Smiz custom top. The stock top blocks way too much light.

Here are a few photos. Let me know how you think it's progressing.

 

 

 

 

 

[flinster]

livestock so far:

pair of snowcasso clowns

yasha and pistol shrimp

blue spot jawfish

mccosker's fairy wrasse died after feeding

filament fin fairy wrasse died after feeding

geometric pygmy hawkfish rehomed

helfrichi firefish

regal tang baby

 

 

 

That's all I plan for fish. Possibly another small fairy. I had a naoko's that didn't make it out of QT. After a little research, I'm thankful to some degree. I've read they can be quite aggressive towards other wrasse. I plan to start adding corals and an anemone next. For those that think I'm rushing, I used Tampa Bay live rock and sand and didn't even see a cycle. It's great stuff. I had it in a 29 gallon curing for over a month. I used all the water, rock and live sand that was in there to move over to the fusion. All parameters are perfect so far. I've been doing this for over 15 years and have learned I don't have to be entirely patient!

[jcreefer]

Sweet tank and set up. I'll be following as I set up my 30L as well.

 

Jeff

[flinster]

I found out one obvious flaw to the stock covers. Fish jerky. Both of my yasha gobies found the cracks over the course of two days. One ended up on the top and the other on the floor. I need to build a new screen this weekend. The factory cover blocks a ton of light as well.

I also added a few new inhabitants. A pintail fairy from DD and a lemon drop anemone.

 

[flinster]

Here's some pics at around 8k.

 

[Tmr8188]

Sick lemondrop. I would love a shot at one of the clones if its ever for sale.

[flinster]

Time for an update. I lost the pintail wrasse and fairy wrasse. I bought a new food, fed them both. They ate and almost immediately went into hiding. I moved them to QT, but they never ate again and died a few days later. Really strange. I decided to go with an ATI fixture and sold the NB hybrid. I have the reefbrite dimmer running through my apex. So far, so good.

 

 

 

 

[kellerexpress]

how are you liking the aquamaxx skimmer?

[flinster]

It's great. I'll get a pic of the nasty skimmate.

[kellerexpress]

Could you post another pic of the skimmer? I just want to get an idea of how far it sticks up above the tank