Mike Savage Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Well after many tanks over the years I decided to start from scratch. I have a nice corner in my home office for a tank so here we go! Over the years I have had a few different tanks from 120 gallon with sump/refugium, to all-in-one Nano cubes and Red Sea Max, to standard tanks with HOB filters. I've used compact flash, VHO, Metal Halide, and LED lighting and tried many of the other gadgets available. Based on past experience, available space, time, and money this is what I came up with. Cube shape tank Sump and large refugium External overflow Quiet, high flow return with emergency drain No powerheads or equipment to detract visually Quiet system Auto top off I set up a tank for photographing coral fluorescence and it went great for nearly 4 years, until I took it down to move, but 10 gallons was too limiting. It was also as large as was practical in 2006/2007 when it was set up. This one will build on that concept. And so it begins . . . Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 8, 2013 Author Share Posted September 8, 2013 Well I found a stand for $20. Pictures coming soon! Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 8, 2013 Author Share Posted September 8, 2013 Next was to see what size would fit. Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 I decided on an 18" cube and had it custom made with an external overflow that would fit in the corner behind the tank. I also had a custom sump built that would take advantage of the size of the cabinet. Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 Thanks, more to come! Link to comment
up.left Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Thanks, more to come! Indeed! Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 9, 2013 Author Share Posted September 9, 2013 Thanks Illu! Link to comment
scholar Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 looks like a great start! Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 10, 2013 Author Share Posted September 10, 2013 Thanks Scholar! Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 11, 2013 Author Share Posted September 11, 2013 Done with the plumbing! Link to comment
ZX6Reefer Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 Looks clean! Planning on painting the back? Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 11, 2013 Author Share Posted September 11, 2013 Looks clean! Planning on painting the back? I really like a painted back and my first love is photography but for this tank I'm trying a rock wall back. I've already started it and will be posting photos soon. My hope is that this will give a more natural look for photos and have the rock take up less room since the tank is only 18" front to back. Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 Water test! Well the water level is too high and it feels like there is very little flow. The water level is only 3/16" from the top. Too close for comfort for me. Back to the drawing board . . . Link to comment
Deleted User 4 Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Nice! Aren't you suppose to cut those 2 outer wires? That's an ai vega? Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 Yes it is a Vega and the two wires probably should be cut. I'm not sure I am exactly finished with it yet. It was first set up and hanging in the opposite corner of my (home) office but the glare was bad so I drained it and moved it. I had to drill more holes in the ceiling and still have to patch the old ones too! Link to comment
Jackal_Knight Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 I like the water lvl high looks good. but your right it is a lil scary, why is it so high is it cause of the return pump or the overflow being to high up? If its the overflow is there anyway to fix it? Loving your build so far.i will be fallowing along. what light are you using ? Also is there a reason for hanging the light so close to the water. Looks a lil funny to me but to each his own. Oh just saw your other post: its a vega Link to comment
BeardedReeferLLC Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Yah for rimless I like the 1/2" to 1" from waterline to top rim, the light needs to come up 4-6" Thats too close to the water for my liking. Also what size pump are you using? Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 I like the water lvl high looks good. but your right it is a lil scary, why is it so high is it cause of the return pump or the overflow being to high up? If its the overflow is there anyway to fix it? Loving your build so far.i will be fallowing along. what light are you using ? Also is there a reason for hanging the light so close to the water. Looks a lil funny to me but to each his own. Oh just saw your other post: its a vega You are right it is a Vega. The water level is so high that if I put my arm in the tank it would over flow and if the pump was putting out like it should the water would go right over the top! Yah for rimless I like the 1/2" to 1" from waterline to top rim, the light needs to come up 4-6" Thats too close to the water for my liking. Also what size pump are you using? The pump is an Eheim 1262. Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 I found the problem with the pump output. When I put the plumbing together one of the pipes pushed past the built-in stop and pretty much closed off a tee fitting. The little slot circled by red is the only area the water had to go through. I measured the flow at 77gph. I got out the Dremel and opened it up! Now it should flow better! Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 The tank is back from the glass shop. I had the overflow ground down and now the water level is perfect and the pump is flowing wide open! Link to comment
Chew_Magna Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I found the problem with the pump output. When I put the plumbing together one of the pipes pushed past the built-in stop and pretty much closed off a tee fitting. The little slot circled by red is the only area the water had to go through. I measured the flow at 77gph. I got out the Dremel and opened it up! Now it should flow better! That'll definitely do it. Gotta love the Dremel! Best "good for anything" tool out there. Link to comment
Mike Savage Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 Absolutely! Link to comment
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