134-Gallon Cube Build - Random Flow Generator® Powered Mixed Reef - Lots of Pics!

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

They got my interest! I ordered a couple pair of them. Thanks for making these. They look great!

I have a couple of your flow kits too and didnt even realize!

Awesome - Since those are on our early "Early access" list, we generally don't have stock on that product, so it may take a day ro two for them to ship.

But - when you get them, I would be interested to know how they work out or you.

 

[CBonito]

Awesome - Since those are on our early "Early access" list, we generally don't have stock on that product, so it may take a day ro two for them to ship.

But - when you get them, I would be interested to know how they work out or you.

It's all good. This is for a new system I'm putting together. Thanks again!

 

[Adamc13o3]

This build has really helped me. I just got a 34.5 x 34.5 x 19.5 from innovative marine and I was challenged with lighting and a light rack due to the dimensions and euro brace. Just placed an order with 80/20. Gonna go with a sky unit as well!

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

This build has really helped me. I just got a 34.5 x 34.5 x 19.5 from innovative marine and I was challenged with lighting and a light rack due to the dimensions and euro brace. Just placed an order with 80/20. Gonna go with a sky unit as well!

The light has worked really well - i run it about 14 to 15in off the water, and it spread out nicely.

My only criticism at this point is I would like just a tad bit more shimmer. not much, just a little.

As a single light, it was been amazing for 2 years, but will is time to either add a second SKY or some supplemental lighting to fill in some of the shade being created by coral growth.

EDIT: please ignore dirty glass - havent cleaned it for a few days - LOL

 

[Adamc13o3]

Neptune adds shimmer by making some holes in the diffuser cover. They also sell little inserts if you want to block out that shimmer. Maybe check to see if they sell replacements for that cover. Do a small experiment by adding some more holes. It may give you that extra shimmer that you're looking for and then you can just lower the light a bit to make up for the shading.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

Neptune adds shimmer by making some holes in the diffuser cover. They also sell little inserts if you want to block out that shimmer. Maybe check to see if they sell replacements for that cover. Do a small experiment by adding some more holes. It may give you that extra shimmer that you're looking for and then you can just lower the light a bit to make up for the shading.

this is the current diffuser that's on the light - its the one that came with it.

It has these little lenses on it, but I'm not sure of that's what's suppose to create shimmer, or if that's for the lunar lights

 

[Adamc13o3]

The lenses provide shimmer and can be removed for more shimmer. That's what I saw on a few YouTube videos on the light from BRS and Neptune. They also sell lenses that are diffused to completely take away the shimmer.

 

[Duzzy]

Just a recent top-down photo showing the scale of that chalice in the back.

That chalice in the back corner is nearly 1/4 of the total tank footprint now. I think I need to find a way to trim that down a bit.

as far as I can tell, its not actually encrusted on the the rock but rather just laying over it However it is giving that blue-green acro a big hug, and I'll have to frag the acro to get it out

the original frag plug it cam in on was secured to a rock that was not part of the original aqua scape, so it should lift right out.

What do you think - should i take it out, cut off ab out 3 or 4 inches of the out disc and put it back? or is there a better way? Or - should I just leave it along and let it grow as it wants too

Beautiful tones the purples blues greens look just beautiful together.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

Just another interesting top-down shot. This time it's the back corner of the softie rock.

For me, one of the biggest challenges with a mixed reef is keeping the softies away form the stony corals. They generally dont pay nice.

I'm really diggin' the way everytnign is growing together

 

[Duzzy]

Just another interesting top-down shot. This time it's the back corner of the softie rock.

For me, one of the biggest challenges with a mixed reef is keeping the softies away form the stony corals. They generally dont pay nice.

I'm really diggin' the way everytnign is growing together

Beautiful

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

CHOP CHOP! the Chalice in the back corner was getting out of control - it had grown to reach the back wall side glass and was generally just getting too dominant. So I slice off about 3 or 4 inches off the circumference

This is the tool i used - got it off Amazon - it worked pretty good



once I cut the part that was wrapped around some other coral and rock, the entire chalice, with its;' base rock came out in one big piece.



here is how it looked before, and after it was removed




This is AFTER removing about 3 to 4 inches off its circumference . Its till pretty bi, but not completely taking over the entire back corner

All the frags that where worth saving... Space Invader chalice for days. LOL

 

[CBonito]

Mighty fine haircut! lol

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

Mighty fine haircut! lol

thank you - it w3as the first time I personally had to do this sort thing with a chalice of this size. it was definitely a change.

The fact that, les than a week later it already healing up, tells me that I'll likely have to to this ever 4 or 5 months going forward

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

I just realized you can embed Instagram content - LOL

I post often about this tank and thought I would share a few relatively recent posts that feature the coral growth in this tank.




If you are on IG, you can follow us here:

https://www.instagram.com/vivid_creative_aquatics/

 

[Adamc13o3]

The light has worked really well - i run it about 14 to 15in off the water, and it spread out nicely.

My only criticism at this point is I would like just a tad bit more shimmer. not much, just a little.

As a single light, it was been amazing for 2 years, but will is time to either add a second SKY or some supplemental lighting to fill in some of the shade being created by coral growth.

EDIT: please ignore dirty glass - havent cleaned it for a few days - LOL

Did you ever take PAR measurements? We basically have the same size tank and same light. I also mounted it 14" off the water like you did (a lot was inspired by your build lighting wise). I got a PAR meter today and the most I can get out of it is 275 at 100% dead center I would say half way down in my tank which would be the top of my rock work. Here's a picture for reference. It's a new tank so no coral yet, I got the meter in preparation.


Thanks,

Adam

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

Did you ever take PAR measurements? We basically have the same size tank and same light. I also mounted it 14" off the water like you did (a lot was inspired by your build lighting wise). I got a PAR meter today and the most I can get out of it is 275 at 100% dead center I would say half way down in my tank which would be the top of my rock work. Here's a picture for reference. It's a new tank so no coral yet, I got the meter in preparation.


Thanks,

Adam

I did do a par test, and even created a map and everything. I hand wrote the measurements on a printed out photo so the tank, a few weeks after setup.

Unfortunately, I cant seem to find it. I'll look around for it.

But, if I remember correctly, i had similar readings - 275 yo 300 at the top. 200 to 150s mid way down , and 150 to 100 at the sand bed near the middle probably 100-80 in the back corners.

Here are some quick (crappy) photos of the tank this morning - light is currently very blue as it ramps up, but you can see, despite the lowish PAR numbers, coral is growing coral.

One thing I will say - at this point in this tanks life, it does needs more light coverage. The SKY is really good at coverage, but as a single point over the tank all the coral is now grown to face that one light.

it's time to add another one - just been procrastinating it.


EDIT: I like you light bar - once I decide on what the extra light will be (another SKY, or something lese to add to the sky) , I'll need to do something similar.

 

[badIuck]

Really like this tank, thinking about setting up a cube tank with RFG as well. How much distance do I have to keep between the RFGs and the surface or the sand to make sure they won't suck any sand or air?
I want to use four 3/4" RFGs on the bottom of a 90x90x60 cube tank and maybe on the return line. I should be able to somewhat hide the RFGs with rockwork towards the viewing sides. Something like this. The visible sketch in the top view represents rockwork:

Only thing I am afraid of is the RFGs sucking sand.

Thanks in advance!

 

[badIuck]

No feedback on required distance from 3/4" RFG to sand to prevent them from sucking sand? Also from the water surface so they don't suck in air? @Vivid Creative Aquatics
Cheers

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

No feedback on required distance from 3/4" RFG to sand to prevent them from sucking sand? Also from the water surface so they don't suck in air? @Vivid Creative Aquatics
Cheers

Sorry - been super busy.

It would definably be a conserve, but since there are not moving parts in side an RFG, it would be a minor concern. I think the bigger concern would the sand it would blow about. The RFG will randomly redirect the flow in what looks like a pulsing action at about a 30 degree angle from the tip of the RFG. If the RFG in your setup are not pointed upwards at least 30 degrees, then you will se it "sweep": the sand bed a bit and kick it up.

I would set those RFGs in Stand pipes, and try and bring them close to the center of the water column. That will do better in terms of creating movement thoughtout the entire tank.

I also think they will do better with at eat 1 segment of Loc-Line between the Y fitting an the RFG itself. OR, if you use a 3-way PVC Y, then you could use out Multidapter and no extra Loc-line The 3/4in Flow Kit coms with two different Multidpater - on for 3/4in PVC and the other for 1in PVC pipe sockets

 

[badIuck]

Sorry - been super busy.

It would definably be a conserve, but since there are not moving parts in side an RFG, it would be a minor concern. I think the bigger concern would the sand it would blow about. The RFG will randomly redirect the flow in what looks like a pulsing action at about a 30 degree angle from the tip of the RFG. If the RFG in your setup are not pointed upwards at least 30 degrees, then you will se it "sweep": the sand bed a bit and kick it up.

I would set those RFGs in Stand pipes, and try and bring them close to the center of the water column. That will do better in terms of creating movement thoughtout the entire tank.

I also think they will do better with at eat 1 segment of Loc-Line between the Y fitting an the RFG itself. OR, if you use a 3-way PVC Y, then you could use out Multidapter and no extra Loc-line The 3/4in Flow Kit coms with two different Multidpater - on for 3/4in PVC and the other for 1in PVC pipe sockets

Thanks for coming back to me. Of course I would be playing around with Locline segments and angles in order to prevent the actual random stream of waterflow from blowing around my sand. I also get that it won't hurt the RFGs if they suck some sand but I am wondering what a safe distance from the water surface or sandbed is to prevent sucking air or sand at your suggested flow rates for the 3/4 nozzle.

The idea about the positioning of my closed loop outlets stems from inspiration I got from swissreefer on instagram and youtube. I just wanted to add the RFG aspect. Especially so I don't have to use such large outlets to get the water moving.
If it doesn't work out at all I could still reconfigure to standpipes and try to hide those within my rockwork. But I think the flow going from the bottom to the top could work out nicely especially when corals start growing out towards the light.