50 gallon cube SPS dominant

[cpark645]

Hi r2r,

I picked up this hobby mid december of 2016, and really having a blast so far. I'm very happy that there's such a large and friendly group of people on forums like this that are so helpful and supportive. I've definitely made some classic newbie mistakes but it's made me stronger and I'll probably continue to make mistakes but I'd like to share what I have done so far.

Here's the list of my equipment:
50 cube, I think it's an SCA but I'm not sure. Bought it used at a LFS.
Aqua Excel DC-6500 return pump
Jebao pp-8 powerhead
Jebao wp-25 powerhead
Eheim 300w heater
Radion gen 3 pro
bubble magus curve 5
BRS dual media reactor with GFO and carbon
Reefkeeper lite (Just for controlling heaters)
Tunze Osmolator 3155 ATO
Hospira Plum XL3 infusion pump for dosing alk and calcium


Cleaned up, placed in my living room!!

The tank only has 2 holes drilled on the bottom, and I wanted a herbie setup. I had to layout the return line externally. Not the prettiest, but gets the job done.

Herbie overflow.

Sump.

About 30 pounds of live rock from LFS.

First attempts of aquascaping.

Just winged it. Made 2 separate islands, but they're really close together. Wish I bought a bigger tank already!

40 pounds of live sand going in.

It's happening!!

Water in, preliminary ATO setup on the left.

My sump, about to become even messier. The middle part is holding matrix rock.

BRS reactors and skimmer in.

Light is here!

 

[cpark645]

Long fin clown and Inkdots picasnow. Got it from Superclownfish, a breeder from Illinois.

Line of inverts, Tiger conch, Nessarius and a hermit. My nessarius is evil and lazy.

Rainbow acans, bad picture though.

Yasha goby!

The hospira XL3 plum infusion pumps. They are infusion pumps that are used in hospitals for IVs. Very happy with it, thanks to @twilliard and @morpheas for their recommendation and guidance!

Full tank shots as of 2/19/17.

 

[morpheas]

Looks really cool buddy. You're putting in some thought. Glad the pumps are working for you!

 

[cpark645]

#reef2reef, #worldwidecorals, #mywwccontest

 

[Reeftang]

Doesnt look like SCA tank. Regarding the lighting, did you buy that new?

 

[Water Dog]

Totally looks like a CadLights Versa 60 cube.

 

[cpark645]

Doesnt look like SCA tank. Regarding the lighting, did you buy that new?

I bought it used on ebay.

Totally looks like a CadLights Versa 60 cube.

I just looked up that tank, and measured the dimensions of my tank.. and I think you're right haha. Man this whole time I thought it was 50 gallons.

 

[Reeftang]

how do you like this lighting on this tank?

 

[cpark645]

how do you like this lighting on this tank?

To be honest, there's a lot of shading. I wish I had some T5 supplements.

 

[Reeftang]

any recommendations?

 

[cpark645]

any recommendations?

In terms of lighting? I think the radion is OK but it doesn't get that full coverage like T5s probably would. But it's too soon to tell how good or bad it is. This tank has only been up for 2 months.

 

[Reeftang]

In terms of lighting? I think the radion is OK but it doesn't get that full coverage like T5s probably would. But it's too soon to tell how good or bad it is. This tank has only been up for 2 months.

Thanks!

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Cool! I like the scape!

 

[cpark645]

Thanks!

No problem. Are you setting up a cube?

Cool! I like the scape!

Thanks!

 

[Reeftang]

No problem. Are you setting up a cube?

Yes, going for the SCA 50gal.

 

[cpark645]

Yes, going for the SCA 50gal.

nice. gl with it. Make a build thread!

 

[Reeftang]

nice. gl with it. Make a build thread!

Thanks! But at this point im torn again between that SCA 50gal or CADlight 60gal, can't make up my mind.

 

[cpark645]

Haven't updated in quite a while... I really need to learn to take good pictures, but here's some crappy iphone pics!

 

[truepercs]

That area you have for zoas is going to look very nice when that fills in...

 

[cpark645]

Decided to build a canopy so I can supplement my radions with T5s. Since I run a cube my canopy is a 2x2 square that I built out of 1/2'' thick poplar and some basic molding I found at home depot.

Since I have some ceiling speakers right above my tank, I didn't want to hang it from the ceiling... so I bought some heavy duty wall brackets for wall shelfs, mounted a wall shelf and hung the lights from the shelf.

Inspired from this post:

https://blog.marinedepot.com/2014/05/led-and-t5-hybrid-my-ultimate-lighting.html