New foray into the Cube Life!

[klondike4001]

Been on here a while, and have gone through a few reefs over the years. This is my first build thread on R2R.

The Specs

• 28” Cube, Euro-braced, with a Reef Synergy Overflow.
• Custom Stand, with Electronics/Controller panel build in.
• Custom 24" Elite Aquatics sump done in Smoked Gray and Dark Blue Acrylic, with a matching ATO Reservoir.

Water Movement

• Simplicity DC2100 (Waiting for the new COR Pump from Neptune)
• Dual Ecotech MP40w QD’s controlled by a WXM

Lighting

• A single Radion XR30w Pro Gen 4 controlled via an Apex WXM

Controller

• Controlled by a Classic Neptune Apex, 2 EB8's and a WXM Module
• A Neptune ATK is being used for ATO control, with an added Leak Detector (for peace of mind)

Temperature Control

• Cooling hasn't appeared to be an issue as of yet.
• The system is heated with a Finnex TH Deluxe Titanium Heating Element

Filtration

• Skimmer is a NYOS Quantum 160
• AQUAMAXX Biopellet Reactor is used for Nitrate control
• AQUAMAXX Media reactor is installed but not currently in use (Either Rowaphos, or Carbon depending on need)

The Planning phase

I run a small maintenance company so I've learned over the past decade just what I want, and don't want in my own personal system. Ease of access is paramount in the majority of my thoughts and plans.

Plumbing was planned out, to a T.

Tank was of course leak tested for several days.

 

[Jepprox]

Been on here a while, and have gone through a few reefs over the years. This is my first build thread on R2R.

The Specs

28” Cube, Euro-braced, with a Reef Synergy Overflow.

Custom Stand, with Electronics panel build in.

Custom 24" Elite Aquatics sump done in Smoked Gray and Dark Blue Acrylic, with a Matching ATO Reservoir.

Water Movement is a Simplicity DC2100 (Waiting for the new COR Pump from Neptune)

Dual Ecotech MP40w QD’s controlled by a WXM

Lighting is a single Radion XR30w Pro Gen 4.

The entire system is controlled and monitored via an Apex

The Planning phase

I run a small maintenance company so I've learned over the past decade just what I want, and don't want in my own personal system. Ease of access is paramount in the majority of my thoughts and plans.

Plumbing was planned out, to a T.

Tank was of course leak tested for several days.

Very clean build! I like the fact the stand is similar to the cube look. Neat feature with the pull out shelf. Following.

-jeff

 

[klondike4001]

I ran out of usable growing space in my last build, so I made sure that wouldn't be the case here.

Fill day, always a fun day when proper precations have been taken.

Keeping all my electronics in order (not quite done yet...)

Something I had to have in order to make maintenance and testing a lot easier...

Some mood lighting.

Making sure the new lighting is dead center!

And the tank today, I should actually have enough free time this weekend to hang my DOS and get this thing humming as it should! Everything is still acclimating to the new lighting.

Sump Area

 

[klondike4001]

Very clean build! I like the fact the stand is similar to the cube look. Neat feature with the pull out shelf. Following.

-jeff

Thank you!

 

[FLAdaboy]

Nice build

 

[klondike4001]

Nice build

Thank you

 

[shaggydoo]

Very impressive planning and execution. Following along to see the progress

 

[klondike4001]

Very impressive planning and execution. Following along to see the progress

Thank you for the compliment!

 

[Sahin]

Nice build. I'm sure I remember your username from RC from years back. Going to follow closely.

 

[Sahin]

What are you dosing?
Are you running some form of biopellets?
What are the PO4 and NO3 levels?
What NO3 and PO4 levels are you shooting for?
What is the intended or actual fish list?

 

[klondike4001]

What are you dosing?
Are you running some form of biopellets?
What are the PO4 and NO3 levels?
What NO3 and PO4 levels are you shooting for?
What is the intended or actual fish list?

Nice build. I'm sure I remember your username from RC from years back. Going to follow closely.

More than likely, did a few builds on RC back in the day.

Yes biopellets, as is right now both are 0, I am feeding the corals 4 times per week.

Fish list will be wrasse heavy. Radiant, Leopards, McCosker's, Yellow Coris, maybe a Long Fin Fairy.

A few other small Gobys.

 

[klondike4001]

Update:

Things are progressing nicely and I’m just now starting to get my brown algae bloom, with the addition of ZEObak and Biodigest I have to admit it’s hardly anything compared to algae blooms I've had in the past with new startups.


CUC was added, a mix of Mexican Redleg Hermits, Nassarius, and Cerith Snails.


Polyp extension has been phenomenal throughout this transition and light acclimation period, looking forward to getting pieces mounted appropriately and letting everything get settled.


I’ve been feeding Reef Roids 2-3x per week to make sure my corals don’t starve with the lack of fish.


Hopefully I can get to that after my hunting trip next weekend.


In QT/2nd System right now:

1 x Male McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus mccoskeri)

1 x Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris)

1 x Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)



Later List to hopefully include,

· Radiant Wrasse (Halichoeres iridis)

· Yellow Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus) *Male Preferred*

· Helfrichi Firefish (Nemateleotris helfrichi)

· Rainford Goby (Koumansetta rainfordi)

· Randall's Anthias (Pseudanthias randalli)

· Dragonface Pipefish (Corythoichthys sp.)

The fish list is not complete, but I don’t plan on many large fish.


Included in this post is a current state of the tank photo.

 

[TonyGugino]

Beautiful build, will be following!

Did you build that stand yourself? I am looking for something new for my 60 cube and yours looks great!!

 

[klondike4001]

Beautiful build, will be following!

Did you build that stand yourself? I am looking for something new for my 60 cube and yours looks great!!

Thank you, no I haven't had the time to sleep recently, let alone build a stand. I had my local custom tank builder put together the stand for me as well.

 

[klondike4001]

What a week! Between one of the busiest weeks of my life at work, a sick kid, and now a sick wife to top it all off. I haven't had time to do anything except test my water to make sure parameters stay in check and feed the coral.

Today the first non-invertebrate inhabitant was added to the tank.

I (fortunately) had enough time to squeeze in a water change and get some of the coral placement started.

 

[klondike4001]

Update as of 12/3/17

Fish Inhabitants as of today:
1 x Male McCosker's Flasher Wrasse (Paracheilinus mccoskeri)
1 x Leopard Wrasse (Macropharyngodon meleagris)
1 x Tomini Tang (Ctenochaetus tominiensis)
1 x Yellow Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus)
1 x Yellowstripe Tuka Anthias (Pseudanthias tuka)
1 x Purple Queen Anthias (Pseudanthias pascalus
1 x Ruby Red Dragonet (Synchiropus sp.)
2 x Dispar Anthias (Pseudanthias dispar)






Thanks for checking in!

 

[klondike4001]

Update 12/31/17

Last update of the year, I am fully into the ugly stage of my cycle, dealing with various algae types from week to week, should be over and done with in the next 2 weeks or so.

Brought my 2nd reactor online (Phosphate removal via Rowaphos) today.

I won't post any FTS or shots of the tank as it's currently not photo worthy.

Once the algae dies down I'll be posting more pictures, and start growth progression compliations.

So far since starting up the tank I've had to triple my alk dosing to keep up with demand, and coraline had already started on a few of the branches.

These have been no new fish additions and probably won't be for the next few months while things balance out, and acclimate.


I hope you all have a Happy New Year!

 

[klondike4001]

Wow, so I've been really lazy updating this, so for starters, a FTS!


Sunday afternoon regimen.


Lighting had an upgrade, and I am enjoying it thoroughly. I combined a Ecotech XR30 diffuser and a 24" Aquatic Life hybrid fixture.


Livestock is flourishing.


I may have gone a bit crazy on Jason Fox's last live sale...


Everything is acclimating quite nicely.