Octo LUX T90

[PR_nano]

Hello reefers,

I decided to document the progress of the new reef. I went with the Reef Octopus Octo LUX T90 system which is advertised as an "All in One". There aren't many build threads on these tanks, so I hope to capture lots of details for anyone interested in them or that wants to follow along.

Tank - Glass 35"L x 18"W x 18"H with a tank volume of 48 gallons​

Stand - MDF and laminate measuring 39.5"H​

Sump - OS-30B acrylic 30"L x 12"W x 16"H​

Return Pump – AQ-3000 925 GPH max flow​

Protein Skimmer – Reef Octopus 6” Classic 150INT​

Additional equipment

Light - Maxspect Razor X 150w with the ICV6​

Flow – Maxspect XF330, Ecotech MP10, (3rd TBD but likely Tunze Wavebox 6208)​

Heater -Eheim JAGER 150W​

ATO – Tunze Osmolator 3155​

Controller/Dosing – Apex A2/DOS​

There are two things that I don't like but weren’t deal breakers:

The included slim water reservoir, which is integrated in the back panel only has a 1.5-gallon capacity. I plan to use my 5-gallon IM reservoir.​

The other is the included flexi tubing which I converted the drains to hard tubing. Reef Octopus uses metric instead of imperial for this tank. (32mm) for drains and (25mm) for return.​

As of today, the tanks have been running for over 24hours on RODI without any leaks. I had 2 previous ones and ended up using a product recommended here called “Plasto-Joint Stick”. I will always use this product for any plastic thread. Total game changer.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[PR_nano]

Slow progress but moving along. System is salty:

Salt at 1.026. Tropical Marine Pro
Sand 30lbs Tropic Eden Tonga Miniflakes
Rock ~40lbs Tropic Eden Morroca + Real Reef branch
Water volume is ~50 gallons after displacement.


Waiting for water to clear a bit and officially start cycling.
Dr Tim One and Only + Ammonium Chloride.


Replaced the filter sock with a Redsea filter cup.

 

[PR_nano]

Day 7 of Dr Tim Fishless cycle. Yesterday was the first day I saw a slight change on Ammonia reading.


Assembled a cabinet for electronics and dry goods. Plan to assemble the IM lid and work on initial fish stock list tomorrow.

 

[PR_nano]

Still cycling... I did get a new Tunze ATO and Tunze Wavebox for the build.



Narrow down the likely fish inhabitants to:

1. Pink Streaked Wrasse (transfer)
2. Red firefish (transfer)
3. Royal Gramma
4. Radiant Wrasse
5. Pygmy Angel

Also order the TBS Treasure Chest Pico Package to increase bio-diversity. Unfortunately, it’s back order and estimate shipping date is about a month out.

In the meantime enjoying the nano and figuring out which of the corals will transfer over.

 

[PR_nano]

Moving along with the tank progress after a 2 week road trip (4 states 2k miles) that put the reef on pause.

I managed to build the IM diy mesh kit frame and set up the Maxspect RSX 150 light and schedule. The reef should be getting some biodiversity from the TBS rock that will be arriving later this week along with a pods order from Florida Pets.

Decided to remove the Wavebox and got another gyre instead. It was a bit too bulky and loud for the tank. Still haven’t decided if I want to use the nano stream that comes in the Wavebox or the MP10 Iaying around as the third pump.

 

[JAC's Reef]

I have been looking at this tank for a while now. Seems to be the only one with those dimensions close to the IM 30L i will be replacing in my son's bedroom. There is like nothing on this tank to research. I am glad someone is posting progress and would like to follow this complete thread. Thank you for starting this post.

 

[JAC's Reef]

Day 7 of Dr Tim Fishless cycle. Yesterday was the first day I saw a slight change on Ammonia reading.


Assembled a cabinet for electronics and dry goods. Plan to assemble the IM lid and work on initial fish stock list tomorrow.

is this cabinet wood or metal ?

 

[PR_nano]

I am glad someone is posting progress and would like to follow this complete thread. Thank you for starting this post.

Glad the thread could help and you can follow along. More progress to come…

is this cabinet wood or metal ?

The aquarium stand is made out of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) and laminate it’s pretty solid and heavy so not your typical IKEA MDF. The small cabinet is from IKEA and will be used to hold my electronics for the aquarium.

 

[PR_nano]

Received the TBS Pico Treasure chest package. It included 3lb of nano premium rock, 3lbs of nano base rock, 3lbs of sand and 2 hermit and 2 asters snails, also got the Pods from Florida Pets.

The Box

Well packed and ice packed, good thing since the package spend 12 hours in the UPS truck.

The content


The rocks - Nano base


The rocks - Nano Premium




The Sand and Pods


The first small frag that has been living in the reef approximate 3 weeks now. Going to see if I get time to transfer a few other soft corals this weekend.

 

[PR_nano]

Reef going thru ugly phase, lots of Diotoms in the sand and glass. Preparing some water for a nice water change tomorrow.

I also did a couple of test today and elements are all over the place. I see lots of water changes and testing in the near future.

• Alkalinity 6.0, dosed this morning ESV part A 10ml, needed 22ml for 7.0 but splitting in 2 days
• Calcium 500+, partially my fault should have measured first, dosed same amount for ESV part B 10ml Good thing there are no LPS yet…
• Nitrate 7.5
• Phosphate .159 need to bring it down but the nano runs similarly
• Magnesium 1500+

Plan to go to the LFS Sunday and pickup some CUC, likely blue leg hermits and various snails I like Cerith and Trochus likely pick up a few Astrea and Nassarius. Not too many as there still no fish…

 

[LiverockRocks]

Received the TBS Pico Treasure chest package. It included 3lb of nano premium rock, 3lbs of nano base rock, 3lbs of sand and 2 hermit and 2 asters snails, also got the Pods from Florida Pets.

The Box

Well packed and ice packed, good thing since the package spend 12 hours in the UPS truck.

The content


The rocks - Nano base


The rocks - Nano Premium




The Sand and Pods


The first small frag that has been living in the reef approximate 3 weeks now. Going to see if I get time to transfer a few other soft corals this weekend.

Thanks for being an awesome customer to work with.
Rock on.

 

[PR_nano]

Order from Dr Reef came in Tuesday, unfortunately one of the four didn’t make it by the next morning. Luckily he offers 3 days guaranteed in most of his fish. Now trying to decide if I want the credit or replacement. This is in part because the fish I order wasn’t the one sent. Ordered a Cherub Angelfish and got a an Orangeback Angelfish.

Dr Reef order and acclamation process


Some minor chasing between these two and I still need to get the pink streaked wrasse out of the nano and in here. That’s looking to be more difficult that I envisioned.

Redfire fish with a nice long dorsal. Really like this reef safe fish.

Royal Gramma wakes up before light turn on expecting food.

Still not sure if this will turn out to be the Yellowfin flasher wrasse I ordered or another variation of the Paracheilinus wrasse genus. Other possibilities are Carpenter wrasse likely, Mcoscker Wrasse, or Yellowfin wrasse. I guess it’s too juvenile to determine yet.


Plan to do a small water change to clean up the sump a bit. Parameters are getting better but there still some adjustments to be made before I move some corals.
Alk 8.7
Ca 495
Nitrates 0 (Dosing NeoNitro and been feeding 3 times a day)
Phosphate .04

Almost forgot, but also got the order from John (Reef cleaner). Around 20 or so clean up crew with a combination of Blue legged hermit, Astrea, Cerith, Nassarius, Trochus snail, & the most entertaining Conch.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Order from Dr Reef came in Tuesday, unfortunately one of the four didn’t make it by the next morning. Luckily he offers 3 days guaranteed in most of his fish. Now trying to decide if I want the credit or replacement. This is in part because the fish I order wasn’t the one sent. Ordered a Cherub Angelfish and got a an Orangeback Angelfish.

Dr Reef order and acclamation process


Some minor chasing between these two and I still need to get the pink streaked wrasse out of the nano and in here. That’s looking to be more difficult that I envisioned.

Redfire fish with a nice long dorsal. Really like this reef safe fish.

Royal Gramma wakes up before light turn on expecting food.

Still not sure if this will turn out to be the Yellowfin flasher wrasse I ordered or another variation of the Paracheilinus wrasse genus. Other possibilities are Carpenter wrasse likely, Mcoscker Wrasse, or Yellowfin wrasse. I guess it’s too juvenile to determine yet.


Plan to do a small water change to clean up the sump a bit. Parameters are getting better but there still some adjustments to be made before I move some corals.
Alk 8.7
Ca 495
Nitrates 0 (Dosing NeoNitro and been feeding 3 times a day)
Phosphate .04

Almost forgot, but also got the order from John (Reef cleaner). Around 20 or so clean up crew with a combination of Blue legged hermit, Astrea, Cerith, Nassarius, Trochus snail, & the most entertaining Conch.

Some great additions!

 

[PR_nano]

Alk currently at 8, consuming about .2 Alk or ~4.5ml of ESV part 1 per day.
P04 .03
N03 4.9
Ca 500

Just move the top 2 euphyllia corals (bi-color and yellow hammer) out of the nano and into the Lux T90. Thinking about swapping the Yellow and Pink one for better contrast and space.



Plan to bring in 2 easy SPS over.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Alk currently at 8, consuming about .2 Alk or ~4.5ml of ESV part 1 per day.

Just move the top 2 euphyllia corals (bi-color and yellow hammer) out of the nano and into the Lux T90. Thinking about swapping the Yellow and Pink one for better contrast and space.



Plan to bring in 2 easy SPS over and test nutrients.

Best of luck with adding the SPS coral!

 

[PR_nano]

Things have been going well with the tank. Euphyllia’s seem happy, Stylo too. Plan to introduce a few more SPS.






Parameters are
Alk 8.3
N03 4.4
P03 .03

This morning however, I saw a non reef safe gorilla crab in the display. Don’t want to kill it, so going to attempt to capture and place in the sump. Reading on best ways to trap it, any recommendations?

 

[PR_nano]

No luck catching the gorilla crab. Plan to resume placing the trap but only been able to catch Nassarius and hermit crabs…

Got a few more corals over.

OG Oregon tort
ARC Firework
TSA Princess Peach
WWC Yellow tip

Not sure which is the middle green/yellow one. It could be either CC Orion Belt or TSA Bill Murray.

Alk 7.9
N03 6.9
P04 0 (dosed 1ml of Flourish Phosphorus)

 

[SaltyWalty]

No luck catching the gorilla crab. Plan to resume placing the trap but only been able to catch Nassarius and hermit crabs…

Got a few more corals over.

OG Oregon tort
ARC Firework
TSA Princess Peach
WWC Yellow tip

Not sure which is the middle green/yellow one. It could be either CC Orion Belt or TSA Bill Murray.

Alk 7.9
N03 6.9
P04 0 (dosed 1ml of Flourish Phosphorus)

Tank is looking good! Can’t wait to see how it fills in!

 

[PR_nano]

Getting some diatoms hopefully it’s from all the tiles I added without rinsing them. Order an ICP test to see where things are but parameters today are:

Alk 8.1 (Hanna)
P04 .04 (Hanna)
N03 8.8 (Hanna)
Ca 500+ can't get a reading with (Salifert)

Picked up a few snails and some dry goods at the LFS. Wife got a Space Invader chalice, still acclimating.