Starting my new 30x30 sps...

[Maoiwowie]

Back in 2017 i took down this tank and bought a sailboat. I love sailing and still have the boat but ive been feeling the pull to start a new tank for some time now and decided to take the plunge. I just ordered a new tank from the Glasscages and hope to be back to this place in short order. Everyone is invited to follow along...

 

[Sean Clark]

Tell us about it! What are you thinking that you will be doing the same or differently this time?

 

[Maoiwowie]

Sean... Just dusted off the old equipment. Going to keep most everything the same except im going to use 1 Radion G5 30 instead of the 250 Radium with T5s i had on the old tank. I havent followed the hobby for years and have noticed a lot of changes... among them RC is dead on arrival and that everything is more expensive.
I have my old RO XP-2000ext which will be at the heart of the system connected to a new Trigger Sapphire20C. Calcium and alk will be maintained by my old AvastMarine DIY calcium reactor with a second chamber. Ive been catching up on any new tech i might be missing, but nothing of note so far. I hope my years of experience will carry me this time without killing a lot of animals.

Another photo of the old tank to keep me focused...

And one of SV Mirabella riding into the sunset...

 

[Sean Clark]

Looks like you are off to a great start equipment wise so the $$$ shouldn't be that bad. Those acros, so many acros. I see a square bottom skimmate locker, it has been a while. Good thing you kept all of that gear. Keep us posted. I am excited for you.

 

[Joe Glass Cages]

Back in 2017 i took down this tank and bought a sailboat. I love sailing and still have the boat but ive been feeling the pull to start a new tank for some time now and decided to take the plunge. I just ordered a new tank from the Glasscages and hope to be back to this place in short order. Everyone is invited to follow along...
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Thanks so much for your support @Maoiwowie

Cant wait to see it all come together!

 

[Maoiwowie]

Quick little update... Tank is on order and will be here in a few weeks. In the meantime im slowly getting the hardware to spec and working on the scape. Gonna do it a little different this time around... What does your overflow look like?

I generally like my tanks walk around, so i like my overflows in the "center". I usually keep my tanks not against a wall so we can have 4 viewing sides. By the way what you see is my old GC30x30 im retiring.

 

[Sean Clark]

Looks interesting. Is that also going to be support for rockwork?

 

[Dom]

Chomping at the bit to build a cube aquarium. Expensive when they are new. Been looking 2nd hand.

 

[Maoiwowie]

Yes... actually the overflow will have a dry rock skin...

 

[Maoiwowie]

Chomping at the bit to build a cube aquarium. Expensive when they are new. Been looking 2nd hand.

Yeah... i love the geometry i guess. Havent looked at a rectangle since. This old 30x30 is just beat up now and unfortunately has scratches.

 

[Maoiwowie]

So the dry rock skin is finished. At some point the rock work should be completely covered with sps. Here is a photo under my G5Radion30. What i find cool is the triangle opening under the rock work where the light shines through; im gonna try some lps in that area, which is new to me. My next step is to give the overflow a bleach bath for a week. The rocks have been passed down for years and needs a thorough cleaning before final placement. In case anyone is wondering, the pipe coming through the overflow will eventually be connected to the return pump so there should be very little evidence of plumbing inside the tank when all said and done. I plan to go bare-bottom starboard.

 

[Maoiwowie]

Some more pics with the finished return designed into the overflow. Ill be putting more dry rock skin on the remaining return parts once it is in place.

 

[Maoiwowie]

Update: Rockwork/overflow... just finished the chlorine soak for a week, now it is sitting in freshly made saltwater and will remain there until the new tank arrives, perhaps another 4 weeks tops. I also ordered some new florida live rock out of Liverocknreef.com. New rock should be arriving in 2 to 3 weeks. Next on the agenda is hardware plumbing.

 

[Maoiwowie]

Small update... Plumbing is basically finished and the live rock is curing. All necessary equipment bought and ready to install. Now just waiting for the new tank to arrive from the Glasscages! I am so lucky to be able to do this and live a life of relative peace...

 

[Sean Clark]

This is new to me... is this a custom threaded uniseal port that you added to this elbow?

 

[Maoiwowie]

This is new to me... is this a custom threaded uniseal port that you added to this elbow?
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Yes... I custom drilled it out and placed a rubber seal which will hold the sump return line (3/4") that snakes through the overflow. I am using a Vectra S2. My biggest pet peeve is any wiring or plumbing that looks unnatural in the tank so I am trying to do everything to keep that to a minimum. This tank will be a 360 walk around and i really want all 4 viewing sides to be interesting with little obstruction. And im going to have all the reefing life support equipment (sump, skimmer, etc.) exposed as shown to be part of the conversation with viewers.

 

[truepercs]

I like the walk around idea. wont you still have to deal with pumps/wire for flow? what is plan to hide in the tank?

 

[Sean Clark]

4:30 in Minnesota don't 'cha know. Tells yours folks I says hellos. Go Packers and...

 

[Sean Clark]

Yes I know Vikings... I was channeling someone else.

 

[Maoiwowie]

I like the walk around idea. wont you still have to deal with pumps/wire for flow? what is plan to hide in the tank?

Well... unfortunately, we all have to make some compromises and mine is gonna be using the Ecotechs and going barebottom. I plan to use 3 MP40s maybe MP10s or a combo placed along the bottom of one panel on the side where my equipment sits so hopefully will appear somewhat blended in. MPs being placed on the bottom where the sand would have been wont distract too much hopefully.