Aquarium Obsessed 60 gallon Starphire Über-Cube

[fjr_wertheimber]

Okay, so for those of you who've been following along, I was the owner of The Tank Previously Known as "The Muscle Cube". Which, really, was a fantastic tank. I loved it (still do), it grew everything great, colors were fantastic... but... well, you know how it is. After a while you start looking at bigger tanks and thinking, "if only..." If only I could fit more corals... If only I didn't have to worry about getting rid of my white cheeked tang so soon... If only...

Well, I was over at a fellow reefer's house last week picking up an Aquacontroller, Jr. from him, when I spotted one of my favorite tanks, a 60 gallon cube. (Side note: I love cubes. Don't quite know why, but I think they're just such cool tanks.) Custom Ace-built overflow, beautiful shape, really exactly what I'd been looking (wishing) for. I mentioned as much to the owner who stated, "Well, I was thinking about selling it if you're interested..." After a bit of talking he offered me an INSANELY good deal for the tank, a 400 watt halide setup, tons of plumbing, sand and rock. Like INSANE deal, as in "I think I need to call a pshrink for this guy... after I get the tank to my place, of course."

So then the next obstacle came to be the lack of a stand. You see, it'd been an in-wall setup at his house. So, I posted on MAAST that I was looking for a stand. Lo and behold I got a message from another MAASTard offering me ANOTHER insane deal on a GORGEOUS metal stand that he'd had made for his 60 cube (albeit his is Starphire glass... :wub:) that just happened to be the EXACT size I'd been looking for (24" x 24" by 36" high). OH, and then, he just happened to have a custom sump that he'd gotten from another MAASTard that just happened to fit perfectly in the stand that was exactly what I was looking for.

Okay, so tank: check... stand: check... lights: check... Skimmer? Found another MAASTard with one of my faves, a Euro-Reef RS100 at yet ANOTHER insanely good price. Return pump? Eheim 1262 at (yet again) insanely good price. Flow? Well, I've got an MP20 which is supposed to be good enough for up to a 70... but good enough just isn't, well, good enough. If only I could find someone to trade with who has an MP40w that's too much for their tank... what's that? Oh, yeah, found one of those, too.

So, here's what we're looking at so far:
Tank: Ocean View custom 60 gallon cube
Stand: Custom metal stand
Sump: Custom sump (20" x 22" x 16" with built-in refugium)
Skimmer: Euro-Reef RS100
Flow: Two Tunze modded 6025, Vortech MP40w
Return pump: Eheim 1262
Lighting: Lumen Max reflector, mogul 400w with XM 20,000K (Radium 20,000K on the way), magnetic ballast

Yes, pics are on the way shortly... Although, I might have a slight kink in the works. I'd planned on skinning the stand, but on seeing how pretty it is, I think I might have to get it powdercoated and show it off instead.

A few thanks (in no particular order) for their help, encouragement, insane prices, and sage advice: Dozer, cpreefguy, Bruce @ Aquatek, MissT @ River City, Dblackmon, and J_G. Without you guys I wouldn't have gotten this far (at least not anytime soon).

[cpreefguy]

You're on your way!
I can't wait to see your tank in the near future, it's like my dream realized! :D

[verynewatthis]

Sounds like everything is falling into place for you. Gratz buddy, and hope to see it soon

Rich

Stay Cav

[fjr_wertheimber]

Can you say "tight fit"? LOL Seriously, I think there's about 2mm of clearance around the skimmer, if that.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPLeHGKlQaI/AAAAAAAAAjM/7B256CcHgAM/s800/IMG_9355.JPG

Everything packed in the car. Gotta love big American iron, I'd like to see you fit this much stuff in a Lexus! LMAO
http://lh4.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPLfBJh1JWI/AAAAAAAAAjk/gPEDC4bBhEA/s800/IMG_9347.JPG

Keeping the live rock, well, "live".
http://lh5.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPLeydgdvOI/AAAAAAAAAjc/Tyiy05RpmrQ/s800/IMG_9350.JPG

[fjr_wertheimber]

Thanks, Sean, Rich. Hey Rich, which Cav unit are you with? I noticed your sig is "Stay Cav"; you a retention NCO or career counselor?

[fjr_wertheimber]

Oh, and everyone wish me luck tomorrow. I'm going around to various powder coaters hoping to find someone who'll do it quickly and at a halfway decent price. If possible I'm hoping to find someone who'll do the frame in RAL3001, aka "Rosso Corso" aka "Ferrari Red"... I've decided rather than hiding the frame/tank within the room by making it blend it, I want it to be a centerpoint of the room, so I'm thinking nice bright frame with smoked glass or plexi inserts.

[cpreefguy]

You can seriously fit a 4x2x2 120 g in that back seat, that was an incredible sight

[fjr_wertheimber]

LOL The other day a couple of my Soldiers were teasing me about the size of the car, and I noticed one of them staring rather intently at the back seat. I asked him what he was thinking, and he turned to the other guys and said, "Dude, you guys are stupid. Do you have any idea how many cheerleaders you could fit in the backseat of that thing?!??" I laughed so hard I just about wet myself.

[cpreefguy]

If you look up delvies-plastics on ebay, or here http://www.delviesplastics.com/
they quoted me $21 per custom cut 21"x33" sheet of acrylic that will fit into those openings, they were way cheaper than anyone else online.

[fjr_wertheimber]

What was the thickness on those sheets they quoted you?

[cpreefguy]

1/8"

[J_G]

Nice AJ. Well you finally did it. Nice catch on the 400W MH also. I wanna see the cheerleaders in the back seat.

[Euclid]

Nice AJ. Well you finally did it. Nice catch on the 400W MH also. I wanna see the cheerleaders in the back seat.

I can probably help with this... let me know

[verynewatthis]

AJ

Lol...im no reup NCO for sure...lol...im in 3BSTB
MI....ya ya...i know, yall dont have to say it...
im a 353T, where are you and what do you do?

i think i have Stay Cav because i started doing it to all my emails once the Cav made me mad..lol

you have got to add pics of this stand your talking about...before and after the powder

rich

Stay Cav

[J_G]

AJ

Lol...im no reup NCO for sure...lol...im in 3BSTB
MI....ya ya...i know, yall dont have to say it...
im a 353T, where are you and what do you do?

i think i have Stay Cav because i started doing it to all my emails once the Cav made me mad..lol

you have got to add pics of this stand your talking about...before and after the powder

rich

Stay Cav

WTH - Hey - we all speak english here.

[verynewatthis]

lol..to funny JG, from the guy that talks about 10 kind of people...lol


Stay Cav

[J_G]

yeah...but both kinds of people speak english...lol

[verynewatthis]

all right...to make sence of it for people that are not, or have never been military.

Cav = 1st Calvary Division
Reup = reenlistment
NCO = Non Commissioned Officer
3BSTB = 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion
MI = Military Intelligence
353T = Intelligence/Electronic Warfare Equipment Technician

hope this helps

Rich

Stay Cav

[cpreefguy]

Ok, Im starting to get the shakes... Need... Update....

[fjr_wertheimber]

Got the stand back from the powder coaters... Bumped into Garrett (addboy) at Lowe's while buying PVC. You'll have to ask him what he thought of it. I'll say this... it's RED. As in Ferrari/Fire Engine/OMFG that's RED, red.

I was hoping to get everything done with today, but it looks like my fish will have to survive one more night in their mini-cages (got everything in two 10 gallon tanks, two 18 gallon Rubbermaid, and a five gallon bucket) as I've still got to paint the back side of the tank, cut all the PVC, cut the base for the sump to sit on, and hook up the new 100gpd RO-DI unit to mix all the water I'm gonna need.

If I can find my stupid Compact Flash reader I'll post some (teaser) pics.

[dustint21]

Georgetown to Ft Hood everyday? That sucks! But If I evr need anything from Georgetown I know who to PM! LOL! You will have to swing by and give me a few pointers one day after work!

[cpreefguy]

Where did you go to get it powder coated? Did they do a good job?

[fjr_wertheimber]

I got it powder coated at Crosslink Texas Powder Coating (http://www.crosslinktexas.com/index.htm). I was very pleased with the job they did, they quoted me the same price that three other places did, they didn't charge me extra for a non-standard color, they mixed up a special batch just for me (they were only shooting white and beige today, so it's not like they had extra of my color sitting around), and they had it done by 1500, even though I dropped it off around 0930. A couple of small spots that need touchup, but that's not 'cause of them, it's areas that the media blasting showed some weak areas due to rust. One of the nice things about powder coating to match a car color (RAL 3002, original Ferrari Red circa the 1980s a la Magnum's Ferrari 308 GTSi) is that I can touch up with paint from an auto parts store and it'll match perfectly. :bigsmile:

[fjr_wertheimber]

Stuff:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPQqBdVDcKI/AAAAAAAAAkA/56Y6LRpXp_g/s800/IMG_9360.jpg

Like I said, it's RED (btw, those are reflections, not imperfections or scratches). For some reason in the pics it looks more orange than it really is. It's much more scarlet in person:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPQqFg7h2YI/AAAAAAAAAkE/7Le5ii3K6k8/s800/IMG_9363.jpg

[cpreefguy]

That looks gorgeous!
It looks like they did an awesome job

[fjr_wertheimber]

Yeah, I was really pleased with it. Everyone that's seen it has been impressed by it.

[dustint21]

Very clean! Love the red!

[mdavis735]

your car looks like my suburban when i hauled my 92 gallon corner tank,stand,canopy,sump,two skimmers,pumps,power heads,another 30 gallon tank,stand and canopy.crazy what a reefer with dt's can haul in a family vehicle.lol

[Texreefer]

Very nice, I love a very clean well put together setup.. I will have to stop by sometime and see it once its set up

[apedroza]

Looks awesome AJ. Can't wait to se it up and running!!

[fjr_wertheimber]

Okay, so a few new updates...

First off, ran into a bit of a problem. You see, the tank stand had been made to fit a rimless cube, so my current cube wouldn't fit. Two possible solutions to the problem: a) add a panel for the cube to sit on (not very aesthetically pleasing, and kind of negates the trouble of getting it all nicely powder coated, etc. or b) well, make sure the tank fits in the stand.

Which choice did I go with? Ummm...
http://lh3.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPWFawbqp-I/AAAAAAAAAkw/F7KtQ_rYZNs/s800/IMG_9366.JPG

Still need to clean the tank, do all the plumbing, etc. The poor fish/corals/inverts will have to put up with at least one more day of their mini-cages.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPWE__ssZ0I/AAAAAAAAAkk/dEENHmRw7vI/s800/IMG_9364.JPG

Mmmmmm... Starphire-y goodness...

[cpreefguy]

Definitely one sick set-up!

[fjr_wertheimber]

I'd like to thank Sean (cpreefguy) for not only the amazing deals on the stuff I got from him, but also for driving all the way up to Georgetown from San Marcos to help me move the tank. Thanks, Sean.

[J_G]

AJ - strap the lamp power cable to the back of one of the rails. You can do this by strapping it then using silicon beads over the cable. once the silicon is dry remove the straps. This will hold the cable invisibily. Can they power coat the top of the Luminarc reflector with heat resistive paint?

- John

[RayAllen]

Looks great; I do have a question though. Why is the light so far off the waters surface? It looks to be at least 20" or so in the pic. Are the arms adjustable to lower it?

[RayAllen]

Never mind, now that I look at the 1st pic it doesnt look as odd + you are running a SE bulb and im sure you do not want to burn your arms. Keep the pics rolling.....

[klondike4001]

Looks bad*** I agree with JG, can they powdercoat the reflector too?

What kind of aquascaping do you have planned?

Did you ever find somewhere to get the plexiglass doors?

Looks great so far, keep it up.

[ReefOne]

that looks like one of the sumps that I built! Where did you get it from? Sweet setup.

[BioCube14]

you should lower the light and maybe add a fan blowing under it. The tank looks cool!

[apedroza]

Well at least someones gonna finally set up Sean's Tank!!!! Can't wait to see it in action.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Hey, thanks for the comments everyone... To answer the questions/comments:

JG: Thanks for the tip on the power cable, I was definitely not going to leave it hanging down the middle like that. I was going to buy the cable routing clips with zip ties to attach it to the back of one of the arms, but I like that silicone idea. No, they couldn't powder coat it. Too many small holes for the powder to get through. So, unless I wanted a red reflector that was out. Currently looking for high-temp capable paint for it. Speaking of which, anyone got one of those point and aim thermometers? I'd like to know how hot that reflector gets.

Ray Allen: Yeah, that SE bulb gets HOT. If I ever get hungry I can always grill under my light.

Klondike: I'm currently thinking of three LR "islands" with "bridges" of Tonga branch rock connecting them for the fish to swim through/under. Found a good site for the plexiglass, but currently playing with another idea right now.

ReefOne: I got it from Sean (cpreefguy) who got it from Lee Hoy (lhoy). I was told that Ace (hobogato) was the one who made it. Whoever did made one hell of a nice sump, and it's a PERFECT fit.

Biocube14: There's a ceiling fan and AC vent that both blow directly on the hood. It's hard to see but there's a Tunze Aquawind on the tank, too.

Okay, time for construction notes:
Finished up the plumbing today. At the risk of tooting my own horn, I'm really happy with how it turned out. It was my first effort at plumbing, so I was pretty nervous, but I'm very happy with the end result. Can I just say what a messy PITA that the PVC primer is? Blech. I've got pics, but got called into work before I could post 'em. Be on the lookout for those pics tomorrow.

Hooked up my Melevsreef 100gpd RO/DI unit today. Holy cow! My old 74gpd RO/DI unit was pretty fast, this new one is smokin' fast. It made about 15 gallons in 1 1/2 hours at 0.0 TDS. w00t! Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to make up all the water I'll need for all the new salt water.

Trying to configure my Aquacontroller Jr. to run everything. Does anyone know how to reset an ACjr. to factory defaults?

Side note: ****, that really is a pretty tank.

[cpreefguy]

Nice, can't wait to see updated pics!
I think Ram might have built that sump

[hobogato]

no aj, not one of my sumps. it is nice tho :)

[J_G]

AJ - 15 gallons in 1.5hrs is too fast for that Ro/Di system.. you must set it to 4 gallons/hour or you are going to burn up all your Di resin. This means you dont have enough waste water....waste water should be 4:1

- John

[klondike4001]

Acrylic rods and epoxy to keep everything in place?

[fjr_wertheimber]

J_G: Actually, I thought the same thing, so I filled up a one gallon jug with straight tap, dumped that into a 5 gallon waste bucket (one I use for water changes) and then checked to see how long it took to fill up the one gallon jug with clean and the remaining 4 gallons of waste... Voila, 1 gallon of RO/DI and 4 gallons of waste (a little bit over 4, in fact) were created at the same time. Thoughts?

Well, whoever built the sump did a nice job, I like the design and it just BARELY fits the RS-100 (as in, about 1mm of "extra" space around it). Now, once I water test everything if it's watertight then I'll say they did a great job. ;-)

[J_G]

AJ - That being said means that Ro/Di system is a 240gpd unit which is more than units with 2 Ro membranes. this could be costly for you in Di resin or even kill all your coral

[ReefOne]

Oh ok...yea, it's one of mine! Crazy how it has gone from hand to hand. Thought it looked familiar. Sweet setup for sure..tagging along.

Ram

[fjr_wertheimber]

Hey Ram,

Yeah, it's a sweet sump, I really like it. I don't know if you intentionally did it or not, but seriously a EuroReef RS100 fits with less than 1cm around the body, pump, and neck. If you didn't do it intentionally then you're one lucky dude! LOL

[fjr_wertheimber]

Figured I'd recap for those new to the thread the current equipment list for the AO60gSU-C:

Tank: Aquarium Obsessed 60 gallon custom Starphire cube (24"x24"x24"), 1/2" Starphire front and sides, 1/2" back, 1/2" smoked glass overflow, 3/4" glass bottom, and two 1" bulkheads (Did I mention how crazy heavy this tank was for its size?)

Stand: Custom steel framed stand, powder coated RAL3003 (original Ferrari Red) by Crosslink Powder Coating in Pflugerville, TX.

Controller: Backlit Aquacontroller Jr. by Neptune Systems with pH probe, temperature probe, serial adapter, and DC8

Skimmer: EuroReef RS100

Sump: Custom 21"x22"x16" sump by Ram (ReefOne)

Lighting: 400 watt Metal Halide (XM 20,000K SE bulb), Lumen Max reflector, (can't remember what brand of ballast, I'll get it when I get home) magnetic ballast (Note: I intend to change the bulb to a 20,000K Radium when I can)

Flow: Vortech MP40w, Two Tunze Nanostream 6025 with shroud mod

Return pump: Eheim 1262

Moonlights: Fishbowl Innovations Moontube MC-3 Moon Controller System with lunar cycle control

Plumbing: All Schedule 80 PVC, two 1" drain lines and 3/4" return with Locline

Top Off Device: Top-Off.com AutoTop Deluxe with Aqualifter pump

[SoLiD]

Tagging along for the ride.... :)

[greatwhite@AlamoAquatics]

sweet set up cant wait to see pix

[fjr_wertheimber]

Well, climb aboard!

[fjr_wertheimber]

Okay, so here's the (I'm hoping) plan for the day:

I worked a 24 hour shift yesterday, so I've got today off at least. Well, starting at 0900, that is. Hopefully I'll be home in time to receive my Reefcleaners and Aquarium Specialties orders.

So, what to do today? Not much. :sarcastic:

I need to:

Attach the return plumbing to the stand
Clean the MH reflector and attach the lamp cord to the stand
Finish making all the RO/DI water I'm going to need
Mix up about 20 batches of Red Sea Coral Pro saltwater with all the RO/DI I'm making
Run to Lowe's and return a bunch of excess PVC
While at Lowe's get some magnets for the back half of the Tunze 6025s, then mount the 6025s in the tank
Move the live rock into the tank/sump
Move some sand into the tank
Fill the tank with water
Mount and calibrate the Vortech MP40w
Test everything
Test everything again
Acclimate the fish/corals/invert
Place the fish/corals/inverts
Yeah, should be easy to get it all done no problem, right? :lauging:

[greatwhite@AlamoAquatics]

good luck it be nice to see later on today

[ReefOne]

I did build it for a euro-reef. Checked out the dimensions on their website then built it around that. Everything is looking good...really want to get back into the hobby, I will once I move to SA next summer. Gonna build a custom L-shaped tank.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Two 1" drains and the 3/4" return, all hard plumbed
http://lh6.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPZR8I1Xa5I/AAAAAAAAAlg/p3ex_41vjhQ/s800/IMG_9370.JPG

View from the front
http://lh5.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPZSJcuxqPI/AAAAAAAAAlk/jFznzPOzHsU/s800/IMG_9371.JPG

[J_G]

nice AJ. Is that a subwoofer for your fish?

[fjr_wertheimber]

Hey, they've gotta rock out, too...

A bit of sad news, I was looking at my corals in their tiny storage tanks, and :cry_smile: some of my favorite (and rarest) corals have died... *sigh*

[LoneStar]

The plumbing looks great. The powder coat turned out really nice too.

[BioCube14]

so many nice cube type tanks out there cant wait to see this tank run

[FireWater]

Very nice work so far and I look forward to seeing the finished product. I am glad you beat me to Sean's tank - not sure I would have done it justice.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. Still making saltwater and filling everything up. I've gotta say I'm absolutely crushed at some of the corals that died, some of them I'd JUST gotten and had been absolutely GORGEOUS... :cry_smile:

*sigh* Well, I'll post more pics of the (now coral-depleted) cube when it's completely up and running.

[cpreefguy]

Sorry to hear AJ, that is always a bummer. Hopefully your insane set-up will cheer you up :D

[fjr_wertheimber]

So what do y'all think of the stand with smoked Plexiglas panels?
http://lh3.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPfpp0UsKwI/AAAAAAAAAmI/IZYMGsVxYyI/s800/smoked%20glass.jpg

[subsailor]

man that just looks sweet!

[cpreefguy]

Looks photo shopped to me :D

I like it

[ErikH]

Hey man, that tank looks really nice. Keep those updates rolling in!

[tropheusmaster]

keep up the good work!!! Looking good!!!

[fjr_wertheimber]

Yeah, those panels are Photoshopped, I'm debating between a few different panels... Thinking of either the smoked plexi, carbon fiber, or blonde wood.

Speaking of non-Photoshopped pics:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPf5z2X2a1I/AAAAAAAAAmk/njSdLs4cZ3c/s800/IMG_9375.jpg
Just need about 5 more gallons of water and I'll be set. I'm LOVING the action of that MP40w on this tank, you can actually watch the wave move along the three visible walls. Oh, and even with the still-cloudy water I can tell that the Starphire glass is awesome.

[klondike4001]

Woot, water!

[FireWater]

If you are going with smoked or tinted plexiglass I think some kind of design etched into the plexi would look sweet with the fuge lights on

[fjr_wertheimber]

The water is still a little cloudy, but WOW, that glass is sooo beautifully clear. It looks like I could reach through it and grab my fish...
http://lh4.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPgr129QP7I/AAAAAAAAAnE/uzuIRGbKASs/s800/corals.jpg

[cpreefguy]

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet :shades:

The tang looks much happier than he did in the 10g!

[SoLiD]

Ain't it a Beaut!!!

In Borat's Voice "Very Nice, uh High Five!"

http://kotaku.com/assets/resources/2007/02/borat_themes.jpg

[cpreefguy]

"I like!"

[fjr_wertheimber]

Oh, man, saw the tank this morning once the dust cloud had settled... WOW!! OMFG, that thing is soooo amazingly clear... Starphire... Ooooohhhh Aaaaahhhhh...

[J_G]

very nice AJ...you gonna hire Borat to service it?

[fjr_wertheimber]

Ummmm, no.

[J_G]

Borat will give you a magnet!

[LoneStar]

Oh, man, saw the tank this morning once the dust cloud had settled... WOW!! OMFG, that thing is soooo amazingly clear... Starphire... Ooooohhhh Aaaaahhhhh...

I agree. It is a very nice change. I'm loving my low iron glass I have on my Mini. Can't wait to save up for a nice camera to take advantage of it!

[fjr_wertheimber]

I need to get a new magnet... I bought the one rated at up to 120 gallons, but the glass is so stinking thick that it barely works.

[LoneStar]

I love the Algea Free brand magnets. Well worth it in my book. I just got another Piranha the other weekend.

[SoLiD]

I love the Algea Free brand magnets. Well worth it in my book. I just got another Piranha the other weekend.

I've always wanted to try them but from some reason I went Magnavore. :confused:


This is the one I wanted. :shades:
Algae Free Tiger Shark Float Algae Magnet (http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~category~Algae_Free_Tiger_Shark_Float_ Algae_Magnet_Saltwater_Aquarium_Supplies_Maintenan ce_Algae_Cleaning_Magnets_Magnets_Floating~vendor~ Algae_Free~SearchStr~magnet+glass+cleaner~action~v iew~idProduct~AF1115~idCategory~FIMTAMCMFM.html)

[LoneStar]

The Tiger Shark is very nice! I've always used the Piranha only due to the size of tanks I have had in the past. I also like the wood finish on the outer half.

[DrMark]

I have never tried these, but i have 3 different sized Magnavore....they all use same replacement pads and have a brush attachment which is good.
mark

[J_G]

I dont think thats the kinds of magnets Borat wants to provide

[CoryDude]

I dont think thats the kinds of magnets Borat wants to provide

I couldn't find one on my car either. I checked under the hood and it's not there.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Got a new fish today, a foxfaced rabbitfish (Siganus volpinus), named him Usagi (Japanese for rabbit. It was classic watching my tang chase him around and now they're acting like best buddies, hanging around together grazing on algae.

[mdavis735]

did you get one of the small foxfaces at the store we all gathered at to continue the maast meeting?lol.if so i have one that size and i really like him.actually have two in the same tank now that i've combined tanks.it is kinda scarey because they eat out of my hand which really makes me nervous when i am working in the tank and they are swimming around trying to eat from my arm.it's cool but i kinda wish they were scared of me.:what_smile:

[BIGBIRD123]

AJ,
I can come up with a way to raise and lower the light for you. I know you don't want to burn your arm but it needs to be closer to the water surface and I can help with that. Give me a call, I'll PM the #.

Steve

[fjr_wertheimber]

New pic:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/101pdt/SPrgwXzdjjI/AAAAAAAAAn4/scNNA-uMoWE/s800/tank.jpg

[clone]

wow AJ thats a realy good pic and a sweet looking tank.

[chark]

Very nice.

Cecil

[fjr_wertheimber]

Thanks, Clone, Chark... I've gotta say I'm absolutely loving it. Got the auto top-off dialed in yesterday, so that's working out nicely, now in the process of programming the AC jr. Added a yellow tang yesterday, too. Man, that little dude is neurotic as heck.

[RayAllen]

I guess you really got the Saltwater bug. You have spent quite a bit on that little 60g Nano. Not to mention several of the fish will need a bigger tank in the future, so we will be maybe seeing an upgrade to a 120g cube maybe.

You figure out what plexi you are going with on the stand?

[zcatzmeow]

Very pretty and very red :bigsmile:

[Euclid]

Gorgeous, came out great AJ. Congrats

[fjr_wertheimber]

You figure out what plexi you are going with on the stand?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with grey smoked 1/4" plexi. Still trying to find the best pricing on it.

[fjr_wertheimber]

Very pretty and very red :bigsmile:

Gorgeous, came out great AJ. Congrats

Thanks, glad you like it! :bigsmile: Still a lot of work 'til it's "done", but it's getting there...

[cpreefguy]

I keep looking at it, and I'm still jealous!!!

Maybe a few more pics will hold me over. :D

[bimmerzs]

That's a nice setup...I like it.

Cheers,

[fjr_wertheimber]

LOL Ron, your sump is bigger than my tank! Oh, and Sean, more pics to come soon, so get ready... :bigsmile:

[fjr_wertheimber]

Playing "Follow the Leader"
http://lh6.ggpht.com/101pdt/SP6ihIhL4xI/AAAAAAAAApE/Ovu3SaM75e0/s800/follow%20the%20leader.jpg

Another photo
http://lh5.ggpht.com/101pdt/SP6inSht01I/AAAAAAAAApI/lc2gpfIQd5c/s800/new%20tank%202.jpg

Yet another pic
http://lh3.ggpht.com/101pdt/SP6iwZWz9ZI/AAAAAAAAApQ/qbOAGkI5KqA/s800/new%20tank.jpg

[cpreefguy]

I liike!
Oh wait, we already made a Borat reference...

[coraline79]

tank looks amazing!!! is that some lace rock in there for the base?

[fjr_wertheimber]

Ummm, not sure, I got it from Dozer when I got the first 60g cube I bought....

[fjr_wertheimber]

You're on your way!
I can't wait to see your tank in the near future, it's like my dream realized! :D

LOL Looking back through the thread I came across this post... Wow, talk about prophetic, Sean!

[BioCube14]

nice tank more pics!

[fjr_wertheimber]

Okay, so to stave off death threats and jihad fatwas :ph34r: from Big Bird about my light being too high off the tank, I remounted it lower over the tank. I was a bit worried about temps spiking, but then realized that my tank temp was actually artificially high 'cause my heater was stuck on :at_wits_end:and once I remedied that the tank now stays around 77 degrees without a chiller. :shades: w00t!! I also learned that if I plug just one more thing (like, oh, say, a 7" cooling fan) into the power strip it trips the circuit breaker. Talk about right on the ragged edge!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/101pdt/SQJ23Ft7dyI/AAAAAAAAAps/ADwscZ1V9XQ/s800/new%20fts.jpg

[BioCube14]

light looks MUCH BETTER!

[wwarriner]

Did you have any problem when you added your yellow tang? I noticed you already had a powder brown and thought they might not get along.

[jrsatx20]

I also learned that if I plug just one more thing (like, oh, say, a 7" cooling fan) into the power strip it trips the circuit breaker. Talk about right on the ragged edge!

http://lh6.ggpht.com/101pdt/SQJ23Ft7dyI/AAAAAAAAAps/ADwscZ1V9XQ/s800/new%20fts.jpg[/quote]

im not an electrician but i do know that each room is one circuit meaning 1 switch to 4 or 5 plugs. so disconnect a lamp and u can plug something else in. or is it the breaker on the strip. i guess i should have asked that question first huh.

[Noober]

its been awhile but thats usually 15 amps per circut, unless you've got a heavily wired house it will mabe have a 30 amp but i seriously doubt it unless there used to be some sort of heavy duty 110/120 volt appliace in that room.... anyway, any more than that at it will break... if you pull from another set of plugs it might do the trick, If they wired it right you will have an individual circut for each plug. I'd keep your light on one and your pumps on another... good luck

[fjr_wertheimber]

Did you have any problem when you added your yellow tang? I noticed you already had a powder brown and thought they might not get along.

Nope, no problems whatsoever between the powder brown and the yellow. The foxface and the powder brown played tag for a day or so, and the foxface bullied the yellow for a day or so, and the copperband acts scared of everyone, but *knocks on wood* no real aggression or behavioral issues as of yet. Everyone seems to get along pretty well in fact.
Speaking of getting along, I was digging through my boxes o' stuff, and came across some pellet food. Now, I always feed frozen, but figured "what the heck" and plopped some pellets in the tank. HOLY COW! Those fish attacked the pellets like a sumo on an all-you-can-eat sushi platter! I guess I'm going to have to get some more pellets, but I think I'll still have to feed some frozen food for my mandarin. (I think he'd eat pellets if he could get to 'em, but everyone else eats 'em as soon as they hit the water.)

[fjr_wertheimber]

im not an electrician but i do know that each room is one circuit meaning 1 switch to 4 or 5 plugs. so disconnect a lamp and u can plug something else in. or is it the breaker on the strip. i guess i should have asked that question first huh.

It's the breaker on the GFCI strip.

[olaggie01]

Nope, no problems whatsoever between the powder brown and the yellow. The foxface and the powder brown played tag for a day or so, and the foxface bullied the yellow for a day or so, and the copperband acts scared of everyone, but *knocks on wood* no real aggression or behavioral issues as of yet. Everyone seems to get along pretty well in fact.
Speaking of getting along, I was digging through my boxes o' stuff, and came across some pellet food. Now, I always feed frozen, but figured "what the heck" and plopped some pellets in the tank. HOLY COW! Those fish attacked the pellets like a sumo on an all-you-can-eat sushi platter! I guess I'm going to have to get some more pellets, but I think I'll still have to feed some frozen food for my mandarin. (I think he'd eat pellets if he could get to 'em, but everyone else eats 'em as soon as they hit the water.)

You'd be better off feeding a quality frozen food then pellets. Those are loaded with phosphates and fillers.

[longhorna95]

This is a great thread FJR! I really want to upgrade once I get out of college to a set up similar to yours! thanks for all the pics! and If you take any more, please do, the rest of us will appreciate the final setup look! And you said you have a manderian, and that it eats frozen food!! That must be nice I had one that only at cope-pods or similar suppliments