I'm posting this at a late hour and am caffeine-fueled, so please bear with any disjointed thoughts and the inevitable rambling. There will be pictures at the end. 
Also, it's been about three years since I've embedded pictures, so hopefully you'll actually see them.
It's been a while since I've felt passionate about my 110 gallon, and have only been doing minimal routine maintenance for a while. It wears on me that everything that I got for the tank had to big and expensive. I purchased this tank used in 2006, one month after our first daughter was born.
The 110 as it sits, not very impressive:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XSirAciLjtvMlrVJ1Etsdg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D9S_GnYkWpM/TTfv0_9vRXI/AAAAAAAAAJk/ddrtUtu41-Y/s144/IMG_0378.JPG" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/shumoco/CubeReefBuild?feat=embedwebsite">Cube Reef Build</a></td></tr></table>
I didn't want to get out of the hobby but wanted to make my life a little easier, so I started looking around for cubes, and purchased a 29 gallon biocube. After realizing all the modifications that it would take to make me happy with it, I decided to just look for a plain cube and go with a sump set-up. Every mod for a AIO tank seems to revolve around working around the fact that you don't have a sump and have limited room for lights.
So, I saw a 27 gallon cube, stand and light combo on petsmart's website one day for $186. I thought to myself that that looked like a good deal, and since I didn't even have a stand for the biocube, why not go with this. I went into the store to take a look at it, and was informed that they would honor the online price. That was a first me so into the Volvo it went.
So I picked up the tank and stand, and ran the LED fixture until my fishneedit 150w halide pendant arrived. That pendant is sweet, it is built with economy in mind, but it looks good, and the price was right, and I'm a cheap bastard, so that's saying something. Who knows how time will treat this thing, its been my experience that you get what you pay for, but we'll see.
Equipment list:
1x 150w metal halide pendant from fishneedit with a 20K bulb
1x Reefkeeper light
1x currently a EuroReef RS-80 -- will soon be a SWC 120 Cone
1x Vortech mp40W v2 --Pre eco-smart driver
1x Utube overflow (I don't like drilling, like the ability to adjust water level)
1x maxijet 1800 utility pump as a return
1x big 'ole honkin filter sock
1x plastic tub from Garden Ridge for a sump
1x Purigen packet -- stuff is awesome and rechargeable --I'm cheap
Stocking list
1x Flame Angel from the 110
1x Clean up crew from the 110, the turbo snails are not making the move
?x Chaeto from the fuge
3x little Chromis from the LFS on 31st (a better deal couldn't have been had, many thanks to the proprietor)
1x toadstool with green polyps (many thanks to bad bob)
?x misc zoas
?x GSP (ya gotta have that right?)
-1x my magnificent Foxface, the new tank is just too small -- He's my favorite fish, but I've found him an awesome home that is about 4x the size of my 110, and he'll get fed a lot more often as well
I found a plastic storage tub that would fit in the stand, but I had to remove the rear braces to get the thing in. However those were particle board, so a couple of kicks and they were gone. I inserted the tub, cut some 2x4's and gave them the 'ole Krylon touch.
Now it was time for water, I threw some RO and enough salt for 25 gallons of water in the tank. Hmm, what to use for circulation? Ahh, a Koralia 4 should do the trick. Plugged that puppy in and the salt was mixed in about 45 minutes.
So now I've added sand, and some live rock for the 110. I've been playing with different designs, but a twin tower scape emerges just about every time.
Just added sand:
Just added the sand and some little rocks:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DW3_nOz-rETSPl3uW3CcNw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_D9S_GnYkWpM/TTfv1IpDOhI/AAAAAAAAAJo/2kPX7Ts09KQ/s144/IMG_0383.JPG" height="144" width="108" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/shumoco/CubeReefBuild?feat=embedwebsite">Cube Reef Build</a></td></tr></table>
The big rock:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/j7IClDs7gfXSjR4q89guRw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D9S_GnYkWpM/TTfwPXTbfVI/AAAAAAAAAKk/2Zl8RN3JEbo/s144/IMG_0401.JPG" height="144" width="108" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/shumoco/CubeReefBuild?feat=embedwebsite">Cube Reef Build</a></td></tr></table>
The big rock sticking out:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/swDDU3WCIAmDUMADwjpUiw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_D9S_GnYkWpM/TTfwP0pi6mI/AAAAAAAAAKo/5f61ySGPXD8/s144/IMG_0402.JPG" height="144" width="108" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/shumoco/CubeReefBuild?feat=embedwebsite">Cube Reef Build</a></td></tr></table>
The tank has been up with rock for about 3 weeks now, and Tuesday I added three little chromis, I know that I will eventually be left with one, but the kids love the "cute little fish" in the tank that is now eye level for them.
The sump is holding about 8" of water and is a perfect fit, I'm a little concerned about the long-term consequences of using a storage tub, but we'll see. Hopefully I won't be learning my lesson from wet carpet.
Sweet sumpy action:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Y2xd4Z0NgDSzGFcz3fN9wg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D9S_GnYkWpM/TTfv1ZV_vsI/AAAAAAAAAJs/x8i3HXhKJz4/s144/IMG_0384.JPG" height="144" width="108" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/shumoco/CubeReefBuild?feat=embedwebsite">Cube Reef Build</a></td></tr></table>
Overflow and return setup:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JK8N2rQm4qhqj0BFJzy5bg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_D9S_GnYkWpM/TTfwBiRBQgI/AAAAAAAAAKA/_9yJFRVn0m4/s144/IMG_0387.JPG" height="144" width="108" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/shumoco/CubeReefBuild?feat=embedwebsite">Cube Reef Build</a></td></tr></table>
I had to return the borrowed RS-80 after a while and I'm currently running a SuperSkimmer 65, which sucks, but there really isn't anything to skim anyway, and it will soon be replaced with the SWC. I'm really pleased with the maxi-jet utility pump, very quiet, very efficient. Too bad they went out of business.
The Vortech is awesome, waaaay too much for this tank, but it creates a wave in the tank that almost crests, I got scared for a second while tuning as I almost sloshed a wave over the side. I'm running the vortech at about 5%, if I find a good deal on some MP10's I might go with those, who knows, but right now the price is right.
I am still using the Reefkeeper Lite on my 110, but will be swapping over eventualy. Going to use it basically for the heater, lights, pump, and skimmer. I might actually give my reef a try, I was jazzed about it, but after about month 3 of it not being released I lost interest.
I'll upload pictures now, and will soon take a video of the vortech wreaking havoc on the tank, as well as the sweet, sweet halide glow that bathes the entire room.
Take care, all, and enjoy the snow, and may your electricity flow freely and uninterrupted.
Also, it's been about three years since I've embedded pictures, so hopefully you'll actually see them.It's been a while since I've felt passionate about my 110 gallon, and have only been doing minimal routine maintenance for a while. It wears on me that everything that I got for the tank had to big and expensive. I purchased this tank used in 2006, one month after our first daughter was born.
The 110 as it sits, not very impressive:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XSirAciLjtvMlrVJ1Etsdg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_D9S_GnYkWpM/TTfv0_9vRXI/AAAAAAAAAJk/ddrtUtu41-Y/s144/IMG_0378.JPG" height="108" width="144" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/shumoco/CubeReefBuild?feat=embedwebsite">Cube Reef Build</a></td></tr></table>
I didn't want to get out of the hobby but wanted to make my life a little easier, so I started looking around for cubes, and purchased a 29 gallon biocube. After realizing all the modifications that it would take to make me happy with it, I decided to just look for a plain cube and go with a sump set-up. Every mod for a AIO tank seems to revolve around working around the fact that you don't have a sump and have limited room for lights.
So, I saw a 27 gallon cube, stand and light combo on petsmart's website one day for $186. I thought to myself that that looked like a good deal, and since I didn't even have a stand for the biocube, why not go with this. I went into the store to take a look at it, and was informed that they would honor the online price. That was a first me so into the Volvo it went.
So I picked up the tank and stand, and ran the LED fixture until my fishneedit 150w halide pendant arrived. That pendant is sweet, it is built with economy in mind, but it looks good, and the price was right, and I'm a cheap bastard, so that's saying something. Who knows how time will treat this thing, its been my experience that you get what you pay for, but we'll see.
Equipment list:
1x 150w metal halide pendant from fishneedit with a 20K bulb
1x Reefkeeper light
1x currently a EuroReef RS-80 -- will soon be a SWC 120 Cone
1x Vortech mp40W v2 --Pre eco-smart driver
1x Utube overflow (I don't like drilling, like the ability to adjust water level)
1x maxijet 1800 utility pump as a return
1x big 'ole honkin filter sock
1x plastic tub from Garden Ridge for a sump
1x Purigen packet -- stuff is awesome and rechargeable --I'm cheap
Stocking list
1x Flame Angel from the 110
1x Clean up crew from the 110, the turbo snails are not making the move
?x Chaeto from the fuge
3x little Chromis from the LFS on 31st (a better deal couldn't have been had, many thanks to the proprietor)
1x toadstool with green polyps (many thanks to bad bob)
?x misc zoas
?x GSP (ya gotta have that right?)
-1x my magnificent Foxface, the new tank is just too small -- He's my favorite fish, but I've found him an awesome home that is about 4x the size of my 110, and he'll get fed a lot more often as well
I found a plastic storage tub that would fit in the stand, but I had to remove the rear braces to get the thing in. However those were particle board, so a couple of kicks and they were gone. I inserted the tub, cut some 2x4's and gave them the 'ole Krylon touch.
Now it was time for water, I threw some RO and enough salt for 25 gallons of water in the tank. Hmm, what to use for circulation? Ahh, a Koralia 4 should do the trick. Plugged that puppy in and the salt was mixed in about 45 minutes.
So now I've added sand, and some live rock for the 110. I've been playing with different designs, but a twin tower scape emerges just about every time.
Just added sand:
Just added the sand and some little rocks:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DW3_nOz-rETSPl3uW3CcNw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_D9S_GnYkWpM/TTfv1IpDOhI/AAAAAAAAAJo/2kPX7Ts09KQ/s144/IMG_0383.JPG" height="144" width="108" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/shumoco/CubeReefBuild?feat=embedwebsite">Cube Reef Build</a></td></tr></table>
The big rock:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/j7IClDs7gfXSjR4q89guRw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D9S_GnYkWpM/TTfwPXTbfVI/AAAAAAAAAKk/2Zl8RN3JEbo/s144/IMG_0401.JPG" height="144" width="108" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/shumoco/CubeReefBuild?feat=embedwebsite">Cube Reef Build</a></td></tr></table>
The big rock sticking out:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/swDDU3WCIAmDUMADwjpUiw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_D9S_GnYkWpM/TTfwP0pi6mI/AAAAAAAAAKo/5f61ySGPXD8/s144/IMG_0402.JPG" height="144" width="108" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/shumoco/CubeReefBuild?feat=embedwebsite">Cube Reef Build</a></td></tr></table>
The tank has been up with rock for about 3 weeks now, and Tuesday I added three little chromis, I know that I will eventually be left with one, but the kids love the "cute little fish" in the tank that is now eye level for them.
The sump is holding about 8" of water and is a perfect fit, I'm a little concerned about the long-term consequences of using a storage tub, but we'll see. Hopefully I won't be learning my lesson from wet carpet.
Sweet sumpy action:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Y2xd4Z0NgDSzGFcz3fN9wg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_D9S_GnYkWpM/TTfv1ZV_vsI/AAAAAAAAAJs/x8i3HXhKJz4/s144/IMG_0384.JPG" height="144" width="108" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/shumoco/CubeReefBuild?feat=embedwebsite">Cube Reef Build</a></td></tr></table>
Overflow and return setup:
<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JK8N2rQm4qhqj0BFJzy5bg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_D9S_GnYkWpM/TTfwBiRBQgI/AAAAAAAAAKA/_9yJFRVn0m4/s144/IMG_0387.JPG" height="144" width="108" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/shumoco/CubeReefBuild?feat=embedwebsite">Cube Reef Build</a></td></tr></table>
I had to return the borrowed RS-80 after a while and I'm currently running a SuperSkimmer 65, which sucks, but there really isn't anything to skim anyway, and it will soon be replaced with the SWC. I'm really pleased with the maxi-jet utility pump, very quiet, very efficient. Too bad they went out of business.
The Vortech is awesome, waaaay too much for this tank, but it creates a wave in the tank that almost crests, I got scared for a second while tuning as I almost sloshed a wave over the side. I'm running the vortech at about 5%, if I find a good deal on some MP10's I might go with those, who knows, but right now the price is right.
I am still using the Reefkeeper Lite on my 110, but will be swapping over eventualy. Going to use it basically for the heater, lights, pump, and skimmer. I might actually give my reef a try, I was jazzed about it, but after about month 3 of it not being released I lost interest.
I'll upload pictures now, and will soon take a video of the vortech wreaking havoc on the tank, as well as the sweet, sweet halide glow that bathes the entire room.
Take care, all, and enjoy the snow, and may your electricity flow freely and uninterrupted.
