57g Illuminata build... feedback/opinions/thoughts please!

smellslikeTUNA

smellslikeTUNA

New member
Finally got around to taking some pics of my first saltwater build! Looking for any feedback/opinions/thoughts on this set up since I have been doing this all on my own (with the help of RC of course!).

-57g RR Oceanic Illuminata
-Custom Built (by me :-] ) Oak Stand 35"Hx39"Wx21"D
-Trigger Systems Custom CRYS30S Sump/Refugium
-Reef Keeper Lite (+SL1/pH Probe)
-JBJ MacroGlo 25W Refugium light
-Mag7 Return Pump
-2x Koralia Evo 750gph Poweheads
-1x Ecoxotic 453nm Blue Stunner Strip
-6" Clip on Fan
-MagFloat Glass Cleaners
-Buckeye Field Supply 75gpd RO/DI Unit (not pictured)

Items currently backordered...
-Reef Octopus NWB-110 Protein Skimmer
-Eheim Jager 150W heater

Still need to purchase...
-Sunlight supply T5 Tek Light 4X39W

*Haven't gotten around to hooking up all the plumbing, as you can see it is laying behind the sump for the time being

<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/16/s7300065g.jpg/'><img src='http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2857/s7300065g.jpg' border='0'/></a>

<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/638/s7300069p.jpg/'><img src='http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/3403/s7300069p.jpg' border='0'/></a>

<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/822/s7300071s.jpg/'><img src='http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/4870/s7300071s.jpg' border='0'/></a>

<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/s7300066.jpg/'><img src='http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/4701/s7300066.jpg' border='0'/></a>

<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/571/s7300067.jpg/'><img src='http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/4205/s7300067.jpg' border='0'/></a>


THANKS FOR LOOKING!:dance:
 
Last edited:
Very nice set up. I would cut a large opening in the back of your cabinet from just above the top of the sump to 2" below the top of the cabinet to allow for fresh air. Otherwise you will have a moisture build up within the cabinet that is hard on electronic gear and impedes air/water exchange.
 
thegrun said:
Very nice set up. I would cut a large opening in the back of your cabinet from just above the top of the sump to 2" below the top of the cabinet to allow for fresh air. Otherwise you will have a moisture build up within the cabinet that is hard on electronic gear and impedes air/water exchange.
Click to expand...

Have considered this, you think there will still be a lot of water build up even with lots of air movement from the fan? Also, can you explain what you mean by "impedes air/water exchange"?
 
Ok, so for the hole in the back I just pulled some measurements and have a few questions. So the bottom of the wall outlet sits right and 14.5" from the floor, and the top of my sump in the cabinet sits at about 17" from the floor. It doesn't seem like it would be safe to have outlet lower than the sump and I cannot slide the tank further to the right due to the light switches (the outlet on the wall is about an inch in from the left side). With the sump pushed all the way against the right side of the stand I have 4.5" to work with on the left so that I could potentially cut a notch of sorts at ~14" in that 4.5" gap (if that makes sense? I can show you guys a pic of what Im thinking if you need it just let me know).

Also, is this even safe to have the outlet "in" the cabinet? seems like it should be ok since there are other electronics in there... I suppose I could always just cut the hole and leave the cabinet how it is, however I would prefer to be able to push it up close to the wall if possible. What do you guys think?
 
Ok, so for the hole in the back I just pulled some measurements and have a few questions. So the bottom of the wall outlet sits right and 14.5" from the floor, and the top of my sump in the cabinet sits at about 17" from the floor. It doesn't seem like it would be safe to have outlet lower than the sump in case of splashing and I cannot slide the tank further to the right to have it closer against the wall due to the light switches (the outlet on the wall is about an inch in from the left side). With the sump pushed all the way against the right side of the stand I have 4.5" to work with on the left so that I could potentially cut a notch of sorts at ~14" in that 4.5" gap then continue with the rest of the hole above the sump/to the top of the cabinet. For a visual it would be sort of a horizontal "L" shape. (if that makes sense? I can show you guys a pic of what Im thinking if you need it just let me know).

Also, is this even safe to have the outlet "in" the cabinet? seems like it should be ok since there are other electronics in there... I suppose I could always just cut the hole and leave the cabinet how it is, however I would prefer to be able to push it up close to the wall if possible. What do you guys think?
 
if u feel unsave with the hole and ur power outlet, cut out couple bigger holes on the top of the stand, so it will add some fresh air ,also get a GFCI outlet there
 
+ Cut lots of holes to let air into that stand. Very nice job on building it BTW. Otherwise you will have moisture running down all walls and doors on the inside. Remember most of the time the temperature of the water and hence the inside of the cabinet will be much higher than your room temperature so you will have condensation + lots of evaporation with that fan you put there. I have the same size tank and the same Koralias. I wish I have gotten the 1050 like their website suggests. The 750s don't create an amazing amount of flow, but sufficient for softies I guess. +++ on GFCI, but make sure to cut a hole right where the outlet is. If it trips you will not be able to get back there without getting all water out of the tank! Good luck.
 
I'm thinking I am just going to cut a horizontal "L" shape (with the long end of the L being a larger rectangle). I figure this way I will be able to access the outlet easily and allow for lots of fresh air coming in/out, plus ill be able to push the stand closer to the wall
 
So I decided to try and tackle this today, got about half way through what I had planned (was a little more difficult to do it by hand then I had anticipated)! Is this hole big enough or should I continue on?
<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/36/s7300072d.jpg/'><img src='http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/4174/s7300072d.jpg' border='0'/></a>

Also, it now fits as tight to the wall as I wanted
<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/40/s7300074o.jpg/'><img src='http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/1456/s7300074o.jpg' border='0'/></a>

AND I also managed to get some "life" in it ;-]
<a target='_blank' title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/828/s7300076r.jpg/'><img src='http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/9449/s7300076r.jpg' border='0'/></a>


On a side note, I just got an e-mail as I was writing this post that my backordered protein skimmer and heater have shipped :-] wooohooo! :fish1:
 
i would say that u should try to make the opening a little bigger to the right, but if u don't feel like doin it anymore it should work just fine ( it will be 10000x better then closed back)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

joekidwell
JBJ Nanocube MP10
Replies
4
Views
3K
jeremy007
J
Plastik0cean
Indonesian Biotope Build - JBJ 45G
Replies
1
Views
504
JohnL
JohnL
joekidwell
How do I stop light from flooding the room
Replies
6
Views
2K
Sk8r
Sk8r
Reefers4U
Citron Goby Death
Replies
2
Views
617
Reefers4U
Reefers4U
TheWeaz
Moving/removing Yuma Mushrooms
Replies
6
Views
766
dannyfish
D
Back
Top