Aaron's 30G Rimless Build Thread!!!!

[stpauli914]

I'm Back!!!!

My last build was back in 2011 and the thread is here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1800031&highlight=aarons+180

Took a couple years off and our daughter Coral(yes Coral) is now 2 1/2 years old and ready for a fish tank! My goal is to keep it relatively simple, quiet, and super energy efficient!

My tank of choice for this endeavor is the Deep Blue 30G Rimless with factory stand. Picked it up from Mike(Gambitcobra) along with about 40lbs of Marshal Island rock. Also picked up about 25lbs of Tonga Rock from Chad.

First thing I did was put together an equipment list:

Sump: 10Gallon perfecto
Return: Tunze 1073.02
Flow: Vortech MP10
Light: Ecotech 30W Radion LED
Skimmer: To Be Determined(suggestions???) AquaC Remora Nano temporarily
100W Heater

Plan on using the factory Durso stand pipe and the factory return plumbed in to my Tunze Pump.

First Step was to paint the back and overflow area black. Next was the plumbing which was fairly simple compared to what I had done in the past I filled it tonight with tap water for a system test for a day or two. So far everything is leak free and fairly quiet. The MP10 is KILLER!!!

I have also been playing with aquascapes with the rock in the garage I think I have come up with a plan. Let me know what you think.

I am still undecided as to sand or bare bottom. Also undecided as to what I am going to put in it as far as fish/corals go..........

My plan is to get it up and running this weekend.

Pictures so far:

Ideas are more than welcomed!!!!!!!

Aaron

 

[Nwest]

Woot woot welcome back buddy!!! Can't wait to see this if its anything like last tank this will be killer

 

[rfalvey89]

NICE , I too have this tank...and really like it.
for the skimmer I picked up the Reef-Octo NWB 110 and have the same sump & return pump with star board on the bottom.
For lighting I grabbed a Kessil A150w Ocean Blue..Couldn't be happier.
...Unfortunately , Cichlid-Man and I tore through beer at an alarming rate and I have no pics of the build that was done last Friday night. The tank is up and running but one of the bulkheads needed to be replaced.

 

[stpauli914]

"tore through beer at an alarming rate"

Understood I heard about this build while I was dropping some cash at my old stomping grounds yesterday

I look forward to seeing some pictures and comparing notes

Aaron

 

[Markdiego]

Looks GORGEOUS!!

 

[04mach1]

Exact setup I have except I have a 29 gallon sump

 

[MrHarvard]

Tank looks good so far! I just got set back up a few months ago myself. I remember your name from my last set up a few years ago when I was on the forums a lot more. Glad to see you back! I'm sure your set up will be as nice as your last!

 

[CrazyEyes]

Wow! That is an amazing looking setup. Great dimensions too.

 

[ChadRaay86]

Looking great! I'm glad the rock worked out for you I'm jealous of your single drain, plumbing must have actually been fun this time

 

[ChadRaay86]

P.S. be careful with that heater. They don't really come with the thermostat set up right, follow the directions before you have it heat anything with life in it. It took me awhile to get my two heating properly

 

[joerm13]

Glad to see you are back. The Bubbleking I bought from you a while back is still going strong (I did have to replace the motor block on the pump though, but John at FAOIS hooked me up with a great deal)!

Your last setup was impressive and I can't wait to see this one.

 

[stpauli914]

Quick update....

I picked up a Radion X30W yesterday along with a SWC-120 skimmer.

The equipment list is about complete. Now I just need to decide how to mount the light......

Pictures coming soon.

Aaron

 

[Nwest]

Aaron I have a pretty cool Idea...hit me up I will show you!

 

[stpauli914]

Update:

Tank is up and running!!

I accomplished a lot this week!

I am VERY happy with how my light rigging turned out! Very clean! Tank is still clearing up, it was just filled this morning and the pictures are only from an hour or so after it was running. Without further delay......

 

[stpauli914]

 

[stpauli914]

12 Hours after start up:

24 hours after startup:

Water tests Noon Monday:
Salinity 1.024
PH: 7.9
Nitrate: 2ppm

Skimmer will be in tomorrow. I will update with pics.

Aaron

 

[CrazyEyes]

Man it just keeps getting better and better. Looks so good. I love that scape. And those lights are killer.

 

[Occane5]

Nice scape!!!

 

[Nwest]

told you that you wouldn't be disappointed with the radion! I wish I would of made the switch earlier!

 

[stpauli914]

Thanks everyone! Nate, Now I need you to come over and configure the light for me

OK so I have tested the following today and here are where the parameters are:

Temp: 77
Salinity: 1.024
PH: 7.9
Nitrate: 2ppm
Nitrite: 0(tested twice)
Amonia: 0(tested twice)

Side note....All 4 test kits are new Salifert. Salinity is via Hydrometer.

When I set up I used aprox. 10 gallons of water from Gambitcobra's 240 established reef tank. I also used aprox. 40lbs of established rock from Chad's sump and some from Gambitcobra that he had cycled through water changes in a brute for several months. The rest of the water was new saltwater from CC and FAOIS. Sand is dry coarse aragonite that was rinsed VERY WELL then rinsed with RO a few times as well.

QUESTION......How long should I wait to put in snails/hermits/cleanup crew if all above parameters stay in check? Should I be led to believe that if the params hold through the weekend(7 days) that they will not go up and I may not have a full cycle due to the established rock and some established water I started with?

Opinions PLEASE.........................