ADA cube garden 75-P

[rxx2]

I started a post in the nano forum but found out it was for tanks < 34 gallons so I'll repost it here, especially since I've been a long time SPS guy.

Just a few pics of an ADA that I recently set up 12-14-2009.

I had a 50 gallon that was going through a meltdown. All my SPS were dying. I thought about getting out of the hobby but in the end thought I would give it one last try. I guess as usual in this hobby things end up costing more than you thought it would but all in all I'm happy with the outcome.

I'll start with some pics of how the tank looks currently. I thought I had initial pics on my CF card but they must be at home. I'll add those later and will try to get some pics of the corals that made it. Anyway on with the pics.

Here are some specs:
Tank is an ADA 75-P, roughly 30x18x18 (42 gallons)
Overflow is a Lifereef slimline. Jeff made the inner box 4 inches wide.
Sump is a roughly 11 gallon Mr Aqua tank, no baffles.
Return is an Eheim 1260 through a 3/4 return
In tank flow is a Tunze stream 6000 on a single controller
Lighting is a Giesemann Infiniti 24 inch, 150 watt HQI 13K Megachrome & 4 x T5 actinic +
Skimmer is a Bubble Magus NAC6 (currently down though, waiting on a replacement impeller/meshwheel from Chris at Nuocean. He's been very helpful)
ATO is DIY kit from Aquahub.
I'm going to lay off dosing anything and just do weekly water changes.

Comments, questions, tips are all welcome.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[mpoletti]

Very nice Ben. Glad to see you start another tank instead of getting completely

 

[rxx2]

Thanks Mark!
I really enjoy the hobby. Hopefully the KISS method will work.
I've had a 12 gallon nano running for my kids and have had some great colors using a minimum of technology, hopefully this tank will follow the same path.

 

[mischief nite]

Sexy! Clean....love the light/rigg/etc

 

[tmantaylor18]

Also glad to see you didn't get out Ben! ADA tanks are pretty awesome, where did you pick it up?

 

[rxx2]

Hey thanks Taylor.
Picked it up at Aqua Forest in SF.

 

[CMcNeil]

love the light hanging system,that 8020 is some cool stuff :thumbsup:

 

[minhvu]

I really like the light rack/stand. Did u make that or was that a kit?

 

[rxx2]

Thanks. I got the idea from a buddy.
The hardest thing about using the 80/20 T-slot tubing was figuring what to order off ebay. Shipping was a lot more reasonable than I thought.
They have a garage sale store on ebay:
http://stores.ebay.com/8020-Inc-Garage-Sale

 

[rxx2]

Here's a pic of the 50 gallon it replaced.

 

[rxx2]

Here's the stand. It measures 35 wide x 21 deep x 35 high.
There was a shallow recessed area on top that the tank fit perfectly into.

 

[rxx2]

Tank in place.

 

[rxx2]

A little water testing. Also mixing saltwater for the transfer.

 

[rxx2]

Light arrived. I really like this fixture.

 

[rxx2]

Sump. Skimmer fits in the center.

 

[rxx2]

Everything coming together before the transfer. I was hoping for it to take as little time as possible so I tried to make sure everything was in place and equipment gathered prior to D-day.

 

[goreefers]

Ben, what a great setup you got there!

 

[diciple]

Really sweet set up!

 

[rxx2]

Thanks all.
I'll have to get some coral pics up. Things are looking healthier and coloring back up so I think the tank is on the right track.

 

[happyface888]

Very Impressive not many ADA Builds out there, keep us posted. BTW hows the plumbing on that tank?? I can't really see where the waters going and coming up.