Aquamaxx Rimless 64g build

[Unsung]

I'm excited to finally post something! First saltwater tank ever, so please leave any advice or feedback from what you see. I was able to reinforce a tampered glass credenza with some 1/2 plywood to set my tank on. I hard plumbed my tank into the closet behind it for sump. My current build thus far is

64.2 gallon Aquamaxx Rimless Low-Iron Tank(drilled tank for overflow/return)
DIY Screen top
1500 gph Glass-holes overflow/ return kit
40 pounds Life Rock (dry)
30 pounds Cariasea Pink Fuji Sand
Maxspect Gyre 250
Trigger System 36 Elite Sump
Reef Octopus 110 Protein Skimmer
Reef Octopus Varios-6
Giesmann Vervve LED (only 1; other was backordered from Black Friday Sale; will have it up in a week or so)
Working on QT tank

So I am patiently cycling as I read a lot regarding it. Using the raw shrimp technique in a filter sock. I'm going for a psuedo-minimalist reef setup. Current plan is to get

2 -clownfish
5 - green/chromis
1 - green mandarin
1- Firefish

Any advice from the community on what the last 1-2 fish should be. Was debating whether to get 1 big fish or a stick with smaller ones. Thoughts on cool fish that would be perfect for this tank? Excited to hear what advice the community has!

 

[Keelo]

I had no idea aquamaxx made tanks. Awesome tank by the way. If you don't mind I'd like to give you some advice on the way you structured the rock. I think you need to keep in mind that corals, if you ever get any, will grow. The way it's structured it makes it so that later on as they grow corals will shade those under them. You will have to constantly move them around due to the shading. If I were you I would keep the 2 island approach if that's what your going for and keep them more horizontal stacked with caves and overhangs instead. This will allow for corals to grow, and places for fish to hide. Another thing is if your structure remains the way it is now I think it would be best for you to move the gyre to the other side of the tank as it seems like a lot of the gyre flow is getting diffused by the barrier next to it.


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[homer1475]

I know you have another light backordered, but my suggestion would be to run them side by side running opposite from the way you have it hung. Front to back would be fine for light the way you have it, I would be worried about enough coverage length wise even with 2 of them.

Nice looking tank BTW!

 

[Unsung]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to remount the lights lengthwise to get more even coverage. I see what you are saying regarding the liferock design, may change it as I slowly add corals to the tank.

 

[Unsung]

So I took your advice and moved the Vervve horizontally. Happy that I did; better coverage and it looks nicer in my opinion :bounce1:

Just finished installing a Tunze ATO in Trigger 10 gallon sump. Just finished cycling. Was thinking of getting a Royal Gramma first.

Any recommendations that you have for first fish; so far I think i'd like to get

Royal Gramma
two false percula clowns
Coral Beauty
and green mandarin

 

[Unsung]

Alright a new weekend and some changes, took you advice Kello and decided to splurge on another 30 lbs of liferock.(caribsea)

I appreciate your guy's advice; like the layout a lot more. What do you guys recommend; finish stocking fish or start with a hardy coral!

 

[Keelo]

Looking good man! I like that overhang you made. I would start out with some small clean up crew members if you haven't already and some hardy fish. I would let the tank stabilize for maybe another month then begin with some easy coral this allows you ample time to fix your lighting as I see the other is still back ordered and get steady parameters but I just like to be more cautious then most


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[Unsung]

Another couple of weeks and a few more updates. Got my second Vervve light and rearranged the rocks slightly. Installed and attempted to clean up the cords with the 2016 apex controller. Added a few corals and thus far they are doing well!

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/691/31765430281_ba812433d3_h.jpg

 

[Unsung]

a few more photos of where it is at

 

[Unsung]

 

[timnem70]

Get a Protein Skimmer... Not enough macro , although the bio-pure chunk ya got in there will help, to sufficiently export excess nutrients. Especially with all those fish in there. You're gonna have to feed them a lot of food. My one Blue Tang at 5" is a HOG and without getting g that shite outta your DT, you're asking for a algal blooms etc. Especially since that tank appears to be newly created. I love your equipment though man. If I'd had the funds to get those basis at top end as you have, some of the headache and hassles probably could have been avoided.

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[fishresponse]

This will be a good one!


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[Unsung]

Got a protein skimmer (hiding under the plumbing)

This sump is trigger elite where the refugium has its own plumbing before the overflow return. Sort of bought this by accident, but I like it as you can slow down the flow to refugium to grow stuff. Been trying to start copepod population with pseudonym feast from algae barn.

In your guys experience any luck growing enough copepods to support a green mandarin this way or do most end up buying constant supply to replenish?

 

[chem-e]

Since you have sand, I'd suggest some nice wrasse for fish additions. I'm not sure about the royal gamma and coral beauty idea. I heard the gamma can be a mean one and the angel fish might nip. Other fish suggestions include blennies, cardinal, and/or hogfish.

Nice tank btw

 

[Unsung]

Just got my DOS, and going to try to setup it up to do auto water changes. Anyone else using Neptune DOS to do Auto water changes? How do you guys like it?

Also splurged on WWC corals for the first time. Bought a few WYCIWYG frags!

 

[moondoggy4]

How do you like the build of the tank? I was looking at their 40 breeder size with the 1/2 glass. Also did you drill it? How was that?

 

[Unsung]

The build is really nice. My initial plan was to setup a Amano style freshwater tank; but a friend convinced me to go saltwater and I haven't looked back.

Extremely clean seams and clear low-iron glass, drilling the tank was nerve racking (first time) but it went pretty well. No difficulty going through it, I think the extra thickness perhaps makes it safer to drill.

 

[moondoggy4]

Thanks I am building a 40 breeder SPS tank and I was considering going with the Aqua Maxx tank because it will look a lot nicer than the stock Petco tank, thicker glass and no trim.

 

[Unsung]

So WWC had there 365 coral ebay sale and I just had to do my share! Picked up several frags and starting to design the layout.

I'm thinking of trying to place same species near each other on sections of the rock. This is what I came up with so far.

Here is a couple of pictures of results of my shopping spree!

 

[Unsung]

So I finally got to installing a carbon/ GFO filter. I redid the return pump plumbing and tapped off of the return.

Thinking of doing a zoa/paly area on the left rock and a Acan Lord section on the right rock.