Cafe 50 cube

[CafeReef]

Here is my build to date, in late february I ordered my 50 pnp ecotech package from SCA. I upgraded to the solid cherry stand, it was damaged in freight so I ended up refinishing it (wife is much happier now).

Equipment:
50 cube 24x24x20 drilled for a herbie with return drilled into the back)
Solid cherry stand refinished to fit our "country rustic" style
2 mp10wqd's
radion xr15pro gen 3
Reef link
Jebao dct6000
Sca-301 skimmer
Finnex 200w Titanium heater (50w titanium backup)
Tunze ato
50lbs caribsea liferock
50lbs caribsea aragonite sand (dry)

First project was the sump, i took out all baffles and re-did the layout. I also built a diy removeable media rack that will allow me to do two decent size media bags or mech filter floss. There will also be a small refugium. I still need to find a sock mount I like. Have enough space for a 7" sock

Sump after

For the stand, I did 2 coats of killz 2 inside and out, the in the inside I did 3 coats of rustoleums version of flex seal in white. Its essentially a spray on rubber. Feels great and completely water resistant which I like. Exteror is just a watered down latex that allowed me to distress it more and then an oil stain to antique after distressing. Last was a polycrylic finish to seal it.

before and after

More to come, next is plumbing.

 

[CafeReef]

I forgot, media rack out of black egg crate. No idea how you guys do these things so polished, my dremmel basically made it not sharp haha.

 

[CafeReef]

Also put a soft close damper on my stand door. Had extras from the kitchen, very affordable might I add, want to say like $5 a piece, had them for 2 years now, still work great. Figured my fish would appreciate doors not being slammed.

Stock photo

 

[CafeReef]

Ran 12-2 to 20amp outlets (dual outlet) to their own breaker, 20amp arc fault breaker. Then added an aeon labs zwave home energy monitor to the breaker. This will allow me to log and capture energy consumption to my tank through my vera home automation hub.

To the left of the outlets is where my ATO line will come through from the closet side.

 

[ksigaekdb]

Awesome build, I really like the layout of the sump you made.

 

[CafeReef]

Awesome build, I really like the layout of the sump you made.

Thanks, I'm really happy with it's layout. Silicone and straightness of baffles quality could of been better haha. But will work well.

 

[CafeReef]

debating if I want to go flexible pipe from the return pump, all the way up to a barbed fitting on the bulkhead, or if I want to go hardpipe down into the stand, and then a short run of flex pipe to the return pump.

 

[homer1475]

or if I want to go hardpipe down into the stand, and then a short run of flex pipe to the return pump.

Just did this on my SCA 80g. Works great!

 

[homer1475]

Sump is a unique layout if I'm understanding it properly?

Overflows come into the skimmer section, then up a baffle and across the front of the tank to the media rack where its forced down through the media, then up another baffle into the return pump?

 

[CafeReef]

Sump is a unique layout if I'm understanding it properly?

Overflows come into the skimmer section, then up a baffle and across the front of the tank to the media rack where its forced down through the media, then up another baffle into the return pump?

spot on!

 

[CafeReef]

Sump is a unique layout if I'm understanding it properly?

Overflows come into the skimmer section, then up a baffle and across the front of the tank to the media rack where its forced down through the media, then up another baffle into the return pump?

I'm definitly thinking this would be a cleaner look. barb and flex line is just easier Guess simple doesnt mean it's right.

 

[CafeReef]

I am 100% convinced that rinsing sand is the worst part of a new setup. Idk how you guys with extremely large tanks do it... I hurt from 40lbs... Guess it's part of getting older I guess...

Sand is in, tank is drilled, just need to plumb now. The it's finally time to get wet.

 

[CafeReef]

Plumbing is done and glued in place, time to get wet.

I also picked up an Apex Jr. To add to the equipment list.

I ran led's around the inside of the stand, lights up the entire space nicely. I need to get some more water mixed up, right noe I have the display full, sump dry. Its ready to start to fill, then I will let it cycle a week or two, adding some live rock and seed it with some filter squeeze .

Pics.

 

[champion6sigma]

Interesting sump. I have similar dimension tank ND very similar equipment . Following on to see progress and steal ideas!

Sent from my BlackBerry PRIV using taptalk

 

[CafeReef]

Thanks!

Got some cable management done today. Nothing amazing but it does organize it some.

 

[CafeReef]

Made myself a DIY filter sock holder today. Couldnt find one I really liked online and the one's I was ok with were $30+. For $3 this will do just fine.

 

[CafeReef]

Well, three trips to multiple LFS stores in my town and a cracked return bulkhead later. I am finally up and running. I think I need to slightly tweek my gate valve some. It has a very slight trickle sounds but overall very quiet. my MP10 is the loudest part of my setup, so I don't have much to complain.

My SCA 301 skimmer is decently loud, but it is a cheap skimmer, I will get my use out of it then look into something different. I won't be running it through cycle though.

one thing I am having an issue with is getting my temp up. I have my finnex titanium set to 80 and my water is slowly rising. My Apex says its at 74 now. I really dislike that the temp probe is built into the head of the heater. I really wish it was separate so I could run it into a different compartment.

 

[CafeReef]

Update:

Been cycling for a week now. My Tunze 3155 ATO came in. I was going to use my existing 3152 since it's only a 50, but decided to go new. Live rock in my sump was pulled from an existing tank. Feather dusters and some snails that were in the rock are thriving. I also added a probe holder and ATO hose holder. They are 3D printed ABS, very happy with the quality and price. I believe the hose holder was $6 and the probe holder was $18. Come in color options I just chose black to be consistent. They also sell magnetic frag racks and other items. Saw them at a convention in Omaha, was impressed.

Probe holder and hose line holder here: http://printedreefingsolutions.com

 

[Lilmatty5dimes]

Looks great. Love the Organization in the sump area. That website is pretty awesome had to bookmark it for future purchases. That sca is an awesome cheap skimmer. Loved the ones I've had.

 

[CafeReef]

CuC is in, went with 7 blue legged hermits, 3 turbo's, 2 trochous, 5 cerith snails, and will eventually move my two larger nassarius snails over from my current tank.