Cpllongjk's 57g Illuminata

[cpllongjk]

This is sort of a progression thread and will stick with it as long as I remember to log on and update the pictures.

At the heart of this tank is the custom built red oak stand and floating canopy. Ive always had a fascination with marine life, starting when I visited Hawaii as a child. I have been reefing off and on since, for approximately 14 years.

Ive always kept smaller tanks and for a while there I did upgrade to a 48x16x18 or so, about 60gallons, and was very unhappy with the footprint and how much work it entailed due to my busy schedule. Thus, I have tried to keep as little maintenance as possible. I also feel that smaller is better, especially since the wife is always breathing down my neck about the humidity in the house. "LOL!"

I saw a few people's threads on the 57g Illuminata and thought it was a good looking tank. If I could change anything about this tank, it would be the style and placement of the overflow, it is way too bulky and could be much better placed in the corner (similar to an ELOS tank). I also wish it were a bit wider (front to back). It would allow much better placement of corals and live rock and for better aquascaping (something I struggle with to this day in every tank I set up).

Last little bit before I stop the wall of text. When I move for the last time, in a few months I am wondering if I should get a new Illuminata and make the overflow mods I am wanting (similar to an ELOS70) or just bust down and get an ELOS70 with stand.

Equipment:
Custom Oak stand and floating canopy
(2) AI SOL Blue Modules
ATB Econo 840 v2.0 Skimmer
Ehiem 1260 Return Pump
KZ 2L ZeoReactor
(2) 6055s with 7096 Controller
(2) Drew's Dosing Pumps from BRS for 2 part

Reefkeeper Elite is controlling everything aside from the Tunzes and Lights

Parameters:
Nitrate 0.0-0.2
Phosphate 0.01
SG 1.024
Ca 420
dkH 7.0-8.0
Mg 1300-1320

Now Pictures, Ill try and show some progressive shots...

Stand Building in Progress

When first set up around Jan 15th 2011:

Sump view around Jan 15th 2011 (Has not changed much at all):

Picture of tank today those 1/2" frags are a growing... They're growing like weeds and I'm working on getting the right colors now.

If you have any suggestions about how to fix the aquascaping I am very open to suggestions. It has always been a real weakness, I'm not very artistic. I still am getting used to the AI lights and already bleached my ORA Chips in the process, I learned my lesson and now have them dialed back big time to cap out at 45% for 4 hours, the rest of the day the lights are on at 20/30/30 or so. I will very slowly ramp them up probably capping out at around 50-60% white.

Coral pictures to come, but I do not yet have a macro lens and my photography skills are not that great.

Thanks for looking, Jared

 

[guarda]

Have you compared the clarity on this vis a vis the Elos low iron? I have an Elos Mini and even though my eyes are old (just my eyes lol) I really love the crispness through the front pane. I'd say go for the Elos 70. You won't regret it. I'm sure you also know that Elos customer service is top notch.

 

[cpllongjk]

Oh yeah... Ive seen an Elos 70 in person, all I can say is beautiful. Depending on if I decided to keep the stand I built or not, I can also have a custom starphire glass tank built to match the stand, or even acrylic. Only thing that worries me about acrylic is how easy it is to scratch it. Nevertheless Elos makes very high quality tanks. For an ELOS 70 with stand I'm looking at $1600 not including shipping. Its a good thing I have all the equipment already.

 

[guarda]

Your current tank is beautiful. I'd personally feel awkward "upgrading" to a tank that's 2 gallons smaller lol. I have an acrylic 6 gallon pico and no matter how careful I am, it gets a new scratch every now and then.

 

[cpllongjk]

Thanks,

Yea thats how I feel too. I may feel better with a smaller internal overflow pushed off to the side and in the corner? I think the price for the ELOS tanks is a bit crazy even though they are amazing. How is your ELOS with scratches, I hear starphire is prone to scratches much easier than normal glass tanks? Also do you clean your glass with a non-abrasive pad with the ELOS? If I went starphire and had a single scratch it would drive me nuts.

 

[guarda]

I just use a mag float and try not worry about it that much anymore. If I try really hard I can see 2 or 3 fine scratches that I incurred while doing a quick clean (most ppl clean their houses when guests are coming, I clean my tank). I was mad the first time I did it. I really think they are worth the premium. I have my tank in the middle of my living room so I see it when I cook, have drinks, do the laundry, eat, watch tv, do shots, do the dishes, have drinks, and have drinks.

 

[guarda]

Sorry for the split post.


... So for me, it was worth the extra money. A lot of my spare time is spent in front of it.

 

[cpllongjk]

LOL! Too funny, that just reminded me of when I dosed vodka, my tank would get a drink and I would get a drink. I cant wait to put my tank back in the living room.

 

[guarda]

Sorry for the split post.


... So for me, it was worth the extra money. A lot of my spare time is spent in front of it.

and in my limited experience (only owned 4 tanks), I don't feel that they starfire scratches easier than standard glass tanks.