Dvetran's Cube Build

[dvetran]

Been two years away from hobby. Had to shut down a tank because I decided to go to graduate school. Would have been way to busy with work and school to take care of a tank. Now that I am nearing the end of school, I decided it would be a great time get back into the hobby. Decided on setting up a cube just due to the size maintenance would not be so demanding. I have learned a lot from the first tank and plan on apply all that knowledge on this tank to make it even better.

40 gallon Oceanic Cube
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6238424933/" title="IMG_0676 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6213/6238424933_ec8acd1c29_z.jpg" width="478" height="640" alt="IMG_0676"></a>

Bean Animal Overflow, No more noisy overflow!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6238963470/" title="IMG_0677 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6096/6238963470_616116611b_z.jpg" width="478" height="640" alt="IMG_0677"></a>

10 gallow sump, with refugium, Clip on lights from HD for $6. Also made sure to have a DIY ATO. No more adding RO water everyday. Sock is only temporary, one less chore of having to change it.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6238435781/" title="IMG_0697 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6039/6238435781_f326365a6c_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="IMG_0697"></a>

For light I went with ATI 4x24w powermodule. Would have preferred 6 bulb but there wasn't much need for it as it would end up lighting the overflow
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6238958350/" title="IMG_0717 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6091/6238958350_8159ee6804_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="IMG_0717"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6238445109/" title="IMG_0721 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6047/6238445109_0c38cc2ddc_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="IMG_0721"></a>

Really paid attention to aquascape this time. I didn't want a stack of rocks against the back wall. I wanted on bonsai aquascape. Not only will it allow for better flow but it will give enough room for corals to grow into. Plans are for SPS and LPS tank
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6238960976/" title="IMG_0719 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6154/6238960976_d8e2103861_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="IMG_0719"></a>

Right side
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6238440877/" title="IMG_0720 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6230/6238440877_50b71cb099_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="IMG_0720"></a>

Left Side
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6238959654/" title="IMG_0718 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6233/6238959654_e9f1b4e702_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="IMG_0718"></a>

Couldn't get black acrylic sheet for the overflow box so it clear and only now. But over time I'm sure it will be covered in coraline and not even be noticeable

 

[dvetran]

Lifestock Include:
Pair Clown
6 Line Wrasse
Skunk Shrimp

Corals Include:
Jolly Rancher Acan
Dragon eye zoanthids
Green Ricordia
ORA Purple Plasme
Joe’s Yellow Acro

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6298661599/" title="IMG_0731 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6229/6298661599_d1790ab4ed_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="IMG_0731"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6299200104/" title="IMG_0733 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6104/6299200104_0feefc8d8f_z.jpg" width="478" height="640" alt="IMG_0733"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6299198250/" title="IMG_0734 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6058/6299198250_79c10e4ebf_z.jpg" width="478" height="640" alt="IMG_0734"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6298663575/" title="IMG_0732 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6048/6298663575_35c399dd46_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="IMG_0732"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6298669147/" title="IMG_0736 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6229/6298669147_a134455523_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="IMG_0736"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dvetran/6298671135/" title="IMG_0738 by dvetran, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6298671135_3835548305_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="IMG_0738"></a>

 

[RTMA]

Looks great! Love the simplicity of the scape. And the DIY frag rack!!! Frags look like they are doing well. Can't wait to see how they turn out in your tank. When I had t5s lighting the purple plasma, it was a darker richer purple.

 

[dvetran]

Thanks for the frag Joe! Frag are doing great, as soon as they were place in tank polyps came right out. I'm probably gonna lose some color due to the tank still being new but working on growth first then color. After seeing your set up on your 15g tall I'm thinking of switching to LEDs. Amazing colors when blues are dial up.

 

[Wheel of Time]

I really appreciate the aquascape. Very minimilistic. Draws my eye in. Love how the rocks branches out to the sides. Looks very nice. Clean design.

Going to be a nice tank. I like the bean animal you have. I came VERY close to re-drilling my tank after my recent crash. was thinking of a bean animal or closed loop. You are going to be pretty happy with your choice Im sure.

Good luck and nice meeting you this weekend.

 

[tyler91913]

Looks awesome Dave. Mind if I come see it in person sometime?

 

[scolley]

Love the tank and stand Dave. Thanks for posting! Looks great.

And as you know, as someone that has spent many years creating and shaping bonsai, I think you did and OUTSTANDING rocks ape. Well done.

Also, you really got me thinking with that silent-and-failsafe. Got me considering the same thing on new 33 in progress. Great start! Pls keep us posted.

 

[dvetran]

Thanks for the comments guy! Seth was great meeting you, its gonna be nice seeing the 300g get restock. I have a feeling second time around the outcome is going to be even better than the first. Bean animal flow is the way too go. Maybe a little more work but it silent when it use. Plus there is an emergency pipe just in case a snail decides to go wandering. When power goes out and comes back on there is no need to siphon to get it going. Steve if I had to do it again I would try to have the overflow outside of the tank and possibily notch the tank to create the overflow. That way you save some real estate within the tank.

Tyler, you can definatly stop by and check it out. I'm free this weekend just let me know when.

 

[tyler91913]

Saw this tank in person today. Dave's done an amazing, inspiring job. Good to see that my old fish and shrimp are in good hands.

 

[RTMA]

This tank is going to be awesome once it fills out. You could get some mag frags and mount acros on the overflow - sticking out. They will grow out and up. If you stick with smaller branched acros - (eg. a Turaki / Ice Fire or Hawkins Enchinata / maybe the ORA Aussie Delicate), it would look pretty cool and hide the overflow a bit.

 

[dvetran]

This tank is going to be awesome once it fills out. You could get some mag frags and mount acros on the overflow - sticking out. They will grow out and up. If you stick with smaller branched acros - (eg. a Turaki / Ice Fire or Hawkins Enchinata / maybe the ORA Aussie Delicate), it would look pretty cool and hide the overflow a bit.

Thats an awesome idea Joe! Makes the most use of real estate and I get to hide the overflow in the process. Gonna wait couple more weeks to see how the frags I got from you turn out. So far so good, polyps are extended and doing well. The yellow acro that I got from the frag raffle is already starting to encrust.

Saw this tank in person today. Dave's done an amazing, inspiring job. Good to see that my old fish and shrimp are in good hands.

Thanks for the kind words Tyler, let me know if you need any help setting up the new tank.

 

[RTMA]

Yep, since your box sticks out a bit, might as well use it to your advantage. For the inside of the box - I've found that the rubber coated magnets (replacement N52?) from Bulk Reef supply work really well. Are you going for a SPS dominant tank? That Bonsai reefscape will lend well to it.

 

[scolley]

+1 on what Joe said. 'Tis why I'm not overly concerned about the internal overflow box on my own new tank. I'm hoping that in a year and a half you will not be able to see it.

I suspect the key is picking the right coral. Not too vertical, not too horizontal. I'm thinking a really nice birdsnest.

 

[RTMA]

A birdsnest would look nice on the corner - may get a bit big - think softball size in no time that high up. imho - ORA Hyacinth (Pink with purple / blue polyps) followed by the ORA Ponape. Let me know if you want a frag - I have the Hyacinth. Don't have the Ponape yet. It grows FAST! If you get small chromis - they will sleep in the branches.

 

[dvetran]

Awesome comments guys, I am thinking about going ahead and just gluing a frag on the overflow itself. Overflow is made of acrylic so it shouldn't be too hard with some super glue gel.

 

[RTMA]

Awesome comments guys, I am thinking about going ahead and just gluing a frag on the overflow itself. Overflow is made of acrylic so it shouldn't be too hard with some super glue gel.

That works too!

 

[scolley]

Awesome comments guys, I am thinking about going ahead and just gluing a frag on the overflow itself. Overflow is made of acrylic so it shouldn't be too hard with some super glue gel.

Dave - I've got a magnetic frag I'll happily give you. But you'd have to come pick it up. It's so small that I'd love to just mail it to you. But they have those WICKED little magnets in them, that I cannot help but chuckle very, very hard at the though of what would happen if I put one in an envelope to USPS mail it to you. LOL. :lmao:

 

[dvetran]

Lol would prob lead to some confusion and an angry mail man! Thank you for the offer Steve, I'm hoping on attending next meeting so I can grab it then.