Johnny C's 57G Illuminata Rimless Reef

[Johnny C]

Hey Everyone...

I have been in the hobby for about a year and a half, and have learned a LOT in such a short amount of time. I originally owned a 30G Miracles Rimless aquarium, but the dimensions were unfit for what I was trying to accomplish and I needed more space for coral to grow. The new setup break-down is below:

-57 Gallon (36x18x21'') Oceanic Illuminata
-700GPH Glass~Holes Overflow Kit
-Custom Oak Stand
-Three Chambered Acrylic Sump w/ Frag Section
-6x24w Catalina T5's w/ (2) 460nm Powerbrite LEDs
-Skimmer (Still Undecided)
-(2) Vortech MP10 Powerheads
-Tsumani AT1 Auto Topoff
-Calcium Supplimentation: Undecided
-20lbs. Figi Live Rock / 20lbs. Figi Pink Sand
-More to Come!

There will be a few goals/methods involved with this setup that I plan on accomlishing:

-Overall Simplicity (Less is More)
-SPS Dominated, though Mixed Reef
-High Quality Equipment
-Stability

I don't have any build pictures yet, but here's one of my old 30G Tank:

I'll be sure to update frequently with lots of pictures. Thanks & Enjoy!

 

[SawdustInTank]

Subscribed!

 

[Eel-byte]

Nice looking tank, more pics please.

 

[sjj729]

Could you tell me the dimensions of the overflow on the Illuminata tanks?

 

[Johnny C]

Thanks for the replies! I'm not sure on the stock oceanic overflow size, but IMO it's way oversized and takes up too much room on an already modest-sized tank. I chose to do it a little different, as you can see below in my illustration. The overflow I chose (Glass~Holes 700GPH Kit) is about 6x2x6'' and takes up virtually no room.

Here's a paint sketch of the setup... will follow-up as things progress.

 

[mavjoy]

I'm also in the process of setting up my 57 Illuminata rimless tank. I went with a ATB 840 V1.5 skimmer with mine. I'll be following your build:thumbsup:

 

[Johnny C]

I'm definatly jealous... that is a beautiful skimmer.

Ideally I think for now I'm gonna run either the Bubble Magus NA6 or NA7. I'd like to get the ATB/BK-Mini 160 but funds are a bit tight so I'm gonna see how perform for the time being.

 

[Johnny C]

For those interested, here's a few shots of the stand being assembled. Hopefully it'll be finished later this week!

 

[mavjoy]

The Bubble Magus is a great skimmer for the price. I've seen it in action at one of the LFS here and it looks very impressive. Stand looks great!

 

[Johnny C]

A little update...

A little update...

Got an e-mail from my friend with an update on the stand progress. I am VERY impressed with his work, it should be done this weekend! :smokin:

Also finished drilling the tank and installed the overflow/returns. Picture quality sucks but it's better than nothing. Can you see the overflow?

More to come...

PS- I'm having a REALLY tough time deciding what skimmer to get. It's down to the Bubble Magus NAC6 or the Reef Octopus NW-150. I'm definatly going to get one of these, just not sure which. Would really appriciate some opinion(s).

 

[theyammieguy]

subscribed.

 

[Eel Freak]

I love those tanks... We have one at an LFS here and I love it.

Personally, I'd spend the extra $$ and get the Reef Octopus Extreme 160 vs. The NW-150. Our LFS runs all Octopus skimmers and so do I. The extemes are a lot better than the NWs, but this is just my opinion. Either way, they are still excellent skimmers!

Subscribed!

 

[theyammieguy]

Got a picture of the rear of the tank with the overflow installed?

 

[Johnny C]

Thanks guys. I don't have any more pictures at the moment but I <i>promise</i> more soon!

I love those tanks... We have one at an LFS here and I love it.

Personally, I'd spend the extra $$ and get the Reef Octopus Extreme 160 vs. The NW-150. Our LFS runs all Octopus skimmers and so do I. The extemes are a lot better than the NWs, but this is just my opinion. Either way, they are still excellent skimmers!

Subscribed!

At the LFS I frequent they run both the NW-150 and the OctX-160. They are both in heavily stocked ~120g systems. What I can tell you is that the NW-150 can run circles around the xtreme. Why? I don't know. There aren't any variables that would hinder the xtreme either. Also if you look at the FS forums, you see the Xtremes up for grabs constantly vs the NW-150 which rarely goes up for sale. Just my two cents!

 

[Eel Freak]

Thanks guys. I don't have any more pictures at the moment but I <i>promise</i> more soon!


At the LFS I frequent they run both the NW-150 and the OctX-160. They are both in heavily stocked ~120g systems. What I can tell you is that the NW-150 can run circles around the xtreme. Why? I don't know. There aren't any variables that would hinder the xtreme either. Also if you look at the FS forums, you see the Xtremes up for grabs constantly vs the NW-150 which rarely goes up for sale. Just my two cents!

Did they mesh-mod it? My extreme's performance drastically improved with four layers of mesh...

 

[Johnny C]

Did they mesh-mod it? My extreme's performance drastically improved with four layers of mesh...

No. Even so, a good skimmer shouldn't need mesh mods to run good. It took almost 10 days to get the cup 3/4 full. I'm not saying you are wrong, it's just not for me! :fish1:

 

[Eel Freak]

No. Even so, a good skimmer shouldn't need mesh mods to run good. It took almost 10 days to get the cup 3/4 full. I'm not saying you are wrong, it's just not for me! :fish1:

That's a good point... Never thought of it like that! Well, sorry for hijacking the thread briefly here.... Looking forward to the pics!

 

[theyammieguy]

How do you have your return line plumbed?

 

[lordofthereef]

Hey that looks fantastic. Keep us updated.

 

[Johnny C]

How do you have your return line plumbed?

I don't yet. I'm gonna run soft-plumbing to a SCWD and run that to the returns on each end. I'll snap a pic when I do.

Hey that looks fantastic. Keep us updated.

Why thank you! Lots of pictures/info will be posted in a couple of days!