fjr_wertheimber
Combat-tested Reefer
Okay, so this is going to be a looooong drawn out build, so be forewarned... I'm currently deployed in Iraq, so a lot of this is going to be planning for when I get back and can actually implement all this...
Let's see, where were we... Last time I was active around here I had a 60g Aquarium Obsessed Starphire cube (24"x24"x24")... Well, because of military travel and upcoming deployment, I sold that tank , and am now in the process of planning my next tank...
So, here's the plan:
Tank
220g Aquarium Obsessed tank (60"L x 48"W x 20"H), external overflow, Starphire glass on three viewable sides, Euro-bracing.
Lighting
6x AI SOL Blue LED fixtures
Controller
Neptune Systems Apex controller (including interfaces to control the AI LEDs and the Vortechs)
Flow
2x Vortech MP60 pumps
Sump/Refugium
Still in the planning process... Probably going to be around 75-100 gallons total...
Return pumps
Still planning... I'm debating on using two smaller pumps for redundancy... Thoughts?
Skimmer
Undecided... I'm leaning towards either Bubble Magus or SWC... Any suggestions for a decent skimmer, preferably at a less than utterly obscene price?
Stand/canopy
Will be custom made by me to fit the decor of the house I get when I return from Iraq
Anyway, welcome to the (long) ride!
A few thoughts:
I'm thinking of placing the LED lighting on a motorized track using linear actuators, so that over the course of 24 hours it moves 12" forward and back, taking advantage of the directional lighting properties of the LEDs to make it look like shifting light throughout the day. The live rock will be built up to six main pillars, or miniature bommies, so that over the course of the day the LEDs will start off one one side (with the other side shaded), be directly over the bommie at midday (and at the brightest setting), and then over on the far side for the end of the day.
The tank has some really unique dimensions. I was looking forward to getting a deep dimension tank, as I wanted the fish to have lots of rock work to swim through/around (I intend to have a number of tangs, as well as some schooling fish), and I really lucked out when I found this tank for sale. I loved my old AO cube, so I was really thrilled when I found one like this, and the shallow depth will work well for the LEDs, too (which worked nicely for me, as I really wanted LEDs on this tank). I should be back sometime in early February, and should pick up the tank sometime mid-to-late February. It's going to be a bit of a drive (the tank is currently in Augusta, GA) but for the price and quality of the tank I think it's going to be well worth it.
Anyways, thanks for checking this out, and I look forward to your thoughts and comments!
Let's see, where were we... Last time I was active around here I had a 60g Aquarium Obsessed Starphire cube (24"x24"x24")... Well, because of military travel and upcoming deployment, I sold that tank , and am now in the process of planning my next tank...
So, here's the plan:
Tank
220g Aquarium Obsessed tank (60"L x 48"W x 20"H), external overflow, Starphire glass on three viewable sides, Euro-bracing.
Lighting
6x AI SOL Blue LED fixtures
Controller
Neptune Systems Apex controller (including interfaces to control the AI LEDs and the Vortechs)
Flow
2x Vortech MP60 pumps
Sump/Refugium
Still in the planning process... Probably going to be around 75-100 gallons total...
Return pumps
Still planning... I'm debating on using two smaller pumps for redundancy... Thoughts?
Skimmer
Undecided... I'm leaning towards either Bubble Magus or SWC... Any suggestions for a decent skimmer, preferably at a less than utterly obscene price?
Stand/canopy
Will be custom made by me to fit the decor of the house I get when I return from Iraq
Anyway, welcome to the (long) ride!
A few thoughts:
I'm thinking of placing the LED lighting on a motorized track using linear actuators, so that over the course of 24 hours it moves 12" forward and back, taking advantage of the directional lighting properties of the LEDs to make it look like shifting light throughout the day. The live rock will be built up to six main pillars, or miniature bommies, so that over the course of the day the LEDs will start off one one side (with the other side shaded), be directly over the bommie at midday (and at the brightest setting), and then over on the far side for the end of the day.
The tank has some really unique dimensions. I was looking forward to getting a deep dimension tank, as I wanted the fish to have lots of rock work to swim through/around (I intend to have a number of tangs, as well as some schooling fish), and I really lucked out when I found this tank for sale. I loved my old AO cube, so I was really thrilled when I found one like this, and the shallow depth will work well for the LEDs, too (which worked nicely for me, as I really wanted LEDs on this tank). I should be back sometime in early February, and should pick up the tank sometime mid-to-late February. It's going to be a bit of a drive (the tank is currently in Augusta, GA) but for the price and quality of the tank I think it's going to be well worth it.
Anyways, thanks for checking this out, and I look forward to your thoughts and comments!
