Modern Integrated 50gal Cube...Build Thread!

[joshbryer]

Got the return line dry fit, minus the tee off to the reactors, for which I'm missing a slip fit barb. I'll remedy that tomorrow though... Definitely a bit tight on space, but I spent a lot of time figuring out what I think is the best compromise for the way the return manifold is routed.

The line on screen left with the gate valve runs back to the tank, with the valve to fine tune flow. The top line will run to the vertex reactors, which have their own valves integrated. The screen right line is just an output back into the sump for excess flow. I'm imagining it will take a while to tune, but should be a decent solution once it's running.

 

[joshbryer]

No pics, just a progress update....

Tested and flushed the ro/di tonight, luckily all went well with ~62psi of pressure, 10ppm into the DI and 0ppm on the way out. Got all of the return line plumbing glued tonight, just need to tape some of the threaded bits and glue a few pieces on the reactors before the water test on Sunday.

Also, I went this week to check out some really nice mature Marshall Island rock. It was super purple and looked very clean, but it had been in it's previous tank for between 4-5 years so I'm a bit too concerned with trapped phosphates to pull the trigger on it. This weekend I'm gonna go and check out some indo and vanuatu rock and figure out what I'm gonna do.

Oh, and lesson learned, threaded valves suck.

 

[mutateddogbone]

look into dry marco rock. pest and algae free and much easier to do a mock up and drill the rock before putting into the system. i did fiji premium and some shelf rock and wish i would have started with dry rock and avoided some headaches i've had to deal with.

 

[joshbryer]

Water Test Day!

The tank didn't explode, so that's a good thing! Return, skimmer and vortech pumps all were functioning. Got the first pass of plumbing tuning done, not even using the return to sump off the manifold. No leaks from bulkheads or valves, and only one very slight seepage from the male threaded bit that connects to the return bulkhead....I'm gonna retape that one this week.

I looked at some more local LFS rock over the weekend as well, and unfortunately I'm way less than impressed. Lots of it looks like expensive base rock, plenty of stuff that's pretty much just covered in aiptasia, overall disappointing. I'm super hesitant to order sight unseen, because even from somewhere like Premium Aquatics which has a great rep for rock, I've seen ppl that have been clearly disappointed and once it's yours, it's yours. Gonna go and check Vivid to look at their indo rock, but if I don't like it I'm gonna just go for Marco or BRS Eco Rox and seed with a piece of that Marshall Island I saw.

 

[lucidheights]

hey awesome build! not sure if its been asked, is there any reason you didn't go for a corner overflow?

 

[BennyFrank]

Congrats on getting it wet, looks amazing!

 

[joshbryer]

hey awesome build! not sure if its been asked, is there any reason you didn't go for a corner overflow?

So, the easy answer is that hindsight being 20/20, I should have... My reasoning at the time was that this was a stocked, rimless reef ready, starfire tank for $349. C'est la vie.

 

[joshbryer]

Congrats on getting it wet, looks amazing!

Thanks Benny! I just checked out your thread, very nice work. And your man cave that houses the tank is sweet!

 

[msr224]

Josh

Check out D2mini's build. He ordered from TBS and got some seriously good stuff. They will sell you a kit and if the stuff you get looks anything like his then you probably won't be disappointed.....

Check it out and maybe talk with D2mini to see how it all worked out for him.... I wish now that I'd known about it a few months ago.....

 

[shaggss]

Congrats on getting it wet Josh.....:dance:

 

[joshbryer]

Josh

Check out D2mini's build. He ordered from TBS and got some seriously good stuff. They will sell you a kit and if the stuff you get looks anything like his then you probably won't be disappointed.....

Check it out and maybe talk with D2mini to see how it all worked out for him.... I wish now that I'd known about it a few months ago.....

You know, that's a good idea, I'll shoot him a PM. Based on what I've heard my biggest concern was a ton of gorilla crabs and mantis...but his tank is awsome.

 

[joshbryer]

Congrats on getting it wet Josh.....:dance:

Thanks Shaggss! Hopefully soon it will be wet permanently.

 

[canesfan44]

looking good, looking good!

 

[Richard Reefer]

Looks great man...

 

[mudskipper1]

Sweeeeet build, looking forward to the stocking stage. Congrats.

 

[joshbryer]

Thanks Everyone! Can't wait to get some life in there!

 

[msr224]

You know, that's a good idea, I'll shoot him a PM. Based on what I've heard my biggest concern was a ton of gorilla crabs and mantis...but his tank is awsome.

Yea, D2mini did have some issues with those things BUT not that big of a deal for him to handle apparently as he went back for a second order for his new NANO build. Hope he gives ya some good info.

-S

 

[joshbryer]

Yea, D2mini did have some issues with those things BUT not that big of a deal for him to handle apparently as he went back for a second order for his new NANO build. Hope he gives ya some good info.

-S

Based on more reading, I'm kind of not looking at tampa bay anymore...d2mini's tank is rediculously nice, but I'm not really going for the mixed reef look with all the sponges etc.. The time for aquascaping and drilling issue is also at the forefront of my mind, and I'd hate to pay for and recieve all that like on the tbs rock just to kill it while I aquascape.

Still going back and forth, but I'm going to look at some supposedly very nice indo rock this Saturday. Otherwise, the BulkReef shelf and pukani dry rock combined with a detrivore kit from inland aquatics, diversity packs and coraline cultures from ipsf and a rock or two from a display will be the way I go....also would help my conscience in terms of eco-footprint as I posted in my other thread on the sps forum regarding dry rock vs live:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/search.php?searchid=2719131

 

[msr224]

I can certainly understand each of those reasons. That kind of thinking is something more and more of us are going to have to do.

I went with the marco rock due to lack of experience, price and I like the look. I wish I'd known more about epoxy, superglue and all that before I did my tank. I know I am going to re-scape it at somepoint, ah..welll...live and learn.

Based on more reading, I'm kind of not looking at tampa bay anymore...d2mini's tank is rediculously nice, but I'm not really going for the mixed reef look with all the sponges etc.. The time for aquascaping and drilling issue is also at the forefront of my mind, and I'd hate to pay for and recieve all that like on the tbs rock just to kill it while I aquascape.

Still going back and forth, but I'm going to look at some supposedly very nice indo rock this Saturday. Otherwise, the BulkReef shelf and pukani dry rock combined with a detrivore kit from inland aquatics, diversity packs and coraline cultures from ipsf and a rock or two from a display will be the way I go....also would help my conscience in terms of eco-footprint as I posted in my other thread on the sps forum regarding dry rock vs live:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/search.php?searchid=2719131

 

[joshbryer]

I can certainly understand each of those reasons. That kind of thinking is something more and more of us are going to have to do.

I went with the marco rock due to lack of experience, price and I like the look. I wish I'd known more about epoxy, superglue and all that before I did my tank. I know I am going to re-scape it at somepoint, ah..welll...live and learn.

Were you happy with the marco dry rock? Would you go live next time?