My 30g Oceanic Cube :-)

[bigdee65]

I am in the process of setting up a new 30g Oceanic cube in my apartment and thought I would share as this is my first experience with a "nano" reef. I currently have a 135g mixed reef setup for about a year (was a FOWLR for a year before the switch over) so I wanted to setup a smaller system that is going to be SPS dominated.

Equipment:
30g oceanic cube drilled with 2 1" holes
Custom Stand and Canopy
MagDrive 3 return pump
Euro Reef CS80 Skimmer
250watt 14K Hamilton bulb on an ARO ballast
2- 36 watt PC lights 1-50/50 Daylight/Blue 1-03 Actinic with ballast
10g sump
2.5g Aquadose
Starboard
2 - 4" fans
Seio 620
MJ1200
150W Finnex Titanium Heater
Southdown Sand
Aqua Controller Jr w/DC8 and DC4


I ordered 45lbs of Live Rock from Reefer Madness which is currently curing in the tank. The rock is a mix of Buna Branch (25lbs) and Kaelini (20lbs) and is some amazing looking stuff :thumbsup:


On to some pics:

Full Tank Shot (minus door):

Front tank shot:

Canopy Open:

Inside Canopy

 

[bigdee65]

Sump:

Inside Stand:

Rock in Tank Curing:

Skimmer:

AquaController Jr:

 

[bucknellreefer]

Wow! Nice looking setup!
I just picked up an oceanic cube myself and have been thinking of going a similar direction as far as intended livestock and lighting. Unfortunately i don't think i will be able to drill the tank because it may have to be semi-portable and i would worry about cracking it during transport...
In any case, I can't wait to see your tank once it matures!

 

[Kaos]

What's that PVC tower in the front left corner of your sump for? Is it some sort of bubble diffueser? Very nice setup btw.

 

[binaryterror]

I agree, thats a really great set-up you have. I have always loved the look of the Oceanic 30g cubes. Especially with the black silicone! But that set-up will get you pretty far in this hobby! Good luck, and keep updates!

 

[Brian Koyama]

Nice setup. Especially like the starboard on the bottom. Makes the tank look clean.

 

[fantastic4]

what was the cost for this setup?

 

[bigdee65]

Thanks everyone for the comments!!! I have really put a lot of time and effort into this setup and I am hoping it pays off

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8072715#post8072715 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kaos
What's that PVC tower in the front left corner of your sump for? Is it some sort of bubble diffueser? Very nice setup btw.

Yes, its a bubble extractor and it also quiets down the sump drain. At the moment I am still getting bubbles from the tower but I am going to tweek it when I get a chance. Here is my DIY thread.


bucknellreefer - I would say drill it and put unions near the bulkheads so you can break apart the plumbing when you move. IME/IMO going over the top of the tank is a PITA!!!


I am still trying to decide if I want to add sand to the bottom of the tank and cover the starboard with a small amount of sand. I thought I was going to hate the look of the starboard but its starting to grow on me


Fantastic4 - I bought some parts of the system used (tank, stand, canopy, lighting, return pump, sump) and after fixing up the stand/canopy and getting the rest of the equipment and rock that I needed I have a little over a grand sunk into this tank. If I was to buy everything brand new it would be a lot more but I was lucky to find someone local that was selling the setup as a fixer uppper

EDIT: I bought the AC Jr with all the relative equipment for my other tank but never set it up. I decided to use that for this tank and I am glad I did because with the MH I need to watch the temp swings. I didn't factor that cost into my estimate above



I will update as soon as I get the tank cycled and ready to go!!!

 

[dangpride]

looks good so far - my reef aquascaping looks kinda the same...

keep up the good work!

 

[fantastic4]

amazing tank, this tank is a cube built for/to perfection. Very Nice

 

[jmac4978]

very nice!! Looks very clean, job well done.

 

[bucknellreefer]

I actually have another question, what kinda temps are you seeing with the 250? I am leaning toward a 250 myself but i really don't have the money for a chiller.

 

[Chaotic Reefer4u]

very nice...

 

[bigdee65]

Thanks again everyone!!!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8075562#post8075562 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bucknellreefer
I actually have another question, what kinda temps are you seeing with the 250? I am leaning toward a 250 myself but i really don't have the money for a chiller.

Before I put the rock in the tank I was running the lights on their normal schedule to see what the temps would get to and the highest I reached was 81.5. I can't comment on how hot it will get during the summer months as I waited till the Fall to set the tank up but so far the AC Jr has been keeping it under 81. The great thing about the AC Jr is that when the temp reaches 82 it shut down the MH so the temp can get back into check.

I didn't want to put a chiller on this tank because I would have to plumb it externally and its in my small apartment but if during the summer months I need to add a few more fans I believe that will do the trick.

 

[alien9168]

I think this is going to be a really neet tank!

You certainly have good equipment!