PL-Reef's 30G M-Tank build.

[PL-Reef]

Time i finally do something for myself! Since we bought our house 4 months ago i have yet to set up any kind of display tank. All i have right now is 250 gallon prop system in the basement. So needless to say i'm going through tank with drawl!!!

Here's the plan.

30 gallon Finnex M-Tank

Retro T5 lighting (maybe over driven)

Deltec MCE 600/300 protein skimmer

Tunze Nano Streams

Liter Meter III for top off and dosing DYI 2 part

Custom built stand

My first thought was to go BB in this tank but i still might go with a SSB just for looks. I have room in the fuge area of the M-tank for a remote sand bed. I dont think i'll be growing any macro in there anyway.
Any one have any experience with running over driven T5s on a small tank? I was entertaining the idea of running 2 over driven T5s and 2 regular T5s. All with SLR reflectors.
Earlier today i started to build the face frame of the tank cabinet. I'm using poplar and am going to stain everything a cherry color. i'll have some pics of that soon.
So here it is my new pride and joy sitting on my door step.

Questions and comments are VERY welcome! I'll be posting lots of pics durring this build.

 

[MADtanks]

OPEN IT!!!!!!! hahahahha

bout damn time dude now hurry up and build your stand/Canopy!

 

[reefman13]

now hurry up and build your stand/Canopy!

Yeah, I can't wait to see the way he designs this one. I had asked him to build me one because of the way he has done other stands and well.....never mind. But anyway, can't wait to see where this goes.

BTW: Great pic Mrs. PL-Reef! -like always

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Finally!

Who are you getting to build the stand?

As far as the T5's- go with hallide. I think a streamlined MH pendant looks cleaner, and IMHO, and from my experience, overdriven T5's can run just as warm as a single lower wattage DE MH. The difference in heat may not be as significant as you may think.

..and remember...AIO means All In One- not modify the livin be-gesuz outta it!

 

[cato]

I remember someone wanting to "take a break" for a while not too long ago...BTW You're not on the schedule next week...hmmmmm.

 

[cato]

Who builds custom stands that are any good that is...

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Cato, I still haven't been able to find a quality local builder.

 

[PL-Reef]

erickrm. LOL! i'm working on it!


InsaneClownFish. Finaly! lol your not kidding!
as far as the lights go i've done MH in the past and prefer T5s for a hand full of reasons. i also had 6 overdriven T5 on my last tank but it was alot deeper than this one.
i'm not too worried about heat just if i will bake the corals with too much light.

 

[PL-Reef]

you guys suck! LOL

Cato.. there was a time that i was going to "take a break from reef keeping" but i think that was the Crack talking. plus my good buddy talked me off that ledge.



i;ll be calling tomorrow. i hope i still can get penciled in.

 

[bpd964]

Nice! Finally something good to follow.. bring it on..

 

[MADtanks]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11164043#post11164043 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bpd964
Nice! Finally something good to follow.. bring it on..

lmao!!!

this will indeed be good thread!

 

[ShiftNation]

Damn I expected more out of a first post than a box on a doorstep . Break that bad boy out and give us the once over man . Did you start on the stand yet ?

 

[danoreef]

I coming along for the ride...

can't wait to see the progress.

 

[Mrs. PL-Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11165330#post11165330 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ShiftNation
Damn I expected more out of a first post than a box on a doorstep . Break that bad boy out and give us the once over man . Did you start on the stand yet ?

That's all my fault, haven't taken a photo of the actual tank yet... Been too busy processing some pictures of a tank for a guy from our club... I'm afraid if I don't get his photos done fast he might hit my car and punch me in the jaw!

 

[MADtanks]

LMAO getting close to it!!!! lmao!

 

[mr pink floyd]

BTW: Great pic Mrs. PL-Reef! -like always

kid... its a box

 

[ShiftNation]

Thats not your fault that Jas cant pony up and master that camera with your help Kadian . Jas quit bieng lazy and add one more thing to your massive list of **** to do .

 

[MADtanks]

lmao!! It is just a box....

Dude more pics now!! Well mine first

 

[ooja3k]

Sounds like its going to be a nice setup!

Tagging along

 

[CamBarr]

i see a box wheres the tank