Snootch's 55G Reef Savvy Semi Cube

[Snootch]

After a long ( 9 years ) brake from the hobby I finally decided to setup a new tank.
I wanted to start this thread to keep track the tank's progress. It has been filled with water on 12/01/2011 and finished the cycle on 12/19/2011

- 55G 26x24x20 Reef Savvy 1/2" Starphire Glass with external overflow
- 24" Diy 48 LED Fixture ( 24 RB XT-Es, 12NW and 12 CW XP-Gs)
- Diy Stand
- 20 Gal High Aqueon turned into Sump
- 10 Gal Aqueon top off reservoir
- Eheim 1262 Return Pump
- Skimz SM 121 Monster E Series Skimmer
- Tunze Osmolator 3155 Auto top off
- Neptune Apex
- Vortech MP40 WES

 

[GPB]

Nice looking setup.

 

[smokinprice]

Very nice

 

[jayjigga]

I had to come check out this thread after seeing your post on the diy canopy thread. This thing is SICK! Very nice work

 

[ForSaleByAndy]

Love the setup! But, please tell me that's not a Tapout shirt you're wearing -- LOL

 

[solitude127]

Very nice. Did you do all the DIY stuff? It's all very clean. Where are the drivers for the LEDs?

 

[Snootch]

Thanks jayjigga and FSbA!! I appreciate the comments!

Time for a little update.

I started seeing what looks like a hair algae so an order was placed with John @ www.reefcleaners.org for the following cleanup crew.

2 Emerald/Ruby Mithrax Crab
10 Nerite Snails (Small - Medium)
5 Nassarius Vibex
5 Banded Trochus
1 Assorted Smaller Conchs
20 Dwarf Cerith
10 Florida Cerith
2 Halloween Hermit Crabs*

John runs a great business ( courteous and friendly e-mail updates) and is VERY generous with the snails and crabs he sends you.

I'm happy to report that it's been 2 weeks since the CUC was added and there is no trace of hair algae anywhere in the tank.

KC

BTW yes Andy, THAT is a TopOut shirt I'm wearing.....lol

 

[sbtdark]

Nice tank dude! Reef Savvy, top notch!

 

[Snootch]

Thanks solitude127,

All the work was done myself.
The MeanWell drivers are mounted inside the electrical compartment of the stand.

KC

 

[Snootch]

Nice tank dude! Reef Savvy, top notch!

sbtdark, Amen !

 

[saf1]

Nice set up and craftmanship.

Side question if you don't mind. Did you post anything about the LED build? I'm actually interested in the wire configuration honestly. The blocks, resisters, etc and how you tied it all together. I really like how clean it is compared to the several I've built. I see you are using a bit of cat 5/6, etc - so trying to imagine what you did.

Thanks and it looks really nice.

 

[Snootch]

Thanks saf1,

I highly recommend that you read JP's DIY LED Fixture post.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1973462&page=5
There, you'll find ALL the recommended components for an LED build.

I'm using 12-Position European-Style Mini Terminal Strips available at Radio Shack.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103986
You can cut it to the length you need.

There was no Cat5 cable used in my build. I used 22 gauge Red and Black wire also from Radio Shack for the whole fixture.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2036275

The power cable running from the drivers up to the fixture is made out 6 wires twisted and covered in black expandable sleeving.

Feel free to ask any more questions.

KC

 

[saf1]

Snootch - thanks for the information. It was the 4th image you posted that I wasn't sure what you had going on. There is a grey and black cord - the grey one looks like it is a cat 5 which is why I asked.

The whole system you have there is really neat. I actually have 3 LED builds now with a 4th just finishing up. One is on my daughters planeted tank I'll probably be redoing it here shortly using some of the information in the links you provided. I like the terminal blocks, etc. I don't have any resisters or anything and have actually blown a few out from water splashes and other silly mistakes. So going through the link you gave will re-educate me

The others are in 2 bio-cube 29's and much neater. The last, which was also the first to see if I could even do it, is over a 6 gallon nano And it is pretty fugly Again, I really like the craftmanship you put into it. Really neat and something that would look nice in any formal or living room - I must say.

 

[MacManor]

Very nice and clean electrical setup! It is amazing to me the craftmanship of the overall tank. Great skills! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Snootch]

saf1 and MacManor, thank you.

saf1, you're correct. I forgot about the 2 Cat5 cables in the 4th picture.
They're running from the Neptune Apex VDMs to Zener diode regulator.

KC

 

[lotusstar]

Excellent job on this thread and tank. I'm loving what you've done with the stand and electrical. I'd love to see more details on the stand build especially how you fit everything inside and your electrical cabinet. It looks as if your electrical stuff is above the ATO? Does that make refilling your ATO difficult or am I viewing it wrong? I'm looking at a similar size build and am very interested in this tank. What are your stocking plans? How was your experience with the tank builder? Quality of the tank build?

 

[saf1]

Another thing it seems you are in Florida and your image has some great looking water. Do you scuba dive at all? Over here in California all I get cold water diving at between 44 and 59 degrees f!. Great diving but boy do I long for warmer water!

BTW I should have connected it to the Neptune. I used to own their older model. Nice units but I'm going the diy this time to keep me busy - the smaller ones here off the typhoons I guess.

 

[lotusstar]

Oh yeah. Also if I may ask. What are the dimensions on the external overflow? How much depth does that add to the tank as a whole? Dimensions of the stand too? I like the small ledge around the tank. What size holes are drilled for the overflow and returns?

 

[rcmania]

very nice!

 

[sahin]

Very very ncie build. This is one to keep an eye on! Two questions for you: what is the grey cable tidy thing called? Can you provide a link for it? I'd like to buy some of that to tidy up the cables in my sump. Thanks.