278 replies to this topic

[Jaytizzle]

As you all know, I picked up a 20" cube tank from Ron at Reef Coral last week.  It is about 30g.  I am trying to get my game plan together for this tank.  I am not sure how I am going to drill it.  It is going to be tied into my 120g tank through a common wall.

My initial idea is to do a "coast-to-coast" style overflow.  This would mean drilling two holes on the back wall for drain lines and one line for a return line.  I will get black acrylic to make the overflow box or get one pre-made.  The drain lines will tie together into one common line and drain to the sump on my 120.  The return line will come to the center of the tank and split inside the overflow box into two separate lines and go over the edge of the box (or through a notch in it).  These will have loc-line on them so that I can direct the nozzles.



This will probably have an arch-style bonsai stack in the tank.  I want most flow provided by a single MP-10w ES.  I can see making the arch and putting the MP-10 on the back wall so that it blows through the arch.

Does anybody have any thoughts?  Suggestions and criticisms are welcome.  I'd like to hash through a lot of the build before I cut any holes in this thing.  This will either be a mixed tank or LPS with a rare nem if I can find the one that I want.

[tobias funke]

Why are you going to use a single wireless vortech? The extra $50 or so spent on wireless seems wasted if you can't sync it.

[Jaytizzle]

tobias funke said:

Why are you going to use a single wireless vortech? The extra $50 or so spent on wireless seems wasted if you can't sync it.

The WXM module on my Apex controller can sync with it.


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[Jaytizzle]

Probably going to DIY a LED fixture for this tank as well.  It ought to be fun to figure out how many diodes to put.  I'm thinking 12x Blue, 12x Royal Blue, 12x White.  Each will be on its own power supply and controlled by my Apex.

Anybody else got any thoughts on the drilling, overflow box, powerhead placement, etc.?

[SHANE_96INTEGRA]

Just wondering why 2 drains on such a small tank?

[Jaytizzle]

SHANE_96INTEGRA said:

Just wondering why 2 drains on such a small tank?

I thought about only doing one.  It's more of a precautionary measure.  They will be tied into one pipe outside the tank.  If something climbs in the overflow box and plugs one drain or one gets clogged, I still have the other one draining.

[SHANE_96INTEGRA]

got ya

[Stang66GT]

JT,

I think two drains is also more beneficial for skimming the surface area of the tank. Good call sir

[Jaytizzle]

Stang66GT said:

JT,

I think two drains is also more beneficial for skimming the surface area of the tank. Good call sir

Thanks, Michael.

Anybody else got any input?  If not, I'll probably go to Ron's this weekend and drill the tank.

[Reef_Tank_Greg]

I am too afraid to drill tanks to have ever accumulated any knowledge on it.

[lars]

jt, i'm sure you have other plans but i have a cube the same size and made this scape to go in it for mainly chalice's. it's been soaking for over a month in fresh water and should be ready. i decided not to use it. it's a real bummer, but i just simply changed my mind. it's really light. it's a lighter grey now with a crushed coral texture. you don't have to take it if you don't want. i won't be insulted. everyone has there own taste.

[Jaytizzle]

That's pretty badazz, Jerry!  I'll keep it in mind for sure. I truly don't know what my plans are on this tank. Once I get it figured out, I'll see if this piece fits.


.

[Tony]

lars said:

jt, i'm sure you have other plans but i have a cube the same size and made this scape to go in it for mainly chalice's. it's been soaking for over a month in fresh water and should be ready. i decided not to use it. it's a real bummer, but i just simply changed my mind. it's really light. it's a lighter grey now with a crushed coral texture. you don't have to take it if you don't want. i won't be insulted. everyone has there own taste.

Jerry that is really nice work.

[lars]

thanks! i worked a good while on it so i appreciate that.

[Jaytizzle]

I decided on a coast-to-coast internal overflow box.  I ordered the acrylic sheets this morning from estreetplastics and also grabbed some acrylic rods for rock scaping (if I don't use Jerry's awesome piece!).

I'm going to drill the tank this weekend and get with Aquamanic to cut and construct the box next week some time.  Now if jrl would just answer his damn phone to get my stand started...

[Stang66GT]

lars said:

thanks! i worked a good while on it so i appreciate that.

I really really really think you should do a diy in the diy forum on how you made the coral texture. Like Tony said you did a great job on it and deserve some recognititon!

[lars]

i have to be honest, i got most of the idea from jesse with my coral garden. he was making something like it and i had a brain fart then. i only changed the mixture a little bit. i surely don't mind showing how i did it as long as becky and jesse don't mind. i'm sure it's not a big deal.

[Jaytizzle]

A HUGE thanks to Al (Aquamanic)!!!

I ordered the materials to build the overflow box and Al offered to give me a hand... I took everything to his house this morning and we thought through the whole process and got an excellent one-of-a-kind overflow box built.

Here's some pictures:














And here's the finished product!

[Stang66GT]

Your resources never cease to amaze me JT! LOL Great work AL!

[Tony]

Looks great. Al is the man!