Tinpanva's Reef Part Deux-60 Cube Build

[TinpanVA]

Plans just have a way of changing or getting changed. I've been drawing, making project lists, and even bought a 40b sump for a 93 cube build I've had in my head for the last several months. Well, along comes one of "those" deals you just can't say no to, the brand new 60 cube and stand was one of those deals. I'm ok with it, love the look and footprint of the 60 cube. I think everyone should have at least one. I will be pulling most of the good stuff from the 29, all the electronics as well.



The Specs


60 gallon Marineland Reef Ready Rimless Cube
Marineland Stock Stand
Vertex Omega 150 Skimmer
Sicce Silent 3.5 Return Pump
Nextreef NRS-24 Sump
AI Hydra 52 LEDs (w/Director)
JBJ NanoGlow LEDs for the Sump
ReefKeeper Lite
Tunze Osmolater ATO
(3) Ecotech MP-10 Wireless Pumps
Finnex 200w Titanium Heater
60lbs BRS Reef Saver Dry Rock
60lbs Tropic of Eden Reef Flakes


Just picked up the sump this past weekend and the last few plumbing parts. Should have water on it this weekend.


Local Club requires first photo to contain customary beer photo for good luck.

Just waiting to swap out tank locations, I want the new tank in the same spot as the 29.

Unboxing the Skimmer, not only very pretty and shiney, but built like a tank.

Trying it out for size, and once installed, fit like a glove. As a side note, I had designed my own sump to go under the stand (attached), but too many barriers were getting in the way and was taking too long to have built. Hello option "B".

Just cell phone pictures for right now. Working on rock scape this week and should be wet this weekend!


TTFN!

 

[Scubafrog]

Looks great but can't wait to see the greatness you will do with it. Following!

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

Keep us updated!! Looking good so far!

-YK

 

[Oscaror]

#TeamReefOCtopus2015NoTunze4Me

 

[TinpanVA]

It ain't pretty, and it's cloudy as heck, but both tanks got moved today, plumbed, added rock and sand and now she's wet.

 

[spspirate]

Looking good Paul! Following....

 

[TinpanVA]

Week one is done, skimmer slowly getting broke in. Everything else doing just fine. Hooked up a temporary ATO to make life a little easier.

First weeks numbers - 1.0245, 0 no2 & no3, .75 Nh3

Withe all the sand and coral being snow white, it's hard to show depth. But I think it's pretty cool looking.

 

[spspirate]

Great looking rockscape!!

 

[Tahoe61]

That is one awesome scape.

 

[soggytees]

That's looking NICE! :thumb:

 

[TinpanVA]

The cycle is moving along nicely, no diatoms yet, bet it shows up this week. Should I leave the rotten shrimp in one last week?

Nh3 - 0ppm
No2 - .1 ppm
No3 - 2 ppm

 

[TinpanVA]

26 days and the cycle is over, pulled out that nasty rotten shrimp. Will monitor another day or two and then pick up a CuC to finish off the shrimp bits.

It's about to get fun!

 

[spspirate]

Sweet! Got any green algae growth yet?

 

[TinpanVA]

No algae whatsoever, but I just cut the lights on for the first time 2 days ago with the exception of day 7 where I took pictures and set the lights. I'm really surprised I had no diatoms but Pearson said not to worry, they WILL show up at some point. Should I have something showing up? If everything goes according to plan and everything gets moved this weekend, bet I get a bloom of something then!

 

[anarchy]

Love the giant "crab claw" rock

 

[spspirate]

Well, algae needs light and nutrients so once the lights hit get that clean up crew ready.

 

[TinpanVA]

I ran a water sample by the LFS Friday just to verify my reading. Everything was right on the money so yesterday I spent all day moving the electronics over, then the corals and finally the fish. I still need to get one of the nems over, hopefully today. Happy to report, everyone happy this morning.

Like always, I spoke too soon about the diatoms, there were there when I got home Friday. Bought a good sized CuC plus what was already in the 29.

Only thing really left to do is fine tune the skimmer, dang thing still overflowing after running for a month. It was within the recommended depth, but I still raised it about 1.5" and still overflowing. Not sure if it's because everything is brand new and nothing to skim or what. Gonna try adjusting the volute thingy today. Vertex says not to touch it for a few weeks but it's been a month. I'll try and get some pics this afternoon.

 

[gettaReef]

Yeah I've found my vertex omega 180i to be very touchy, especially in the beginning. Seems to be crucial to keep the water level consistent. Good news is that now it is pulling tons of skimmate and I'm loving it, along with the Vertex neck cleaner. At first it was so touchy that it would overflow due to the small water level change when switching out new filter socks....now that it's broken in, it doesn't do that anymore

 

[TinpanVA]

Yeah, I talked to Conner at BRS who pretty much said the same thing. Not having anything to skim the first 30 days really didn't help the break-in period. Just gotta be patient. I hate being patient.

 

[Tek]

Aquascaping looks good! Tagging along.