60 Rimless Starphire Cube SPS Tank

[alvieman]

Well long story short I shoulda tested my trates a bit more faithfully, I had a spike and lost most all my SPS, looks like the BB didnt work too well as my closed loop pump crapped out so I tried to supplement with powerheads until I could get a vortech, BUT wasnt enough. Detritus built up where I didnt see and before I knew it, bam, but spike. My DSB in fuge is smaller than I'd like and the Chaeto and DSB couldnt keep up. I added some sand to the DT now, letting that cure up and settle in for awhile. Switching to all T5's too tomorrow (4 on a IC660 and 2 on a Workhorse). I'll get some updated pix. Sad to lose most everything but its a learning process....even after about 2.5+ years lol Went back to what I know and gonna slowly work back up to the SPS :)

Will post pix tomorrow!

 

[mak060]

Beautiful. Can't wait to see the progress in pics. Already have given me a load of ideas. Thank you.

 

[alvieman]

Thanks!

Switched some stuff up, added a sand bed, was having nitrate issues and detritus buildup, just couldnt make it go away, so time for the snails and such :) Also switch to a 6xHOT5 setup. 4 are on an IC660, 2 are on a workhorse here's the bulb config, ones with a ** are overdriven.

ATI Blue Plus **
Geiseman Aquablue Plus **
GE 6500 **
ATI Blue Plus
Geisman Aquablue Plus **
Geiseman Pure Actinic (this will be changed to ATI Blue Plus shortly)

This setup is WAY brighter than my MH setup was, its insane. Very very pleased with it, i will be able to grow stuff in some areas I couldnt get good light too before. I changed simply because of the bulb configuration options and it will help get more uniform growth as it does not have a single point of light.

Here's some pix!

FTS

Right Side

Left Side

Ghetto top, still need to trim/stain/etc but the piping worked GREAT for this, I can swing it out and over, adjust side to side, worked nicely.

Bulbs, left is front, you can really tell which are overdriven, kinda nice :)

LMK what ya think! Gonna give it a few more weeks before I start adding the corals :)

 

[Poseidon]

Good stuff Andy! Sorry I missed your call the other day, the voicemail just popped in last night. (I hate it when that happens...)

Careful with switching to all blue plus, they are a high par bulb too, and you don't want to cook things. ;)

 

[alvieman]

Good call Mike, i had thought about that a bit, I think I will swap one of the Aquablue's with a Blue Plus, this way only 2 whites Overdriven and 2 Blues. Should balance it out a bit

 

[Poseidon]

That sounds a little safer. :D

 

[alvieman]

Gonna move the GE6500 actually, that has the highest par without being overdriven, and it will help center it on the tank a little better too :) Should help balance nicely, 2 overdrivern aquablues, 2 od blue plue, 1 ge 6500k and 1 blue plus not overdriven, only downside is i cant run "actinic only" it'll be 6500 and ati...unless i use my extra ballast :-D

 

[alvieman]

Here's the new canopy redone, looks much better, still need to stain once i decide on a color. Adjusted the bulbs too, i'll post pix tomorrow of the true coloring of the system while up. Ignore the destroyed floor, lol remodeling and havent redone that yet LOL

Thanks for lookin!

 

[Poseidon]

THat is a HUGE improvement Andy! I like it!

 

[alvieman]

THat is a HUGE improvement Andy! I like it!

lol thx Mike, i was lazy and just had to get it running the first time, this one I actually cared a lil bit, still only took 20 min to build lol I love nailguns :) It's angled slightly forward, cant tell from the pix, but this helps keep the light in the tank and not on my floor, bugs me a bit since its about a 1/2" slope, and not perfectly level, but there's a reason :-P

NOW, I just need to ensure my swap corals make it! Start prayin now :)

 

[Reef Pets]

I like the iron pipe idea. How or what did you fasten it to in the back to support the hood? Is it easy to swing from side to side?
Gary

 

[cbau45]

Well if there's one thing Andy, I can always rely on you to come up with something new and different. Sometimes at your expense but its fun being creative isn't it?!!!:wink:

Anyways, looks really good man. Can't wait to check it out on Sunday after the swap. I'm sure this setup will work out well for you.

 

[alvieman]

I like the iron pipe idea. How or what did you fasten it to in the back to support the hood? Is it easy to swing from side to side?
Gary

Thanks! It's fastened to the back of the stand by the pipe straps you can buy made for the 3/4" Galvanized piping. It runs floor to the top, so its long, simple physics involved with the fulcrum, etc of any potential lever. Its support as high up as possible, and then right at the bottom, almost resting on the ground (block of wood it sits on instead) It swings easily enough, but enough resistance so it doesnt move when I dont want it too. I had Home Depot thread them a lil deeper than normal so I had more to work with. Measured it all ahead of time, cost only about $20 tops for the piping :) No holes in the flawless original plaster ceilings from 1947 either lol Fiancee woulda shot me :) Had to come up with something, need is the mother of invention right? haha


Thanks Craig! this ones turning out great so far. Starting to show SPS growth too, so thats promising. Plus my new "zoa colony fraging system" i'll have to share later, works GREAT. :) New Pix to come shortly, I'll get a shot of the piping too for ya'll

 

[dfurbee]

Andy,
Your tank looks good, love how you can move the top.

 

[alvieman]

Thanks much! Gonna get some updated shots soon, moving most my SPS to a babysitter tank for awhile, wanna let it re-establish a bit more. Most my SPS is a bit unhappy as its still fairly new :)

 

[alvieman]

Plans are in motion to have a basement sump/workshop setup within the next few months, I cant wait!! I will be going from a 60cube with about 15g worth of sump, to a 60g with 85g worth of sump/fuge/frag :) Might even go a bit bigger if I can find a 50 breeder to work with. Only downside is I will be relocating the cube to the basement as well, was gonna do a larger tank, but I think I want to let this settle in and be the main DT :) I cant wait! Woohoo!! :matrix:

 

[alvieman]

Coupla Pix, camera was actin up so they arent the best...

SPS is all at a friends house being Babysat, somethings up with the tank and making SPS angry, but I dont know what. Doing a series of WC's tho and things seem "better" so we'll see...

New clam that has a disability and refuses to stay upright or on a rock...stupid Crocea...

Pink Pally #1

Pink Pally #2

Camera Shy Tomini, sadly thats the best pic I could get of him

 

[Sahin]

New clam that has a disability and refuses to stay upright or on a rock...stupid Crocea..

Hi there, a very nice tank you have there, the bubble tip is real nice as well as the clam.

With regards to the clam, if it doesnt like the water flow it wont put down its byssal threads and attach to the rocks. Having kept numerous clams over the past decade I can now place clams pretty much where I think it will attach; they then attach within a few days. I have also cut the byssal threads over 4 times on one clam eventually selling it to the LFS for some very decent money.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

your btais looking a little bleached, but Im sure he'll heal up soon. Nce tank, and great idea using the cast iron!