Fluval Sea EVO 5 Gallon AQUAFOREST Desktop Reef

[juanrmattos]

I'm in Brevard and I have the same issue with keeping cool. I doubt I'll buy a heater tho.

Will cycle at room temperature and see where it goes... Maybe at the end of the year when we go into the low 60’s.

 

[juanrmattos]

Thanks for all the props and positive comments guys... They are well received.

Only a few hours left of my last day off this week, so played a little with the rock work trying to get closer to the lights.

Built a home too

 

[juanrmattos]

Stuffs...

 

[juanrmattos]

The Loctite Incident...

Happy weekend everyone...

 

[OutsideBrian]

Nice start. I am using one of these as a qt overkill I know but it’s a cool little tank. I may talk myself into doing a Nano down the road

 

[juanrmattos]

Today’s project: Raceway

Moving along...

 

[juanrmattos]

I’m still missing the upgrade circulation pump (Cobalt 600) due to arrive this Thursday and the power bar that was purchased last night. Still hoping to start cycling next Monday.

 

[juanrmattos]

As a separate note... Drove by the fish store today and found a friend from whom I used to buy most of my stuff since 2005; funny thing is I saw her a week ago, reminded me of her, but never occurred to me they were one and the same... In between hugs and catching up, it made me think how awesome is this hobby and the people in it.

Moving along...

 

[juanrmattos]

Aqua scape is now glued, don’t mind the bubblewrap, I just hate the white stuff from the gel fumes sticking into the glass.

Should be fully dry and cured by tomorrow

Des-pa-cito...

 

[juanrmattos]

The upgrade pump arrived today as planned...

For those of you not familiar with the modification required, is necessary to detach the front facia of the pump in order to make it fit (For those of us that want the receiving side of the pump facing directly into the overflow inlet wall, you need to remove front, back and also shave the regulator knob... Or else deal with the additional pressure to the pump and the funneling water noise ).

Attached the Spin Stream nozzle:

And voila!!!....

Moving along guys...

 

[juanrmattos]

Power-bar made it on time...

Still have to get a timer and go to my LFS to pick up the media....

We’ll be cycling Monday

 

[juanrmattos]

I did a quick test running the wires from pump and light fixture through the raceways today, they look neat and everything looks nice, BUT there is no way on earth this light fixture rates at 11K... NO WAY!!!; I use a fresh water LED rated 8000K for my desktop photo booth and makes this one look like moonlights.

With that in mind, I may have to delay a little the plans to start the tank on Monday (Just because I want to have it fully set up before adding any water into it).

Sad day!!! (Fluval ).

 

[jeeperreefer]

can't wait to see it ! very well detailed build.

 

[juanrmattos]

Well... After hours of browsing the web and trying to find a suitable option to upgrade the light fixture, I ended up settling for what I think is the best option considering features, intensity and pricing...

I was lucky enough to find a unit of the Current Marine Orbit PRO 2nd Gen LED fixture (This is not the one being offered with the IC or IC Loop, but the one with dome lenses that is only available with the Dual Pro (I believe is not being manufactured any longer)

It also comes with the ramp timer and controller

And has a full spectrum including the two whites, the two blues, the magenta and Ultraviolet

I was truly impressed with its price purchasing directly from the manufacturer (Even lower than the best price on eBay by nearly $ 50) and again, not available unless purchasing the Dual Pro. Truly like the fact that I now will be able to ramp up and down, being able to control intensity and adjust spectrums.

Plan remains the same, “keeping it simple”, but at only 11” from fixture to sand the par readings should be considerably higher to populate a wider variety of corals.

Unit should be here this coming Friday.

Moving along...

 

[juanrmattos]

Here are some output and PAR specs provided by the manufacturer for the Current Marine Pro 4110 based on the 12” depth of my reef...

 

[juanrmattos]

It is going to take a while, but here is a little something I’m working on with the folks at Top Lids Aquarium Protection

 

[juanrmattos]

It does feel a little cheesy, but hey...

Moving along...

 

[juanrmattos]

Monday’s forecast?...
High tides and waves crashing on the reef

Taking shape folks!!!...

 

[btmedic04]

Very nice! I've been looking at one of these for a computer desk tank myself. Which way did you mount your pump and what kind of corals are you planning to stock?

 

[juanrmattos]

Very nice! I've been looking at one of these for a computer desk tank myself. Which way did you mount your pump and what kind of corals are you planning to stock?

Thank you btmedic04

I think is perfect for a desktop, more so if your desk is against a wall and you can see it from both sides.

I had the pump facing towards the overflow intake wall, but ended up switching it and is now facing towards the front of the tank (Without the front and rear covers it gives you enough space to pull water unrestricted).

I was originally thinking soft corals and polyps but want to see what kind of output I can get from this fixture, I usually take a bit longer than everyone to introduce corals.

Can’t wait to get it started...