JHunt's 30x30x18 SPS Shallow Cube

[Rakie]

I love everything except this

Flow

(2) RFG Nozzles

(2) MP10QWD

(2) Nero 3

That is not enough flow for a fully SPS dominant tank. For example, my tank -- 24x24x18...

2x Tunze 6095's pulsing between 80-100%, or 2000-2500 gph EACH (4000-5000 total gph)
1x Tunze 6040 fulsing between 80-100%, or 950-1200 gph (4950 - 6250 total gph)
1x Tunze 1073.020 return pump (600 gph I wouldn't count, as it trickled into a frag tank also)

Cubes are very tricky to get good flow in... I've been through Maxspect Gyres, MP40's/10's, Sicce Xtreams and Other Sicce pumps, WITH gyres... Yep. You need a lot of flow to fill a very unusual tank size.

They LOVE flow. And 2 MP10's wasn't enough for my biocube SPS tank, it was like a 24 gallon or something like that. MP10's are tiny little pumps. MP pumps in general have quite thin laminar flow. They don't disrupt water the way I like for my tanks.

If you are dead set on MP's... I'm not even kidding, I'd grab at least 2 MP60's to go with your MP 10's... You're severely over-estimating what MP10's are capable of.

For me, I would want about 8-10k GPH flow for your tank. 3-4 pumps. on the back wall, turning the entire 30" depth into one big gyre effect -- best achieved by non-gyre pumps IME. Point the pumps near the surface, as it scatters down it'll hit everything with a very wide disruptive flow pattern.


That's my spiel for now. If you are interested in hearing more make sure to ping me. I won't force anything beyond my previous comment unless asked.

 

[rhizotron]

Really nice setup. I like the size and shape of that tank.

 

[jhuntstl]

I love everything except this



That is not enough flow for a fully SPS dominant tank. For example, my tank -- 24x24x18...

2x Tunze 6095's pulsing between 80-100%, or 2000-2500 gph EACH (4000-5000 total gph)
1x Tunze 6040 fulsing between 80-100%, or 950-1200 gph (4950 - 6250 total gph)
1x Tunze 1073.020 return pump (600 gph I wouldn't count, as it trickled into a frag tank also)

Cubes are very tricky to get good flow in... I've been through Maxspect Gyres, MP40's/10's, Sicce Xtreams and Other Sicce pumps, WITH gyres... Yep. You need a lot of flow to fill a very unusual tank size.

They LOVE flow. And 2 MP10's wasn't enough for my biocube SPS tank, it was like a 24 gallon or something like that. MP10's are tiny little pumps. MP pumps in general have quite thin laminar flow. They don't disrupt water the way I like for my tanks.

If you are dead set on MP's... I'm not even kidding, I'd grab at least 2 MP60's to go with your MP 10's... You're severely over-estimating what MP10's are capable of.

For me, I would want about 8-10k GPH flow for your tank. 3-4 pumps. on the back wall, turning the entire 30" depth into one big gyre effect -- best achieved by non-gyre pumps IME. Point the pumps near the surface, as it scatters down it'll hit everything with a very wide disruptive flow pattern.


That's my spiel for now. If you are interested in hearing more make sure to ping me. I won't force anything beyond my previous comment unless asked.

Ya I pretty much immediately realized it wasn't going to be enough, especially long term. I don't want to run my pumps near or at 100% all day either. I tried a couple gyres recently, but I wasn't a fan.

I did pick up a used Tunze 6028 Wavebox. The wave action and polyp movement is fantastic. I've already decided to sell the MP10s. I like them, but the dry sides have fallen too many times. I wouldn't go vortech again. I'm mostly set on some Tunzes as replacements. 6095s being one of the top contenders.

Some wavebox action.

Hoping to do a bigger update later this weekend. I've been very busy...

 

[jhuntstl]

Really nice setup. I like the size and shape of that tank.

Thank you! I'm really happy with it!

 

[Rakie]

I'm mostly set on some Tunzes as replacements. 6095s being one of the top contenders.

You may consider 6105's if you don't want to run them at 100% -- you will NEED to run 6095's at 100% for your sized tank.

 

[jhuntstl]

You may consider 6105's if you don't want to run them at 100% -- you will NEED to run 6095's at 100% for your sized tank.

My wallet is screaming. Obviously we're talking flow in a fully stacked tank, so it's something I can gradually work towards. First step will be selling the MP10s. I'll definitely keep in mind what you said about creating a gyre effect.

 

[jhuntstl]

So my "big update" is really just a bunch of shots of my dirty 100+ yr old basement. After you experience a crash...at least for me it felt like I had a second chance for some major redos. The pressure was off. Bunch of coral are dead, so let's get nuts. What's the worst that could happen, more die?? I dare them to die. It'll only make me stronger. =)

Anyways, the sump location I picked before was just absolute crap. It was my best option at the time, but it was not ideal for many reasons. Washer and dryer right next to it. Utilities everywhere. It was just right smack in the middle of all the action.

The other side of my basement I had been using as a woodworking area. Woodworking in a basement without a very nice dust collection system is just awful, so I won't miss it. I have access to a shop nearby, so no big deal.

I decided to reuse the bench top I had made for fishy purposes. I'll cut out or remove the bottom piece of ply eventually and make shelves or cabinets.

My basement was notoriously leaky. I uncovered lots of cracks in the cinder block foundation during demo. Despite some long horizontal cracks there was thankfully no bowing or real structural issues.

Sealed off the other sump room as best I could during demo.

I sealed up the cracks as best I could and insulated with foam board. I also installed a perimeter drainage system. You drill relief holes every 16" to relieve any hydrostatic pressure. Did some work outside as well to improve drainage.

The plumbing. New to old. I was extra paranoid about contaminates. I flushed with warm tap multiple times and one final with RO.

This weekend I started reframing the walls. I'm putting up plywood rather than drywall. I hate drywall.

I somehow justified buying this used tunze 9415 skimmer. It was a good deal. It's way oversized, but that should work in my favor moving forward. It can function from like 4-8" depth, which makes it perfect for my sump.

Will rebuild a wall here with a door most likely. That bench will likely be repurposed into a space for a refugium.

I've been at it a little over a month now. I got a lot done over the holidays, but just weekends ever since. Wish I had more time! There's still a lot on my list, but all the serious demolition is done. After the walls are framed and plywood is up, I'll be looking at electrical. I need to replace and move most outlets. I'm going to run it all in conduit rather than recessed into the plywood. A cheap functional floor would be nice, but that is very low priority. There are options to skin the plywood to be more attractive, but again low priority.

I think that's all I got. Enjoy my dirty basement.

 

[Gedxin]

Fantastic photo progress of your demo/re-sump-setup. The whole basement is taking shape really nicely. Honestly shocked you've got so much ROOM for activities down there, mine would be filled with junk/storage. I also love the waist level work area for your sump, so convenient to tinker with stuff.

Would you mind labeling your pipes and what they're each doing in this photo?

Also what's the Avast vertical tube on the left?

 

[jhuntstl]

There's 3 drains on a bean animal overflow. I'm still messing around with mine since the move. I couldn't reuse my gate valve, but I have one on order. Adjusting with a ball valve is no fun.

The Avast tube is a kalk stirrer and is not operational yet. I snagged one off here for a good price. I plan to run it alongside AFR.

 

[Gedxin]

Appreciate the labels and diagram! This gives me lofty visions of a similar setup in the future (when more space is available.)

 

[jhuntstl]

Appreciate the labels and diagram! This gives me lofty visions of a similar setup in the future (when more space is available.)

I really should have gotten the walls all framed today, but I couldn't stop getting distracted by all that could be. When you have the space, there are so many more options. I put in an order with Avast today for one of their ATO systems. It will be still be gravity fed, but with more fail safes. I can set that reservoir up just about anywhere. I could stash it in the old coal room. If the reservoir fails or a fitting starts leaking...well its just not that big of a deal. If it were upstairs? =o

Anyways. My point was...it sounds like you're eluding to a potential move. The basement is really so much nicer. I doubt you're looking at 100+ year old homes, but still. A place with more space...that can handle spills, leaks, and failures is soooooo nice.

 

[fishguy242]

Nice work...

 

[jhuntstl]

Nice work...

I am thankful that it is mostly just work/labor. I've been lucky to get most of the building materials at no charge.

 

[fishguy242]

That is great, almost same here, 111 yr old home, live next to HVAC co, more free lumber than i can handle.
but what you have done in a month, is going to take me years... ;Hilarious

 

[jhuntstl]

That is great, almost same here, 111 yr old home, live next to HVAC co, more free lumber than i can handle.
but what you have done in a month, is going to take me years... ;Hilarious

Don't underestimate the power of coffee...and bud light.

 

[fishguy242]

Don't underestimate the power of coffee...and bud light.

little irony here, took this shot this morn, wife's bottle collection...
i only drink Dr.Pepper,no coffee,sober 30yrs next month, go about 20 hrs straight on "normal",
2/3 sitting here, but...

1959 ,note the slogan , GOOD FOR LIFE...

 

[jhuntstl]

little irony here, took this shot this morn, wife's bottle collection...
i only drink Dr.Pepper,no coffee,sober 30yrs next month, go about 20 hrs straight on "normal",
2/3 sitting here, but...

1959 ,note the slogan , GOOD FOR LIFE...

Haha I love it. They never should have ditched that slogan.

"Normal" is not easy. I ditched caffeine last year and oddly enough lost my taste for booze at the same time. Honestly it was great up until winter. Then I started to go insane. You are a stronger man than me, but I'm working on it.

 

[Rakie]

Ah wow you've been busy. Love those sumps.

 

[jhuntstl]

Ah wow you've been busy. Love those sumps.

It is the never ending project.

Cheap and generally available local. $70 if I remember correctly. If it's going in the basement, it's your best option imo.

 

[jhuntstl]

So I have a lot of free space. Not sure how I want to utilize it. The original plan was to grow frags in there, but now that I have more basement space...I can always dedicate a cheap tank to that in the future. I could easily put in a 5g bucket refugium or larger brute container fuge. I could also plumb a fuge to a separate tank.

There is a bio plate, old bag of seachem matrix bio media, oxydator model a, and skimmer in there at the moment. I have a bunch of dry ocean rock I acid washed. Plan to use some in the display, but the rest could get dumped in the sump.

What would you do? Nothing is an acceptable answer.