Over the Edge

[cbort]

Calling this build "Over the Edge". Hopefully you understand. If not, follow along and you will get it soon!

Originally I wanted to wait until this winter to start a build due to the summer and fall months my family and I like to spend as much time outdoors as possible. I have had my eye on a Marineland 150DD for sale locally that I intended on purchasing and stashing in storage until late fall as my future build. But as soon as this came available, I had to jump on it. A Zeroedge has always been something I have wanted to try, so with that said, here we go....

Equipment for this "Over the Edge" build will be as follows:

-Zeroedge 14g 20"x20"x8" shallow cube

-Custom built stand by myself utilizing "Cement" --Follow along for the build!

-Apex Gold

-Apex DOS --Automatic Water Changes

-Apex Top off feeding Kalk

-Avast Marine Kalk Stirrer

-Aqua Illumination Prime with Hanging Kit

-Reef Octopus 7000 Water Blaster Return Pump

-Coral Box D500 Skimmer

-40g Custom Sump with large refugium for planty of live rock and macro


Stocking for this "Over the Edge" build will be as follows:

-Minimal Live Rock hiding return plumbing

-GSP covering the trough area

-LPS --Super Bright Only

-Zoas --Super Bright Only

-Small fish such as Firefish, Dartfish, possibly a pair of designer clowns

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Wait wait wait, am I understanding this correctly? Your return water flow will spill "over the edge" into that trough and then on to your sump? I've never seen a tank like that before. Very interesting. Nice large sump also, plenty of water for stability, something I wished I had in my nano.

 

[cbort]

While i get the design planned out, materials sourced and some free time to begin construction on the stand, I will post a quick photo timeline of my previous builds.

40g custom acrylic cube 24x24x16T:
-This was my first attempt at a reef.
-I learned a lot with this build --like don't put 3 purple tangs in a 24g.
-I also fell in love with Zoas and Palys and was able to propagate them like crazy! I believe this was mainly due to no skimmer, regular water changes, and MH lights.

80g Oceanic semi cube 36x30x18T:
-My 2nd attempt at a reef was a uniquely shaped Oceanic tank.
-More area to work with, but i missed the rimless open top

30g custom acrylic cube 24x24x12T:
-Simple yet very satisfying! Loved the shallow reef look, and all of the LPS really made this setup pop!

57g custom shallow cube 36x36x12T:
-This build was crazy. I had just purchased an entire live stock collection from another hobbyist, purchased a new project and found out that we were to move within a few days. So needless to say, I threw this one together over night and it ended up being one of my most enjoyable "viewing tanks" to date. So much movement, lots of colors, and the layout of our living room at the time made it easy to sit back and enjoy it. It was not the prettiest setup, but my wife tolerated it while we took our time to purchase our new home.

 

[cbort]

Wait wait wait, am I understanding this correctly? Your return water flow will spill "over the edge" into that trough and then on to your sump? I've never seen a tank like that before. Very interesting. Nice large sump also, plenty of water for stability, something I wished I had in my nano.

Robin- you are correct. When you get a free moment, take a look on Youtube at the "zeroedge" setups. Water will enter the tank in the center and will be T'd into at least 2 maybe 4 returns. The water will then overflow evenly over all 4 sides of the tank creating a crystal clear view. Each corner of the trough is a drain that will dump into sock filters in the sump. You are also, on the same page as myself with the sump. Total water volume will be easily doubled, and contain lots of rock and macro to keep the system more stable. These particular tanks have a lot of evaporation due to the excess surface area which is why i will be using a very reliable auto top off system with multiple fail safes via the Apex system.

 

[TylerMoralez]

Wow! First I've heard of anything like this. Can't wait to see this build grow!

Btw, your photos were broken [emoji53] darn

 

[cbort]

280g custom Ultimate cube 48x48x28T:
-Out of all my builds, this was my greatest disappointment. This was not due to lack of effort, but rather focusing on my career, training and no time to complete this build. So unfortunately, I simply only achieved filling it with water and tore it all apart in order to downsize.
-I did get the Frag tank up and running and was able to collect some nice pieces while the build took place. So it was not all for nothing in the end.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I'll look up those YouTube videos, but I already want one now... hmm, central rock structure, viewable from all 4 sides. Perfect "island" tank if you have the area. Like a coffee table cabinet with a sump inside. Hahaha, my aquarium addict wheels are turning now.

Photos are showing up just fine for me.

 

[cbort]

Wow! First I've heard of anything like this. Can't wait to see this build grow!

Btw, your photos were broken [emoji53] darn

Thanks Tyler! Hope it doesn't disappoint! Sorry you can't see the pics. I can see them all both on my MacBook and iPhone. Not sure why you are unable to view them.

 

[TylerMoralez]

Thanks Tyler! Hope it doesn't disappoint! Sorry you can't see the pics. I can see them all both on my MacBook and iPhone. Not sure why you are unable to view them.

Must be my iPhone... darnnit

 

[cbort]

I'll look up those YouTube videos, but I already want one now... hmm, central rock structure, viewable from all 4 sides. Perfect "island" tank if you have the area. Like a coffee table cabinet with a sump inside. Hahaha, my aquarium addict wheels are turning now.

Photos are showing up just fine for me.

Robin, you have pointed out all of the things that drew me to this setup. As much as I absolutely love equipment and gear, this setup will only have a single AI Prime visible.

Ideally, stand will be a 3'x2' footprint set in the corner of our family room with plenty of room to complete walk around.

 

[cbort]

43g Rimless Miracles Reef 48x48x28T:

-This set up was amazing! Lots of high end equipment and it was loaded to the gills with super bright LPS, SPS and zoas. It had a lot of potential!
-This is the one that got away. Yet again, I had to move for another promotion and I tore it down and ended up selling it all off.

 

[cbort]

Elos MIDI Pool60:

-Lastly, my most recent setup, an Elos MIDI Pool60. Got to see an Elos 120xl in person and was absolutely impressed with the build quality and design. My previous tank that was built by Miracles was stunning, but nothing in my opinion compares to an Elos. I still have this set up in storage and will set it back up very soon.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Sorry I do not want to be overly picky but you missed a spot on the back left corner of the tank. LOL just kidding WOW! what a great tank.

 

[cbort]

Sorry I do not want to be overly picky but you missed a spot on the back left corner of the tank. LOL just kidding WOW! what a great tank.

Thanks! Should be a pretty fun little build!

 

[cbort]

So, keeping on the "Over the Edge" theme of this thread, here is part II of the setup:

I will be picking up this large display tank this weekend
-10' x 1' x 3'T
-Concave 225g display

 

[DeniseAndy]

Crazy. I have seen the edge design in action at a show (Chicago) by a clownfish vendor. Cool tanks, but I would think nightmare on keeping clean. As the overflows are the first area to pick up algae and that would be the edges. Also, his fish kept jumping over into the overflow tub below. Funny, but not good for them.

Cannot wait to see what you come up with though.

 

[cbort]

Crazy. I have seen the edge design in action at a show (Chicago) by a clownfish vendor. Cool tanks, but I would think nightmare on keeping clean. As the overflows are the first area to pick up algae and that would be the edges. Also, his fish kept jumping over into the overflow tub below. Funny, but not good for them.

Cannot wait to see what you come up with though.

That is definitely a concern! With that said, I will be very hesitant to add any fish that are known jumpers.

 

[cbort]

Well, the "Big Curve" is loaded up and we are heading home!

 

[cbort]

Another quick shot to show the scale of the size compared to my wife and son

 

[cbort]

And finally 1 more shot of the "Big Curve" safe and at home in the garage on dollies. Construction pictures on the stands for both tanks to come soon!