Z-man
Valuable Member
It was a long time dry. Sitting there taking up space wanting to be filled with life. Longing to once again be the focal point, it called my name to add some water. But first a design was needed, a stand needed to be built, a list of livestock to be written. I remembered why it sat empty and those details needed to be dealt with. The deficiencies include lighting, skimming, and loud pumps.
The 125g I once had was lighted with halides, and I loved the look, and sparkle the 14K bulbs produced. Deficiency #1 is taken care of by removing the hood, and buying a new single bulb assembly with 2 XHO ReefBrite blues. Having a halide adds a new problem of possible water temp. Move the light high enough and problem solved...plus it's in the basement where the temp rarely gets above 70.
Skimming with the unit "made" for the BioCube is pointless. The tank blushes at the thought of using that unit. There sitting in close proximity I see a CPR Aquatics HOB skimmer I used on one of the 55g tanks. With absolutely incredible luck, the width of the skimmer fits PERFECTLY in between the hinges for the hood that's been removed. AND the uptake can be placed in the first chamber that is always full from the overflow, and the discharge of the skimmer empties onto the filter pad in chamber 2. Skimming resolved!!
Sicce pump and a Vortech MP10 purchased for quiet water movement.
The stand was built that allows the lights to hang 18" above the water line. Painted black to match the tank edges and hide the cords. Added the starboard to the bottom of the tank...Yes its a bare bottom tank. Went to the LFS and picked up some rock and water. Also glued together a few other pieces to complete the rock work. Filled the tank, added a heater, turned on the pumps and let it run for 3 months. Added a few hermits, let it run for another month.
The first few pictures show the bloom after adding more livestock. Some pictures have blues only, others with the whites. The tank has been running for about 7 months now. Thanks for reading
The 125g I once had was lighted with halides, and I loved the look, and sparkle the 14K bulbs produced. Deficiency #1 is taken care of by removing the hood, and buying a new single bulb assembly with 2 XHO ReefBrite blues. Having a halide adds a new problem of possible water temp. Move the light high enough and problem solved...plus it's in the basement where the temp rarely gets above 70.
Skimming with the unit "made" for the BioCube is pointless. The tank blushes at the thought of using that unit. There sitting in close proximity I see a CPR Aquatics HOB skimmer I used on one of the 55g tanks. With absolutely incredible luck, the width of the skimmer fits PERFECTLY in between the hinges for the hood that's been removed. AND the uptake can be placed in the first chamber that is always full from the overflow, and the discharge of the skimmer empties onto the filter pad in chamber 2. Skimming resolved!!
Sicce pump and a Vortech MP10 purchased for quiet water movement.
The stand was built that allows the lights to hang 18" above the water line. Painted black to match the tank edges and hide the cords. Added the starboard to the bottom of the tank...Yes its a bare bottom tank. Went to the LFS and picked up some rock and water. Also glued together a few other pieces to complete the rock work. Filled the tank, added a heater, turned on the pumps and let it run for 3 months. Added a few hermits, let it run for another month.
The first few pictures show the bloom after adding more livestock. Some pictures have blues only, others with the whites. The tank has been running for about 7 months now. Thanks for reading
