Return to hobby build!!

[Dave3112]

Well after an extended break from the hobby I have decided to set another tank back up. I am going with a 50 gallon cube (24x24x20). I am re-using as much of my old equipment as possible to cut back on costs. But I am going to give LEDs a shot. When Reefradience ran their sale a couple of weeks ago I ordered a DM-132e the price was unbeatable so I thought I would give it a shot. I'm going to add 2 ATI T5 Blue+ to it also.

I am using the old frame from my 125 stand with a couple of modifications to it

That's not the tank. It's an old frag tank that is the same base size just to make sure it fits.

I travel a lot with my job so this has taken me about 4 months of on and off again work.

Added a couple of shelves to the ends and thought about a door for the center.

After having to leave for travel and thinking about it for a couple of months I decided to put a shelf in the middle too. I'm not putting a sump under the stand so this way I'm wasting any space.

 

[Dave3112]

After a little wood filler and a lot of sanding I got some help with the stain.

All finished and in place!

I got an in stock notification of the tropic Eden reef flakes while I was on TDY so I ordered 2 bags and had it shipped home. But I think I'm only going to use one. I like a shallow sand bed and this one bag I ended up with about 1 1/2 inch bed.

I wanted a minimal rock scape look this time around and since I'm starting from scratch this is what I came up with.

More to come!! Thanks for taking a look! I'm excited to finally start working on a tank again!!

 

[DSP]

Nice! Welcome back to the hobby! I love cubes can't wait to see more of this build

 

[elimav]

Good luck with the build

 

[Dowtish]

And he's Officially Back!

The stand looks awesome Dave.

Hurry up and get that thing cycled, I got your free "appreciation" corals waiting...

 

[Dave3112]

Thanks y'all!

Chris- it's gonna take a while with dry rock and sand. Lol. It should have water in it by Wednesday though. But I have to go on travel again for 6 more weeks on the 19th so it should have plenty of time to cycle in the mean time. I'm trying to get a piece of live rock to get the bacteria going while I'm gone.

 

[Dowtish]

Sounds like a plan. And a day trip up here for September. :smile:

 

[Dave3112]

Well, I'll be passing through there on my way to Indiana in September. Does that count? lol. We will make a trip up there soon though that's for sure!

 

[Aquaph8]

Welcome back Dave

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Looking good bro!

 

[Genesis Corals]

Stand looks great, you have a good helper. I like the layout of the stand and tank. Looking forward to seeing it full of corals.

 

[Dave3112]

Thank you all! She is a great helper!

 

[Dave3112]

A little more done today. But I am disappointed a little too. I had plans to run the plumbing through the wall behind the tank and put all the equipment in the laundry room BUT we are in the process of trying to get our house ready to sell and I don't think adding holes to a wall is the logical choice. So this build is now going to be old school with just a HOB skimmer instead of a sump. I'm bummed about that because Rick at Synergy Reef built me a killer low profile overflow box that I won't get to use until we move to another location. The hopes of selling the house is also what is keeping me from setting up a much larger tank too. It's so much easier to move 50 gallons than it is to move 300 gallons!!

But on to the pictures of the "progress"

I'll have to silicone some glass over the center hole and plug the others but the skimmer fits. I'm just waiting on the LEDs to come in so I can design and build the canopy.

Have to get some more 1/2" self adhesive zip tie holders to run down the side of the tank to help hide the wiring but I got it started.

I also got the MP10 controllers mounted to the back of the stand and the wires cleaned up and routed to the DJ power switch.

More to come. I am putting a new membrane and filters in the RO/DI unit tonight so I should have some water in the tank by tomorrow or Friday if I don't get too busy elsewhere.

 

[Genesis Corals]

Remember to rinse the carbon filter per the instructions.

 

[Dave3112]

Well, not much accomplished today. I can't locate the RO membrane I bought for this build plus my back went out again soooo that equals no work on the tank. But I have been thinking about a fish stocking list and since I have to go on travel again with work on the 19th for 6 weeks I've got a bunch of time to think about it. This tank is going to be mainly SPS with some zoas and favias and its only 50 gallons. I haven't stocked a tank this small in a long time so I need some help. What would YOU put in it if it was your tank? I need some colorful active fish. Also an algae grazer too just in case I get some undesirable algae. So let me hear your suggestions!! I know I will put a pair of clowns in. Maybe my first actual designer ones I'm thinking Picasso or Wyoming whites.

 

[k2parkstar]

Well, not much accomplished today. I can't locate the RO membrane I bought for this build plus my back went out again soooo that equals no work on the tank. But I have been thinking about a fish stocking list and since I have to go on travel again with work on the 19th for 6 weeks I've got a bunch of time to think about it. This tank is going to be mainly SPS with some zoas and favias and its only 50 gallons. I haven't stocked a tank this small in a long time so I need some help. What would YOU put in it if it was your tank? I need some colorful active fish. Also an algae grazer too just in case I get some undesirable algae. So let me hear your suggestions!! I know I will put a pair of clowns in. Maybe my first actual designer ones I'm thinking Picasso or Wyoming whites.

Come to East Tennessee and pick your own designer clowns from sustainable aquatics. I've got a 45 cube. I'd put it a nice flasher wrasse or fairy wrasse. I've got a purple firefish, and a hefrichi firefish together and they do fine. Very colorful and always out in the open. I also have a beautiful fathead anthia. If you have the money the candy basslet is so sick! Welcome back

 

[Dave3112]

Thanks! I forgot they were that close! I will have to do that when the time comes. I would love to have a candy basslet but I just don't have the funds to justify one of those guys. I like the fire fish idea.

 

[Dave3112]

Well, not a lot has been done due to major back issues. I finally got a epidural steroid injection yesterday and it has helped some. So I finally got the membrane and filters changed out on the RO/DI unit today. Now I'm getting it filled up!!! Also the ReefRadience LEDs came in and they look well built and I like the color so I'm going to give them a shot without the extra T5s for now. I will build a canopy later this week and install them in it. But for now here is a pic of them just sitting on the tank. The coverage is excellent btw.