View Full Version : :: CUBE 135g - Jim & Pink Spider ::
pink spider
02/08/2009, 11:49 AM
Hi, I’m presenting you our current 180g reef tank with a 90g sump. To make it short, it’s been five years now that my boyfriend and I are blowing money on that awesome hobby. We started it up with a small 25g reef tank to quickly turn it over to a 77g one. A year passed and once again we started to think this was too small and we wanted a bigger set-up. We transfered everything in a 90g. Thereafter we still weren’t happy yet. We needed something new... we always had a crush on butterfly fishes and angel fishes, since most of them aren’t reef safe we changed our reef tank into a fish only one. So we bought a small 60g for our corals and things and we transformed our 90g into a FO. Months later we found out this was lots of work taking care of two salt water aquariums considering we weren’t at home during the week and we had to take care of our two dogs while at home. So, we bought ourselves a house last year and started to build up our dream tank : a 180g reef tank in the dining room with a 90g sump in the basement. Now we were happy.... throughout a year at least. The house experienced some humidy problems with that much water and the electricity bill was a bit expensive for us considering we had three 175watt MH, a large water pump in the basement that’s riding up water 13’ high and a deshumidifier running 24/24 7/7. So we had to think this over........ again. I suggest my boyfriend to sell everything out... but of course he disagreed. So we reach a compromise on decreasing in size everything. That’s where we currently are in the story now, we ordered a 135g cube tank of 36”x36”x24” with a 40g sump. We are building our stand for it at the moment and are expecting the tank for the end of February. We bought a Bubble King skimmer and a 250watt MH Giesemann Spectra fixture for it. We wanted to be well equiped for our LAST reef tank ! Here are some pics of our evolution during those past years, enjoy!
25g reef tank
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54182-2/001_25g.jpg
77g reef tank.... let's observe the fixtures !! A Giesemann MH at the left and a PC Coralife one at the right... what the ? lol
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54185-2/002_77g.jpg
90g reef tank (and FO some time later)
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/6157-2/Reef_90g.jpg
60g reef tank
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54188-2/004_60g.jpg
and finally, our 180g reef tank
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/8744-2/180g_007.jpg
I almost forgot... here is our two dogs :)
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/15317-2/Yumi_Yoko.jpg
pink spider
02/08/2009, 11:58 AM
A little step by step of our 180g reef tank building :
Receiving the tank... that's pretty huge.
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/7162-2/180g_001.jpg
Starting to build up the stand.
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/7165-2/180g_002.jpg
Since we own a wave box we had to reinforce everything.
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/7186-2/180g_004.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/7195-2/180g_006.jpg
By the way, here was our 3D layout.
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54191-2/005_concept.jpg
Almost done
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/7232-2/180g_008.jpg
Side view
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/7235-2/180g_009.jpg
The 90g sump in the basement
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/7221-2/d__cante01.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/44081-2/180g+__+vendre.jpg
And now we are working on our new 135g cube tank set up ! ;)
FL.Joe
02/09/2009, 07:35 AM
Gorgeous!!! i'm so described to this thread, you're a mastermind dude
mckostya
02/09/2009, 10:50 AM
great tanks and 180g looks awesome. what a passion for a hobby, so many tanks and upgrades - congrats!
300G will be in plans - before you know it haha
DamnPepShrimp
02/09/2009, 12:42 PM
Love the tank! Great setup! Everything was well thought out and planned nicely. Just don't like the skull...
chark
02/09/2009, 01:31 PM
Nice! What are the dimensions of you 180g aquarium?
hummermaniac88
02/09/2009, 03:15 PM
My god! Do you live in Montreal? Or is it really Ville de Quebec? Either way, insane!
pink spider
02/09/2009, 05:33 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14354217#post14354217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mckostya
great tanks and 180g looks awesome. what a passion for a hobby, so many tanks and upgrades - congrats!
300G will be in plans - before you know it haha Well, actually we currently are in the process of reducing everything down a bit. We will get a 135g rimless cube tank set-up at the end of February. My boyfriend and I promise ourselves it was going to be our last tank, no more transfer after this last one. :D
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14355028#post14355028 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DamnPepShrimp
Love the tank! Great setup! Everything was well thought out and planned nicely. Just don't like the skull... Heheh, you're not the first person to do a remark about the skull head, but it is my tank signature. ;) Some people like it, some others don't, but I for one enjoy the look it gives.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14355363#post14355363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chark
Nice! What are the dimensions of you 180g aquarium? The dimensions are 72"x24"x24". I really like the depth it gives for fish to swim, they aren't always stuck up in the aquascape.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14356135#post14356135 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hummermaniac88
My god! Do you live in Montreal? Or is it really Ville de Quebec? Either way, insane! It really is Quebec city, not Montreal. ;)
pink spider
02/09/2009, 05:47 PM
Here are some fish pictures I took in my reef tank over the year.
Chocolate Mimic Tang
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/7020-2/Mimic01.jpg
A small Neon Goby
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/6245-2/Neon_Goby.jpg
Oscellaris Clownfish with its pink BTA
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/6271-2/Clown_BTA01.jpg
Firefish
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/6280-2/Firefish02.jpg
Clown Fairy Wrasse
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54009-2/ClownFairyWrasse01_2009.jpg
Lamarck Angelfish
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54031-2/Lamarck01_2009.jpg
Sailfin Tang
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54040-2/Sailfin01_2009.jpg
My baby Blue Hippo Tang
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54015-2/Doris01_2009.jpg
And the last but not the least, my tatty Pyramid Butterfly fish... he's the tank's elder.
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/7041-2/Pyramid02.jpg
vetdog
02/09/2009, 05:50 PM
great stuff. I am excited to follow this thread.
pink spider
02/09/2009, 06:01 PM
Thank you very much for the good words everyone ! I'll be posting some corals pictures tomorrow.... I'm just trying not to abuse with pictures on the thread right now. lol
pIankton
02/09/2009, 06:40 PM
Looks great IMO - I like the skull myself, something different - someone stepping out of the box a little.
Thumbs up!
Corndork2
02/09/2009, 06:56 PM
Very nice photography, and very clean install!
pink spider
02/10/2009, 05:58 PM
Here are some corals pics.
Pink blasto
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/7029-2/Pink_Blasto_macro.jpg
Green duncan
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54019-2/Duncan01_2009.jpg
Pink echinophyllia
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54022-2/Echinophyllia01_2009.jpg
Some green mushrooms
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54025-2/GreenMush01_2009.jpg
GSP
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54028-2/GSP01_2009.jpg
Candy canes and a purple montipora capricornis
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/54006-2/Candycane01_2009.jpg
An open brain
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/7023-2/Open_Brain.jpg
ibnozn
02/10/2009, 10:43 PM
I'm liking the skull also. Looked good the way you had it in the 90 too. The more obscure the better as if it's become encrusted in there. Maybe some GSP growing on it?
pink spider
02/11/2009, 07:55 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14367651#post14367651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ibnozn
I'm liking the skull also. Looked good the way you had it in the 90 too. The more obscure the better as if it's become encrusted in there. Maybe some GSP growing on it?
I agree, this is precisely what I'm trying to do. I put some GSP right next to it actually, hoping it will grow on it with time. It used to have a lot of coraline growing over it, but unfortunately I had a urchin two years ago that ate it all and oddly it never really grew again. The skull looks very old by now (have it since 5 years now), it seems to be directly taken from the carabbean undersea.
FroMan
02/22/2009, 09:21 AM
do you have any pictures of your finished cabinetry? I'm looking for some ideas for my 180 build.
merci beaucoup!
Jim Lepage
02/28/2009, 09:18 AM
Update of my work...
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/56263-1/005.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/58143-1/d__cante.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/57542-1/moonlight.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/57545-1/moonlight_dessous2.jpg
pink spider
03/02/2009, 12:40 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14454057#post14454057 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FroMan
do you have any pictures of your finished cabinetry? I'm looking for some ideas for my 180 build.
merci beaucoup!
No, unfortunately my boyfriend and I decided to change set-up before we had the time to finish it.
pink spider
03/02/2009, 12:56 PM
New updates !! Jim added 4 led moonlights to our new Spectra fixture. I can't wait to see what it'll looks like with the aquarium beneath it. It has been 3 years now that our different aquariums set-up runs without any moonlights over it and I miss that quite a lot ! It clearly was unthinkable to run our ultimate set-up without any moonlights.
Here's a glimpse of the look it gives :
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/57542-1/moonlight.jpg
Those are the moonlights we dismantled to incorporate them to the fixture :
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/images/moonlights.jpg
Here's the final look of it after it has been integrated to the Spectra :
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/57545-1/moonlight_dessous2.jpg
Look at that very clean job ! ;)
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/57539-1/MH.jpg
We are supposed to receive our cube before next week-end, we'll keep you informed of what's coming out of this !
pink spider
03/26/2009, 02:50 PM
Here's some pictures of our sump in the basement :
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/58253-2/SumpSetup01.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/58256-2/SumpSetup02.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/58259-2/SumpSetup03.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/58262-2/SumpSetup04.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/58265-2/SumpSetup05.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/58268-2/SumpSetup06.jpg
pink spider
03/26/2009, 02:55 PM
The new cube is finally in place on its stand in the living room :
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/69777-1/face2.jpg
Here's an idea of its real size :
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/69779-1/face3.jpg
pink spider
03/26/2009, 03:06 PM
Aquarium switch finally over !! There's still some work to do on the stand and there's also some wires clean up to do. This is incredible how that new set-up is quiet... we only hear a bit of water running down the overflow, I'm very satisfied.
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/64406-1/CUBE135gal02.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/64409-1/CUBE135gal01.jpg
I'll get some better pics when the work on the stand will be over.
Lyfey
03/26/2009, 03:48 PM
wow very nice.. wanted to give you def props!
FroMan
03/29/2009, 04:17 PM
Very clean setup and build. What diameter nylon braided tubing are you using for your drain line?
Jim Lepage
07/26/2009, 04:38 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14718233#post14718233 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by FroMan
Very clean setup and build. What diameter nylon braided tubing are you using for your drain line?
Sorry for the very late answer, it's a 1" diameter.
Jim Lepage
07/26/2009, 04:43 PM
A quick update of our tank ; the stand is finally done, here is what it looks like :
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/90422-2/aqua03.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/90895-2/CUBE02.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/90892-2/CUBE01.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/90898-2/Brain01.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/90907-2/Pyramid01_001.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/90904-2/Duncan01.jpg
http://oneilcastro.com/gallery/d/90901-2/CandyCane01.jpg
Snakebyt
07/26/2009, 10:22 PM
very nice.. job well done
inktomi
07/26/2009, 11:28 PM
Very nice! I love how you mounted your moonlights. I hope they last for you! I've heard that heat kills LEDS pretty quickly - I hope that doesn't happen to you.
Jim Lepage
08/21/2009, 06:04 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15422437#post15422437 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by inktomi
Very nice! I love how you mounted your moonlights. I hope they last for you! I've heard that heat kills LEDS pretty quickly - I hope that doesn't happen to you.
Really ? Hmm, good to know, I'll keep an eye on it.
96flstf
04/11/2011, 05:23 AM
Is this tank still up and running?
pink spider
10/13/2011, 10:40 AM
Is this tank still up and running?
Whoa I'm late ! Yes, it is still up and running ! I think my thread needs an update... :rollface: I'm gonna do that very soon, I got to buy my new camera first !
Alysiak00
10/13/2011, 10:55 AM
how do you access the sump. it looks completely closed off...lol
pink spider
10/17/2011, 09:39 PM
how do you access the sump. it looks completely closed off...lol
lol you are right, that's because the sump is in the basement. ;)
Jim Lepage
01/04/2012, 11:28 AM
New pics !!!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6623295059_f7957582eb_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6623301979_8d2c89a60d_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6623304849_4cd65496d5_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6623305507_509e839647_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6623305919_1c0b0e376b_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6623276115_13531601bd_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7170/6623281155_fe1bf2e6f5_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6623288043_5a5b1a3b1a_b.jpg[/QUOTE]
pink spider
12/09/2012, 03:04 PM
Okay, so we have some big changes ahead. We're gonna modify our current system a little bit during xmas holidays. As seen on the 3D render, the 135g reef is gonna be next to a 90g FOWLR. The whole thing is gonna be called The Butterflyfish Complex. It's gonna be occupied by 2x Pyramid, 1x Longnose & 1x Copperband for the reef cube, and as for the FO there's gonna have 1x Saddleback, 1x Declivis and 1x Blackback or Pakistan butterflyfish.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8258554896_1b38f60419_b.jpg
james30ct
12/09/2012, 06:17 PM
Thats gonna be sweet.
laredo300c
12/09/2012, 07:07 PM
wow, that looks awesome, looking forward to seeing a butterflyfish tank
pink spider
12/09/2012, 08:53 PM
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8479/8256067710_c2a0effb38_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8362/8256067844_bf80705b14_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8201688232_09ac5c9f7d_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8074/8254996589_f4444c473c_b.jpg
lluv24
12/10/2012, 06:47 PM
Sweet!!!!!!!!
pink spider
01/31/2013, 05:57 PM
Our new lighting fixtures. :rollface:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8433160315_9bbb330c34_b.jpg
NaH2Ofreak
01/31/2013, 10:01 PM
What happened to the geiseman?
Dennis
PistolShrmp
01/31/2013, 10:44 PM
Sweet lookin setup, I really like the idea of the tank right next to the couch.
pink spider
02/01/2013, 09:07 AM
What happened to the geiseman?
Dennis
Sold it.
We were tired of not having nice sunrises and moonlights.
buffalo123
02/01/2013, 05:49 PM
very nice , like cubes
bigpuffer1
02/01/2013, 06:47 PM
very nice tank and future tank too!!! i like the sump too. i hate my sump on the floor
Chihuahua6
02/02/2013, 09:24 AM
I really enjoyed this thread, something different. I can't wait to see the second tank in place. Have you started working on the tank or stand yet?
NeilFox
02/02/2013, 09:40 AM
Nice setup and great pics! Thanks...
pink spider
02/09/2013, 05:00 PM
I really enjoyed this thread, something different. I can't wait to see the second tank in place. Have you started working on the tank or stand yet?
Hmmm well.... the plan has change a 'little bit'. We actually sold our new 90g. tank and I bought a 42g. ADA Cube Garden instead..... for my new Ranchu Goldfishes to come ! lol
pink spider
05/03/2013, 05:47 PM
Update..... the cube has been sold, we are reducing in size everything. New tank is suppose to be shiped next week, it's a custom rimless and starphire Miracles tank of 88gal. (40x30x17). Here's an idea of what the new project is gonna look like once finished :
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8611510950_fd6b57965b_b.jpg
tylersarah
05/03/2013, 06:46 PM
Whatever happened to the butterflyfish tank? I was really excited about that. Did the idea sprout because the Declivis was eating too much coral?
aandfsoccr04
05/03/2013, 06:57 PM
Haha the rate at which you swap tanks is crazy! Your builds are so clean. Will be following along on your progress.
pink spider
05/03/2013, 08:20 PM
Well, actually we are not swaping tank that much.... my boyfriend and I are more addicted to planning new projects I would say. lol
So, the butterfly fish project has been aborted because of the space it would take in the living room and because I wanted a smaller aquarium. It has nothing to do with the Declivis, which is a fabulous fish. :)
pink spider
05/20/2013, 10:48 AM
Our wall is ready to welcome the new shallow tank (which is suppose to arrive this week).
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/8757456877_fb3c8d24b3_z.jpg
d2mini
05/20/2013, 01:04 PM
That wall is sweet! :)
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