Pics of my 240 cube SPS reef.

[sonofgaladriel]

The camera just can't capture the true colors and depth that this rockscaping and coral selection truly represent.
This tank is 48" deep from side to side and front to back. The camera just can't capture depth of field. Again, I am sorry for the poor pics but I tried.
I've tried to make this as natural looking as possible with trenches, pillars, overhangs, and caves,with corals glued on the sides, under overhangs, and other places you would really have to 'look' in order to see them. Well, until they all grow out of course. I've done my best to mix colors and shapes, as well as place corals with thoughts on how they will grow out or mix with each other. I've also taken into consideration lighting and flow requirements as best I can. I'm sure I've got some things too close together, but I like the over lap.
I'm proud to say that this reef is 100% small aquacultured colonies and frags, absolutely no wild harvested corals. All of the aquacultured stock has come from www.midwestreefs.com, http://www.wesleyreefs.com , and Aquariums Wholesale ( our best LFS here in KC!). Many frags are from my good friends here in town and a few very nice guys here on RC.
Oh yeah, I built the stand too. :)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/dde4f667.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/DSC02846Small.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/DSC02853Small.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/DSC02854Small.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/DSC02856Small.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/DSC02850Small.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/DSC02865Small.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/rightcornerSmall.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/DSC02872Small.jpg

[mmoore0803]

beautiful

[BRISK495]

Your tank looks amazing....definitely need more specs and pictures!

[fishdoc11]

Wow! That's a beauty:)

Very nice tank and stand........what's in it is pretty good lookin too. It's gonna look outstanding in about a year:D

[sonofgaladriel]

Thank you very much! You can get all the specs and more pics here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=571308

[sonofgaladriel]

Thanks fishdoc11! Yep, I'm hoping in a year or so these will really have grown into the reef I've imagined at this point. I'm pretty excited that I've actually got hyacinthus frags encrusting and growing! They will look very nice sprouting out over the overhangs and open water areas. Now, if I can just NOT do something stupid!

[sonofgaladriel]

Forgot one of my favorites. I just brought home this 1 1/2" chunk of the Superman!!!http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/DSC02866Small.jpg

[fishdoc11]

Now, if I can just NOT do something stupid!

Tell me about it :lol:

[PUGroyale]

I'll just sum up my opinion with some letters... TOTM !! Wow... can I come over? :lol: my tank needs to fill in some... I've got no idea what you're talking about... One Q: is that the Oregon tort? The color is stunning.

[AtlanticReef]

Tank of the month..

[Dog boy Dave]

Nice tank, How long has it been set up?
Dave

[sonofgaladriel]

Originally posted by PUGroyale
I'll just sum up my opinion with some letters... TOTM !! Wow... can I come over? :lol: my tank needs to fill in some... I've got no idea what you're talking about... One Q: is that the Oregon tort? The color is stunning.
Thank you very much. Although I'll admit that a future TOTM would be a dream come true as I've been in awe of the many here on RC and have used them as an inspiration, but the honor is certainly way too premature at this point for this tank. I haven't earned it yet. In a few years, if I don't screw things up, maybe it will be worthy.
The large tort is the Oregon tort. I also have 2 nice frags of the Cali tort and 5 frags (broke a colony by accident) of the ORA tort. Lots of blue torts in here.
This tank has been set up since April, but all the live rock and water came from my 4 year old 180 gallon that I replaced this with.

[AlgaeMan]

Very nice indeed.

[SanFranTodd]

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

[my2girls]

Very nice!

[cward]

The tank is looking awesome!!! I can't wait to see it after one year.

[Deepsea2005]

Very nice tank and set up. The corals color is awsome.

[jay24k]

Man that is a ton of frags lol. About how far is each frag from each other? I have about 30 or so sps in my tank and I'm feeling like I can't add anymore because they will grow into each other.

How did you do yours spacewise?

[sonofgaladriel]

I have most of the frags spaced anywhere from 3" to 5" apart at this time and they are all facing at different angles so that growth will not immediately move into its neighbor's area.
The aquacultured colonies are between 4" and 6" apart, again with angles and orientation to encourage growth into open areas.
I think this is plenty of room at this point, plus, I really did want these growing close together eventually. I can always move something if need be down the road.
As I said earlier, I've tried to take into consideration the mature shape these corals will grow into when placing them next to each other. I've place stags in between table forming corals so they can most likely grow up and over them; tables above and below each other staggered to allow for plenty of light and horizontal space, and I've placed many frags and colonies on the very edges of the rockscape to encourage outward growth before upward growth. Now I know that some of this growth conjecture may be wishful thinking, but I did spend alot of time looking for mature pics of each particular species and tried to place them accordingly, yet also take into consideration their lighting and flow needs.
This cube was a dream to create flow for. I've got 8200 gph going through it at all times, via the return and two seperate closed loops consisting of an OM 4 way and an OM 8 way, so flow really isn't an issue, everything in here gets hit with great random flow patterns. There are four returns hidden in the front rock pillars that come up through the bottom of the tank.
More of this can be seen in my other thread on the Large tank forum.
Thanks again everyone for the compliments!

[Jovreefer]

Wow! And Double WOW on the stand work! I'd have to agree I see TOTM in your future.

[PaintGuru]

I definitely think if I ever do a mega large tank again, I'll do a cube. I have one now (92 gal) and besides the small amount of space underneath, it's great. I think increasing the size as you did really gives you a lot to play with. Hope it all grows well!

[sonofgaladriel]

Here's another pic showing my pendants. Currently with 2 250 watt DE 14K Phoenix's and 2 AB 10K's. The 10K's are above the back of the tank nearest the wall.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/648979b1.jpg

[M0E]

good lord

[Soccer]

Simply amazing! That tank is awesome!

Good work!

[tigerarmy40]

looking amazing for the short time it has been up! so how much top off are you dumping in that thing a day?

[reefwonders]

Sweet setup:D It's been fun and a learning experience watching you put this all together. Thanks for all the posts and pics.

[gflat65]

Awesome setup.

[myusername]

Grate looking tank.I hope one day my 80gal will look as good as yours.

[eastonreef]

you have my vote for totm!! absolutely beautiful.......

[sonofgaladriel]

Thank you all very much! Here's a few more pics of the 'twin' pillars in the front and the trench they help create.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/DSC02869Small.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sonofgaladriel/DSC02852Small.jpg

[DarkXerox]

Stunning! Thats my dream tank if I ever get a house big enough (or a wife that would put up with it haha).

One question, how do you have the plumbing and how the heck do you do waterchanges? haha

[Ausar76]

That is a gorgeous tank. I bet it's kinda hot in that basement of yours. What is your solution to the heating problem in the summer time?

[sonofgaladriel]

Water changes are done with a 'Python' faucet siphoning device from into the adjacent bathroom sink. I have a 80 gallon reservoir in the adjacent furnace room with my new water that I pump into the tank. Top off is done from there as well.
The basement stays quite cool, even in the summer. The tank has not affected the basement temp at all.
Thanks for the compliments.

[G-money]

Very nice. :D
Any trouble with carpet-surfing fish? I've always wanted to do a topless tank, but have always been worried about jumpers...

[momof6kids]

awesome tank, keep us updated with pictures.

[Bebo77]

updates?

[dvanacker]

ya I love this tank......I think he tore it down and has a new one though.

[Bebo77]

he wanted to but didnt... last i heard...

[oli5]

:O Crazy.