New Oceanic 30g build

[SurfsUP]

Well after a 2 year absence from you guys, I've decided to get my feet wet again. I moved into my new house 2 years ago and just didn't have the time to get back yet. I've had numerous reef tanks in the last 15 years and just got alittle burnt out 2 years ago as well.

I first got a 18g nano 3 months ago but it was crap. Then one day I walked into a Petsmart and I saw the Oceanic 30g cube with stand for only $200 and next thing you know its sitting in my home office. I have to say this tank is very well made and boy is it heavy for a 30g. Now after 2 months of planning, here is what I got so far:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/1329DSC_0088.jpg

New overflow by ATM (local tank manufacturer). This overflow weighs in at 10 to 15 lbs with a total thickness of 1/2".
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/1329DSC_0085.jpg

Holes I drilled myself. It was pretty scary, cause it was my first time.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/1329DSC_0044.jpg

I have more updated ones but need to upload them later.

[nanoreefboy]

ATM you just have to love them...or not so much. Looks like they did a good job on it though just dont understand exactly why it is a 1/2" thick. was that your planning or theirs? I just ask cause I have seen many of their tanks and usually they overdo the thickness which is good for safety just not the price. I sure do miss vegas and all the LFS especially working at them, including ATM and thats why I ask, what other stores do you frequent?

Sweet looking tank too what kind of lighting you going to do for it?

[maxcab]

If I ever get another tank, It'll have to be an Ocenaic 30 cube.
The dimentions are awesome.

[Aquariumist]

watcha gonna put in it?

[SurfsUP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7563237#post7563237 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nanoreefboy
ATM you just have to love them...or not so much. Looks like they did a good job on it though just dont understand exactly why it is a 1/2" thick. was that your planning or theirs? I just ask cause I have seen many of their tanks and usually they overdo the thickness which is good for safety just not the price. I sure do miss vegas and all the LFS especially working at them, including ATM and thats why I ask, what other stores do you frequent?

Sweet looking tank too what kind of lighting you going to do for it?

ATM is a little strange when it comes to tanks. They love to over do it and charge an arm and leg for them as well. All I ask was a overflow to be created and when I went to pick it up this huge and heavy thing was what I got. Now I am kinda glad they did it and not me using thin cheap acrylic from Lowe's or Home Depot. All the LFS suck here! The only one I ever liked was the one owned by Lance (Rainbow Seascapes). I will go to my friend's marine wholesale down in L.A. when it comes to stocking my tank. As for lighting, I have a 70w hqi Viper (crap!) and a Orbit 2-40w pc combo.

As for what I am going to stock in this tank, it will be mainly SPS, ricordia, clams, and zoo's.

I just took the whole Saturday morning setting it up with my live rock that has been curing in a bin for over 1 month. I don't have my sump yet, being built by acrylicsumps.com. I just wanted to get it already before the sump arrives and hopefully less time cycling the tank. Here is a updated pic with rock work. I wanted to create something different in term of stacking the rocks and creating a more open front area.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/1329DSC_0144.jpg
What do you guys think?

[super-cichlid]

bad a**

That'll look sweet when everything starts growing.

I undertand the non cheapo material angle, but 1/2"?? 1/8", 3/16" yeah that's on the thin side, 1/4", 3/8" optimal for the pressure being exerted, I'd say.

Back to the tank. I've always been happy with my Current USA lighting. Why not trade in the Viper (from other reviews and opinions, it is crap) and get an Outer Orbit? Get the HQI socket with some more PC's?

All in all whicked cool. I think if I had a home office with a tank like this in it, I would never get any work done!

[MattG]

Looks like a nice setup.

How are you doing the plumbing/water movement? I am not really sure based on the location of the holes.

[maxcab]

The Outer Orbit would work but the top of the tank is only 20.5" and the smallest light is 24". So it would look a little funny. About the only option you have is just MH w/o PCs.

[super-cichlid]

yeah, good call.

[kabal2]

what you think about compacts pc's, that will give you a nice option, and btw your tank is nice, good job
Gabriel

[SurfsUP]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7586536#post7586536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MattG
Looks like a nice setup.

How are you doing the plumbing/water movement? I am not really sure based on the location of the holes.

Thanks everyone for your nice compliments!

I have 3 return holes, one in each top corner and one centered in the overflow with a Hydor-flo. The two top corner ones will have loc-lines to control the flow to different areas of the tank.

As for lighting, I already have a 20" Orbitz 2-40w pc's and a 70w Viper. I saw another member with a modified Orbitz 2-40w with a 70w HQI mod into the same housing and it looked great. I might go this route.

I took some more pic's today and here is a right side view with just the Orbitz 2-40w pc lighting. I'm still waiting on JBJ to give me a new 70w bulb.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/1329DSC_0155_sm.jpg

[SurfsUP]

Here is another pic of the left side of the tank. I also ordered the final table top live rock for the upper portion and will take more pics of the final rockwork
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/507/1329DSC_0153_sm.jpg

[maxcab]

That tank is so cool. I want one! The lighting idea looks promising. Let us know :)

[SurfsUP]

Just an update. New Tek T5 4-24w lights and a few sps and clams.
I was just not happy with the output of the JBJ Viper 70w.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/surfsup8/Oceanic%2030g/IMG_5333.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/surfsup8/Oceanic%2030g/DSC_0515.jpg

[bucknellreefer]

Hey, this is my first post on here ( i am more active on n-r.com). I was wondering how well the t-5s fit on the cube. i know they are like 23" and i was wondering how much they hang over the sides of the tank and if this causes any problems.
I just picked up a cube from petco for $33 so now i am trying to figure out how i want to set it up. I am leaning toward the 150W sunpod but t-5s would be a nice alternative.

[Pescados]

What do you think of those T5's?

[kabal2]

bucknellreefer
[welcome]