d2mini's 130g Rimless Cube

[drtrash]

Not to be a buzz kill for a sick system but there appears to be not enough room in stand to raise skimmer in sump. I think a I-Tech 200 sets in 7-8 inches of water (not sure on exact #). The sump water levels appeas to be at 10+ inches.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by jeff1225

This is looking like a great build. What pump are you running on the i-Tech?

Thanks. The modified Tunze that comes with it. I can't remember the model#.

Originally Posted by DT's_Reef

Where are the sexy models to go with the hot tank pics???

haha, I'll see what I can do.

Originally Posted by drtrash

Not to be a buzz kill for a sick system but there appears to be not enough room in stand to raise skimmer in sump. I think a I-Tech 200 sets in 7-8 inches of water (not sure on exact #). The sump water levels appeas to be at 10+ inches.

No problem, things are a bit tight under there. The sump water level is set at around 8". And i have a few inches to play with above the skimmer cup. The cup itself needs a half inch to remove. So it is tight, but it all fits, even if I have to slightly raise the skimmer.

[nanokeeper]

Just beautiful. Both the house and the tank setup. You really have an eye for design. Thank you for sharing.

[d2mini]

Thanks, nano.

[epleeds]

your tank and house look amazing...

i might have missed it, but what are you plans for the "overflow" pipes.

[d2mini]

Thank you.
overflow pipes will be "herbie" style plus a dry pipe for the lighting and vortech wires.

[d2mini]

Plumbing is complete below the stand.
And the lighting ballasts are hung.

Just need to finish the pipes in the overflow.

[d2mini]

Just another quick update:
The overflow should be going into the tank tonite.
Then it's time to start mixing water while i finish up the overflow plumbing.

[mnml]

So clean. After seeing your stand, I should of painted the inside of my stand white. I can't see anything with it being black.

Keep the updates comin'

[d2mini]

Thanks, mnml!

Ya, i painted my last stand black on the inside. The white in this one definitely makes it brighter. But you can just add some lighting in yours and it will be fine.
I put these two under-cabinet pucks in my last stand.

[Reefobsession]

Sorry if this is a lame question, but why do people run pumps externally? Is it to reduce heat? Just wondering, because I am going to set up a 120 tech in a year and am going to be using the same enheim.

[d2mini]

Well, if you look at that last pic i just posted of my old 46g, i ended up swapping that pump out for an internal mag pump. First it was just too much pump for that tank, and second you can see how much valuable room it took up in the stand.
BUT... having the pump in the sump, and in a tight space, it has been a PITA when I've had to deal with the pump. Having it outside the sump makes servicing the pump so much easier, you just need to have unions and valves. And it frees up room inside the sump for other stuff that has to go in there like heaters, pumps for reactors, probes, etc.
So now that i have a big stand with plenty of space I chose to go external again.

There are arguments about heat transfer, but I think most internal pumps don't really add any extra heat to speak of.

[cet98]

d2mini...just an amazing build.
my appreciation for "form following function" has me hooked on your every move! I truly admire your build and look forward to your progress

I do have two questions please:

first - its hard to see, but did you apply any foam pading between the tank and the top of the stand? if so, was it recommended or required by the tank manufacturer? I ask because my tank stand design has NO raised rim (or trim) to cover the edges of any exposed padding.

second - I noticed you applied cork padding to the floor of your stand's interior. why did you choose to do this? what, if any, are the advantages in doing so?

again, thank you so much for sharing and I look forward to each any every new post

[turbois300]

WoW!!! Nice kitchen!!!!!!! I'll be checking in for updates. That is a really clean build too!!!
I want a cube!!!!

[d2mini]

Thank you, cet98 and turbo!

Originally Posted by cet98

first - its hard to see, but did you apply any foam pading between the tank and the top of the stand? if so, was it recommended or required by the tank manufacturer? I ask because my tank stand design has NO raised rim (or trim) to cover the edges of any exposed padding.

Yes, i did. The pink stuff from home depot. The green tint of the non-starphire glass bottom neutralized the pink color so it looks white with the tank on it. But in an earlier pic where the light fixture is resting right on the stand you can see the pink foam. It is usually recommended to have foam underneath a frameless tank to make up for any imperfections in the stand's top surface.

second - I noticed you applied cork padding to the floor of your stand's interior. why did you choose to do this? what, if any, are the advantages in doing so?

I just like to have some padding on my stand's floor to soak up vibrations and keep things a tad quieter. Last time i used that heavy duty solid shelf liner (not the waffle weave stuff), but this time I saw the cork and thought I'd give it a go.

[strendo]

Very nice & clean setup can't wait to see what you do with it!
Subscribed

[spleify]

Awesome build! No expense spared here. This is gonna be a great tank.

Thanks for sharing

[zorden]

I love your tank and house. Your tank inspired me to work harder so i can earn enough dough to finance my expensive hobby. Great tank

[cet98]

thanks for the quick reply...
you mentioned that your sump was made by Sapphire Aquatics (I presume that's Kyle, right? if so,nice guy...I bought my nano skimmer from him )

question: did you or he design the sump?....

as you know from my post in the equip. theads, I am in need of a well designed sump for my new build...

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by zorden

Your tank inspired me to work harder so i can earn enough dough to finance my expensive hobby.

Wow! Thanks!
Now lets just see if my tank still inspires to that level 6 months from now when it's full of algae and looks like crap.

Originally Posted by cet98

thanks for the quick reply...
you mentioned that your sump was made by Sapphire Aquatics (I presume that's Kyle, right? if so,nice guy...I bought my nano skimmer from him )

question: did you or he design the sump?....

No problem, thanks for the comments.
Kyle designed the sump, and yes he is definitely a very nice guy. Talented too. He also designed a very unique overflow for me. I should have pics of that later today... he just installed it for me last night.

[usefulidiot213]

Lighting looks pretty sweet..

[EmersonCreated]

Yo Man Beautiful Start. The DJ on/off switches are a great idea. Also i just ordred the same dimentions 36x36x24 starfire on all sides leemar and cannot wait to start my build. This is one hell of a drug!!

[d2mini]

Water is going in!!!

Got my overflow installed thursday night, starting putting in water yesterday.
This is all the water i have so far, still making/mixing 30 gallons at a time. Got about 90 gallons in so far. Over the top of the first vortech.




Started my skimmer going, just to test it out. Nothing to skim being that it's pure brand new water.



Here's the overflow innards.
You can see the wiring for the lighting and vortechs going down the dry pipe.
Also the dry-dock for the vortech motors.
I have a strainer for the 1" main drain (short one in the middle) but haven't put it on yet.
The one on the left is the 1" emergency drain. 3/4" return split to two loc-lines.





And the front of the overflow. Two areas on each side for taking in water plus the slot at the top of each side for surface skimming.

[cet98]

my goodness
I am speechless and beyond impressed with the attention to detail....

[Reefobsession]

You really hit the nail on the head. Just plan stunning.