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04/24/2013, 11:10 AM | #1 |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 531
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Russter's 34 gallon cube
After a little over two and a half years enjoying my standard 20 gallon reef tank, it was time for me to upgrade. Some of my SPS corals were constantly in need of fragging because they were growing out of the water and some of them were seriously crowding each other.
Here is a pic of my 20 gallon from last month: I wanted to put the new tank in the same spot I had the 20 gallon, which is located on a built in entertainment/bookshelf in my basement. This limited the size of tank I could upgrade to with a maximum length of 24" and maximum depth of 22". After exploring a few different custom sizes (and being blown away by the cost of shipping one to me...i live in northern Ontario, Canada), I decided to order a Current USA Solana 34 Gallon SuperBrite Frameless Cube Aquarium that is 20"x20"x20". I will be plumbing this tank into my current 55 gallon sump that is located in the fish room directly behind the cabinet. I will also be attaching a coast to coast external overflow to the tank and using a beanamimal style plumbing. All of my live rock that is in my 20 gallon will be removed (some to the sump) and replaced with 25 lbs of Bulk Reef Supply Reef Saver dry rock. I am planning to do a central island-type aquascape with some caves and overhangs. All of my corals will then eventually be transferred to the new tank. Flow will be by way of 2 Vortech MP10's (need to purchase additional pump). Lighting will be from one Ecotech Radion Pro. Controller is Neptune Apex Lite. Skimmer is RLSS R8-i. I want to use Tropic Eden Reefflakes sand but it appears to be sold out. Tank and plumbing should be here tomorrow and rock will be here next week.
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
04/24/2013, 11:13 AM | #2 |
Premium Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 332
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Very nice equipment list. How are you attaching the overflow? Will you be cutting teeth into the back glass?
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04/24/2013, 11:33 AM | #3 | |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
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04/24/2013, 12:24 PM | #4 |
Premium Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 332
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What I did with mine was go with an overflow-less herbie. This maximizes the available space in the tank and allows you to mag-float the back of the tank.
Drilled three holes, one for return, one for siphon, one for emergency/balance. I lightly tinted the back glass so the blue lighting would reflect off the white wall the tank is against. It gives the tank a much more open feel. The white PVC is well camouflaged against the wall. |
04/24/2013, 12:32 PM | #5 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Waterford CA
Posts: 133
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I bought a 34 gallon solana tank also. I drilled it and installed an overflow box from glass holes. It is vary small but it is noisy. I am not vary happy with that.
Good luck. Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2 |
04/24/2013, 12:47 PM | #6 | |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
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04/24/2013, 12:48 PM | #7 |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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[QUOTE=Tyrenlds;21436377]What I did with mine was go with an overflow-less herbie. This maximizes the available space in the tank and allows you to mag-float the back of the tank.
Drilled three holes, one for return, one for siphon, one for emergency/balance. I lightly tinted the back glass so the blue lighting would reflect off the white wall the tank is against. It gives the tank a much more open feel. The white PVC is well camouflaged against the wall. Interesting...are you getting sucking noises at all from your siphon?
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
04/24/2013, 12:52 PM | #8 | |
Premium Member
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[QUOTE=Russter;21436459]
Quote:
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04/24/2013, 12:56 PM | #9 | |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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[QUOTE=Tyrenlds;21436477]
Quote:
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
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04/24/2013, 12:58 PM | #10 |
Premium Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Zero. Honestly though I expected some without using an overflow but it's working perfectly.
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04/24/2013, 05:20 PM | #11 |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Tyrenlds, your way would certainly be easier to do than the inside/outside overflow. Now you've got me thinking.
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
04/24/2013, 05:22 PM | #12 |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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I am also wondering about putting the new BRS rock in the tank. I plan on letting it soak for a couple of days before putting it in the tank, but with all the rock in the refuge, will I see a cycle? I will be replacing about 1/2 of the total amount of live rock I currently have in the tank/sump.
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
04/29/2013, 04:17 PM | #13 |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Update
Glass has been ordered for the overflow. I am planning to do a coast-to-coast internal weir that is 1.5" wide and 6" deep. Water will flow over the weir and through three 45 mm holes drilled in the back pane of glass. These holes will empty into an external glass compartment that will house the beananimal drain system.
Also ordered was another Vortech MP10. The plan is to have both pumps on the rear wall near the sides facing forward.
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
04/30/2013, 08:03 PM | #14 |
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Gabriel Valley, Ca.
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Following along. I'm (slowly) starting a Solana Superbrite build to migrate out of my nano cube 28.
I was planning on doing a Glass-holes overflow but I like the simplicity of yours and how it takes up pretty much no space. Can you explain the emergency/balance line? what is that attached to the bulkhead? Also, what are you using for a return pump? How much flow could that overflow-less drain handle? Sorry for all the questions but I'm really intrigued by your build. Thanks. Oh and Russter, you planning on making a build thread as well? Hope so.
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______________________________________________ 34 gallon Solana Superbrite SPS/zoas. Apex Lite, G-H overflow, SCA-302 skimmer, TLF reactor, Sicce Syncra 2.5 return, 250W Hamilton Sun MH. |
04/30/2013, 09:31 PM | #15 |
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Woops. Just realized this is Russter's build thread. Looking forward to it. So I guess I should have asked Tyrenlds if you have a build thread?
Looking forward to seeing the coast to coast Russter. That's too much building for my liking but it's a sweet setup once it's all in place.
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______________________________________________ 34 gallon Solana Superbrite SPS/zoas. Apex Lite, G-H overflow, SCA-302 skimmer, TLF reactor, Sicce Syncra 2.5 return, 250W Hamilton Sun MH. |
05/03/2013, 12:13 PM | #16 |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Update
Slowly making some progress on the tank. Got the glass cut for the overflows and have started to assemble them.
I used GE Silcone 1. I have used this before on tanks and it works well. Inside weir: Will be drilling the holes for the external overflow box tonight and I will then be able to silicone that. My rock arrived today. 25 lbs of BRS Reefsaver Dry Rock. Excellent packaging ensured that all my rock arrived in excellent condition with no breakage. The rock looks great and now I have to figure out an aquascape. I want to do some kind of central island that is not too high to allow the SPS to grow without constant pruning at the waterline. Also arriving in the mail today, my second MP10esW.
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
05/04/2013, 08:33 PM | #17 |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Update
This BRS Reefsaver rock is awesome for aquascaping. With the rock being so porous, it seems to be able to fit together in so many different ways. With a little epoxy and zip-ties, you could design any type of rock feature. After playing jigsaw for a couple of hours, I have come up with a 'scape I am happy with. It is a single island with a large cave underneath and lots of top area to be able to place corals. It almost looks a bit like a rock chair. I think it will provide lots of swimming (and hiding) places for the fish yet not seem crowded. Kind of hard to tell and get a good sense of depth without good overhead lighting, but what do you think? Admittedly it looks much better in person than the picture shows.
Also ordered 40 lbs of Caribsea Special Grade Reef Sand for the tank. Replacement glass for the overflow (for the piece I broke ) will be ready on Monday, so I should be able to get the external box completed and drilled this week too.
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
05/07/2013, 02:02 PM | #18 |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Update
Got the rock in some RO-DI water and going to let it sit for a week or so. Hopefully this will leach out anything that may be in the rocks.
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
05/07/2013, 02:11 PM | #19 |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 531
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Update
Picked up my replacement piece of glass for the outside overflow box and drilled it today.
Time to break out the Dewalt and the 45mm glass hole saw. One down, two to go. And we're finished. Now to silicone this thing together The box will be left to dry overnight and tomorrow I plan to drill the pass-through holes in the tank. Will two holes be enough or should I go with three?
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
05/07/2013, 02:14 PM | #20 |
Ultimate Reefer
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Location: London, UK
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Subscribed!
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05/07/2013, 02:33 PM | #21 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Austin Texas
Posts: 1,162
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Wow russter, I can't wait too see more. I'm a long time fan of your 20H. This is going to be sweet! And def. Subbed!
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Have dominion over the fish of the sea Current Tank Info: Currently Tankless: In the planning stage of next build. |
05/07/2013, 02:37 PM | #22 |
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Location: Grand Junction CO
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Tank is looking great! tagging along for this one
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05/08/2013, 03:45 PM | #23 |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 531
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Due to the new aquarium being almost twice the size of my current tank, I wanted to make sure that the cabinet could support the additional weight. I used 2x4's to add "legs" inside the cabinet and removed the drawers. With an estimated weight of approximately 400-450 lbs, I think this will provide the needed peace of mind that the tank won't end up on the floor. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368049491.399930.jpg
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368049509.884037.jpg
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
05/08/2013, 05:49 PM | #24 |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Got some more work done on the tank tonight. I have decides to go with three flow-through holes to connect the front weir to the rear overflow box.
Test fit the rear box with beananimal overflow to determine where the flow-through holes should be. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368056779.527780.jpg Taped of the tank to minimize scratches while drilling. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368056935.770072.jpg All drilled and ready to attach the overflows. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368056987.530875.jpg
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
05/10/2013, 06:39 AM | #25 |
Northern Reefer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
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Overflows are installed. Here is the rear box.
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368189139.328574.jpg And the internal weir. I used the supplied glass top that came with the tank for the weir and then painted it with Krylon Fusion paint. I'm not too worried about how long the paint will last, as it will be covered in coralline algae soon enough. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368189369.164294.jpg Still need to paint the back pane of glass and then it will be time to get this thing wet.
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- Russ Current Tank Info: 75 gallon |
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