Thor's Custom 80+ "kind of" Cube Build

Thanks FB! Yeah, ATS is probably a longer term project once I get the tank out up/running, and starting to produce nutrients.

I think so too Grim! One of the biggest challenges I have had with the dimensions of this tank was finding lighting that covered it. It is almost like I needed two fixtures no matter what I went with to cover the width, which made expensive lights all the more expensive.

I considered Radions (I'd need at least two), Vegas (again at least two, maybe three), Hydra's (two to three again).

So all in all, while not cheap, considering the coverage it is almost a bargain for a good quality LED fixture for my size tank. Plus the color renditioning looks ridiculous. AND, the fact that I can have some T5 on there to provide the ambient lighting will help the overall colors for corals rather than just point source of LED's. Least that is my logic...

 

water storage and mixing tank ordered. Also picked up an ASVO some check valves and a solenoid and float valve from spectra pure for to plumb said storage tanks. Small progress, but progress nonetheless!

 

Progress is progress Thor! Congrats on getting things ordered!

 

Okay, time to start talking stocking.

Mixed reef.

Inverts to include a bubble tip anemone only a tank raised. JMO, as intriguing as these guys are, I don't like the idea of taking one out of the wild.

Clam--Maxima. Love the color.

Fish:
Pair of Tank Raised Occy's
Midas Blenny
Mystery Wrasse
Potter's Angel
Candy Stripe Hogfish
Pink Spot Goby

I may do a pair of fire fish, or a small group of yellow strip cardinals as well.

Thoughts?

 

Fish list seems fine. All fall into the "semi-aggressive" category (except the Goby, but it can hide easy enough and likely won't be picked on), so I don't think aggression should be an issue.

This is where you may run into trouble. I definitely think the Cardinals would be too peaceful for the tank, and the only Firefish I would try would be Purple, but I have read these do not do well in groups. They would need to be added first either way.

 

That's the kind of feedback I was looking for. Thanks Marshall!

Okay, so nix the firefish and cardinals, as I was concerned about the same so it is good to get some validation.

I m still looking for a few more ideas...

 

No problem. Other options I can think of would be a smaller Hawkfish (if you won't be doing any shrimp), a Basslet, or a tank bred Dottyback.

 

Hmmm, had not that ought about the hawkish. Had considered the orchid DB, but just don't know if I want to risk the belligerence.

Hawkish though, that sounds intriguing. I'll look more into that option. Thanks Marshall!

 

I got a delivery today:



I got my new storage/mixing tanks.

Now I gotta re-do the closet to make 'em fit.

Due to recent events I find myself with some spare time, and I hope to take advantage of it to get some work don on this tank. More to come...

 

Serious progress has been made. Here goes:

I made some room in our pantry for the water storage. I had originally planned to have one tank go above the other. I would use the top one for RODI and then drain it into the lower one for mixing salt. Um, not enough room, so I changed plans. I will run my RODI to both of these with a T, and have a float valve in each of them instead.



Next, I painted the back of the tank (excluding the overflow so I can see into the thing). Before and after.





Finally, the most significant progress so far, I finally got the stand moved into place! It was stored at my in-laws but it has finally moved home. In the picture you can see it took a little beating on the way here, but since the picture it has been touched up and is as good as new.



I am very happy to report that all the time I spend on squaring and leveling this thing paid off. I moved it in and it is perfectly level all the way around.

So now I need to plumb the tank to the sump. Finish up the UAS and plumb it into the sump. Get some fittings for the RODI and get that plumbed in. Do the 'scape and buy a few odd pieces of equipment, and then it will FINALLY be ready to get wet.

We will see how much farther I get depending on how much more time off I have.

Oh yes, canopy will be finished sometime after Thanksgiving and I am having them make another door for the stand as well. I wasn't quite happy with the one I made so I figure let the pros handle that part.

I'm very excited and fighting the temptation to work on this all night tonight. That temptation is tempered by the fact that I live in a condo and my wife/son would not be happy with the racket and the cursing that is likely to occur from time to time.

Patience is a virtue, right?

Hope you all are well...

Scott