Slow Pre-Build Cube 40g rimless Shallow Reef

[joelabu]

After a disastrous 150g tank built in mid 2008 I almost gave up on the hobby as the tank is itself kept drowning my wallet buying on new equipment without any success in neither reducing the problem nor putting new corals in the tank.

Hence learned the hard way that I need to do more research in this hobby before proceed to buy stuff or build it 1st.

As for that this thread is going to be pre-build so that I maybe can share or gain some perspective from others on how to build a reef tank.

Some equipment specs:

Display

24x24x16(40g)

Sump

42x20x16(33g)

Lights

15k 250w XM MH

Industrial electronic Ballast

Spider reflector(to shop list)

Skimmer

Deltec AP851

Wavemaker

1x Vortech MP20(to shop list)

Return Pump

1x Eheim 1260/2(to shop list)

Temperature control

1/4 hp outdoor split unit

Additional

Carbon, rowaphos, balling(to do list)

On the last build I had chosen a 150g tank as most of my reading suggested that bigger is better and stability control. But bigger also mean more $$$ and $$$ is quite a strain. For that the reason I choose a cubic 2’ tank which is due to the cost and easy maintenance it is going to incur to me as that would be more affordable.

Most of the items are still in the to shop list, which im going to get from other reefer(2nd hand)(cost constrain)

Currently im follow couple of built thread on RC as it also resemble my up coming tank.

So any suggestion is REALLY appreciated if any of these items are really necessary before I drain my wallet again.

[joelabu]

Let’s get started, 1st of all on the display/main tank. Below are some of early sketches of my shallow cube designs.

There will be only 2 holes for the overflow and return pipe will be outside of the overflow box(need to resketch the design so that we dont get confused)

After trying to figure some rockscaping on the tank I had issue on the overflow designs. It seems that if the overflow box is inside the tank, its going to consume more space, so i decided to takeout the overflow box to outside of the tank.

I also did a research on the herbie overflow, and i guess if it could silence the noise that would be great, another thing that i like about the herbie is there is 2 standpipe, now i can channel the durso pipe to my refugium(10%) while the standard pipe(90%) to the skimmer section.

did a quick sketch and here how it looks like(the ball valve is not needed on the durso pipe)

[TayHongSiang]

a 2ft cube tank and a 3ft tank cost of maintenance is not much difference bro.

You can save on lightings by using T5 or LEDs which will save you money on electricity bills.

Secondly, you can save further by using tunze or hydor wave makers rather than vortech.

Thirdly, if you insist on your cube tank, you can use lower end skimmer like reef octopus or skimz which is cheaper.

[comycus]

I think 16" height is too short. should have no problem with 24" since your're planning to use MH.

Your sump should be 22x20x16. Unless you have somewhere else to store your sump, I don't think your bottom cabinet will be able to accomodate that size taking into account the cabinet frame.

Taking into account running costs like salt, water, carbon, phos remover, electricity, running a 2ft will prob save $$ marginally, think the standard advice is to get the biggest tank your pocket can afford. I agree with AhSiang, just go with Skimz. Many members here use it with good results. Have to watch your sump space though, I've read in quite a few bros posts here that sump space is a major constraint for 2 ft cube.

Personally I prefer an external overflow. Easier to aquascape. btw, really nice sketches! What software did you use?

[joelabu]

thanks for the comment guys..appreciate the suggestion..however

the few of the equipment that i listed already with me(MH & Skimmer), so im just using it back.

as for the 16" height, im thinking of rising the MH pendant, not sure how much inches, but readt it somewhere, its good 5-6" above the cube.

below are some pictures of the whole idea and hope to clarify why the sump is bigger than the display tank

as you can see the cabinet is meant for a 5 footer(maybe..just maybe in the future i shall upgrade back to 5')..reason for the 2ft is due to mostly cost. im thinking of adopting the balling light method, hence if i had to use bigger tank, i'd guess, i will also use more of the mixture hence more $$$..that is the reason to cut it at 2ft..but then again i will put into consideration during the actual build..

The movement of a Vortech really look sweet..if i were to choosed a tunze or hydro.. any recomendation for the current setup?

p/s: i used google sketches for the drawing

[comycus]

Sory bro, i meant unless got ceiling height constraint, a 250W MH can provide your tank with sufficient light for 24". Gives you more options with coral placement and the extra height won't eat too much into your budget.

I would start with a Hydor K2 and maybe add another K1 or K2 later when needed. That said, I really love my MP20! Depends on how much you want to indulge yourself

Pls check your old equipment to make sure they are still in working order yeah? These things have a tendency to spoil when left alone collecting dust in the storeroom. Cheers!

[joelabu]

Sory bro, i meant unless got ceiling height constraint, a 250W MH can provide your tank with sufficient light for 24". Gives you more options with coral placement and the extra height won't eat too much into your budget.

I would start with a Hydor K2 and maybe add another K1 or K2 later when needed. That said, I really love my MP20! Depends on how much you want to indulge yourself

Pls check your old equipment to make sure they are still in working order yeah? These things have a tendency to spoil when left alone collecting dust in the storeroom. Cheers!

ok..thanks for the clarification..yerp..MP20 is really wonderfull product, saw on youtube how the little thing rock some of the LPS...

1st of all let me layout everything that the cube is intent for mixed reef, may be some polypops..zoas, a bit of LPS and final stage would be 1-2 SPS..that is the intention..having that, would K2 be sufficient?

The current skimmer is still running on my 5ft. Waiting for a buyer, once sold..the thing will be idle ...

[comycus]

ok..thanks for the clarification..yerp..MP20 is really wonderfull product, saw on youtube how the little thing rock some of the LPS...

1st of all let me layout everything that the cube is intent for mixed reef, may be some polypops..zoas, a bit of LPS and final stage would be 1-2 SPS..that is the intention..having that, would K2 be sufficient?

The current skimmer is still running on my 5ft. Waiting for a buyer, once sold..the thing will be idle ...

hehe mp20 just nice for sps...and when u upgrade to 5ft in future, can change controller to mp40

anyway, K2 alone not enough for SPS, but should be sufficient for LPS. If you decide you need more flow, can always buy another one later. The good thing of having 2 smaller wavemakers is the ability to create random flow. (and if 1 decides to shut down for no reason, at least still have another one)

[joelabu]

hehe mp20 just nice for sps...and when u upgrade to 5ft in future, can change controller to mp40

anyway, K2 alone not enough for SPS, but should be sufficient for LPS. If you decide you need more flow, can always buy another one later. The good thing of having 2 smaller wavemakers is the ability to create random flow. (and if 1 decides to shut down for no reason, at least still have another one)

that's the idea...but no one is selling the mp20..mostly all letting go their mp40...heheh

so if i had choosen a K2..id guess id have to get a wavemaker/controller right? that is to create those flow..

in term of cost..

K2+wavecontroller is it < MP20 alone ?

just to show the power of a small MP10 on a cube..

it just amazed me...

[comycus]

that's the idea...but no one is selling the mp20..mostly all letting go their mp40...heheh

so if i had choosen a K2..id guess id have to get a wavemaker/controller right? that is to create those flow..

in term of cost..

K2+wavecontroller is it < MP20 alone ?

just to show the power of a small MP10 on a cube..

it just amazed me...

Can try calling Victor from Irwana. He might still have stock.

For Hydor no need to get the controller. It costs more than the mp20 alone! You just need to aim the wavemaker at the glass and having 2 wavemakers to mix the flows should be sufficient.

Conversely, you can just get the mp40 if you're pretty sure you will upgrade in the near future. Saves you $, and since the flow rate is fully adjustable, you don't have to worry about too much flow.

btw I just realised your Deltec would be way way overrated for your cube. There is some debate on up/downsides of overskimming, maybe some other bros can advice? Maybe switch off your skimmer for 8 hours in the day?

[joelabu]

Can try calling Victor from Irwana. He might still have stock.

For Hydor no need to get the controller. It costs more than the mp20 alone! You just need to aim the wavemaker at the glass and having 2 wavemakers to mix the flows should be sufficient.

Conversely, you can just get the mp40 if you're pretty sure you will upgrade in the near future. Saves you $, and since the flow rate is fully adjustable, you don't have to worry about too much flow.

btw I just realised your Deltec would be way way overrated for your cube. There is some debate on up/downsides of overskimming, maybe some other bros can advice? Maybe switch off your skimmer for 8 hours in the day?

I think getting MP40 is a great way to save $$ too, but need to save $$$ 1st so that could get 2nd hand from other reefers..heheh

for what i have readt on most forum, reefers always mention to overskim. Will try and do some research on effect of overskimming on corals. since im going to adapat balling light method, do you think that by overskimming it will take out the neccasary adaptive that i put into the tank?

im going to post some pictures of sump design later on...