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Unread 04/06/2009, 12:56 AM   #1
scaryperson27
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Scary's 60gal Starphire Rimless Cube!

This is a build that may take a while.

This tank's inspiration will come mainly from Leonardo's Formosa Forest BB cube and Elos.

The Aquarium:
26"x24"x22"tall (59.4 Gallons)
Front/sides Starphire
Central overflow with two returns.

Protein Skimmer
Octopus Skimmers DNW-150 Meshmoded

Return pump
Blueline Velocity T4 External Pump Barbed fittings

Waterflow
Ecotech Vortech MP40w 3200GPH
Return ~700gph
total ~3900 GPH ~66X turnover

Lighting
Lumen Bright 3 Mogul Base Reflector
Radium 250 Watt SE Mogul 20K
IceCap 250 Watt Electronic Metal Halide/ HQI Ballast

Aquarium Stand
DIY Custom Stand made of 3/4" Plywood from Home Depot.
All wood pieces are rabbited together to insure
The sump area is elevated off of the bottom 2 1/2" and rabbited into the walls.
There are cutouts on the bottom for airflow in the event that water may get down there.
The stand will be finished with High-Gloss automotive paint. (suggestions on color would be great!!)

Sump
21"X12"X15"tall (16.4 Gallons)
It will contain a Return/auto topoff compartment and a compartment for the return.









I have so much done, yet I have a million things to do!!


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Unread 04/06/2009, 12:57 AM   #2
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikerod...7616323338119/


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Unread 04/06/2009, 06:45 AM   #3
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the stand looks awesome!! i'm in the process of building a plywood stand for a 40 breeder... i was originally going to do the inset door like you did, but then i thought it might be better to have panels below all 4 sides of the tank and the doors on top of that to still get the 'euro' look... i'd post pics of my sketchup but my baby's crawling all over me..

it looks like your tank is flat on the bottom also, where mine has the trim and the raised bottom..

anyways, thanks for the pics!


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Unread 04/07/2009, 08:39 AM   #4
mixer911
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Looks like a nice Setup.... I curently have a lumenbright 3 on my 24x24 cube. I am running a reeflux 12k, but thinking about running a radium also. I have always run 400w radiums in the past with HQI ballasts, so not real sure how the 250w was going to look (I know they can be Blue) without the HQI ballast. I love Radium's and the growth you get from them.


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Current Tank Info: 103 Gallon Starphire Reef Savvy Cube / 250w Galaxy Dimmable - Radium - Lumenbright Mini / 2 x 24" VHO / 2 x 24" T5 / 3x Power Brite Act LEDs /2 x Tunze 6025 / Vortech MP40ES / Neptune APEX Lite / CS200 Cone with Octo BB 2000
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Unread 04/07/2009, 09:40 AM   #5
jerryreefrigger
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Awesome, awesome, awesome

Did you build the tank too? Custom order?


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Unread 04/07/2009, 07:08 PM   #6
scaryperson27
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cutstom ordered glass.


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Unread 04/07/2009, 07:13 PM   #7
mg426
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WOW that is some nice looking gear. Cant wait to see it come together.


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Unread 04/07/2009, 07:22 PM   #8
scaryperson27
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Quote:
Originally posted by xpxdx
the stand looks awesome!! i'm in the process of building a plywood stand for a 40 breeder... i was originally going to do the inset door like you did, but then i thought it might be better to have panels below all 4 sides of the tank and the doors on top of that to still get the 'euro' look... i'd post pics of my sketchup but my baby's crawling all over me..

it looks like your tank is flat on the bottom also, where mine has the trim and the raised bottom..

anyways, thanks for the pics!
I like the flat bottom a lot. I feel there is extra security against pressure points from any rocks etc. I don't think I am going to use the Styrofoam which would be recommended for these types of tanks. Instead I am going to use a antislip material, like what would be used in a Kitchen drawer.

Quote:
Originally posted by mixer911
Looks like a nice Setup.... I curently have a lumenbright 3 on my 24x24 cube. I am running a reeflux 12k, but thinking about running a radium also. I have always run 400w radiums in the past with HQI ballasts, so not real sure how the 250w was going to look (I know they can be Blue) without the HQI ballast. I love Radium's and the growth you get from them.
The main reason I went with a Radium was due to the fact that every tank that I saw with one, had great color in their corals. I also did a lot of comparisons.

I am excited to see it the light running. It has been sitting in my tank for around six months. I just ordered an Icecap ballast from Marine depot along with a few other things.

Quote:
Originally posted by mg426
WOW that is some nice looking gear. Cant wait to see it come together.
Thanks. I have put a lot of time into choosing my gear.


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Unread 04/07/2009, 07:37 PM   #9
SFeST
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woah

this is almost identical to the tank I just built from scratch

Mine just needs a finished stand and then it will be ready for water (and a thread.)

I'm gonna follow this one too though.


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Unread 04/07/2009, 08:24 PM   #10
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You may be in California, but our minds are binded tight, like a baby tiger.

Good choice in dimensions


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Unread 04/07/2009, 08:51 PM   #11
stevedola
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like that stand. giving me ideas for mine.


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Unread 04/07/2009, 09:13 PM   #12
mixer911
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Quote:
Originally posted by scaryperson27




The main reason I went with a Radium was due to the fact that every tank that I saw with one, had great color in their corals. I also did a lot of comparisons.

I am excited to see it the light running. It has been sitting in my tank for around six months. I just ordered an Icecap ballast from Marine depot along with a few other things.

I think you will be very Happy with that combo. The Radiums are awsome bulbs,growth and color!


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Current Tank Info: 103 Gallon Starphire Reef Savvy Cube / 250w Galaxy Dimmable - Radium - Lumenbright Mini / 2 x 24" VHO / 2 x 24" T5 / 3x Power Brite Act LEDs /2 x Tunze 6025 / Vortech MP40ES / Neptune APEX Lite / CS200 Cone with Octo BB 2000
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Unread 04/08/2009, 12:29 PM   #13
jerryreefrigger
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Quote:
Originally posted by scaryperson27
cutstom ordered glass.
So, you ordered the glass and assembled it yourself? This is what I want to do, but have just been scared. Are the edges beveled to aid in silicone adhesion?

thanks!


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Unread 04/08/2009, 12:56 PM   #14
scaryperson27
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Wink

I just made an order from Savko for all of the plumbing parts in black!! I think it might have came out cheaper than a trip to Home Depot.

I forgot to get two 90 degree fittings going to the barbs that runs to the returns from the manifold coming off of the Return pump... !!!


Quote:
Originally posted by jerryreefrigger
So, you ordered the glass and assembled it yourself? This is what I want to do, but have just been scared. Are the edges beveled to aid in silicone adhesion?

thanks!
yes, however the edges aren't beveled. GlassCages ground them down. Just make sure you tape, run a thick bead of silicone and then squeeze tha glass joint together. I would advise the black silicone because it is definitely stronger. Also, make sure to stock up on razor blades to take the excess silicone off.

You might have to ship freight regardless of them assembling it or not. The thing weighs a ton. It's ~100#

The most important advise that I could give to you is to take your time. Being 1/16" of on one measurement could really bother you down the road...



Last edited by scaryperson27; 04/08/2009 at 01:03 PM.
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Unread 04/10/2009, 09:14 PM   #15
kylebeano
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Hey Mike, your tank looks spectacular. I look forward to seeing it plumbed up, the overflow is very neat. With the returns and vortech it'll make some awesome current.
Im in the middle of making room for marco's 30x30x13, a few days away from buying it. All I need is a DNW now. See ya around the shop


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Unread 04/12/2009, 10:01 PM   #16
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Hey Kyle. Thanks for the compliments!


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Unread 04/14/2009, 12:54 AM   #17
scaryperson27
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Well, I got my savko order in and I plumbed the tank with all black tubing. Savko sent me white bulkheads on accident, when I called about it, they told me to keep them, and kindly sent me the new grey ones free of charge!! Great company to deal with. I was so impressed that I didn't even have to say anything, just kindly told them my situation and they said "okay we'll take care of everything and have them hopefully shipped off today."

I will be sure to make my future online orders from them and I recommend people reading this do the same.

I also got my order from Marine Depot:

Two filter socks 4"
$39 Refractometer
IceCap Ballast 250 watt
poly tubing clamps

well, enough talking. Here are more pictures of my progress!







I am impressed with the build quality on the ballast.





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Unread 04/14/2009, 12:57 AM   #18
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Unread 04/14/2009, 01:01 AM   #19
scaryperson27
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I'm still battling it out in my own head as to what color I am going to paint it. Still don't know yet. I might even finish it. I don't know.

Anyone have any ideas?


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Unread 04/14/2009, 08:24 AM   #20
stevedola
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Im going to match my kitchen cabinets with my stand however black is always classic and easy.

funny thing is that your tank closely resembles mine, right down to the reflector. The only thing is that I have a coast to coast OverFlow on my tank. Ill have to post some pics of my stand and tank soon to show you.


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Unread 04/14/2009, 08:49 AM   #21
scaryperson27
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That would be awesome. post some pictures.


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Unread 04/14/2009, 09:41 AM   #22
mixer911
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Looking good! Are you going to paint the back of the tank? How do you like the clor of the radium so far? Is it really blue on that ballast? it looks good n the photo, not too blue.


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Current Tank Info: 103 Gallon Starphire Reef Savvy Cube / 250w Galaxy Dimmable - Radium - Lumenbright Mini / 2 x 24" VHO / 2 x 24" T5 / 3x Power Brite Act LEDs /2 x Tunze 6025 / Vortech MP40ES / Neptune APEX Lite / CS200 Cone with Octo BB 2000
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Unread 04/14/2009, 09:53 AM   #23
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sweet...thinking about a radium myself


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Unread 04/14/2009, 10:58 AM   #24
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Looks nice. I love cubes and have one myself.


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Unread 04/14/2009, 04:34 PM   #25
scaryperson27
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Quote:
Originally posted by mixer911
Looking good! Are you going to paint the back of the tank? How do you like the clor of the radium so far? Is it really blue on that ballast? it looks good n the photo, not too blue.
I didn't see too much difference between true color of the radium, and the photo. I don't think I am going to paint it. The tank weighs a ton, and I don't want to risk breaking it by taking it out of my room. I think the Plumbing is kind of cool looking anyways.

Quote:
Originally posted by vetdog
sweet...thinking about a radium myself
As far as from my limited experience with it, it might not be a bad choice.

Quote:
Originally posted by 650-IS350
Looks nice. I love cubes and have one myself.
I clicked your little red house. Your photos look really nice. Do you have any pics of the 37 gallon?


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