jcusmarine's 45 Gallon LED Cube Diary...

[jcusmarine]

Build Specs:

Tank - Marineland 45 Gallon Cube 24" x 24" x 18"

Lights - Maxspect G2 160 LED Fixture

Flow - Vortech MP10

Skimmer - Reef Octopus Extreme 160 w/Sicce Pump

Control - Reefkeeper Lite Plus Package

Return - Ehiem 1260 Pump

Sump - Berlin 23" x 12" x 14"

Sand - CaribSea Seaflor Spec Grade (40 lbs)

Rock - Marco Rocks Key Largo Dry (50 LBS)

Stand & Lamp Tree's - Custom Local Built


On with pics..........

[fonzer]

how many different pieces of rock you got there and what are you planning to stock it with?

this looks like the start of something sweet.

[jcusmarine]

Originally Posted by fonzer

how many different pieces of rock you got there and what are you planning to stock it with?

this looks like the start of something sweet.

Thanks

7 pieces of Marco Rock....I bought 50lbs and have a couple of spare pieces. I wanted to leave a lot of room for SPS to grow....so, I will do a mix of SPS, LPS and maybe a few nice Zoas.

I am moving my mated pair of Clowns (10yrs with me), Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Orange Spot Goby & Tiger shrimp pair and my McCosker's Wrasse in soon....I may add a Midas Blenny and a pair of purple fire fish to finish out.

[creefer01]

How do you like that maxspect fixture so far?? I've been checking them out in preparation for a build of my own but have not seen much about them.

[jcusmarine]

Originally Posted by creefer01

How do you like that maxspect fixture so far?? I've been checking them out in preparation for a build of my own but have not seen much about them.

For the price, outstanding. It met my expectations. Lighting is really not a one size fits all application and I would say you should decide on what's important to you. There are many theads on RC regarding LED's that may help you with the details, but I can report that this fixture is very good quality and it has an 18 month warranty from the manufacturer. I am glad I bit the bullet and tried it.

Best of luck with your new build.

[reeftanker10]

Nice looking set up.....The cubes are really starting to rub off on me the more I see one's like yours

[reeftanker10]

Where do you get the alluminum mounting rods?

[jcusmarine]

Originally Posted by reeftanker10

Nice looking set up.....The cubes are really starting to rub off on me the more I see one's like yours

Thanks. I am with you, seeing some great cube builds of late inspired me to take the jump.

I was heading towards the Cadlights Artisan and as I started to think carefully about what I wanted this build just took a course of its own. I am really pleased with the way it turned out. It was great to have a local reef club where I had some local talent to help me do the custom stand and lamp tree's. I got exactly what I wanted.

There are some great build threads here on RC that helped me make decisions and I really hope my thread may help some folks that are thinking about doing a cube. It is great to see other examples of whats out there....

Now for the fun part - stocking it!!

(PM sent regarding Aluminum Lamp Tree's)

[solos2]

Sweet looking tank Jamie!

[jcusmarine]

Originally Posted by solos2

Sweet looking tank Jamie!

Thanks Howard. I appreciate all the info you posted on the new G2 fixture - really helped me out making the decision.

[Anemonebuff]

The tank looks great. Cannot wait to see it with livestock.


I like the spread from the G2 fixture. I am planning a 70 gallon cube that is 30x30x18. I know that even if I use MH I will have some shadows around the edges of the tank. That is fine. But it appears that the spread over that 45 gallon is pretty good. Do you think the G2-160 would cover or 2 G2-110's would be needed?

[jcusmarine]

Originally Posted by Anemonebuff

The tank looks great. Cannot wait to see it with livestock.


I like the spread from the G2 fixture. I am planning a 70 gallon cube that is 30x30x18. I know that even if I use MH I will have some shadows around the edges of the tank. That is fine. But it appears that the spread over that 45 gallon is pretty good. Do you think the G2-160 would cover or 2 G2-110's would be needed?

Thanks.

I think you would be fine with one G2 160, but I am always hesitant to recommend any particular setup - it really depends on what your going to keep....I will say that the 110 does not have the 30 Watt Cree's, which was a selling point for me on the G2 160.

I think the main issue for many is that they want this fixture to have a 20k color and it does not - it has a great color, close to 14k and I am happy with it. I think we will see a lot of folks customize the LED's on this to attain specific colors, but I am happy.

[Anemonebuff]

I also want the 30 watters. I am happy with 14K as well. Thanks for the response and the help.

[Anemonebuff]

Also, is that the Marineland stand?

[jcusmarine]

Custom 36" tall stand, local built.

[creefer01]

Originally Posted by jcusmarine

For the price, outstanding. It met my expectations. Lighting is really not a one size fits all application and I would say you should decide on what's important to you. There are many theads on RC regarding LED's that may help you with the details, but I can report that this fixture is very good quality and it has an 18 month warranty from the manufacturer. I am glad I bit the bullet and tried it.

Best of luck with your new build.

Thanks. I have been reading as much as possible on this, as well as other threads, about LED. I am very interested in the maxspect because of the price point. The other options out there are ridiculously priced. While the 20k color is attractive, I think there are cost effective ways to supplement the maxspect and get the 20k look.

I'll be following along. I have looked at the CAD Lights Artisan as well but am not sure that it makes total sense. Looking forward to seeing this thing stocked.

[jcusmarine]

Thanks. I am making a DIY mesh screen top and moving my fish in soon. Will take my time on moving corals in, so it will be a while....

New pics coming soon...

[jwilliams860]

tank is looking good, id like to have the same tank for my picasso clowns

[jcusmarine]

Don't need to worry about jumpers anymore....

[jwilliams860]

nice mesh top, did you see a build thread for it? how do you like the one return line? im wanting the same tank, not sure if i want factory drilled tank or drill myself for 2 returns

[irieef]

awesome! i love how clean it looks, very nice..more pics please..

[jcusmarine]

Originally Posted by jwilliams860

nice mesh top, did you see a build thread for it? how do you like the one return line? im wanting the same tank, not sure if i want factory drilled tank or drill myself for 2 returns

Thanks. No advice on the second return, but you may want to take into consideration the tank is drilled on the back from the factory and drill it yourself. Hit the link below for the Mesh Top build.....

Originally Posted by irieef

awesome! i love how clean it looks, very nice..more pics please..

Thanks!

Here is the build thread for the DIY Mesh Top from my local reef club member:

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forum...ad.php?t=34002

Pretty straight forward....took about 20 mins to make.

Thanks!

JC

[dcook]

jcusmarine
Do you think your g2-160 is as good as a 250w 14k MH???

[jcusmarine]

Originally Posted by dcook

jcusmarine
Do you think your g2-160 is as good as a 250w 14k MH???

Yes. I do.

[dcook]

jcusmarine
Do you think your g2-160 is as good as a 250w 14k MH
Please share info regarding Aluminum Lamp Tree's