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View Full Version : Large Reef Aquarium(91g-180g) Rambo's Reef 135G Cube Build


Riblet
06-02-2013, 12:38 PM
This is going to be my 3rd cube reef, i started with an 30x30x24 tank that I had for a couple of years till i moved. A few years later I was in a place I could start a new one. So I build a bar stand and put a Leemar 36x36x18 rimless tank on it, after a year running i shut the tank down due to my wife quitting her job and going back to school. So After finding a way to restart the tank by doing the service on a tank the owner keeps at my job, I sold the tank and order a new cube. I went with the same footprint,so i could still use my stand that took me months to build. its a 36x36x24 LeeMar starphire with recessed eurobrace and a external overflow.
Here are some pictures.

---------- Post added at 09:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 AM ----------

The Bar Stand
I wanted a place I could sit down and enjoy my tank while we had a meal or just lots of beer;) a kegerator is on the list! It took me a few months to build, due to its size I had to build most of it in the living room. Have to say by month two my wife wasn't to keen on it, but when I took her to pick out the paint and tile and she saw the finish product she was a happy girl once again:)

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/e6e8y4e5.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/uza3y7u6.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/atarany2.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/2atyrare.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/yperyvu4.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/8ahyradu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/a7aqeta2.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/rezete3e.jpg

---------- Post added at 09:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:31 AM ----------

Here is the new Leemar Cube
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/e8a5y6a6.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/u2ara3ep.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/hevytyzy.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/9e3a2ytu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/zumetu4e.jpg

---------- Post added at 09:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:32 AM ----------

Here is the light hanger I made. I didn't what to hang it from the drywall.
So I mocked up with wood first then cut the steel up and had a shop weld it up for me.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/ega7ymyd.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/deva9uju.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/06/aga5ajuh.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/hapytyga.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/egupate8.jpg

---------- Post added at 09:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:33 AM ----------

It's not very pretty but it should get the job done.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/saderuzu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/ta9esetu.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/e2ameqyt.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/re6a2uqy.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/9ydupyja.jpg

---------- Post added at 09:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 AM ----------

We have water!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/agesy6a2.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/uhumy5a5.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/07/benajaza.jpg

---------- Post added at 09:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 AM ----------

Cleaning and stripping phosphate from 70lbs of pukani and 20lbs of tonga shelf
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/08/yve4ynup.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/08/asygyqar.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/08/unyhaqe9.jpg

---------- Post added at 09:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:36 AM ----------

Trying out some cerameco detox bloxs for my bio filter.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/09/hapene3e.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/09/8y5eqyja.jpg

---------- Post added at 09:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 AM ----------

Still getting everything setup and adjusted, moved the wife's clowns in Sunday. Setup the skimmer and gfo still need to setup the fans and ato. Using the led pendent I had on the 8g till I get the t5's up.http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/29/vuhe5any.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/29/ge3y6uby.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/29/e3uze9yh.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/29/u5e7e6yv.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/29/mu2ary4y.jpg

---------- Post added at 09:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:37 AM ----------

Added a bio pellet reactorhttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/02/a3ehezyn.jpg
Got some fans to make a air chiller
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/02/eta3a5y6.jpg
MizTanks
06-02-2013, 01:06 PM
WOW! Very sweet setup :) Beautiful tank! You did a wonderful job on your stand, I am very impressed. You should be proud :)
Could you tell me a little more about these cerameco detox bloxs? I've never heard of them before now.

Looking forward to watching your tank grow.:highfive3:
Riblet
06-02-2013, 01:28 PM
WOW! Very sweet setup :) Beautiful tank! You did a wonderful job on your stand, I am very impressed. You should be proud :)
Could you tell me a little more about these cerameco detox bloxs? I've never heard of them before now.

Looking forward to watching your tank grow.:highfive3:

Thanks.....
jimsflies
06-03-2013, 05:38 AM
Awesome setup! Thanks for posting.

One concern I have is it looks like you are relying on a check valve on your return line?
cbau45
06-03-2013, 12:30 PM
Nice build! Can't wait to see how this tank turns out. I like the finished stand. It gives me some good ideas for my rimless build. Keep the updates coming!!
Tom@HaslettMI
06-03-2013, 09:47 PM
Nice setup. What are the stocking plans?

Tom
Riblet
06-15-2013, 10:55 PM
WOW! Very sweet setup :) Beautiful tank! You did a wonderful job on your stand, I am very impressed. You should be proud :)
Could you tell me a little more about these cerameco detox bloxs? I've never heard of them before now.

Looking forward to watching your tank grow.:highfive3:

Here u go

This is what CeramEco says about the Detox Blox:

Detox Blox are made from our filter media material that has biological and mechanical filtering capabilities, It is a ceramic material that combines surface area and water passing capabilities that makes it unmatched for providing biological filtration within small volumes of material. We are presently using the material as a block that can be placed in sumps to enhance or provide whatever biological filtration the aquarium setup requires. This has allowed some users to remove their sand beds and rely on detox block or have a much barer look than usually can be accomplished. Obviously the blocks can be used to replace the live rock or whatever else would be placed in a refugium in a typcical setup. In this application both aerobic and anaerobic Bacteria are able to perform their function. Blocks are also available to replace the ceramic or other biological filtration now being used in Nano or other plug and play setups.



We are also using the material in a cartridge shaped cylinder that can be placed in the standare canister filters or reactor cannisters such as the phosban reactor. In this application we have found that the material will become blocked after several months of filtration. This limitation has been overcome by reversing the flow through the filter every few months (simply done with three way valve) , or using a duplex system where one cartridge is replaced at regular intervals. Controlling flow through these cannisters allows one to create either an aerobic or anaerobic enviornment. This type of set-up also accommodates a method for tank dosing that appears to be much superior to direct dosing into the tank. (Dosing mataerials are injected into the cannister in front of the filters which results in premixing and even dispersal)

For technical and comparison use our media is .12 square meters per gram. Converted to compare with other medias we get about 32,000 square feet of area per cubic foot. To compare with other materials (same units for all) bioballs 97, Feather rock 19,000, japanese shower media 20,000, sintered glass media 19,000, marine pure 100,000 (very expensize), pea gravel 100. Effectiveness of the media is a function of surface area as well as the ability to pass water.


Every tank is so different it is difficult to make recommendations, however for smaller tanks (smaller than 30 gal some are using a single cannister filter or phosban reactor (2-3 lbs) setup. Larger tanks 40-50 gallon are using a duplex catridge system ( 4-5 lbs) successully.
MizTanks
06-15-2013, 11:02 PM
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. Sounds like something I'd like to try in my 3.3g aquafuge :)


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woods4542000
06-16-2013, 07:20 AM
Looks great ! Love the bar idea!
Riblet
06-16-2013, 06:08 PM
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. Sounds like something I'd like to try in my 3.3g aquafuge :)
I used them to cycle with no live rock, work great.

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Looks great ! Love the bar idea!

Thanks!!!!
Riblet
06-16-2013, 09:10 PM
Add some sweet wireless motion detecting LEDs for under tank. They run on 3 aaa and have cool built in adjustable angle brackets. 2 for $20 at Costco
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/da3u8y3u.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/uvupu4y6.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/9esa7a3y.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/17/za2emavy.jpg
Riblet
08-02-2013, 12:01 AM
Got my ati pm 10x39w with 32leds replacing the 2 dusk&dawn bulbs, it came out pretty good.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/a9yrasa5.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/e3yhapud.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/a2etusum.jpg
But the build took longer then I expected so I ending up get a ati pm 8x39wT5s/2x75wLeds
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/4edyvu3y.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/evatazam.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/02/y9yre8a4.jpg
MizTanks
08-02-2013, 02:31 AM
Love the look! LED's & T5's Sweeet! Definitely something I'd like to do :)


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jimsflies
08-02-2013, 05:45 AM
I still have three of those ceramic blocks for sale in the selling forum if anyone is interested:
http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/equipment-sales-trades/porous-ceramic-filter-blocks-sump-refugium-sandbed-25237/
tcp316
08-02-2013, 09:01 AM
I love the type of rock you are using. Lots of holes and space for corals

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Riblet
08-02-2013, 02:43 PM
Love the look! LED's & T5's Sweeet! Definitely something I'd like to do :)


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I love the type of rock you are using. Lots of holes and space for corals

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks....
creefer
08-02-2013, 07:14 PM
Great build!! Love it all. I have a question though. Your sump appears to have 4 filter socks yet no plumbing going into them. What's the scoop there?
Riblet
08-02-2013, 08:34 PM
Great build!! Love it all. I have a question though. Your sump appears to have 4 filter socks yet no plumbing going into them. What's the scoop there?

Thanks! The water drains in to the compartment before the socks and then flows over the lip and in to the socks. Allowing for a really quite and 100% water sock capture.http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/03/uruma3up.jpg
creefer
08-03-2013, 11:45 AM
Thanks for the info. That's a great idea. Much easier I would think than a single or double sock situation where the overflow dumps directly into the sock. Better access, too.
Riblet
08-03-2013, 11:59 AM
Thanks for the info. That's a great idea. Much easier I would think than a single or double sock situation where the overflow dumps directly into the sock. Better access, too.

NP... Ease of change out was the #1 (http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=1) reason for this design, I hated changing out my sock in my last sump. So I always waited too long to change it, while water just bypassed the sock.