Mr. Microscope's 25 Gallon Cube

[Mr. Microscope]

Hello All,

This tank has been in my head since at least 2009 while I was doing my first SW tank (3 gallon pico) back in NYC. I've got more space now that I moved back to the Midwest. So, it's upgrade time!!! It's going to be a Mr. Aqua 25 gallon cube with a Mr. Aqua 7 gallon cube for sump/fuge, a stand being built by my father-in-law, an MP10 (I have controller and wet side, I still need to get the dry side), and I finally finished the LED's today. So, I decided to start the thread.

There are 28 LED's in all being driven by two Mean Well ELN60-48P's controlled by the BoostLED Typhon LED Controller. 8RB, 4CB, 4TV, 2 660 Red, 4CW, and 6 NW. I also installed a 1 watt 450nm moonlight in the middle. I have it over my frag tub right now until I get the tank up and running.


Livestock plans
Instead of softies like in John Ciotti's tank, the plan is to do a bunch of SPS on top. The bottom will consist of zoas/palys, and some LPS like acans. Maybe I'll have a green toadstool in there somewhere. I also have a clam that will go on the sandbed and I'd like to add a couple plates as well. Later in the project, I may attempt some sun corals or dendros in the dark parts of the pillar. Fish will consist of a clown pair, a tailspot blenny, and maybe a cardinal.


I have the following projects to finish:
Build Sump/Fuge

This project is coming along well. I have all the pieces sealed together with Aquarium Sealant. All that's left is to cut slots for the overflow from the fuge to the return and drill a hole for the locline flare. Then, it just has to be sealed in place. I haven't decided whether or not to paint it yet. That'll depend on how accessible the rear is from the stand. Here's is the design so far:

Build Rock Pillar

Rather than getting a bunch of LR and stacking it up, I've decided to build a rock pillar out of dry rock. Once that's finished, I'll put it into my frag tub and let it build up the goodies in there. I still have to do all the work on this one. That includes purchasing all the rock, acrylic rod and acrylic base. I'm planning to get my rock from John Maloney at Reef Cleaners. So, far I've purchased shells, and snails from him and have been extremely satisfied each time. I'd like to achieve a tank similar to John Ciotti's Upside Down Reef. I really like a lot of sand showing. So, I'd like to keep most of the rock in the top middle to top of the tank if possible.

Plumbing
I've been kinda dreading this aspect of the project not so much for the skill involved as the cost. I'm finding that plumbing parts are WAY pricier that I anticipated. Of course, there's always the fear of destroying my tank while drilling, but I still have my old JBJ Picotope. So, I'm planning to drill a practice hole or two on that first before attempting the cube. I think I have most of it planned out, but still have to finalize on a few decisions before taking the plunge and making the big purchase.


That's all for now. Updates coming!