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Mike Savage 
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 Topic: Mike's 18" cube
Posted: September 07 2013 at 4:58pm |
Well after many tanks over the years I decided to start from scratch. I have a nice corner in my home office for a tank so here we go!
Over the years I have had a few different tanks from 120 gallon with sump/refugium, to all-in-one Nano cubes and Red Sea Max, to standard tanks with HOB filters. I've used compact flash, VHO, Metal Halide, and LED lighting and tried many of the other gadgets available. Based on past experience, available space, time, and money this is what I came up with.
Cube shape tank
Sump and large refugium
External overflow
Quiet, high flow return with emergency drain
No powerheads or equipment to detract visually
Quiet system
Auto top off
The tank that Adam and I set up for photographing coral fluorescence went great for nearly 4 years but 10 gallons was too limiting. It was also as large as was practical in 2006/2007 when it was set up. This one will build on that concept.
And so it begins . . .
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Snowsrfr
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Posted: September 07 2013 at 5:57pm |
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Looking forward to this build.
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"A fish tank is not a pet. It's a TV that you gotta feed." - John Caparulo
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BobC63
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Posted: September 07 2013 at 6:40pm |
Me, too!  An 18" cube should be around 24 - 25 gallons then?
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- My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) -
* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *
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Mike Savage
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Posted: September 08 2013 at 10:01am |
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Thanks guys, I appreciate the support!
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Mike Savage
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Posted: September 08 2013 at 10:06am |
Well the first step was to find an appropriate stand. I really would have liked another stand made by Dion but it just was not in the budget this time so I started watching KSL and found an old TV stand I though would work for $20. I brought it home, decided it needed a little bit more support and added plywood to the interior. The next step was figuring out what size tank would fit. An 18" cube fit well.
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Mike Savage
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Posted: September 08 2013 at 10:11am |
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I decided to go with an external overflow and a large pump and no powerheads. I also decided on a large sump/refugium for stability, large area for pods, enough room for a skimmer, and a place for frags. Next it was time to call Eric at Aquarium Creations. I've worked with him quite a bit over the years and knew I wanted him to build the tank and sump.
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tileman
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Posted: September 08 2013 at 11:13am |
I'm sure this will be one of the nicest tanks in the valley. Can't wait to see it grow and mature. Once a reefer always a reefer. Right? LOL
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335G Reef
TOTM.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium
ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012
http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month
&
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Mike Savage
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Posted: September 08 2013 at 12:05pm |
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Thanks Brad!
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Mike Savage
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Posted: September 08 2013 at 1:36pm |
Well I got the tank and it is beautiful! It may be hard to tell from the photo but the overflow is on the back of the tank and will fit nicely in the corner behind the tank.
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DMower
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Posted: September 08 2013 at 3:21pm |
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Looks great!
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150 gal reef with 50 gal sump. Reef Octopus DCS-200 Skimmer. AI Sol Blues.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: September 08 2013 at 6:32pm |
Sweet. To keep the plywood dry and to contain splashes (and heaven forbid overflows) which could weaken the stand, I would tack plastic sheeting completely around the inside bottom sides and top. I would make some ventilation holes too. Just thinking out loud. Aloha, Mark 
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Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks:www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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Mike Savage
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Posted: September 08 2013 at 7:32pm |
Well the next step was to finish the plumbing.
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Mike Savage
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Posted: September 08 2013 at 7:33pm |
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Thanks Darren and Mark!
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Mike Savage
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Posted: September 09 2013 at 7:14pm |
Water test.
Well I ran the water test, fixed a small leak in the bulkhead and discovered the water level is just too high and the flow seems very low.
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ksmart
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Posted: September 09 2013 at 9:38pm |
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Looks great Mike!! What do you think is slowing down the flow? Your plumbing looks awesome too
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Aquarium Creations
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Posted: September 10 2013 at 5:22pm |
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Getting close
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Aquarium Maintenance,Consulting,Custom Built Glass Aquariums Rimless/Euro,24Hr Emergency Service 8015485201 Www.UtahAquariumDoctors.com [email protected]
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Mike Savage
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Posted: September 10 2013 at 8:11pm |
 ksmart wrote:
Looks great Mike!! What do you think is slowing down the flow? Your plumbing looks awesome too |
Well, when I connected the pipes to a Tee one of them pushed right by the built-in stop so I had a very tiny gap for the water to flow. The red oval shows the small slot water was able to flow through. I measured it at 77gph! I got out the Dremel and cleaned it out.
Here it is all cleaned out.
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Mike Savage
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Posted: September 10 2013 at 8:14pm |
Eric came by to see the water level and fixed it for me. The flow is great now with the full force of the Eheim 1262, the water level is good 1/2 inch or more down, and they system is quiet and stable!
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Dion Richins
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Posted: September 10 2013 at 11:52pm |
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Looking awesome my friend!!!
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Snowsrfr
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Posted: September 11 2013 at 6:41am |
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How do you like that Eheim? Does it run as silent as they advertise and reviews state? That version is what I'm looking to upgrade to my my 50 cube. Be great to get a local review before I plop down the money on one.
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"A fish tank is not a pet. It's a TV that you gotta feed." - John Caparulo
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