Brent's Cube

[brentch]

Pressure tested the sump. Up and running for about two weeks now. Time to get the display done now!

 

[brentch]

New job has allowed me to spend more time on my tank. So been cleaning my tank thoroughly once a week which has shown in the corals. I am nearly finished designing my overflow for the new system and have jumped around on a few iterations. I've mostly settled on an overflow system that should have a good balance of small form factor, silence, and safety in the form of redundancy. Hoping to finalize this tonight so I can order the glass.

Photo updates...

Just before lights out... Kinda cool seeing a more natural look to the coral without the fluorescence and blue hue.

I started the tank mainly for my love of corals (can you tell?), but these garden variety clowns have really grown on me! My 2yr old daughter loves feeding them! My new tank will open up the possibility for a few new species, and I'm actually quite excited to add a tang or two, some blennies and a wrasse or two!

They seem to have really taken to this Caulastrea, and have hosted it with no ill effects to the coral. Funny they preferred this to the torch coral in the background...

Probably my favorite soft coral! Hoping to grow this Sarcophyron out a bit more in the larger tank.

Cheers guys

 

[brentch]

So this is my idea for the overflow spacing of the pipes...... It's fairly low profile, 4cm wide, and 16cm x 14cm. The overflow will have three 32mm pipes. The primary and secondary pipes will have a standpipe siphon breaks, and the last on full siphon. Bearing in mind this tank is only 180L and my flow rate is only going to be around 1000L/hr, these pipes are overkill... The primary pipe will be regulated to a standing height in the overflow box just below the secondary, using a ball valve. The reason for the back pressure from the valve is to make the flow quiet. For whatever reason the primary gets blocked, the secondary is will allow for water flow, but on a siphon break. If for some reason both the primary and secondary block up, there is a final back up, on full siphon...

Hoping for some input here.... Any glaring issues?

 

[brentch]

So this is my idea for the overflow spacing of the pipes...... It's fairly low profile, 4cm wide, and 16cm x 14cm. The overflow will have three 32mm pipes. The primary and secondary pipes will have a standpipe siphon breaks, and the last on full siphon. Bearing in mind this tank is only 180L and my flow rate is only going to be around 1000L/hr, these pipes are overkill... The primary pipe will be regulated to a standing height in the overflow box just below the secondary, using a ball valve. The reason for the back pressure from the valve is to make the flow quiet. For whatever reason the primary gets blocked, the secondary is will allow for water flow, but on a siphon break. If for some reason both the primary and secondary block up, there is a final back up, on full siphon...

Hoping for some input here.... Any glaring issues?

Not even a single comment? Ah well.


Here's a Pic of my tank emptying during a 10% water change.

And here's a Pic of a Stomatella shell. Love these little guys.

 

[scubaninja]

Mooi my bru

I gave you my comments on your overflow and they might have ended up in the suggestion box Have you bought the glass yet?

 

[brentch]

Mooi my bru

I gave you my comments on your overflow and they might have ended up in the suggestion box Have you bought the glass yet?

No home dog, we chatted over WhatsApp, so we're good was just hoping to get a few opinions on the subject! Thanks for all the support!

 

[Mekaeel]

Hi brentch

Some amazing colours and livestock!
Gotta love em nanos!

 

[brentch]

Hi brentch

Some amazing colours and livestock!
Gotta love em nanos!

Hey Thanks @Mekaeel! Much appreciated! I followed your previous tank thread, and it certainly made an impression on me and this build (even though it's a bit different).

 

[Mekaeel]

Hey Thanks @Mekaeel! Much appreciated! I followed your previous tank thread, and it certainly made an impression on me and this build (even though it's a bit different).

Hi Brentch.

Thanks for the kind words.
I started up again and planning to make this my best yet simple.

 

[brentch]

Update...

So while being too lazy to order my glass for the new display, I've had to clip my favorite Caulastrea. I started in April 2019 with 3 heads, and have 32 as of today.

Ive just placed them on plugs for now while I wait to have the new tank up and going. The epoxy-putty and super-glue trick works well for branching type coral like species of the Euphyllidae.

I kept a few heads on top of the Montipora for the clownfish to host, and they swam straight back onto it.

 

[Afsal]

nicely done

 

[brentch]

Finally! I managed to pull the trigger and order the glass for the new large display! Going to silicone this weekend!

Can't wait to get this tank going now!

 

[scubaninja]

Finally man! Good stuff

 

[Mekaeel]

People ask why such a heavily dominated coral system
I for one am a major fan of a heavily stocked system such as ours.
Chuck the corals in and let nature take its own course IMO.

 

[Dazz07]

hi bud what epoxy are you using ?

 

[brentch]

hi bud what epoxy are you using ?

Hi @Dazz07, for the frag glueing? D-D aquascape epoxy... Works really well for small jobs!

 

[brentch]

People ask why such a heavily dominated coral system
I for one am a major fan of a heavily stocked system such as ours.
Chuck the corals in and let nature take its own course IMO.

100% agree. In areas of suitable niches, corals will dominate available space! In my opinion, who'd not want to completely cover rock with coral It's natural!

Found a few shots of mine from WIO reefs with high substrate coverage....

 

[Dazz07]

Hi @Dazz07, for the frag glueing? D-D aquascape epoxy... Works really well for small jobs!

thanks you so much bud did you get it online ?

 

[brentch]

thanks you so much bud did you get it online ?

Most of the local shops stock it, or similar brands like SeaChem.

D-D Aquascape Aquarium Epoxy

Prevent rock-slides in your aquarium – this construction epoxy is designed specifically for bonding rocks and corals in a reef aquarium and cures underwater to the colour of coralline algae. Aquascape is a two-part epoxy putty that has been specially developed by D-D for use in salt water and...

premiumaquatics.co.za

 

[brentch]

So I got the tank building going today!
I spent a lot of time cleaning the panes with acetone with gloves on so to ensure no oils get on the panes. Then I taped the edges and another clean with acetone. Next I put all the panes together, spacing the panes with 2mm tile spacers...

Tomorrow I pull out the tile spacers and finish injecting silicone into the spaces.

Very happy with the dimensions of the tank now that it's together! Excited to get it done and on the stand!