PL-Reef's 30G M-Tank build.

[PL-Reef]

Time i finally do something for myself! Since we bought our house 4 months ago i have yet to set up any kind of display tank. All i have right now is 250 gallon prop system in the basement. So needless to say i'm going through tank with drawl!!!

Here's the plan.

30 gallon Finnex M-Tank

Retro T5 lighting (maybe over driven)

Deltec MCE 600/300 protein skimmer

Tunze Nano Streams

Liter Meter III for top off and dosing DYI 2 part

Custom built stand

My first thought was to go BB in this tank but i still might go with a SSB just for looks. I have room in the fuge area of the M-tank for a remote sand bed. I dont think i'll be growing any macro in there anyway.
Any one have any experience with running over driven T5s on a small tank? I was entertaining the idea of running 2 over driven T5s and 2 regular T5s. All with SLR reflectors.
Earlier today i started to build the face frame of the tank cabinet. I'm using poplar and am going to stain everything a cherry color. i'll have some pics of that soon.
So here it is my new pride and joy sitting on my door step.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0906.jpg

Questions and comments are VERY welcome! I'll be posting lots of pics durring this build.

[erickrm]

OPEN IT!!!!!!! hahahahha

bout damn time dude :) now hurry up and build your stand/Canopy! :)

[reefman13]

now hurry up and build your stand/Canopy!:)

Yeah, I can't wait to see the way he designs this one. I had asked him to build me one because of the way he has done other stands and well.....never mind. But anyway, can't wait to see where this goes.

BTW: Great pic Mrs. PL-Reef! -like always;)

[InsaneClownFish]

Finally! :)

Who are you getting to build the stand?

As far as the T5's- go with hallide. I think a streamlined MH pendant looks cleaner, and IMHO, and from my experience, overdriven T5's can run just as warm as a single lower wattage DE MH. The difference in heat may not be as significant as you may think.

..and remember...AIO means All In One- not modify the livin be-gesuz outta it! ;)

[chirocato]

I remember someone wanting to "take a break" for a while not too long ago...BTW You're not on the schedule next week...hmmmmm.

[chirocato]

Who builds custom stands that are any good that is...;)

[InsaneClownFish]

Cato, I still haven't been able to find a quality local builder. ;)

[PL-Reef]

erickrm. LOL! i'm working on it!


InsaneClownFish. Finaly! lol your not kidding!
as far as the lights go i've done MH in the past and prefer T5s for a hand full of reasons. i also had 6 overdriven T5 on my last tank but it was alot deeper than this one.
i'm not too worried about heat just if i will bake the corals with too much light.

[PL-Reef]

you guys suck! LOL :)

Cato.. there was a time that i was going to "take a break from reef keeping" but i think that was the Crack talking. plus my good buddy talked me off that ledge.



i;ll be calling tomorrow. i hope i still can get penciled in.

[bpd964]

Nice! Finally something good to follow.. bring it on..

[erickrm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11164043#post11164043 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bpd964
Nice! Finally something good to follow.. bring it on..

lmao!!!

this will indeed be good thread!

[ShiftNation]

Damn I expected more out of a first post than a box on a doorstep . Break that bad boy out and give us the once over man . Did you start on the stand yet ?

[danoreef]

I coming along for the ride...

can't wait to see the progress.

[Mrs. PL-Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11165330#post11165330 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ShiftNation
Damn I expected more out of a first post than a box on a doorstep . Break that bad boy out and give us the once over man . Did you start on the stand yet ?

That's all my fault, haven't taken a photo of the actual tank yet... Been too busy processing some pictures of a tank for a guy from our club... I'm afraid if I don't get his photos done fast he might hit my car and punch me in the jaw! ;)

[erickrm]

LMAO getting close to it!!!! lmao!

[mr pink floyd]

BTW: Great pic Mrs. PL-Reef! -like always

kid... its a box

[ShiftNation]

Thats not your fault that Jas cant pony up and master that camera with your help Kadian . Jas quit bieng lazy and add one more thing to your massive list of **** to do .

[erickrm]

lmao!! It is just a box....

Dude more pics now!! Well mine first ;)

[ooja3k]

Sounds like its going to be a nice setup!

Tagging along

[CamBarr]

i see a box wheres the tank

[PL-Reef]

OK OK OK!!! heres the tank.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0007.jpg

and the first top down shot....

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0014.jpg

[mr pink floyd]

WOWZERS! great pics!


;)




in all seriousness though, this tank is going to look sweet. are you going to name it a snob tank like you were talking about?

[erickrm]

lovin the tank ;) wonder where you got the idea ;) hahahahahah bout time you put on another pic!

[PL-Reef]

Like i said yesterday, i started the face frame of the cabinet. i'm very fond of the Kreg Pocket hole jig. heres the jig in action.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_9995.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_9991.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_9979.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_9984.jpg

now heres the face frame completed. sometime this week i'll start building the box. now by not having to worry about having a sump i thought i would do something different. this stand will have 2 drawers under the tank and 2 raised panel door with shelves on the inside.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_9999.jpg

[PL-Reef]

do you think shes reef safe?

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0009.jpg

i just drip acclimated her and now time for lugos and interceptor treatment.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0011.jpg

[erickrm]

seriously, i think she will be fine ;) i know it seems a lil cramped but they like to stay perched on rocks all day so you should be fine and not only that but you will have plenty of poop for the SPS!!!!!!

now tell the wife to send me my pics!! i want to update my thread ;) hahahhahahah

[danoreef]

nnnnnnnnnniiiiiiiiiccccccccccceeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

[saltyfishy123]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11166206#post11166206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr pink floyd
kid... its a box


muhahaha I love it!!

[InsaneClownFish]

Puppy police! Typically these dogs need more swimming room. Their typical range in the domesticated wild is at least a 2000 square foot domicile. Provide this specimen with lower flow, moderate light, and supplemental feedings of milk bones.

[ooja3k]

so is the total tank volume 30 gallons with that back area included??

or is it more than that???

i like the idea of the tank you have there... kinda a giant all-in-one...

did you order it custom?

[erickrm]

its a finnex 30G m-tank it has a total water volume of 30G but when totally filled with rock and sand what not it probably has like 26G best nano tank AIO :)

[PL-Reef]

i love the fact it doesnt have curved glass like most other AIO nanos. plus i dont ever want to own an acrylic tank! i'm to heavy handed. lol i would have it all scratched up before too long.
i used to own a 24g AP. it was kind of PITA to keep the temp steady in the summer months, and the hinge on one side broke in the first week i got it. so lifting the lid sucked for the next year.

[InsaneClownFish]

I'll never go closed top again..;)

[PL-Reef]

update

alright i got to work today! i built the sides of the cabinet. now i changed my mind a bit though. in stead of using regular 3/4" ply for the sides, i built face frames to match the front and added 1/2" Baltic Beech ply on the inside. then made some trim to finish the edge.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0020.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0025.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0027.jpg

let me know whats you guys/gals think! tomorrow i'm going to start working on the dove-tail drawers.

[danoreef]

show-off

[InsaneClownFish]

The Beech looks super nice. How tall are you makin the stand?

[erickrm]

it sux! thats all i have to say! (jealous! :( )

[PL-Reef]

thanks!
the stands going to alittle taller than the norm. 39"
the Baltic Beech is a great ply wood. at 1/2" it has 9 plys!!! very ridged.

[PL-Reef]

update!!!



sorry i'm lazy, and havent done anything in a few days!

[InsaneClownFish]

That's because you spend too much time training other carpenters and watching Manswers...;)

Figuring out how to get a happy ending at a legit massage palor is not going to get your stand built..:p

[saltman123]

Sweet looking wood work for sure!

[PL-Reef]

i got some more work done the other day on the stand. i started building the drawers too! now if only can find enough time to build the shelves and the two doors i'll be in the clear. lol

i also ordered my lights! i went with 4 over driven T5s with SLR reflectors.


here it is the new top i put on.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0061.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0059.jpg

and one of the drawers

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0057.jpg

[reefman13]

Second pics is great Mrs. PL-Reef! Love it with the all American flag in the background, and as always great pics!

PL- that is an awesome stand, looking to get something like it for my NC. And this is real inspiration.

[erickrm]

dude, your still working on that thing!? hurry up!!!! hahahah j/k sweet dude, all we need now is to bring your litermeter over to my house so i can use it lol.... good stuff bro! almost there!

[mr pink floyd]

excuse me SIR, sorry if i missed it, but what are you going to do for staining it?

thanks SIR



















happy now?

[ShiftNation]

Lookin good man . Get that **** done .

[erickrm]

lol "sir" better watch out or you will be banned from CTARS ;) hahahhahahahah

[PL-Reef]

i have no friggen time right now to work on it! trust me i want too!!!


LOL! mike, i thinking some kind of light cherry color.

[danoreef]

wow!!! really nice woodworking.

[PL-Reef]

does anyone else run over driven T5s on nanos?

[asmodeus]

Jas that stand looks really good

[erickrm]

meh its over rated ;) lol... j/k lets just hope your corals dont melt away hahah if so it will be an easy fix ;) sell the ballast and get 2 new HO ballast ;)

[REEF-DADDY]

nice bro!

[MN. Reef crzy]

nice work and good looking setup!

[ctreefer]

Dude, how did I miss the start of this build? Nice job Jas. Looking really good.

BTW, I run overdriven T5's (3) on my 29 and am quite happy with them (depending on the bulbs used.)

[PL-Reef]

thanks guys!

Vince- what ballast and bulb combo are you using?

Richie- your just saying that cause you got yourself a SWEET T5 fixture!! :)

[erickrm]

na i think your corals will be fine and once they are acclimated they will love it more than just HO.... oh yea and if you got URI bulbs good for you! they are the ones that are designed to run with icecap 660 besides that they only make the best phosphorus to burn on bulbs ;)

[adunne]

tagging along here - question if you guys dont mind.. what exactly does overdriving T5's mean? Kind of like over clocking your graphics card or processor (im a gaming nerd!!!)

how is this accomplished? putting a larger ballest on fewer bulbs?

[adunne]

btw
<------------Jealous

looks great!!!!

[erickrm]

adunne, over driving bulbs is basically like when you over clock a VC, but in order to OD a bulb you need an IceCap ballast, and basically what it will do is bring it from for example a 24w to 40w, a 54w to 80w..... it will give you a lot more par!! but can be hazardous to sofites lol... ie. melt!! hahah

[adunne]

so if you have say a icecap 660 running does it automatically overdrive the bulbs? or are there mods or somthing you must do.

sorry for the highjack pl-reef

[erickrm]

no mods, just slap and icecap 660 to run 4 bulbs :)

now back to thread ;) hahah

[ctreefer]

Jas, I'm using an Icecap 430 ballast and 2 geissman actinic + and one geissman aquablue.

Rich, are the URI's really supposed to run on Icecaps? I bought one of the super actinics when they first came out because I had loved them when I ran VHO. The bulb lasted literally about 1 month before there was nothing of value coming out of the bulb lightwise. I asked the guys at that time and if I recall I got a response that it might have been a cracked bulb or something, but they didn't seem to really care and I haven't bought one since.

Do you run them?

[PL-Reef]

i'm starting to think that i'll be better off running 3 bulbs (overdriven ) on a IC 430 and 2 more bulbs on a Work-Horse. 5 total. this way i can have the dusk and dawn effect. just a thought. :)

[PL-Reef]

adunne- thanks!

[ctreefer]

Jas, I wouldnt recommend running 3 bulbs on the 430. Icecap says the 430's will only power 2 bulbs no matter what length. I posed the question to them a couple years ago and they said to try it at the time but now they don't advise it. They say I'm lucky and probably have a really well built ballast. Sometimes when I have bulbs that burn out very praturely I think it might be because of the ballast. I asked icecap about this a few days ago and they didn't respond. I'm guessing they won't discuss because they don't want people trying it.

[PL-Reef]

LOL thanks Vince. for some reason i thought i could run 3 bulbs on a 430. i still would like to have a 5 bulb set up.

[ctreefer]

5 bulbs would be killer light! what are the dimensions of that tank? I think you'll be surprised by the output of the 24's if you haven't run them yet. When overdriven they produce more watts per inch than either the 36, 48 or 60 watt T5's. If I recall they are running close to 50 watts per bulb or almost twice the output per inch of one normally driven 48" T5 bulb.

[PL-Reef]

24x16x18

maybe two 430 would be cool. just so i can have dusk and dawn. either way this is going to be one bright little tank!!!

[ShiftNation]

Jas I think your crazy with this overdriven idea . I think you will get great growth and color with regular driven bulbs , plus you wont have to replace them as often . Not to mention the heat issue . Temp flux might just drive you nuts this winter on that little puppy . As far as I know the jury still isnt in on whether all you do is change color temp when you overdrive instead of pushin out more PAR . BTW stand looks frickin immaculate , sweet work as always .

[erickrm]

i tried to tell him earl just HO but he wants VHO DAMN IT! hahah i thought you could run 3 HO with 430? this is what i would do... run 2 VHO on the 430 and then 3 HO on 430... :) like this...

1 actinic plus HO
2 URI Aquasun Over Driven!
3 ATI Pro color HO
4 URI 12k Over Driven!
5 URI Super Actinic HO

it does not have to be that bulb combo but that should give you the growth rates big time! with supliments from all actinic spectrum! from blue-purple and on the others from green-yellow-red!! so you will have a full spectrum setup :) this is the bulbs combo i would liek to try out :) when you get your bulbs if you want to come to my crib and play around with bulb combos you can :) besides that i have to order pro color bulbs if you want we can order 2 so you can have one as well incase you like the look..... in any case hurry up!! hahah the finnex cube is catching up with CTARS! lol i have had several other members ask about them already.... guess we wont be the only ones after all....

[PL-Reef]

Haters! go bright or go home!!!!

i'm not too worried about heat. the canopy i'm building is going to be vented via 2 Ice Cap fans.
i loved the over driven T5s i had on my 75g. the growth and color was sweet. thats why i'm pushing for them again.


ROCK'N M-TANKS!!! :)

[pnguye3]

looking good so far. can't wait to see the rest of the tank build

[chirocato]

Jas I wouldn't overdrive any of the actinic bulbs. They burn up waaaay too fast IME. Overdrive the others but run a Triad ballast for the actinic bulbs. ReefGeek has them. BTW...WHERE"S THE WATER???!!! C'mon boy, get the lead out would ya. Geeesh. :rolleyes:

[erickrm]

Cato thats my whole idea ;) OD the day lights and just run the actinics on HO ballast.... seriously JAS CMON!!!! lol...

[conorwynne]

Handy being a Finnish carpenter eh?

Lovely work so far. Tagging along...

[cwilson]

you know, all of you people with somewhat 'related' careers is total BS ;)

all i can do is make soon-to-be designs in autocad :lol:

[PL-Reef]

conorwynne --- i love working as a finish carpenter! it deffentaly has it perks. :)


cwilson --- LOL :) hey i wish i knew how to design on programs like autocad. all i use is pencil, paper and a ruler for my drawing and blue prints.

[chirocato]

Bout time you decide to post to your own thread. :D

Water???

[reefman13]

Any updates? Hows that stand looking......oh wait I can answer that.....awesome :)

[PL-Reef]

i post here all the time! :) i haven't done anything to the stand all weekend. i've been too busy making money to pay my chiropractor! lol :) J/K scott.

[chirocato]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11301067#post11301067 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PL-Reef
i post here all the time! :) i haven't done anything to the stand all weekend. i've been too busy making money to pay my chiropractor! lol :) J/K scott.

Will work for frags. :D

[reefman13]

Well, hurry up and get better!!!! Some of us (I think just me) are very pushy when it comes to pic updates!!!:D

Nah. j/king man, hope everything goes well, and we will see some new pics in the near future (:D)...

[chirocato]

Well...been a whole day! Any water yet??:rolleye1:

[PL-Reef]

no water yet! :(
although i did order a 2x 24w Triad ballast today. i'm going to run my actinics on that ballast and over drive 2 other bulbs on a IC 430 that my chiro is holding on to. :) i have all weekend to get this stand done and stained.

[erickrm]

yea hurry up!! im getting ready to break my tank down adn u still have not set yours up! hahah j/k

[PL-Reef]

UPDATE!!!!


if theres one thing i hate building is raised panel doors!!! :mad2: what a PITA!!! there one of those things that if you dont do them every day you get rusty quick. heres a shot of the routers set up and the doors still in the clamps. i've yet to route the edges of the doors i'll prolly do that tomorrow.


http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0083.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0078.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h308/kdncarroll/IMG_0080.jpg

let me know what ya think. :)

[erickrm]

mine look better ;) then again you did do them hahahaha

j/k man bout time u updated lol.... i cant wait to see the finished product!!!

[PL-Reef]

LOL!!! Ya me too!

theres still alot of work to do on this bad boy. i'm taking my time and doing things right.

[danoreef]

nice job

[danoreef]

nice job

[ctreefer]

Those friggin bits/cutters scare the hell out of me. How many passes do you have to make for each edge of the panel? One of these days I'll have to trade in my old Makita plunge router with 1/4 inch shank for a kick butt router like what you have there.

Enough talking about these pretty doors! Bring on the water! :)

[PL-Reef]

hahaha. they suck! the 2 smaller bits are not bad. maybe 3 or 4 passes. but the big panel knife is hell to run. it took me a hour to route all 4 panels. i have 6 or so routers. one of my favorite tools. (minus my flashlight) LOL!

[chirocato]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11365724#post11365724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PL-Reef
theres still alot of work to do on this bad boy. i'm taking my time...

Yeah, I'll say. I'll bet you there's no water in it till next year!

[erickrm]

lol i will break down my tank and setup another b4 he sets his up ;) hahah j/k

[PL-Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11370707#post11370707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chirocato
Yeah, I'll say. I'll bet you there's no water in it till next year!


i bet your right!:rolleyes:


my retro lights are in but i'm too busy to go pick them up. :(

[chirocato]

Send the wife.

[chirocato]

Well...? Been 3 days now. C'mon where's the updates???

This guy is sooo sloooow.

Jas, just thought I'd tell you I named a snail after you, but I'm already thinkin of changing his name cause he's a TURBO snail. ;)

[mr pink floyd]

http://www.stageleft.info/blog-images/kelso_burn.gif

[PL-Reef]

big update!!!!!


nothing! big fat nothing!






but what i do need is a T5 ballast that will run 3 24w bulbs. anyone????

[chirocato]

:p Come and get it!!!!!!!

[Tank Predator]

LOOKING GOOD SO FAR

[erickrm]

lol let me take a look at how my aquactinics is setup! :)

[erickrm]

i only have 2 ballast in my TX5 fixture, and running 5 bulbs looks like they are workhorse ballast. but i only looked through the fan so cant really see the name of the ballast but they look like the workhorse.

Edit:
Alright i did a quick search, look into the workhorse 5 ballast it will run 2to4 bulbs 24w :)

[chirocato]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11390363#post11390363 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PL-Reef
but what i do need is a T5 ballast that will run 3 24w bulbs. anyone????

Duh. I have the IC430 for you. Or do you need one that doesn't overdrive? Triads @ ReefGeek.

[fishieness]

i want one :(
looking good man. I'll be setting up my next tank next weekend. So ill be seeing you soon :)

[PL-Reef]

Rich--- thanks for the info.

Scott--- the IC430 from you will be for the 2 over-driven bulbs, but i also need one to run 3 more bulbs. (not over-driven)
i already have a Triad ballast, but it will only run 2 24w T5s.

Fishie--- get a move on! i told you you would be back. :)

[racksteris]

stand looking good so far.

[bigfruits]

looking nice. i was thinking about getting one of these aquariums. where did you find one without the skimmer and lights? i can only find combos.
do you know what the display dimensions are?

thanks
-z

[PL-Reef]

thanks guys!

bigfruits--- call Scott at aquarium specialty. he'll hook you up.

[erickrm]

main display is about 24X13ishmaybe 14X17? something like that.... i cant remember but i know the rear compartment is like 4" def call scott he is a good guy. Good luck.

Hey VP! did you finish yet!? hahah

[PL-Reef]

i'm working on hanging the doors right now! :)

[erickrm]

sweet! you comming up to the meeting?

[PL-Reef]

what meeting? its been cancelled due to the storm.

[erickrm]

oh crap serious!?? hahah good thing i checked again lol... i was getting ready to go hahah.... coo coo thanks. Now back to topic!!!! lol where is the tank with water!!

[chirocato]

Man, what's going on??? No updates in over a week. I bet if Jas spent more time working on getting his tank running and less time surfin RC we'd see some WATER by now. :)