3 foot Staphire Cube Intro

[sphelps]

Hello all thought I'd introduce my tank for some feedback. I've been on this forum from time to time but I think I might find myself here a little more often since my usual forum has run a little "dry" lately.

First some info:

Volume
Top tank: 36" x 36" x 24" approx 130 gallons
Lower tank: 30" x 24" x 16" approx 50 gallons
Frag tank: 30" x 12" x 12" approx 15 gallons
Sump: 48" x 18" x 19" approx running volume 50 gallons

Total Volume approx 250 gallon

Top tank is Starphire glass, lower tank is Acrylic

Lighting
Top tank: 400W MH 20K XM bulb in Luminarc III reflector standard ballast, 6 x 39W HOT5s mostly ATI blue +
Lower tank: 4 x 24W HOT5s, 3 ATI aquablue, 1 Pure actinic
Frag Tank: 2 x 24W HOT5s overdriven to 40W, 1 aquablue, 1 blue +

Additional Equipment
Bubble Master 250 skimmer
Calcium Reactor
Profilux Controller
Zeovit Reactor
2 Sequence Darts pumps, one for return, one for closed loop (top tank)

Pictures will follow as soon as photobucket comes back on line

[danny zubot]

Very cool. This past summer I had a 3' cube made too, only mine is 20" tall. Looking for ward to seeing pics.

[sphelps]

The tanks
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AUG07fulldeal.jpg

Equipment
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0010.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0011.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0014-1.jpg

Frag Tank
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AUG07fragtank2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AUG07fragtank1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/PrawnGobie.jpg

[sphelps]

Upper (Main) Tank
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AUG07T5only2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AUG07T5only1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AUG07halideND44.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AUG07halideND43.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AUG07halideND42.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AUG07halideND41.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/yellowmilli.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/pinkmili.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AUG07T5onlylargeAP2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AUG07T5onlylargeAP1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/purpleacro2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/PinkStylo.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/FullAP2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/FullAP1.jpg

[sphelps]

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AussieFavia.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Pipefish.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/GreenStylo.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Duncan.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/XmasPorites2.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/XmasPorites.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/BlueAcro.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/blueMilli.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0109.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0090.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Corals/DSC_0021.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Corals/DSC_0034.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Corals/DSC_0044.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/clams/DSC_0158.jpg

[robzilla]

sweet looking setup. thanks for sharing pics.

[sphelps]

Lower Tank
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/AUG07lowertank.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0007.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0016.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0085.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0068-1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0018.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0014.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Corals/DSC_0096.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Fish/DSC_0167.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Fish/DSC_0180.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Corals/DSC_0005.jpg

[sphelps]

Thats all for now, I will get some more pics up soon as some of these are a little older.

[digital-audiophile]

Sweet setup! I love your stand and the way the two tanks look. I'm assuming the fish room is through the wall behind the tank?

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Looks great! What is that little fish in the lower tank? Looks kind of like a frogfish.

[Delphinus]

WOW, that is some serious wowee man!!! Wow, wow, wow. Did I say "Wow" yet? Because ... wow. :)

What kind of eel is that? Looks like a ribbon? How long have you had him and how he's eating for you?

[sphelps]

Sweet setup! I love your stand and the way the two tanks look. I'm assuming the fish room is through the wall behind the tank?

Thanks, yes that is correct.

[sphelps]

Looks great! What is that little fish in the lower tank? Looks kind of like a frogfish.

Leaf Scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus)

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Leaf Scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus)

Thank you :)

[sphelps]

WOW, that is some serious wowee man!!! Wow, wow, wow. Did I say "Wow" yet? Because ... wow. :)

What kind of eel is that? Looks like a ribbon? How long have you had him and how he's eating for you?

It's a white ribbon eel that I've had for over a year I believe. I feed him krill and other shrimp with a stick, very easy, right from the start. I've had other types of ribbon eels (blue and black), the black was fairly easy to feed but eventually was eaten by another eel. The blue didn't last long, wouldn't eat, but I believe it may have been messed up from cyanide or something as it was somewhat disoriented.

Thanks again for the comments!

[danny zubot]

Wow is right. I love how you did the stand, did you build it your self? If so, wanna do mine?:biggrin:

[michika]

That is one sweet setup. I love how everything is so clean looking! Everything looks great! I especially love all the clams!

[sphelps]

Wow is right. I love how you did the stand, did you build it your self? If so, wanna do mine?:biggrin:

I built it all, tanks, stand, sump, except for the skimmer and calcium reactor.

[saltynuts]

wow that looks awesome! can we say tank of the month!
very nice!

[fishytime]

Wow ...great looking job...a very clean,modern and simple look. Nice set up!

[christyf5]

That setup is just awesome, it looks like you have the best of everything in the fish world, mixed reef, setup for frags, setup for frogfish and eel. Wow! :cool:

[mseepman]

That is one impressive tank. I can't believe the size of the clam in the lower tank! Did you document the original setup at all? I would love to see how you put it together.
I believe TOTM is an understatement!

[Mik_101]

That is one impressive tank. I can't believe the size of the clam in the lower tank! Did you document the original setup at all? I would love to see how you put it together.
I believe TOTM is an understatement!

this tank could easily be TOTM.

[Ruth]

That is a beautiful tank - great work putting it all together. Your livestock all looks happy and healthy.

[woodcarver]

Wonderful display. Nicely engineeered and finished
.....................Dave

[hillbillyreefer]

I bow down before the master. Beautiful tank.

Brad

[sphelps]

Thanks for all the great comments, I don't have too many pictures of the tanks process but I'll post what I have.

First off this tank was an upgrade from my previous 50 gallon LPS
http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net.c11.previewyoursite.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041858/Fish%20tank%20067.jpg

It started off with just the top tank and all equipment underneath.

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net.c11.previewyoursite.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041858/New%20tank%201.jpg

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net.c11.previewyoursite.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041858/new%20tank%20011.jpg

One thing I really wanted to do with the new tank is keep the look clean but still have plenty of access. For the canopy I decided the best thing to do was have it mounted on rails so it could just slide open for access.

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net.c11.previewyoursite.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041858/new_tank_022.jpg

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net.c11.previewyoursite.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041858/new_tank_020.jpg

For the stand both sides hinged open while the front side was held on by magnets, this eliminated the need for doors and provided much more access.

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net.c11.previewyoursite.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041858/New_Tank_10.jpg

At the time there was a refugium located at the front of the stand with the skimmer and sump at the rear.

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net.c11.previewyoursite.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041858/tank_may_18_2006_004.jpg

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net.c11.previewyoursite.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041858/tank_may_18_2006_001.jpg

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net.c11.previewyoursite.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041858/tank_may_18_2006_007.jpg

As you can see things were pretty tight and when it came time for upgrades obviously I needed some extra room.

At one point I decided to make the refugium viewable as a second tank

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net.c11.previewyoursite.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041858/tank_may_18_2006_010.jpg

This was always somewhat planed, I've always liked the idea of the second tank, even with my previous setup

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net.c11.previewyoursite.com/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041858/Reef_Tank_009.jpg


That's all for now, I'll be back later.

[sphelps]

The tank has a closed loop for most of the circulation, 1 input and 4 outputs are located at the bottom of the tank. At the time I was using a Quiet One 6000 with an OM super squirt.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/NewTank8.jpg

I've since upgraded to using a Reeflo Dart pump for the closed loop and have ditched the OM, I've considered the 4 way but with the problems I've had with the previous model I don't think the device is quite up to par.

Here's another shot of the tank after being setup for a few weeks
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/FishApril2006090.jpg

At the time I also had a fish only tank, and thought I would try my moorish idol in the new reef, this however did not last long as the idol had a good appetite for corals.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/MoorishIdol.jpg

As the tank grew older
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/reefjune2006044.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/FishApril2006047.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Picture154.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Picture142.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Picture148.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Picture162.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Picture167.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Picture034.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/FishApril2006071-1.jpg

[Jason McK]

Sweet set up. How long have you been using Zeo?

J

[sphelps]

Sweet set up. How long have you been using Zeo?

J

Been on Zeo for about 6 months, the system has definitely produced good results for me.

[Mik_101]

Amazing! The tank has come a long way...LOOKS GRATE...

[sphelps]

Continuing....

The equipment was eventually moved into the room behind and a new tank was made for the bottom.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/Picture001-1.jpg

here's the blue ribbon eel I spoke of earlier

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/blueribbon2.jpg

Also had a frogfish for a while, but I couldn't supply the fish with a a proper diet (I guess).
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/frogfish2.jpg

Well that's really all the process pictures I can show you folks, sorry I've only recently started talking more photo's (new camera, nikon D70 :biggrin: ).

I can however show you more recent pictures :mrgreen:

Here's a good test I did for Zeovit, bought this plate coral:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0049.jpg
It was browned out but I noticed some pink deep within and I also noticed a huge improvement from other plate corals from the Zeovit. So I thought I would do a little test.
The result can be seen below, the brown plate coral turned into the white and pink one.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a174/sphelps/DSC_0007.jpg

Oh and here's some more pics, enjoy!

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041074/4.jpg

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041074/5.jpg

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041074/6.jpg

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041074/7.jpg

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041074/8.jpg

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041074/DSC_0299.jpg

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041074/DSC_0305.jpg

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190041074/DSC_0308.jpg

[Delphinus]

Great pictures. I have the same camera, but would you mind telling me what lens you use? I have a macro lens from my old Nikon 35mm, an F90 but with the 35mm film to 25mm image capture chip, it's more like a .. what is it, F120 or something. If you want a picture of a single fish scale, this would make a great lens, but to fit the whole fish in the frame I end up having to move back 3 feet and well .. at that point I guess I don't need a macro lens anymore. So I need to save up some dinero for a new lens .. any suggestions? :)

[sphelps]

The lens I use is a AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm. It's a good all around lens for just about everything. It's not good for macro but sometimes I use single macro lenses that just screw onto the lens like a filter. This allows me to focus on closer objects. I also use a polarizing or ND4 filter from time to time.

[andestang]

Wow, great shots. What an improvement in the plates. Looks like your clams are pretty happy also. When I switch over to zoevit that was one of my concerns, my clams and zoo's/paly's would suffer.

[sphelps]

Wow, great shots. What an improvement in the plates. Looks like your clams are pretty happy also. When I switch over to zoevit that was one of my concerns, my clams and zoo's/paly's would suffer.

I thought the same, but basically everything has improved. Some of my LPS are not supper happy but that's from the lack of food I feed my corals. You can also get a few additives from Zeovit that improve LPS health.

[andestang]

Where do you get your supplies from ? Doing a little research on the best place to get the stuff.

[sphelps]

Where do you get your supplies from ? Doing a little research on the best place to get the stuff.

My local fish store, basically I believe Proline Aquatics is the only wholesaler for Zeovit in Canada so any store that orders from them can get all that stuff. These days pretty much all zeovit products will likely be special order, as the system is fairly new to us Canadians.

[superduperwesman]

It's crazy how far the tank has come.. funny how you don't even realize sometimes until you look back to the start. Very nice set-up it seems no matter how much I look at it it never ceases to amaze me.

[Snappy]

Steve your tank and corals look awesome

[sphelps]

Thanks again folks, got some more pictures :mrgreen:

http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190440379/DSC_0007.JPG


http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190440379/DSC_0008.JPG


http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190440379/DSC_0019.JPG


http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190440379/DSC_0022.JPG


http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190440379/DSC_0024.JPG


http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190440379/DSC_0028.JPG


http://sphelps.sasktelwebsite.net/PhotoAlbums/album_1190440379/DSC_0039.JPG