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-   -   Cookie's 75G System (http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=84774)

dacookster 03-30-2012 10:03 PM

Cookie's 75G System
 
Typically, I'm too A.D.D. to start up a home project like this but somehow this ever changing hobby is a good fit for the A.D.D. population. My first entry into the hobby was a tiny 5G. Yeah, not the best choice when looking for something to do on a Saturday over the xmas holidays. That was more than a year ago and like many other hobbiests, it was cool for the first 3 months, but not enough to quench the thirst for bigger and better. So last xmas and by chance, came across a nice and mildly used 55G cube with euro bracing, I was sold on moving up. Using some 2x4's and some nice contemporary kitchen cabinetry, I fashioned this beast over the coarse of the holiday break and was off and running. This time, I said to myself - "I'm doing this right - no cheaping out and striving for the best possible conditions for its soon to be inhabitants." So in came the 7 stage RO system, a 20G sump/refugium, and best of all, a cone style skimmer rated for 125G.

Now, only 3 months in (knock on wood), my system seems incredibly stable and anything tha goes in it seems to thrive immediately. One thing I didn't mention above is that I built an automated LED light fixture with 24 7000K 3W whites with 9 blues and 3 royal blues. Its all dimmamble and set to my favorite location for sunrise/sunset - Maui time!!! The fixture only has to run at 30%, and the polyp extension on the lps and sps in there is crazy! I must say, in my limited experience, what a difference real de-ionized 0ppm water makes! An absolute must, now that I've gone down that root.

Anyways, once I finish my workday, I'll go home and post some pics and more details if anyones interested - Thanks All.

Coralgurl 03-31-2012 12:50 AM

Sounds like a sweet set up! Pics please!

ensquire 03-31-2012 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacookster (Post 699283)
Typically, I'm too A.D.D. to start up a home project like this but somehow this ever changing hobby is a good fit for the A.D.D. population. My first entry into the hobby was a tiny 5G. Yeah, not the best choice when looking for something to do on a Saturday over the xmas holidays. That was more than a year ago and like many other hobbiests, it was cool for the first 3 months, but not enough to quench the thirst for bigger and better. So last xmas and by chance, came across a nice and mildly used 55G cube with euro bracing, I was sold on moving up. Using some 2x4's and some nice contemporary kitchen cabinetry, I fashioned this beast over the coarse of the holiday break and was off and running. This time, I said to myself - "I'm doing this right - no cheaping out and striving for the best possible conditions for its soon to be inhabitants." So in came the 7 stage RO system, a 20G sump/refugium, and best of all, a cone style skimmer rated for 125G.

Now, only 3 months in (knock on wood), my system seems incredibly stable and anything tha goes in it seems to thrive immediately. One thing I didn't mention above is that I built an automated LED light fixture with 24 7000K 3W whites with 9 blues and 3 royal blues. Its all dimmamble and set to my favorite location for sunrise/sunset - Maui time!!! The fixture only has to run at 30%, and the polyp extension on the lps and sps in there is crazy! I must say, in my limited experience, what a difference real de-ionized 0ppm water makes! An absolute must, now that I've gone down that root.

Anyways, once I finish my workday, I'll go home and post some pics and more details if anyones interested - Thanks All.


Bring on the pics and details.
:biggrin:

dacookster 03-31-2012 02:14 PM

10 Attachment(s)
Still need some patchwork on the walls but its coming along.

ensquire 03-31-2012 04:39 PM

Very nice, I like your aquascape.
Super clear water as well.

Trigs 03-31-2012 05:46 PM

skimmerless?

Love the set up too btw.

Nano 03-31-2012 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trigs (Post 699475)
skimmerless?

Love the set up too btw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacookster (Post 699283)
and best of all, a cone style skimmer rated for 125G.

^^

Trigs 03-31-2012 05:50 PM

ahhhh just read this! my bad:razz:

dacookster 04-01-2012 04:08 AM

Technically I guess I'm still a noob at this but for my first tank I sort of got by with grocery store RO water. I still run my little tank but it only has inverts in it. As soon as I got a system and started making my own water, it was like everything in there came back to life. I have to tip my hat off to Seachem Fuel. Since dosing with that, every thing existing has doubled in size. I use a little less than the recommended dosage. I have a lot of macro algae in the refugium as well. Almost overgrown!!

dacookster 04-02-2012 02:56 AM

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/25/dsc1125k.th.jpg

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/2069/dsc1120j.th.jpg

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/8224/dsc1119i.th.jpg

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/8624/dsc1118r.th.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/8747/dsc1117di.th.jpg

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/4830/dsc1116z.th.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/59/dsc1115g.th.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1313/dsc1111l.th.jpg


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