Cookie's 75G System

[dacookster]

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]

Sounds like a sweet set up! Pics please!

[ensquire]

Originally Posted by dacookster

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.

[dacookster]

Still need some patchwork on the walls but its coming along.

[ensquire]

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

[Trigs]

skimmerless?

Love the set up too btw.

[Nano]

Originally Posted by Trigs

skimmerless?

Love the set up too btw.

Originally Posted by dacookster

and best of all, a cone style skimmer rated for 125G.

^^

[Trigs]

ahhhh just read this! my bad

[dacookster]

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]