60G Cube 90/10 Method

[magnetar68]

I am giving the 90/10 method by Ryan Batcheller at Serious Reefs a go.
This will be an LPS/Softy tank.
My main goal is to try a biome cycle, rather than a nitrogen cycle.
Does it avoid the "uglies?"
I will let you know.

My first "audible" was to plumb a sump instead of using an HOB or an AIO.
I have plumbed two tanks in the past with sumps, so this gives me some longer-term flexibility with filtration.
It is a lot of work, so I understand why he recommends an AIO or an HOB for a first tank.

• Tank
  • Aqueon Frameless 60G
  • I got a very good deal on a 60 gallon cube ($180).
  • Petco is dumping Aqueon and Aqueon is discontinuing the 60G,
• Stand
  • AluFab 24"
  • I hate wood stands, so I took the savings on the tank and put it into an AluFab 24" paneled stand
  • I 3D printed white pulls and silver extrusion end caps
• Overflow
  • I drilled the 60G for en Eshopps Prodigy L
  • Plumbed a bean animal overflow.
  • I designed and 3D printed my own siphons so they would fit nicely in the external overflow
  • It is whisper quiet and resilient.
• Sump
  • FujiCube Fuji-20
  • Bought it used on Facebook Marketplace
  • I designed and 3D printed the compartment covers and media basket
• Light
  • I got a Gliesseman Verve Pro LED on sale at Bulk Reef Supply
  • I am working on a light shade design to 3D print
• Substrate
  • 40lbs of Ocean DIrect
  • 20lbs of TBS Live Gulf Sand (source of the biome)
• Rock
  
  • Marco Reef Saver
  • Tony@TLS Aquascaping created the tree. He was great to work with, and reasonably priced.

As for the rest of it, I will add filtration as needed per the 90/10 method.
I will likey add a refugium before a skimmer unless pH is an issue.
Add chemical media in a media basket before trying anything more complicated.
And I will manually dose for a while a simple 2-part.

I will add a clownfish pair in a couple of weeks.

 

[FinalPhaze987]

Very nice. I watched the 90/10 on serious reefs not long ago and always wondered how this would work in practice.

I had Tony make one of the pieces in my scape, and agree, hes a good guy to work with.

What types of coral are you planning on keeping?

 

[magnetar68]

Very nice. I watched the 90/10 on serious reefs not long ago and always wondered how this would work in practice.

I had Tony make one of the pieces in my scape, and agree, hes a good guy to work with.

What types of coral are you planning on keeping?

I am thinking mostly easy LPS.

Duncans, Blastos, Acans, maybe some ricordia.

 

[Thọ Key]

What is the material panel on the stand? Nice
Build there

 

[magnetar68]

What is the material panel on the stand? Nice
Build there

Thanks. The are 6mm ACM, aluminum composite material. The are warp and water resistant. These are different from their 4mm architectural ACM which uses a fire rated core. The aquarium panels are two pieces of coated aluminum with a waterproof polymer core. While they are thin and manageable to take off and snap in place firmly with the magnets, they are very durable. Every wood stand I have had is pretty crappy after a few years. I don’t have any long term experience with these, so we’ll see how these go. Definitely seems like a good starting point.