My 110G CUBE!!!

[Ben1]

Thanks, Ben! What do you plan on setting up?

I ordered a 4 x 3 x2 from Aquarium Obsessed, should be ready anyday now. It will be eurobraced, starfire front, external raceway overflow. I am transfering all my stuff from the 58 over. I bought an additional 45 lbs of figi LR thats been curing in a rubbermaid. It should be about 178 gal, I would love to eventually add a Achilles but someone mentioned they thought the 4' lenght might be problematic, I love achilles though so might go that way eventually. I still havent decided on on using SSB or BB again though. I am using vortechs for in-tank flow, and got a 4' 12 x 54 T5 sfiligoi for the lighting. I have a solar flare wrasse that wont be coming with me to the new tank since he like to eat all my inverts like mad. I can't wait for the tank to show up. I will start a build thread once it does. I added 2 new breakers and a bunch of outlets to the wall last weekend.

 

[Unarce]

NICE!!!

I have mixed feelings about discussing these fish, as I don't want to encourage purchasing them. I'm such a hypocrite :roll:

I know most recommend a certain tank length, but I think that's similar to the outdated watts per gallon and pounds per gallon rules.

A narrow and tall 6' tank with the usual fruitstand rockwork would still feel crowded. The wide and deep tank that your planning will be well oxygenated, which is a must for an Achilles (lots of flow, too). If you don't constrict the tank too much with rock, you'll be good. Just choose the specimen carefully.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree to a point Karl, when I went from my 6 foot long by 18 inch wide by 18 inch tall 100g tank to my 4 foot long by 3 feet wide by 2 feet tall tank my two tangs (and other fish) seemed to be much more at ease having room to go front to back to "get away from the scary things" (aka me) as a result they're not as scared of me when I walk by.

 

[Ben1]

When I was in Hawaii over new year I saw some achilles that were pretty large. Then there were sailfins like dinnerplate sized and along with many other tangs I see in the hobby that were just huge! The barbs on the tails were just giant. Anyhow if I do go the achilles route it wont be for some time.

 

[Anonymous]

Tell me about it Ben, the Naso tangs I saw, granted they didn't come that close to me but I swear they were as large as my chest.

I did get close enough to see one flash it's bright orange tail barbs though.. woo, I knew what those bad boys were all about so I didn't try to "pet the fish"

 

[Unarce]

Just made the switch back to 250W. Been anxiously waiting for my XMs to hit 6 months so I could try out the new Phoenix SE.

Soon as I opened the box, the craftsmanship was clearly apparent. I thought German bulbs were well put together.

I wonder why?

:wink:

 

[Unarce]

Now, the pudding. I was quickly reminded of how much I miss 14k. It's too early to tell, but the Phoenix's SE bulbs don't look nearly as blue as their DE. They are slightly bluer than the Ushio 14k, which was my favorite bulb. This may replace it, depending on how they burn in.

Shot from the front:

I really appreciate the overall tone, as the corals seem to stand out more. There's just a hint of fluorescing, but without the rave party look.

Shot from the left angle:

 

[Unarce]

I'll post another update in a month, when the bulbs are completely broken in. Hoping they burn in a bit whiter.

 

[Anonymous]

I love your tank Karl. Thanks for the update. 8)

I'm planning on using the Phoenix DE for my tank in Japan when I get out there. Something tells me it would still be cheaper to order the bulbs from the US though!

 

[Ben1]

Love the tank, very nice. Is that the candlelight acro on the bottom right of the last picture?

 

[Anonymous]

I would love the phoenix 14K SE bulbs, but I worry that my magnetic ballast may not fire them. I think the color looks great IMO.

 

[Unarce]

Thanks, everyone!

I'm planning on using the Phoenix DE for my tank in Japan when I get out there. Something tells me it would still be cheaper to order the bulbs from the US though!

Probably! I heard that there's a pretty steep water usage fee in Japan 8O

Is that the candlelight acro on the bottom right of the last picture?

Yes! It's recovered nicely after dropping a fish trap on it

I would love the phoenix 14K SE bulbs, but I worry that my magnetic ballast may not fire them.

Hmm...wish I had a mag ballast to test out for you. I have them properly matched with HQI ballasts.

 

[Anonymous]

Probably! I heard that there's a pretty steep water usage fee in Japan 8O

Do you mean for running a tank? I didn't notice when I lived there before, but work was picking up the tab on my utility bills.

 

[Unarce]

Hey RDOers!

As of July 11th, 2009, my beloved 110 was no more. After a couple of years spent teetering on the fence, I've finally decided to take a much needed break from the hobby. In the two weeks leading up to the teardown, I actually seemed to look forward to it. When the day came, I had mixed emotions. But, it made it easier knowing that it all went to a good friend.

On that first night, strange was the absence of that familiar hum.

There isn't any one particular reason as to why I decided to hang it up, but I will say the same thing that I've told the few others that knew this was coming. I'm turning 35 later this year, and I still have a lot to cross off my 'before I die' list. No doubt this will free up time to do all those wonderful things.

Thank you all again for the kind and sometimes undeserving accolades. Thank you, too, my beloved 110, for all the joy you brought me...you will be missed...

Karl

 

[Anonymous]

You'll miss it until your next power bill comes and you realize just how much money that tank was really costing you.

I do still miss my 300G. If I hadn't moved, I'd probably still have it today. But I'm never going to have a large tank again. Too much time and money. And I am getting ample pleasure from my 28G nano. It's great and easy to keep.

It's good that a friend has it. You can go visit it on occasion.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh pooh Karl.... so where are those corals going...

Seriously though, I wish you the best and lovely vacationing and whatever else you may have missed out on.

 

[Anonymous]

Karl,

Congratulations (seems a strange way to greet the end of your tank, but you seem to be shutting it down for positive, rather than negative reasons)! Thanks for all the inspiration and eye candy.

Tom

 

[Anonymous]

Very nice