60 Gallon Cube Build

[Mr_Cool]

I guess I can start my build thread now. First, the basics...

I picked up a used 60 gallon cube off Craigslist in July. Tank, stand and canopy included. After leak testing for a week or so, I moved it into my dining room where it sat until yesterday. I also picked up a used sump and an external overflow around the same time. The sump is a little longer than I wanted, but I think it will work just fine. I didn't think to take pics of the tank, stand and canopy when I got it. But I got some pics of the other stuff.

I plan to use most of the equipment from my old set up. I've got a Mag 9.5 for my return pump, an Octopus 110 skimmer, and T-5 retro's for lighting. I used to run 4 footers, but I need to switch to 2 footers. I've got two ballast, so I can run 4 bulbs that way. But, I'd like to pick up another one, or better yet, a ballast that can run 4 two ft t-5's. This way I could have 6 rows across the whole tank. I've got about a bucket and a half of sand that is no longer live, and probably about 75 lbs of live rock that is still good. (It's been circulating in a rubbermaid tub for the past 4 months or so.)

I also picked up a SCWD from Darth last month, and I'm excited to see how it will work. With the Mag 9.5, it should switch about every 4 or 5 seconds. As soon as I get the plumbing figured out, I'll be ready for water.

[Mr_Cool]

I forgot about the Pond Foam backing!

I spent the day yesterday working on this. You can see the details here...http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=54019&page=2 (You'll need to scroll toward the bottom.)

I moved the tank back inside today and added the sand to cover the bottom. It gave a good 4 inch or so depth, so I'm happy with that. I guess I need to wait a week or so to let the foam cure before I add water. That's fine, though, because I have a busy week ahead of me.

I took some more pics once I got it inside.

[blindside]

Looking good!

[rockmp]

Nice! what are the dimensions? 24x24x24?

[Paul28]

Very Nice

[Mr_Cool]

Nice! what are the dimensions? 24x24x24?

Yea, I guess I figured everyone knew that.

May have a minor set back. Once again, patience is a virtue, and due to my haste, I may have messed things up. I wanted to see what it would look like with the sand in it, but didn't realize the sand was still a little moist at the bottom of the buckets. So, with the little bit of moisture and the heat from the small fluorescent light, as well as the heat from the house, the foam has started to "melt" a bit. It's been just under 24 hours since I finished the foam and it's suppose to cure in 24 hours.

I'm thinking it should be fine. I'm worried about the foam in the corners 'cause it looks like it's touching the side glass at a couple of points. Once it's dried, though, it should come right off. I guess that's why we put the eggcrate on first, huh?!? The foam won't really stick to the glass by itself.

Thanks for the comments, though. I'll update things tomorrow.

[hobogato]

looking great so far mike

[ErikH]

My 48g (24x24x20) cube is caddy cornered like that. Very cool. :)

[Mr Cob]

Love it! Cool tank!

[allan]

Don't forget the lift pump for the overflow. If you still don't have one you can have mine. turned out that I never really got around to building that kalk reacter thing anyway.

[ReefCube]

another cube! hehe

[vman181]

How do you plan on keeping the foam from floating? I've seen others use LR set in the foam to help.

[vman181]

Never mind I just read the link you placed in the earlier post and noticed how you have it secured to the back glass.

[devonian]

wow, looks awesome, cant wait to see more pics!

[Mr_Cool]

I got water in the tank this past weekend. But, I caught the flu bug and have been out of commission since Monday morning. I'm feeling much better now, so I took some pics. I still have some work to do, but at least I got those Rubbermaid tubs out of the kitchen!

I had quite a bit of die-off from the zoas and Kenya tree that seemed to cover my rock in the old tank. I used all of the water from the two tubs, and added another 30 gallons or so of newly mixed saltwater. With that, my Nitrates are up at about 20-25 ppm. Certainly not good, but actually that's better than I thought. Ph is at 8.3 and there are no signs of ammonia at all.

The thing that's really got me is the water temp. It's sitting at 83 degrees right now. I don't have a heater running. The Mag 9.5 is running externally. I have the skimmer in the sump and two power heads in the main tank. I wouldn't think that submersed pumps would give off that much heat. The only light is just a cheap, normal output fluorescent lamp that you get when you buy a new 10 or 20 gallon tank. I only have it on there to hold off my anemone until I can get my t-5's running.

Of course, I have been thinking about picking up one of the many 150 watt halides that have been for sale lately. But, If I'm having heat issues now, what's going to happen then?

[Mr_Cool]

Here's a few more shots.

I've got a SCWD running on the return plumbing. It switches every 5-6 seconds. The plumbing runs behind the foam and under the sand. The left return line goes to the back of the tank where it then tee's off: one bounces off the back of the tank and goes to the left, the other bounces off the right side of the tank. The right return goes toward the front of the tank and it tee's off, too. One goes to the front left corner of the tank, and the other bounces off the right side toward the back. I think I'm going to put some type of nozzle to increase the water velocity coming out. (Would penductors do this?)

Any thoughts would be appreciated. (Just don't make me spend too much more on this!)

[rockmp]

would the Mag cause that much heat in there?

[Mr_Cool]

Even if the Mag was in the sump, I wouldn't think it would cause that much heat. But, it's plumbed externally. That little fluorescent light is running pretty hot, though. I'm going to turn it off now, and check the temp in the morning. This should tell me something.

[carlinsa]

tank looks good. i would like to have a cube too one day. just not sure when i wll do one