60 Gallon Cube Build Thread Begins!

kfoerster · Jan 25, 2015

Today was a big day, it is finally coming together, 3 months in the making since I ordered the custom stand and bought the tank. Closer to getting wet.

MarineLand 60G Rimless
Reef Octopus 110SS Skimmer
Trigger Systems Crystal 18x18x15 Cube Sump
ViaAqua Titanium Aquarium Heater, 300-Watt
Jaebo DC-3000 Submersible Pump
BRS 4 Stage Value Plus RO/DI System - 75GPD
BRS Reef Saver Dry Aquarium Live Rock
Reef Radiance DM-165P+ 165W 120 degree Optics

Onebaldman · Jan 25, 2015

I wish that I had went with a deeper cube at times, but I <3 the shallows...

What's the plan going forward?

kfoerster · Jan 26, 2015

Onebaldman said:
What's the plan going forward?

Cycling a QT tank and some dry rock. Now I wait.

kfoerster · Feb 4, 2015

She holds water! Aquascape in DT is finished and sump is set up, skimmer is running, new RW-8 has been added (not in picture). Thinking of adding some live rock to the sump next.

kfoerster · Feb 17, 2015

Let there be light!

duke4130 · Feb 17, 2015

Very nice start.... Keep them pics coming!!!

kfoerster · Feb 17, 2015

Thank you duke4130, so excited to be learning this process and seeing things come along. Still cycling both QT and DT tank, but DT tank took off over the past few days and Nitrates are 160 and Nitrites are finally dropping. Without this forum I would be lost with no one to share my success with. :bigsmile:

Trey · Feb 17, 2015

Looking awesome! What are your plans for livestock?

kfoerster · Feb 18, 2015

Trey said:
Looking awesome! What are your plans for livestock?

Thank you Trey! Still researching fish livestock, but I've settled for sure on 1 (maybe 2) Ocellaris Clown, a lawnmower blenny, and a goby of some sort. Other than that I'm open to suggestions! As for corals I intend to stay w/ softies since I'm new to the sport and see where things go from there. I don't "plan" to stock quickly but enjoy the ride, however, I can see how this can be addictive. LOL

Big B · Feb 20, 2015

Looks great! Going to be tagging along. I hope to start the exact same tank in a month or so.

3Twinklets · Feb 20, 2015

Nice start!

Devesh · Feb 20, 2015

Nice tank

kfoerster · Feb 27, 2015

Thank you all! Water parameters are finally in check and I was able to add two Ocellaris Clownfish, a scarlet hermit, a Kenya Tree, and a Green Star Polyp. All are doing great so far. I have a small CUC coming today of cerith snails arriving today.

bairdimusprime · Feb 27, 2015

nice start!!!
welcome to the club!! i run a 60 gallon cube as well

kfoerster · May 28, 2015

I haven't posted in awhile as I have struggled a bit with algae and water parameters. I have been very successful at keeping GSP, kenya tree, pulsing zenia, a rock full of various mushrooms, green leather toadstool mushrooms, and blue snowflake polyps. I was unsuccessful with zoas. They melted away (or from what I can tell that is what happened).

Water Parameters - Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 20 (I have been slowly bringing this down with water changes weekly, it was upwards of 40 at one point), and PH 8.0. I've been playing with water flow and lighting for a bit to see what makes everyone happy and I have it dialed in now for softies I believe. My tree looks sad in the picture but only because the lights are coming down for the day. Will try to get better pictures soon.

Any suggestions on next coral additions? I would love to fill it in with more pop of color but it seems that all of the coral that I can afford and/or keep alive at the moment is in the brown and green shades of color. After my costly loss of zoa's I was very discouraged so I am very leery about what to add next. I'd love to try LPS but feels too soon. Placement also is a bit confusing, the way my rock work is set up I have limited options for placement it seems.