60 gallon reef cube build

themadman

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I have experience with freshwater tanks but this is my first saltwater build, well kinda. A couple years ago I had all the equipment to start a 65 gallon reef but due to moving into a new house I decided to sell everything because I had too many projects to do. Now that things have settled I decided to get back into it and went with a cube this time. Needless to say now I feel like I've been waiting 3 years to fulfill this dream and am itching to get it up and running. I'm just waiting on the custom stand I'm having built to be finished this week and I will post pics.

Equipment I have purchased going into build:

Deep Blue EDGE 60 gallon cube.
Custom built stand.
Trigger ruby cube 20 sump.
Trigger ruby 5 gallon ATO container.
Icecap k2-120 protein skimmer.
Reef Octopus 3500 DC return pump.
2-Vortech mp10 wireless quiet drive powerheads.
Radion xr15w pro light w/RMS mounting system.
Echotech Reeflink and battery backup.
Tunze osmolator auto top off.
Emperor Aquatics smart UV lite 25W UV sterlilizer.
2-Finnex titanium hmo-200 heaters.
Neptune Systems Apex gold package tank controller.
BRS mini media reactor.

I think that's about it. Also planning to do a deep sand bed on this tank.

Wish me luck and I will post pics as I make progress!!
 

dbl

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Welcome to R2R and the salty side. Nice equipment list. Sounds like you've done some research. Slow and steady winds this race. Don't be afraid to ask questions...lots of good help here.
 
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themadman

themadman

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Thank you! I will certainly reach out for help and am sure I will have lots of questions.
 

dmax525

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Very nice! I also have a 60 cube. Two mp10's are gonna put water over the side of that tank! I have one rw-8 and i have to keep it dialed back.
 
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themadman

themadman

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Stand is finished! Top opens on the cubby & it is open between it and the stand for easy access. Also have another matching cubby for supplements & fish food etc. The girlfriend & I thought it looked better in the space with only one cubby next to it so 2nd one will go in office. Now time to start installing some gear! Don't mind the cardboard lid on the tank. Left on to keep dust out till I get water in it.

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dbl

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Very nice...looks great.
 
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themadman

themadman

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I've got somewhat of a dumb question... I'm getting everything set up and realized the overflow drain hose I ordered is way too long. It's one of the vacuum looking hoses from aquacave with fixed fittings on the end so it's not something I can cut to size. My fittings from overflow bulkhead and sump bulkhead are suited for the hose I want to use. So it's not something I want to change the style of. I've got my sand here waiting to go in the tank and my live rock will be here tomorrow night so I want to get that stuff under water. If I just fill the tank itself with the live rock and sand with my mp10's running for water movement until I can get a new drain hose in Monday would that be ok? I imagine it would but want to make sure. So the sump won't be in use at all circulating water. It'll just be the water in the DT getting moved by powerheads until I can get hose and get sump running.
 
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themadman

themadman

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I think dumb question because I realize all I'll have in there is rock and sand but want to make sure it won't hurt any of the beneficial stuff in the sand and live rock not having it fully circulating?
 
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themadman

themadman

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Aquascapeing done. Really happy with it! Don't mind the tiny pump hanging in way and heater. That is temporary until I get rest of system set up.

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themadman

themadman

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Progress.... Tank is cycling. Ammonia starting to come down now.

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themadman

themadman

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Wire management, media reactor and UV install still left to do and should be about done as far as installation is concerned.
 

dbl

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Very nicely done.
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

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  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

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