57g Build Cube ofcourse!

[cbort]

ok, so i am a bit of a cube fanatic. as of right now i currently have 2 24x24 cubes and am trading to aquire a 36x36 cube tomorrow 1/19/2010!

I am going to build a stand from scratch for it, as you can tell the stand that its sitting on currently is ugly! I get to pick it up tomorrow and will get more pics.

As you can see there are 2 1" holes in the back two corners.
I really don't want any pipes over the back and don't really like powerheads and cords and such. So how many holes do you think i will be able to drill in the back of this tank before the stuctural integrity begins to be in question? The bottom is 1/2" and the sides i believe are 3/8" with triangle supports.


Here are my thoughts:

1.) use the 2-1" drilled holes as drains and drill 2 more holes somewhere in the back for returns.

2.) drill 4 more holes 2-1.5"drains and 2 1" returns. That way i can have 1 drain hole and 1 CL drain hole and 1 return and 3 CL returns.

3.) ????

Here is a few pictures

 

[cbort]

Let me know what you would do for flow on this tank, it will be a mixed reef with plenty of lighting for all of the above. The tanks dimensions are 36x36x12T

 

[cloakerpoked]

cool tank. As for the holes, I think you'd be fine drilling what you're talking about in a pane that size, but that's just my opinion. Something helping you out here is that the water height won't be very high, reducing the overall stress on the glass outward. They say at least twice the thickness of the glass between holes, but I'm not sure how many.

As far as flow, you could probably get away with a moderate amount since the tank is so shallow. It would also depend on what your goal is. I saw you wanted mixed reef, so i'm thinking it means more of a tidal/lagoon style tank. If you went for the CL, you probably wouldn't want any more flow in the tank and could probably get away with as few as something like 300gph from each return (x3) and the return. If you t'ed the return in the tank with locline and got 300 from each, I'd think that would certainly give you what you're after here.

 

[cbort]

My holes will all be spaced out about 6 inches or more...anyone else see any problems with this? I will have 6 holes for returns and 2 holes for drain/CL drain

 

[cbort]

Ok, my driller has told me that he can drill 4 more holes in the back of the tank without any problems. I am going to trust him. I guess if all else fails i get to purchase a new pane of glass!

Anyway...here is what i am going with 1 single hole in the top middle for a 1.5" bulkhead drain. Next about 7" below that will be another 1.5" bulkead for a CL drain. Finally 2 more holes drilled about 10" left and right of the CL drain. Here is my little concept

Here are my mad skills on Paint

 

[cbort]

New shallow cube is home! Will have pics up soon! Got her drilled 4 more times giving me a total of 6 holes on the back pane of glass!

 

[cbort]

She is dirty, but will get her cleaned up tonight and begin the work on the new stand.

This is my 30g cube and the stand i built, i am going to go with something like this for the new stand.

 

[Azurel]

Gonna look nice once it's up and running.

 

[cbort]

Gonna look nice once it's up and running.

Thanks! I think it will too. My Aquascape will depend on where my wife lets me put the tank. As of right now she is leaning toward a corner but i want it on a flat wall so you can view 3 sides. In the corner you will get 1 good view of the front and then a tough view of the 2 sides. We will see what kinda negotiating we can do.....

 

[BlazinNano]

Man I want a cube! That is the next tank.

 

[Blackhawk Fan]

Nice cbort! I love cubes as much as you do.
I'm about to order a 36x36x16 to go with my 30x30x24. I had a 48x48x24, but sold it last summer.


I look forward to this build. :)

 

[650-IS350]

That would be cool once completed, can't wait to see more pics/progression.

 

[cbort]

Man I want a cube! That is the next tank.

ya cubes are the way to go! I love looking at other people's long tanks, but i love my shallow cubes! The top down shots are amazing!

 

[cbort]

Nice cbort! I love cubes as much as you do.
I'm about to order a 36x36x16 to go with my 30x30x24. I had a 48x48x24, but sold it last summer.


I look forward to this build. :)

a 48x48x24 will be next and final cube, this will become my frag tank, but that will be a year away. So this one will due!

Also i got a squid the other day to put on the CL hopefully this will help with a bit of alternating flow.

 

[cloakerpoked]

Nice cbort! I love cubes as much as you do.
I'm about to order a 36x36x16 to go with my 30x30x24. I had a 48x48x24, but sold it last summer.


I look forward to this build. :)

Think I saw some pics of that bad boy...man was it a gorgeous tank....not that the one you have now isn't awesome too. I'm loving my 24x24x24. They're just so clean looking...I love 'em. Rimless has to be extra nice though.

 

[cbort]

ok...cube drilled and is being plumbed! Here are some quick shots after getting it cleaned up a bit.

Here is my CL pump. Its a Dolphin Amp Master 3000.

 

[cbort]

BB or sandbed?

 

[Blackhawk Fan]

After being BB for so many years I decided to put sand in this time and hate it. The fish are always kicking up sand covering $$$ frags with it.

BB gets my vote. :)

 

[cbort]

I have never ran BB, so i am really wanting to try it. Not to mention This pump is really going to be pushing some water now may be a good time to try it out!

 

[cbort]

Quick little update...just started adding water/rock from my stock tank...