93 Cube Build

sundog101 · Oct 20, 2016

I upgraded from my old biocube and went with a 93 rimless. Im just about finished with the stand and can't believe that everything actually went together and fit!

Here are some photos of the build.

Problem #1: I wanted to use a 40 breeder for the sump, but it wouldn't fit in the manufacture stand. So, I needed to oversize the stand but make sure the weight would be transferred to the corners.

I decided to build the frame 3 1/2 in shorter than I wanted. I then built a top platform to support the tank.

Here's the platform.

The top is slate tile.

And it's filled! I takes a lot more work to fill than a biocube.

Here's the canopy frame.

It just finished cycling here. My one clownfish is in the top corner.

Most everything is finished. The last thing to do is finish up some trim. Its been up and running for about 3 weeks now. I'll post some more pictures once more fish are added

Diesel · Oct 20, 2016

That a great build my friend.
How did you attach the slate to the stand?
You used backerboard or a schluter membrane ?

FF337 · Oct 20, 2016

The rockwork looks very nice. I like my 93 as well. I just created a build thread for it.

Put some coral in it and post more pictures.

sundog101 · Oct 21, 2016

I used a type of stick on tile adhesive. I didn't use backer board. If I did it again I would though.

sundog101 · Dec 19, 2016

I had to replace the posts that the canopy sits on. They were stair balusters that weren't very stable. This time used actual table leg brackets. It's also a lot taller to make maintenance easier.

I'd like to eventually get some sort of shade that comes down to hide the lights and the inside of the canopy.

I've also been working on the shadow box background. It's not quite finished yet, but it looks pretty good.

Some of the new additions (not the best photos; phone camera):

Red bell's urchin (Salmacis belli) from divers den. Not completely reef safe, but I'll keep an eye on him

pastelball · Dec 19, 2016

Looks nice. What light are you using?

sundog101 · Dec 19, 2016

Right now just a kessil a160. I'm still debating what I want to do for lights.

pastelball · Dec 20, 2016

Thanks. Do you have it on full intensity? How are you liking the tank? Looking at the 80 gallon frag tank and the 93

sundog101 · Dec 20, 2016

I've got it at 100% and keep the corals under it. So far I really like the tank. It's not too big and not too small.

Nolan Shinn · Dec 20, 2016

Looks great! Can't wait to see it continue to fill up with corals and fish! How tall is your stand?

sundog101 · Mar 10, 2017

The canopy over the tank isn't really normal because it's it rests on the stand. I wanted something that I could build easily, so I didn't add a door. Instead, I just chose longer table legs to raise it higher off the tank. This worked great for maintenance since the whole front of the tank is accessible. To hide the lights and wiring, I put up window shades. It took a tinkering to get the right length, but I think it turned out pretty good.

Maintenance is still a breeze, just by pulling up the shade.

Also, I finally decided on lights. I went back and forth between DIY, t5's, and some other options. I've always had good luck with kessil so I went with 2 a360's. I have the single a160 from my biocube in the back to get some extra coverage (mainly just because I had it.)

Here are some more photos of how the tanks is coming along. It's slowly getting there.

Here's my current dosing setup. It's not the cleanest look right know, but I'm planning to get a cabinet to hold everything.

sundog101 · Mar 10, 2017

Nolan Shinn said:
Looks great! Can't wait to see it continue to fill up with corals and fish! How tall is your stand?

The stand is 36 in tall. It makes maintenance little more difficult, but I think it's worth not having to bend down to look at the tank.

reefaddict82 · Mar 10, 2017

Great looking set up!

sundog101 · Jul 28, 2017

Update

Well I've been having some issues with nutrients and balancing things out. The big 3 params are steady, but N and P are stuck at 0. Unfortunately I'm dealing with algae despite the low nutrient levels.