Dual cubes

[johnnycamp5]

I’ve finally received the cubes and I’ve started the build today.

It’ll be relatively slow (from my perspective) lol

Here are the two cubes sitting out in my garage.
I haven’t even unwrapped them yet…
won’t bother till they’re down in the basement where they’ll be set up-

 

[johnnycamp5]

Here’s some pics of the shelves I’ve built for the cubes, being mounted in the front corners of our basement-

 

[johnnycamp5]

Next we’ve got to get the outer (corner) floor to shelf supports installed

These shelves will remain open…
plumbing will be exposed and directed/diverted to the center closet

 

[johnnycamp5]

Corner support columns have been installed on the aquarium platforms.

Also got the tanks in place on the stands as well

We’ll keep them wrapped for a bit of protection, while installing the plumbing next

Slowly but surely …

 

[johnnycamp5]

Got drain holes cut in for both and one of the sump barrels (and sump) in place…

 

[Bosreef]

Tagging a long cool/different concept. What you plan on keeping in each one.

 

[johnnycamp5]

Hi
We’re considering starting the system cycle with rock we made (from aragonite and crushed shells) and a pair of clowns in each cube.
Likely a little live rock in each sump barrel as well…to help the cycle along…

 

[mch1984]

I like the look, I wish I was brave enough for that low profile type stand. I over engineer the hell out of them. Running two sumps or making one big system?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[johnnycamp5]

I understand the concern about the strength of the low profile stands-

I found some plywood- 1” thick by 4 ft.²
(13 ply) for sale near Port Newark for $2 a piece lol

I picked some up and built the two platforms by laminating two sheets together for each platform, using poly urethane, glue and construction screws.

The platform for the 30” cube measures 36 x 36, and for the 24” cube measures 30 x 30.
I’ll attach some pics of when I built those

I evaluated (the best that I could lol) the strength of the Tapcon (concrete) anchors, and the 3 inch ABS plastic of the outer legs

The 90 gallon cube has four- 1/4” inch Tap cons per ledge support (so eight total) and the 60 has three per ledger (6 total)

I’m a mason by trade, so I’m quite familiar with the Tapcon style anchors…
I was more concerned about the hollow 3” ABS for the outer corner supports …
but from what I’ve learned,
filling them with concrete would “uber overkill “ for the weight they need to support

 

[johnnycamp5]

I’m building one big system not two separate smaller ones

 

[mch1984]

I understand the concern about the strength of the low profile stands-

I found some plywood- 1” thick by 4 ft.²
(13 ply) for sale near Port Newark for $2 a piece lol

I picked some up and built the two platforms by laminating two sheets together for each platform, using poly urethane, glue and construction screws.

The platform for the 30” cube measures 36 x 36, and for the 24” cube measures 30 x 30.
I’ll attach some pics of when I built those

I evaluated (the best that I could lol) the strength of the Tapcon (concrete) anchors, and the 3 inch ABS plastic of the outer legs

The 90 gallon cube has four- 1/4” inch Tap cons per ledge support (so eight total) and the 60 has three per ledger (6 total)

I’m a mason by trade, so I’m quite familiar with the Tapcon style anchors…
I was more concerned about the hollow 3” ABS for the outer corner supports …
but from what I’ve learned,
filling them with concrete would “uber overkill “ for the weight they need to support

Out of pure curiosity, why ABS? Why not steel pipe? Not trying to criticize, just curious

 

[mch1984]

I’m building one big system not two separate smaller ones

That’s awesome, this will be a cool build

 

[johnnycamp5]

Thanks

As for the use of ABS (and plywood for that matter) and all the materials used so far (except for the tanks), it was supplies and materials I already had on hand

I’ve overbuilt uber over kill my whole life,
and in my older age I’m realizing it’s just not needed,
and great way for me to start using surplus junk kicking around behind my garage lol

Years ago, I certainly would have gone out and bought some metal pipe, or fill this pipe with concrete,
and built in such a way to hold up the entire corner of a building lolololol

 

[johnnycamp5]

The plywood was originally for loudspeaker enclosure builds, which I no longer do

 

[mch1984]

Good reason for using it.

 

[johnnycamp5]

I’m not going to do polls or anything like that lol

But I will ask what you folks think I should do from time to time

These tanks came with black acrylic inserts for the one side of each cube (sides that face the brick wall corners)

I was certain I want to use them, so I didn’t have to paint the insides, or have the weird see-through effect and glare from the lights

But now I’m seeing the more open effect of having them see-through to the brick wall, and sort of like it.

Opinions on whether or not I should install the black acrylic on the inside of these cubes?

 

[mch1984]

I’m not going to do polls or anything like that lol

But I will ask what you folks think I should do from time to time

These tanks came with black acrylic inserts for the one side of each cube (sides that face the brick wall corners)

I was certain I want to use them, so I didn’t have to paint the insides, or have the weird see-through effect and glare from the lights

But now I’m seeing the more open effect of having them see-through to the brick wall, and sort of like it.

Opinions on whether or not I should install the black acrylic on the inside of these cubes?

If you like the see through go for it. That really is a personal taste thing. I would use the black insert but nothing wrong with not.

 

[johnnycamp5]

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend

Just wanted to update with haven’t completed the plumbing and I’m starting the initial RODI saltwater fill-

 

[johnnycamp5]

Correction – “ having completed the plumbing” lol