So what DIY is this for?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Very cool how some things work out. Fortunately, selling me some the "too big" equipment at a deep, deep discount is still applicable.Stop the presses! When I started the downsize I was looking for a 60 cube. Well my buddy Greg is giving me one!
I am going to, in turn, give away the 58.
I can still use all the stuff I have amassed for the 58 build on the cube. So stoked. Hopefully picking it up Sunday.
I will then move the livestock to the 58 temporarily until the big tank is down and the cube is up.
Come on up! At this point it looks like the current setup is going to get broken up and sold off.Very cool how some things work out. Fortunately, selling me some the "too big" equipment at a deep, deep discount is still applicable.
I have been impressed with what I have read about the Vecton's. When I add UV to my systems, that is likely what I will go with!I figured out how I am going to mount things like power bricks and controllers for stuff under the 187. I started with the UV sterilizer.
![]()
I keep finding more and more used for aluminum extrusions and 3d printing.
I also found out the skimmer I am getting probably won't fit the sump so I am going to do a split system and put a 20H on a stand next to the 187 and put the skimmer in it. Will make maintenance super easy. I will put a frag rack and light for the skimmer section of the sump since the space will be available.
I have always been interested in what the process is for converting Mollies to SW.I forgot a few things:
The minisplit has kept up very very well. I haven't had to run the heater at all. I do run the dehumidifier once in a while for a few hours. It has gotten down to 23 here and the room has yet to dip below 73. I am about to put in a humidity controlled exhaust fan. I finally got everything to that.
The vinyl siding finally came in and we picked it up Wednesday. I am going to start on it tomorrow.
I am also picking up 12 lyretail pineapple mollies to convert to saltwater. They will eat algae. I don't have a big problem with it at all, but, I like them and they add a splash of color. Mostly, there is some hair algae in the fuge and a few will go in there.
I have been really happy with Aquacave's customer service over the years!! I ordered my first T5 fixture from them about 20 years ago and they called me on the phone to help me decide what bulb combo to ship with it based on my color preferences and the desired look of the tank!Opened the second kit to install it and the end caps are missing! Dang it.
Called and aquacave said they would get me a shipment out asap.
Good customer service from them always.

Thanks for diving in! This thread is schizophrenic and somewhat degrading at points but we are all friends and if we were closer together would all be in a heap of trouble.I have been impressed with what I have read about the Vecton's. When I add UV to my systems, that is likely what I will go with!
I have always been interested in what the process is for converting Mollies to SW.
I have been really happy with Aquacave's customer service over the years!! I ordered my first T5 fixture from them about 20 years ago and they called me on the phone to help me decide what bulb combo to ship with it based on my color preferences and the desired look of the tank!
I have binge read your thread over the last two days and am finally caught up! Sorry for burying you in likes!![]()

I'm out in Utah!Thanks for diving in! This thread is schizophrenic and somewhat degrading at points but we are all friends and if we were closer together would all be in a heap of trouble.
What neck of the woods are you from?
That would be epic!!!I would love to one day rent a party bus and drive around the country to the regulars on this thread and say”get in the bus loser we are going to your nearest LFS”. lol.
It's not outside of the realm of possibility but, at the same time, is not inside the realm of likely.Come on up! At this point it looks like the current setup is going to get broken up and sold off.
The tank is drained. I’m going to have it cleaned by tomorrow and probably moved to storage by next weekend.It's not outside of the realm of possibility but, at the same time, is not inside the realm of likely.
What timeline are you thinking?
I'm out in Utah!
That would be epic!!!
I'm about a half hour north of Provo!I was with a company for 8 years that shut down operations here and moved to Provo. They begged me for years after to move out there.
It would be a lot of fun to do the road trip with these guys for sure.
We had a get together 3 years ago at glasscages and folks came from all over the place. It was a blast
I got a pic of the cube setup. Uhmmmmm.... I have my work cut out for me. I will post before and after pics once I get it cleaned up.
What's included:
Tank and stand
screen top
BM curve 5 skimmer
a80 fuge light
saphire 20" cube sump
complete apex setup
some kind of return pump
heater
a bunch of liverock
a clownfish
a kessil a360we
What I am reusing:
Tank and stand (after mods and repainting)
Sump (mods needed)
a80 fuge light (if it still works)
I am keeping the clownfish.
I will clean everything else and find a home for it after testing.
The rock I will give away after it's cleaned up as well.
I will probably remove the huge internal overflow, plug the holes and use my fijicube overflow. The amount of real estate the factory one takes up is ridiculous. I have to make sure the tank isn't tempered. I sure hope not.
I will have to mod the sump for the second overflow pipe as it only have a place for one. I think I will just drill the back of the inlet chamber, install a bulkhead fitting and put the emergency drain there so it still goes through the sock. I will also laser cut some lids for the compartments to keep evaporation and noise down.
Seriously debating using the brackets from the new lights or doing another floating canopy. I am torn on this one.
I am building a cabinet to hide the water change station. Started on that yesterday. I am also going to put the apex and other controllers and the UV in there as well.
This just turned into a MUCH bigger project than I initially anticipated but I think it will turn out really nice.
Nice setup!I run the same sump on my 60 cube! I hadn't thought of drilling above the sock to allow the emergency drain to still run through the sock. This is how I plumbed mine. My emergency drain goes into the skimmer section.
![]()
How much would you charge for some laser cut lids for it?
Sure thing!Nice setup!
Let me get mine done and I will let you know. It won’t be expensive.
Can you post a pic of your setup from the front ?