Goomba_BC’s 60 gallon cube build

[Goomba_BC]

Hello all.

Just wanted to share a bit of info of my first foray into a set up with a sump.
I actually set this tank up in the spring. Just never got around to doing a write up.

I left my fresh water tanks with a successful high tech planted ADA set up.

I then got hooked on Saltwater tanks after visiting my lfs.
My first tank was a IM Nuvo 20 AIO with AI Prime for a light.

Got the itch to go bigger.

While looking through my local Craigslist, I ran into an ad for a Starfire 24x24 cube tank. It ended up being a Vertex tank and the Vertex stand was available as well.
I have to say that the Vertex stand with the interchangeable panels is so slick.

Next came the hard part.
Looking for the accessories.

I couldn’t believe while looking through Craigslist I found an Eshopps cube sump for a smoking deal. I think it was the seller’s pics that didn’t do the sump justice as to why it didn’t sell.

I didn’t have a place to put it without a little bit of window light, but we do what we can as aquarists. Here is me breaking down my Nuvo 20. I got my bud to come over and move the tank into place. I love how the stand can hold the weight of the tank, water, aquascape etc without panels . It was amazing for access.

My first time at trying the plumbing as well. Man, did I have the sweats wondering if it would leak. It didn’t leak!!! Whoohoo!

Now onto the aquascape. My first attempt was pretty flat and blah. I re-arranged and really liked my second scape so I ran with it.

Setting up my Apex was a pain due to space. I set it up on the side facing the wall on the outside as I didn’t want the humidity to do any damage to the electronics.

I had an Ecotech MP10 but the glass was to thick. My buddy gave me a pair of Jebao RW4 pumps. They are great for my tank, not to much and sand doesn’t get blown around to much. I also sold off the AI Prime I had and picked up a Non HD Hydra with AWM module for the Apex to control the Hydra.

Here she is set up.
You can also see I used a Pet Food container as an ATO reservoir. Looks decent with the smoke color and works well for the space.

 

[bigdeeezyyyy]

very nice! Getting ready to set up my 60g cube in a couple weeks as well!

 

[Goomba_BC]

Thanks! I really love the cube. The only limiting factor is the space under the stand.

 

[Goomba_BC]

Thought I'd update the build as it's been a whole. I've gone through 3 different skimmers. A Reef Octopus 110 Classic, then a Vertex Omega 130...both of which I really liked, especially the Vertex but they were to big in my cube sump. The vibrations and resonance were really loud. I could hear them in the next room. I am using a Bubble Magus Curve 5 now, it's ok but the Vertex really had dark skimmate compared to the BM.

I went through two more lights as well. I was sold a bad XR30 g4 pro which I am trying to get repaired through Ecotech in Canada. I bought a Kessil AP700 with a bad fan which I replaced and use that now. I will keep that one for a back up. I like it though I've read it's hit and miss if my tank ever goes SPS which it's not now.

I've got my corals on a pair of frag racks and mounted some others in spots.
Also my clowns are spawning every 7-10 days! Super happy about that!
Kind of blurry but that is a clutch they are guarding in the last photo.

 

[Goomba_BC]

Going over my build thread and forgot to list my fish and inverts.

Breeding pair of clowns - female Black ice and male Frostbite.
Daughter named Ron and Hermione from Harry Potter movies.

Large 4"+ Lawnmower blenny we named Aquaman.

A 2.5" Tomini tang named- Tommy haha.

Orange spot goby and tiger pistol shrimp - Daughter also named them...Wormy and Clawbert. Clawbert is behind the algae lol.

We also have a Green Mandarin Dragonet - Scooter. The glass is covered in pods and he's happy and fat.

Last but not least is a tiger conch - Gary. My daughter named him after Sponge Bob's pet snail that meows. One of my favs with the googly eyes and elephant trunk!

Also have some snails astraea, nassarius, trochus and a fire shrimp.

Next post, I'll list some corals.

 

[Bleigh]

looks great!

 

[Goomba_BC]

Thank you Bleigh!
I better keep updating the build.
I ran into Dino issues after a fluconazole treatment dealing with hair algae.
I got lucky and had the kind that covered the glass and rocks.
I went lights out with no tank covers, 24w Green Killing machine UV sterilizer.
Lots of manual removal/siphoning.
A month later now it's gone.
I got lucky.

 

[Goomba_BC]

Thought I'd update the build thread.
I went through the ugly stage of the tank. I ran into GHA, Bubble algae, then Cyano and finally just for kicks I get Dinos thrown at me!
I started with a Fluco treatment which took care of the GHA. It was covering my back wall and rocks. Long flowing strands of ugliness.
Then to take care of the bubble algae I treated the tank with Vibrant. It took care of the creepy alien egg looking algae.
After Vibrant I ended up with Cyano. I treated that issue with Chemiclean. Cya red cake icing looking bacteria.
Then the king of ugliness decided to pay me a visit. Is that brown algae? Oh wait, bubbles are forming on the alage. Now it looks like I blew my nose into the tank. Argh! Second tank I've had Dinos. I treated with Vibrant and a UV sterilizer. It was the cheap AA UV setup. I ran it 24/7. Yowza!!! It started working. After 5 weeks, i was clear. Fingers crossed. I stopped dosing Vibrant and took my UV light out. Wouldn't ya know it, they came back after a week. So hooked up the UV light for another 4 weeks on an opposite schedule from my lights.
Now I'm back to no Dinos! I am leaving my UV light on for another few weeks to make sure they are done!
Hoping for the best this time around.
Here are some pics.

Before:

And some of the mad corals!

 

[Goomba_BC]

Now to happy dance pics!
You can see how much much coraline algae is growing.