John's 60 gal Cube

[JHiestand]

Just picked up my new tank on Friday. I have a thread on my local forum, PNWMAS, just though I would add one here since I am finally in the cube club. This is my first new tank, everything before I bought used, so I am really excited to get started.

The first thing I did was pull the overflow off so I could change the plumbing around. The overflow on these are a slimline version and you can't get to anything that is factory installed. After everything was removed I realized they drilled two holes for a 1" bulkhead, the 3/4" return bulkhead they supply is the same diameter as the 1". I didn't know they did that so I planned my plumbing off of the 3/4". I am going with full siphon on the 3/4" and vented on the 1", this should allow for plenty of flow. The most stressful event so far was drilling the brand new glass so I could have returns on each side of the overflow. This will be the center piece in our living room so I wanted to keep it really clean, nothing over the top. I will have a screen top with a nice clean bracket to hold my light. I have been in contact with Kenny at Reefstar and will be purchasing a light from him as soon as I sell a few things laying around here.

I also built a steel stand on Saturday. I am thinking black acrylic on magnets for the sides. I have the upper portion of the plumbing completed now. I cleaned up and resealed a 20 gal cube that will be my sump. It will have a 8"x8" return area, the rest will be skimmer and live rock in a L configuration.

I reglued the overflow box back in after I had the bulkheads configured the right way.

Not real sure what I will be using for a return pump yet. I will keep everyone updated as I go.

 

[revhtree]

Cool cube! Keep us updated as it comes together!

 

[revsgirl]

Nice cube! Following..

 

[Aquaph8]

Looking good John, what are the measurements of that tank? What are your stocking plans?

 

[JHiestand]

Thanks for the comments, the tank is 24x24x25 tall, that is the measurements of the trim. The stand is 36" tall. Right now I have an ocelaris pair, one orange and one black and white, a coral beauty, and a sixline wrasse that are in my frag tank. They will be transferred over with a bunch of my coral. I have a lot of zoas, some torch and frogspawn, a few acros a few types of birdsnest, and a few acans to start. I plan on full mixed reef.

 

[ReEfErAdDiCt]

Nice, I like your plumbing work. Should look super clean when it's up and running.


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[jedidad]

Nice cube. What kind of skimmer is that you have? Are you going to glue some baffles into the sump to have separate chambers?

 

[JHiestand]

Nice, I like your plumbing work. Should look super clean when it's up and running.


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Thanks, this is my first attempt at a nice clean setup.

Nice cube. What kind of skimmer is that you have? Are you going to glue some baffles into the sump to have separate chambers?

It's a skimz sk-181, yeah see the following pictures for the baffles.

Had some time last night to get the baffles cut for the sump, will basically be a 8x8 return area. The rest of the room will be rock and my skimmer.

Here is the old Iwaki I have that I will use for my return until it stops working or if it is too loud.

 

[ReEfErAdDiCt]

What model is the iwaki pump? I've got an old MD-70RLT I'm thinking about using on one of my setups. I haven't tested mine out yet but I've heard they're great pumps.


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[JHiestand]

Not sure what model, but it is an 1100 gph. Had some time to get my baffle into place.

 

[JHiestand]

Well finally up and running. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

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[jedidad]

looks great. i really like the stand.

 

[RollinReefer]

nice .. keep em commin

 

[JHiestand]

Thanks, after a few more days I will be transferring everything over. Just want to make sure I am not going to have any sort of cycle. Here's a side shot from the couch.

 

[JHiestand]

I ended up buying a new danner 9.5 mag drive. The Iwaki was way too much flow. I am still having overflow issues, even with a 3/4" full siphon and the 1" vented, I can only have the return valves opened a little under halfway. Not sure what marineland was thinking, but the original plumbing would probably only handle 300-350 gph at best. I would like to change the 3/4" to a 1" full siphon but I think I will just leave it for now and run my 2 new 750gph korallias on the back wall pointing forward to get some flow down low in the tank. After adding the korallias, I was adding some salt to get the salinity up and it seems to be really good flow, none of the salt ever hit the sand bed, it all stayed suspended. If I get a little time tonight I will add a few new pictures.

 

[ReefPops]

Looks like its coming along nicely!

 

[JHiestand]

Here is a fts.. I think I might pull a few rocks out an move them more to the top to cover the overflow, my plan was to have some shelfs for coral. As you can see there are a few good spots but I think I can make a few more. Let me know what you think of the rocks the way they are. I don't really like the skimpy look to the rock work if you can't tell.

 

[that novice guy]

very nice setup i plan to do a 70 cube in the future and i will look at this thread for some pointers

 

[JHiestand]

very nice setup i plan to do a 70 cube in the future and i will look at this thread for some pointers

Thanks, if you have any questions feel free to ask. I looked at a lot of tanks before I started this one.

 

[spspirate]

Very nice!!