My first 60gal Cube

[addicted_to_reefing]

How’s it going fellow reefers! I’m a noob and just recently started the hobby with a 14gal bio cube. It’s just a basic reef tank!
10# LR, 10# Caribsea live sand, corallife protein skimmer, pfoamax water chillier.
The new build I’m starting now is a 60 Gal AIO Cube.
I believe it started as a Aqueon Cube that someone added a FijiCube AIO Kit to it.
40# live sand
45# live rock( I need 20# more)
I don’t have much when it comes to accessories.
1- AI Prime 16
pump with speed control
2 wave makers
Glass top
What I’m needing advice on is what should I put in the chambers in the back? Filter sock with some sort of media underneath it, skimmer in chamber 2 or a media rack?

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

I think what you put in the back will just depend on what you decide you want to do with the tank. For example:

Low pH problems or wanting to run a lower nutrient or higher bioload system? Skimmer is a good idea.

Planning on keep multiple pod eaters such as a pair of Mandarin gobies? Live rock rubble might be a good choice to help keep pod populations up and give them somewhere safe to multiply.

Going with a "minimalist rockwork" kind of aquascape? Again, live rock rubble might be good here to provide filtration.

Mixed reef with soft coral? Some believe running carbon is important to control chemical warfare.


Keep in mind that you will usually want to keep your heaters in those compartments (I recommend running 2 in case of failure). These are best placed in a compartment where the water level doesn't drop. Avoid the pump section and the intake section for this reason.

 

[Tahoe61]

Congratulations on your new tank. :)

I either use floss or sponge media. I use charcoal to polish the water and typically remove it in about 24 hours.
I don't like socks or other media in the back compartments.
Typically I use the back compartments for heater placement, ATO and Skimmer.
Routine water changes and adequate rock is really all that's needed. I like skimmers because they remove proteins and a skimmer provides improved oxygenation.

 

[addicted_to_reefing]

I think what you put in the back will just depend on what you decide you want to do with the tank. For example:

Low pH problems or wanting to run a lower nutrient or higher bioload system? Skimmer is a good idea.

Planning on keep multiple pod eaters such as a pair of Mandarin gobies? Live rock rubble might be a good choice to help keep pod populations up and give them somewhere safe to multiply.

Going with a "minimalist rockwork" kind of aquascape? Again, live rock rubble might be good here to provide filtration.

Mixed reef with soft coral? Some believe running carbon is important to control chemical warfare.


Keep in mind that you will usually want to keep your heaters in those compartments (I recommend running 2 in case of failure). These are best placed in a compartment where the water level doesn't drop. Avoid the pump section and the intake section for this reason.

Thanks for the advice! What corals launch warfare against each other? Is there a list lol?

 

[addicted_to_reefing]

Here’s my 14g, most of these frags will go into the new 60 when complete!

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

Thanks for the advice! What corals launch warfare against each other? Is there a list lol?

Many soft coral and specifically toadstools (sarcophyton). There's a bit more info at the bottom of this care page is you are interested:

Keeping Toadstool Leather Corals

These days, soft corals don’t get quite the attention they once did. One reason for this simply is the abundance of wildly colorful stony corals that have

www.algaebarn.com

Your current tank looks great! Looks like a happy Fox Flame frag if I am not mistaken?

You must be pumped to upgrade.

 

[addicted_to_reefing]

Many soft coral and specifically toadstools (sarcophyton). There's a bit more info at the bottom of this care page is you are interested:

Keeping Toadstool Leather Corals

These days, soft corals don’t get quite the attention they once did. One reason for this simply is the abundance of wildly colorful stony corals that have

www.algaebarn.com

Your current tank looks great! Looks like a happy Fox Flame frag if I am not mistaken?

You must be pumped to upgrade.

You are correct! I got that at auction for $30 believe it or not! I was super pumped! Now that’s gonna be one of my show pieces in my 60. I can’t wait!

 

[addicted_to_reefing]

Many soft coral and specifically toadstools (sarcophyton). There's a bit more info at the bottom of this care page is you are interested:

Keeping Toadstool Leather Corals

These days, soft corals don’t get quite the attention they once did. One reason for this simply is the abundance of wildly colorful stony corals that have

www.algaebarn.com

Your current tank looks great! Looks like a happy Fox Flame frag if I am not mistaken?

You must be pumped to upgrade.

You are correct! I got that at auction for $30 believe it or not! I was super pumped! Now that’s gonna be one of my show pieces in my 60. I can’t wait

 

[addicted_to_reefing]

Congratulations on your new tank. :)

I either use floss or sponge media. I use charcoal to polish the water and typically remove it in about 24 hours.
I don't like socks or other media in the back compartments.
Typically I use the back compartments for heater placement, ATO and Skimmer.
Routine water changes and adequate rock is really all that's needed. I like skimmers because they remove proteins and a skimmer provides improved oxygenation.

Thanks for the advice! I’ll look into it. Trying to figure out what skimmer to go with