New Reefer's First Build - 60 Gallon Cube

[atnet360]

Hi gang, so I decided to start a proper build thread for my new 60 Gallon Cube. I've been keeping fish literally since before I can remember (my dad introduced me to the hobby and I fell in love with it). My Dad had a reef tank when I was very young, but when we moved out of state he converted it to freshwater and we've never kept saltwater since.

I've spent most of my adult life building and keeping freshwater planted aquariums. Last year I built a 90 gallon planted tank out of an Aqueon reef ready tank. I regret not doing a build thread for that tank as it was really a fun learning experience. Here's a link to a YouTube video of my planted tank, which is still up and running.

(Forgive the music, its kind of cheesy)


Anyway, for about a year now I've been feeling the pull of the reefing world as a new challenge. Last month we took a Caribbean Cruise and while snorkeling the beautiful reefs off Roatan Honduras I caught the bug bad. I'm not prepared to give up my planted tank, so I hit up Craigslist and found a great deal on a 60 gallon cube with stand, sump, skimmer and return pump so I jumped on it.

Here's a before pic of the tank:

Here's an Inventory of what I got.

Came with the tank:

• Visio 60 gallon rimless cube with acrylic center overflow
• Black stand - later repainted blue/grey, then repainted again brown
• Trigger Systems Crystal Cube Sump 18
• Eshopps X-120 AXIUM Space Saving G4 Protein Skimmer
• Lifegard Aquatics QUIET ONE PRO 3000 - put this on my freshwater tank
• Maxspect Razor r420r 120w
• Oceanrevive Arctic-T247 - not in use
• Some live rock

Added later:

• Fiji Cube Low Profile External Overflow Box 1200GPH
• Tunze OSMOLATOR UNIVERSAL 3155 AUTO TOP OFF
• 40 lbs SPECIAL GRADE ARAG-ALIVE! LIVE REEF SAND
• 60 lbs of used dry rock I got from a LFS, cured in acid, then bleach, then saltwater for 6+ weeks
• Jebao DCP-6000 (stole from my freshwater tank)

Wish List:

• Better lighting...not sure between Ecotech, AI, Kessil...
• 2 x Jebao SOW-4

 

[lonelyfloat]

Hi gang, so I decided to start a proper build thread for my new 60 Gallon Cube. I've been keeping fish literally since before I can remember (my dad introduced me to the hobby and I fell in love with it). My Dad had a reef tank when I was very young, but when we moved out of state he converted it to freshwater and we've never kept saltwater since.

I've spent most of my adult life building and keeping freshwater planted aquariums. Last year I built a 90 gallon planted tank out of an Aqueon reef ready tank. I regret not doing a build thread for that tank as it was really a fun learning experience. Here's a link to a YouTube video of my planted tank, which is still up and running.

(Forgive the music, its kind of cheesy)


Anyway, for about a year now I've been feeling the pull of the reefing world as a new challenge. Last month we took a Caribbean Cruise and while snorkeling the beautiful reefs off Roatan Honduras I caught the bug bad. I'm not prepared to give up my planted tank, so I hit up Craigslist and found a great deal on a 60 gallon cube with stand, sump, skimmer and return pump so I jumped on it.

Here's a before pic of the tank:

Here's an Inventory of what I got:

• Visio 60 gallon rimless cube with acrylic center overflow
• Black stand
• Trigger Systems Crystal Cube Sump 18
• Eshopps X-120 AXIUM Space Saving G4 Protein Skimmer
• Lifegard Aquatics QUIET ONE PRO 3000
• Maxspect Razor r420r 120w
• Oceanrevive Arctic-T247
• Some live rock

Welcome to R2R!! Do you have any plans, coral or fish wise? I'm excited to see where this build goes!

 

[atnet360]

First order of business was to deal with that giant ugly center overflow. Against better judgement I decided to cut it out and replace it with a low profile overflow box.

I made a video of the process. I'm no YouTuber so forgive the rough cut.


Here are some pics:

First a couple before pics

Started off by removing all the peeling black paint from the back. Will replace that later.

The overflow box wasn't just acrylic, it had three glass panes siliconed to it as well. That made it harder to remove.

The video goes into much more detail. It was hard to take pictures of the process. The two vertical sides were pretty easy, but the bottom was a real pain. Plus I was super worried about cracking the glass, especially around the holes in the bottom. But, once all the seams were broken, the box lifted right out.

Then it was just a matter of scraping off the excess silicone with a sharp razor blade.

 

[atnet360]

Welcome to R2R!! Do you have any plans, coral or fish wise? I'm excited to see where this build goes!

I plan to start slow, with the goal of eventually keeping SPS, probably in a mixed reef. I've got a nice spot picked out for a large reef tank in my living room. Intent for now is to take the next couple of years to learn the ropes, make my mistakes on a smaller setup, then eventually go big.

I was drawn to the 60 gallon because it seems big enough to avoid some of the problems with nano tanks, but small enough to make my mistakes without costing a large fortune (I know, mistakes may still cost a small fortune ).

 

[WiscoFishNut]

Hi gang, so I decided to start a proper build thread for my new 60 Gallon Cube. I've been keeping fish literally since before I can remember (my dad introduced me to the hobby and I fell in love with it). My Dad had a reef tank when I was very young, but when we moved out of state he converted it to freshwater and we've never kept saltwater since.

I've spent most of my adult life building and keeping freshwater planted aquariums. Last year I built a 90 gallon planted tank out of an Aqueon reef ready tank. I regret not doing a build thread for that tank as it was really a fun learning experience. Here's a link to a YouTube video of my planted tank, which is still up and running.

(Forgive the music, its kind of cheesy)


Anyway, for about a year now I've been feeling the pull of the reefing world as a new challenge. Last month we took a Caribbean Cruise and while snorkeling the beautiful reefs off Roatan Honduras I caught the bug bad. I'm not prepared to give up my planted tank, so I hit up Craigslist and found a great deal on a 60 gallon cube with stand, sump, skimmer and return pump so I jumped on it.

Here's a before pic of the tank:

Here's an Inventory of what I got:

• Visio 60 gallon rimless cube with acrylic center overflow
• Black stand
• Trigger Systems Crystal Cube Sump 18
• Eshopps X-120 AXIUM Space Saving G4 Protein Skimmer
• Lifegard Aquatics QUIET ONE PRO 3000
• Maxspect Razor r420r 120w
• Oceanrevive Arctic-T247
• Some live rock

That planted tank is beautiful! Welcome to the site and the saltwater

 

[atnet360]

That planted tank is beautiful! Welcome to the site and the saltwater

Thanks, I really wish I'd taken the time to do a build thread over at PlantedTank.net for that one. It turned into a massive undertaking, but I couldn't be happier with the results. I've thought about doing one retroactively, I just haven't taken the time.

 

[atnet360]

So I went back and forth between the Modular Marine and Fiji Cube overflow boxes for a couple of days, but last night I went ahead and ordered the Fiji Cube. Hoping it arrives in time to be able to drill the tank next weekend.

Fiji Cube Low Profile External Overflow Box 1200GPH

The external overflow box is a popular overflow option for hobbyist to build their tanks into the next level. Fiji Cube’s external overflow box features a slim and safe design that offers another solution to perform your tank build. Features: Slim and compact design to suit any aquarium set-ups...

www.fijicube.com

 

[atnet360]

Meantime I set about cleaning the sump and skimmer:

A little vinegar and water...clean as new.

 

[bigdeeezyyyy]

welcome to the cube world! LOL cant wait to see it up and running!

 

[atnet360]

So, things have kind of been on hold for a week or so now while I wait for my Fiji Cube Overflow (which is taking forever).

I did start working on the stand (which I will be repainting), but not much progress yet. I've tasked my wife with picking a color for the repainted stand. This time around I don't want a standard black stand. I'd like something a little bit bolder.

Hoping to receive my overflow box before Thanksgiving so I can drill the tank over the holiday. If not, the stand will get primary attention. Also, mulling over power/cable management and plumbing.

 

[atnet360]

One question for the group:

Originally I was planning on two returns on either side of the overflow. Now, I'm considering simplifying the plumbing a bit and going with a single return.

What do we think?

 

[atnet360]

So, still waiting on my Fiji Cube overflow box, but decided to take on a little Thanksgiving morning project.

I started by building a new door for the stand. The previous owner used velcro instead of hinges for the door, which I loved but without the hinges the door was a bit too small for the opening. So I built a new one that would fit a bit better.

I'm no woodworker but I think it turned out nice.

Then I primed the stand with Kilz Restoration interior primer.

Now it is up to my wife to pick a color. My only stipulation was I don't want black or white (and I'm not crazy about brown). I'd like something bold but it needs to match the room. These are some of the colors we're considering.

And here's a shot of where the tank will be going ( it will replace the bookshelf and cat tree).

I picked up some spare glass to practice drilling holes on but don't have a hole saw to use yet. Been dragging my feet placing and order from BRS because I haven't decided exactly how to do the returns yet. Kind of want to see the overflow box before I decide what kind of returns to go with.

 

[atnet360]

A little bit of progress.

On friday I filled all the screw holes with wood putty and caulked all the seams inside the stand with acrylic latex caulk. Then put another coat of primer on it.

Yesterday I put the first coat of paint on the outside. Went with Shark Fin a fitting name and it matches the room very nicely.

Needs another coat of color on he outside and then I'll top it with some kind of water based polyurethane. I'm thinking a spray on but not sure yet.

For inside the stand I got acrylic appliance paint.

 

[atnet360]

Fiji Cube overflow box will be delivered tomorrow. I'm excited and will post pictures of the box. I've read very good things about Fiji Cube.

Next weekend drilling the tank will be star of the show.

 

[atnet360]

I have drilled glass

 

[atnet360]

I have drilled glass

It chipped a bit more than I would have liked on the back side but I've no doubt it would make a waterproof seal.

Took longer than I thought too and the actual tank glass is almost twice as thick so the real deal will be an affair.

 

[atnet360]

I also got my Fiji Cube. I have some mixed feelings. The build quality is solid, but the finish is a little lack luster. Some of the seams are a bit rough.

Super happy with the size, shape, super glad I cut the old ugly overflow out. Can’t wait to get it on the tank.

 

[RCS82]

I just got into this cube section of the forum and it's great to see other awesome 60g cubes. I have an older 4 yr old Eshopps S-120, gen 3 I think. Really like the size and it's been a great skimmer.

 

[atnet360]

Two (nearly) perfect holes.

Think I'll hang on to these

Fiji Cube box looks pretty nice. May end up with a water level a little lower than I would have liked but I figured err on the side of too low rather than too high.

Need to drill two more holes for the returns, but I've been drilling all afternoon and I'm tired.

Also put another (hopefully final) coat of paint on the outside of the stand. Still need to paint the inside with the appliance paint and clear coat the outside.

 

[Dragonreef202]

It's coming along just keep up the patience. You'll enjoy it a lot when your tank is running and you did work to get it to that point.