Advice for new Cube setup

sanmanpa · 06/13/2011, 12:00 PM

I am moving to the US in July (Chester County PA) and have decided to setup a cube tank. I have a few years experience of keeping marines in the UK but have attempted a custom build before which is what I want to do this time.

The tank will be in the entrance to the house so I want it to be a real show piece.

I have decided on a 36x36x36. I have yet to decide on glass or acrylic.

I am going to stand this tank on a piece of custom furniture that looks like an Amish Pie Safe with punched tin insert doors. I will light the the tank with MH lights as I want to keep a mixture of LPS and SPS.

Apart from that this is a completely blank canvas and I would appreciate peoples response on equipment, filtration, flow design, sump etc and everything else!!

Thanks

Mark

javajaws · 06/13/2011, 12:59 PM

First thing I'll say is don't assume you have to have MH lights if you want LPS and SPS. T5s are perfectly fine and LEDs are becoming a safer bet all the time.

Second thing...punched tin. If your sump is inside that cabinet expect that tin to rust pretty good. I'd suggest backing it with wood such that it is only exposed on the outside.

autodave · 06/13/2011, 01:12 PM

Are you sure you want the tank 36 tall?

sanmanpa · 06/13/2011, 01:26 PM

Hi Dave I may reduce it the height to 30" , don't tell the cube police

javajaws · 06/13/2011, 01:33 PM

In this day and age of high electricity/fuel costs, etc. I'd hesitate to get anything over 24" high if you want to keep SPS...unless you like wasting lots of money on big hot lights.

autodave · 06/13/2011, 01:48 PM

My current tank is 30x30x24 and am happy with the height.My last tank was 26 tall and was tough reaching the bottom and like Jaws said gettin your lights to punch that deep can be a problem.As far as flow- Tunze is coming out with a 6095 pump this fall,should create awesome flow.I am using 2 Tunze6055's for my tank and I really like them

06/13/2011, 12:00 PM	#1
sanmanpa Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 4	Advice for new Cube setup I am moving to the US in July (Chester County PA) and have decided to setup a cube tank. I have a few years experience of keeping marines in the UK but have attempted a custom build before which is what I want to do this time. The tank will be in the entrance to the house so I want it to be a real show piece. I have decided on a 36x36x36. I have yet to decide on glass or acrylic. I am going to stand this tank on a piece of custom furniture that looks like an Amish Pie Safe with punched tin insert doors. I will light the the tank with MH lights as I want to keep a mixture of LPS and SPS. Apart from that this is a completely blank canvas and I would appreciate peoples response on equipment, filtration, flow design, sump etc and everything else!! Thanks Mark

06/13/2011, 12:59 PM	#2
javajaws Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 1,620	First thing I'll say is don't assume you have to have MH lights if you want LPS and SPS. T5s are perfectly fine and LEDs are becoming a safer bet all the time. Second thing...punched tin. If your sump is inside that cabinet expect that tin to rust pretty good. I'd suggest backing it with wood such that it is only exposed on the outside. __________________ Everyone has an opinion. Accept the fact now that someone isn't going to like yours sooner or later. Current Tank Info: 110g in-wall, ATI 8x54w T5, 2xMP40es, SRO XP-2000i, 2-part Ca/Alk, Apex controlled

06/13/2011, 01:33 PM	#5
javajaws Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 1,620	In this day and age of high electricity/fuel costs, etc. I'd hesitate to get anything over 24" high if you want to keep SPS...unless you like wasting lots of money on big hot lights. __________________ Everyone has an opinion. Accept the fact now that someone isn't going to like yours sooner or later. Current Tank Info: 110g in-wall, ATI 8x54w T5, 2xMP40es, SRO XP-2000i, 2-part Ca/Alk, Apex controlled

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06/13/2011, 01:12 PM	#3
autodave Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Menifee,Ca. Posts: 484	Are you sure you want the tank 36 tall?

06/13/2011, 01:26 PM	#4
sanmanpa Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 4	Hi Dave I may reduce it the height to 30" , don't tell the cube police

06/13/2011, 01:48 PM	#6
autodave Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Menifee,Ca. Posts: 484	My current tank is 30x30x24 and am happy with the height.My last tank was 26 tall and was tough reaching the bottom and like Jaws said gettin your lights to punch that deep can be a problem.As far as flow- Tunze is coming out with a 6095 pump this fall,should create awesome flow.I am using 2 Tunze6055's for my tank and I really like them