60 Gallon Cube build thread

McLaughlin4 · 02/19/2008, 09:17 PM

Hello ,

I was out of the hobby for some years but I'm getting my feet wet again . I thought I would start a build thread to try to give back to someone else what I have learned from this site over the years . With that said lets begin

I just finish building the stand and canopy for the tank which is a 60 gallon cube tank 24x24x24. I have also bought most of the equipment needed to run this tank but thought along with pictures of the tank,stand and canopy . I would list what I have so far so that if I'm missing anything I will have it for the initial set-up . Here is what I have :

Skimmer: MRC R-1
Skimmer Pump- Blue Line HD 40
Return Pump: Blue line HD-55
Geo Kalk Reactor
Chiller
2 rubbermaid feedtanks one for a fuge and frag tank the other for the sump
Lighting : 250 watt DE retro kit for inside the canopy along with 2 24 inch T5 retro kits on each side and 2- 4 inch 4 led moonlights.
bulkheads
lockline
6 stage Ro-Di water filter
Rubbermaid Brute garbage can
Auto top off w/ float valve
2 Hydor Koralia #2
300 watt heater

So is there anything I might have forgot ? If so let me know, and feel free to give me any advice you might find helpful. The tank is going to be plumbed into the basement so the fuge sump set up is the next big step. Enjoy the pictures :

Oh yea I have yet to step into a LFS to buy anything I have it has either been ordered online or purchased from someone on here , thanks to those of you that sold me stuff.
TANK

Stand not yet totally finished need to fill nail holes and stain

Canopy also need sto be stained and nail holes filled

This is just all the equipment waiting to be used

jimmyPx · 02/20/2008, 09:30 AM

Hello,

Looking Good. I have a 60 gallon cube that has been running for about a year now. For a smaller tank, I love the dimensions.

My only caution is to be careful stocking. It seems like a bigger tank, but it is still just 60 gallons.

I have in mine:
Yellow watchman goby
Neon cleaner goby
2 bangaii cardinals
2 false percula clowns
1 Copperband Butterfly

Plus corals of course. My rockwork is 2 pillars with a piece of tonga shelf connecting them.

Good luck.

McLaughlin4 · 02/20/2008, 09:42 AM

I am going to try to be SPS bases with a small amount of Fish but large cleaning crew . But thanks for the heads up

olkeller · 02/22/2008, 01:13 PM

sweet keep this updated I just bought a 60 cube too

vanmo92 · 02/22/2008, 02:02 PM

I have a 60 cube also, but it is set up as a FW tank. Beautiful size though.

McLaughlin4 · 02/22/2008, 02:07 PM

I will have pictures along the way tonight starts the building of the equipment table for the sump and fuge , should be a breeze .. I will post sometime this weekend .

widmer · 02/22/2008, 02:08 PM

Yea my uncle has a 60 cube with a breeding pair of discus in it. I was always so jealous as a kid when I'd go over and visit. Your lighting sounds perfect.

McLaughlin4 · 03/01/2008, 06:59 PM

Final finished the stand and canopy ... painted the tank and put in the 1.5 bulkhead and the 3/4 bulkhead... I also added alll the lights to the canopy . Let me know what you think ... Jim

[IMG]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...15bulkhead.jpg[/IMG]

hootie51 · 03/01/2008, 07:14 PM

looks good so far! I really like the way the canopy and stand look. I will definitely be following this one. The 60 cube is one of my favorite tanks.

chrismunn · 03/01/2008, 07:55 PM

do you have a calcium reactor? i didnt see it on your list, but thought i saw one in the equipment pics? what i didnt see was a co2 tank...

chrismunn · 03/01/2008, 07:57 PM

nevermind, that must be your kalk reactor in the pic?

Baron · 03/01/2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chrismunn
do you have a calcium reactor? i didnt see it on your list, but thought i saw one in the equipment pics? what i didnt see was a co2 tank...

That is GEO's Kalk reactor.

kidako · 03/02/2008, 05:23 PM

excellent wood work , I like the set up

spleify · 03/02/2008, 07:03 PM

Looks great!! I am also in the process of setting up a 60 Gal cube as well. After seeing yours an the stand I am really excited to get this going.
Good luck! I will check back often.

Spleify

spleify · 03/04/2008, 11:01 PM

Any updates? Where did you get your moon lights at?

Spleify

McLaughlin4 · 03/05/2008, 06:19 AM

I am working on the basement set up .. Sump fuge are rubbermaid stock tanks. So plumbing and then water shouldnt be long now I will take picture of basement soon. The moonlight I got off of ebay and they look and work great.. And the best thing is that they are plug and play and the guy makes them for aquariums so all the connections are sealed here the link good luck JIM

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-4-LED-Bar-Beam...742.m153.l1262

InLimbo87 · 03/05/2008, 06:26 AM

Wow! This setup looks like its going to be great! Fantastic work on the stand

McLaughlin4 · 03/26/2008, 08:45 PM

Got around to taking some pictures ....The tank is up and running everything is going well so far....Cycled everything down in the basement , then hooked up everything to the tank upstairs moved the rock and I was golden although I think I might get one more 250 Mh Retro for it . Hope you like , Let me here what you think ... Thanks

Basement skiimer and Kalk Reactor

DIY Overflow

ROCK

Whole Tank

spleify · 03/26/2008, 09:38 PM

Looks awesome!! Great job!!

spleify · 04/13/2008, 10:04 PM

Any updates?

spleify · 08/21/2008, 11:16 PM

Any updates?
How's the tank doing?

Thanks

Spleify

02/19/2008, 09:17 PM	#1
McLaughlin4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,435	60 Gallon Cube build thread Hello , I was out of the hobby for some years but I'm getting my feet wet again . I thought I would start a build thread to try to give back to someone else what I have learned from this site over the years . With that said lets begin I just finish building the stand and canopy for the tank which is a 60 gallon cube tank 24x24x24. I have also bought most of the equipment needed to run this tank but thought along with pictures of the tank,stand and canopy . I would list what I have so far so that if I'm missing anything I will have it for the initial set-up . Here is what I have : Skimmer: MRC R-1 Skimmer Pump- Blue Line HD 40 Return Pump: Blue line HD-55 Geo Kalk Reactor Chiller 2 rubbermaid feedtanks one for a fuge and frag tank the other for the sump Lighting : 250 watt DE retro kit for inside the canopy along with 2 24 inch T5 retro kits on each side and 2- 4 inch 4 led moonlights. bulkheads lockline 6 stage Ro-Di water filter Rubbermaid Brute garbage can Auto top off w/ float valve 2 Hydor Koralia #2 300 watt heater So is there anything I might have forgot ? If so let me know, and feel free to give me any advice you might find helpful. The tank is going to be plumbed into the basement so the fuge sump set up is the next big step. Enjoy the pictures : Oh yea I have yet to step into a LFS to buy anything I have it has either been ordered online or purchased from someone on here , thanks to those of you that sold me stuff. TANK Stand not yet totally finished need to fill nail holes and stain Canopy also need sto be stained and nail holes filled This is just all the equipment waiting to be used

02/20/2008, 09:42 AM	#3
McLaughlin4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,435	I am going to try to be SPS bases with a small amount of Fish but large cleaning crew . But thanks for the heads up __________________ Confucius says " Baseball is a strange sport, how does a man walk with four balls ?"

02/22/2008, 01:13 PM	#4
olkeller Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 686	sweet keep this updated I just bought a 60 cube too __________________ What I think I know and what I actually know are two totally different things. Thanks, Kelly Current Tank Info: 60 gallon cube

02/22/2008, 02:02 PM	#5
vanmo92 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Silverthorne, CO. Posts: 2,045	I have a 60 cube also, but it is set up as a FW tank. Beautiful size though. __________________ PBITAWA Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bow Mixed Reef 1 fw tank

02/22/2008, 02:07 PM	#6
McLaughlin4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,435	I will have pictures along the way tonight starts the building of the equipment table for the sump and fuge , should be a breeze .. I will post sometime this weekend . __________________ Confucius says " Baseball is a strange sport, how does a man walk with four balls ?"

02/20/2008, 09:30 AM	#2
jimmyPx Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 95	Hello, Looking Good. I have a 60 gallon cube that has been running for about a year now. For a smaller tank, I love the dimensions. My only caution is to be careful stocking. It seems like a bigger tank, but it is still just 60 gallons. I have in mine: Yellow watchman goby Neon cleaner goby 2 bangaii cardinals 2 false percula clowns 1 Copperband Butterfly Plus corals of course. My rockwork is 2 pillars with a piece of tonga shelf connecting them. Good luck.

02/22/2008, 02:08 PM	#7
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	Yea my uncle has a 60 cube with a breeding pair of discus in it. I was always so jealous as a kid when I'd go over and visit. Your lighting sounds perfect.

03/01/2008, 06:59 PM	#8
McLaughlin4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,435	Updated pictures Final finished the stand and canopy ... painted the tank and put in the 1.5 bulkhead and the 3/4 bulkhead... I also added alll the lights to the canopy . Let me know what you think ... Jim [IMG] http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...15bulkhead.jpg[/IMG]

03/01/2008, 07:14 PM	#9
hootie51 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 215	looks good so far! I really like the way the canopy and stand look. I will definitely be following this one. The 60 cube is one of my favorite tanks.

03/01/2008, 07:55 PM	#10
chrismunn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,200	do you have a calcium reactor? i didnt see it on your list, but thought i saw one in the equipment pics? what i didnt see was a co2 tank... __________________ Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas Austin Reef Club PBITAWA... Current Tank Info: 14g bio cube

03/01/2008, 07:57 PM	#11
chrismunn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,200	nevermind, that must be your kalk reactor in the pic? __________________ Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas Austin Reef Club PBITAWA... Current Tank Info: 14g bio cube

03/02/2008, 05:23 PM	#13
kidako Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: ontario , canada Posts: 207	excellent wood work , I like the set up __________________ Steve.

03/02/2008, 07:03 PM	#14
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Looks great!! I am also in the process of setting up a 60 Gal cube as well. After seeing yours an the stand I am really excited to get this going. Good luck! I will check back often. Spleify __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

03/04/2008, 11:01 PM	#15
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Any updates? Where did you get your moon lights at? Spleify __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

03/05/2008, 06:19 AM	#16
McLaughlin4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,435	I am working on the basement set up .. Sump fuge are rubbermaid stock tanks. So plumbing and then water shouldnt be long now I will take picture of basement soon. The moonlight I got off of ebay and they look and work great.. And the best thing is that they are plug and play and the guy makes them for aquariums so all the connections are sealed here the link good luck JIM http://cgi.ebay.com/2-4-LED-Bar-Beam...742.m153.l1262 __________________ Confucius says " Baseball is a strange sport, how does a man walk with four balls ?"

03/05/2008, 06:26 AM	#17
InLimbo87 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 3,197	Wow! This setup looks like its going to be great! Fantastic work on the stand __________________ We are forever responsible for that which we tame... Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

03/26/2008, 08:45 PM	#18
McLaughlin4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,435	UPDATES Got around to taking some pictures ....The tank is up and running everything is going well so far....Cycled everything down in the basement , then hooked up everything to the tank upstairs moved the rock and I was golden although I think I might get one more 250 Mh Retro for it . Hope you like , Let me here what you think ... Thanks Basement skiimer and Kalk Reactor DIY Overflow ROCK Whole Tank

03/26/2008, 09:38 PM	#19
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Looks awesome!! Great job!! __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

04/13/2008, 10:04 PM	#20
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Any updates? __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH

08/21/2008, 11:16 PM	#21
spleify Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 9,579	Any updates? How's the tank doing? Thanks Spleify __________________ Make it a Great Day!!!! Current Tank Info: 60 gal SPS cube, with 25 gal refugium, 400W MH, DIY Lumenarc III, DIY skimmer, DIY stand and canopy. 40 breeder LPS with 40 gallon sump, DIY stand, 250W MH