170 Gallon Cube Build

Bonanza · 01/13/2020, 02:04 PM

So it begins.

I've taken the last 5 years off of reefing due to work and a crazy ex wife that hated fish tanks. Life happens, things change, and you never know what's going to happen.

For 5 years, I've been lurking this forum trying to stay up to date on everything that's happening. 5 years of planning my ultimate tank.

3 months ago my wife (new one, loves fish) and I moved into our 4th house together. We finally got back to where we wanted to be (SoCal) and we both retired. When we were buying the house, she said, "wow, that corner would be awesome to have a cube tank. Think you could do a reef setup there?"

I about died.

So now that we are about to gut another house, we're putting a 170 gallon cube tank into that remodel.

While I may have had a 5 year break, I still have a lot of friends in the industry. With a couple of calls, I had a line on a 170 gallon cube. Tomorrow, I make the 10 hour, 700 mile drive to retrieve the tank. This is going to be strange for me, I haven't really driven long distances in a long time (I'm a pilot.)

I'm going to be documenting the whole build. I'm going to be leaning on you for some advice because I can't do this on my own.

Who's ready?

Bonanza · 01/13/2020, 02:10 PM

Here’s the corner.

It will give us viewing from the living room. (Pardon the mess, demo day is here, and the new cabinets are getting delivered.

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MarAquatic · 01/13/2020, 02:11 PM

Man that's awesome and I'm in to see the progress. Where is the tank located there at least a 15 hour drive. My buddy has a 150 for sale in gilroy

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Bonanza · 01/13/2020, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarAquatic

Man that's awesome and I'm in to see the progress. Where is the tank located there at least a 15 hour drive. My buddy has a 150 for sale in gilroy

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Is his a cube?

The one I’m going after is in Stockton

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Bonanza · 01/13/2020, 02:44 PM

Small delivery of cabinets....

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MarAquatic · 01/13/2020, 04:03 PM

Yes it is a cube

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Bonanza · 01/13/2020, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarAquatic

Yes it is a cube

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30x30x?

Pm me his info if you can

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Michael Hoaster · 01/13/2020, 06:36 PM

I love cubes! My first marine tank was a 60 gallon cube. What are the dimensions of the 170 cube?

Bonanza · 01/13/2020, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Hoaster

I love cubes! My first marine tank was a 60 gallon cube. What are the dimensions of the 170 cube?

They really allow you to have the best aquascaping.

This one is a 36x36x30.

Bonanza · 01/13/2020, 07:36 PM

Well, after several PM’s i decided that a 30” deep tank was WAY too deep for my stumpy arms.

Thankfully a local reefer had a 30x30x26 laying around. I’m off to pick it up. It’s a bit smaller than i was wanting, but it should fit what I’m trying to do. It will also allow me to put a bar top around the tank for our entertaining.

Here’s a VERY crude outline.... done with electrical tape...

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MarAquatic · 01/13/2020, 08:24 PM

Nice but looks kinda small lol but 30 x 30 is nice man. If not look at the innovative int 150

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Bonanza · 01/13/2020, 09:59 PM

Operation tank retrieval complete. Stand will not be needed, so if anyone needs a stand let me know.

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Bonanza · 01/14/2020, 11:40 AM

Let the games begin!

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Bonanza · 01/14/2020, 11:56 AM

5 minutes with a pressure washer....

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Bonanza · 01/14/2020, 12:05 PM

Next step is to get the back re-painted and get the room ready for a tank.

Questions for you all:

1. This use to be a planted tank and I know nothing about the planted world. Should I do anything specific to the tank to "decontaminate" anything from what it use to be? I was going to do a vinegar wash, but that was it.

2. I have the tank out, is there anything I'm overlooking while it's out?

Bonanza · 01/14/2020, 12:09 PM

Getting my order ready for the rest of this...

Trigger Systems Sapphire CUBE Sump
Bubble Magus Curve 7 In Sump Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer w/ Bubble Plate
EcoTech Marine Vectra S2 return pump
(2X) EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40wQD
(2X) EcoTech Marine Radion XR30w G4 Pro LED Light Fixture
Trigger Systems Sapphire ATO Reservoir Tank - 5 Gallon

Should have that put in today unless anyone has any opinions on it.

MarAquatic · 01/14/2020, 12:45 PM

I would do a different ato. You will quickly find out 5 gallons isnt enough. Min 10 gallon or more if possible

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Bonanza · 01/14/2020, 12:46 PM

Let me take a look at what i can fit under there. I’m planning on running a float switch for the RODI to that container

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Bonanza · 01/14/2020, 02:05 PM

Stand build time.

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Bonanza · 01/14/2020, 02:25 PM

This build is going to happen very quickly.

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Bonanza · 01/14/2020, 04:18 PM

A couple hours later... step one done. Going to do the finish work tomorrow

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MarAquatic · 01/14/2020, 04:38 PM

Only running 1 drain 1 return?

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Bonanza · 01/14/2020, 04:39 PM

One drain, front returns.

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Bonanza · 01/15/2020, 08:02 PM

Update. Got to do some stand skinning before i had to run off to my other hobby.

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Michael Hoaster · 01/21/2020, 09:32 AM

Nice progress!

I see you also posted in the large tank section that you want to do an in-wall build. Have you abandoned that idea?

01/13/2020, 02:04 PM	#1
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	170 Gallon Cube Build So it begins. I've taken the last 5 years off of reefing due to work and a crazy ex wife that hated fish tanks. Life happens, things change, and you never know what's going to happen. For 5 years, I've been lurking this forum trying to stay up to date on everything that's happening. 5 years of planning my ultimate tank. 3 months ago my wife (new one, loves fish) and I moved into our 4th house together. We finally got back to where we wanted to be (SoCal) and we both retired. When we were buying the house, she said, "wow, that corner would be awesome to have a cube tank. Think you could do a reef setup there?" I about died. So now that we are about to gut another house, we're putting a 170 gallon cube tank into that remodel. While I may have had a 5 year break, I still have a lot of friends in the industry. With a couple of calls, I had a line on a 170 gallon cube. Tomorrow, I make the 10 hour, 700 mile drive to retrieve the tank. This is going to be strange for me, I haven't really driven long distances in a long time (I'm a pilot.) I'm going to be documenting the whole build. I'm going to be leaning on you for some advice because I can't do this on my own. Who's ready?

01/13/2020, 06:36 PM	#8
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	I love cubes! My first marine tank was a 60 gallon cube. What are the dimensions of the 170 cube? __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

01/21/2020, 09:32 AM	#25
Michael Hoaster Registered Seaweedist Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 5,807	Nice progress! I see you also posted in the large tank section that you want to do an in-wall build. Have you abandoned that idea? __________________ As many naturalists and environmentalists have suggested, we should set aside our arrogance, our desire to conquer and control everything, and walk hand in hand with Mother Nature. -Walter Adey Current Tank Info: 180g Seagrass Sandbar Lagoon, START DATE November 28, 2018

01/13/2020, 02:10 PM	#2
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	Here’s the corner. It will give us viewing from the living room. (Pardon the mess, demo day is here, and the new cabinets are getting delivered. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/13/2020, 02:11 PM	#3
MarAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 689	Man that's awesome and I'm in to see the progress. Where is the tank located there at least a 15 hour drive. My buddy has a 150 for sale in gilroy Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

01/13/2020, 02:44 PM	#5
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	Small delivery of cabinets.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/13/2020, 04:03 PM	#6
MarAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 689	Yes it is a cube Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

01/13/2020, 07:36 PM	#10
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	Well, after several PM’s i decided that a 30” deep tank was WAY too deep for my stumpy arms. Thankfully a local reefer had a 30x30x26 laying around. I’m off to pick it up. It’s a bit smaller than i was wanting, but it should fit what I’m trying to do. It will also allow me to put a bar top around the tank for our entertaining. Here’s a VERY crude outline.... done with electrical tape... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/13/2020, 08:24 PM	#11
MarAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 689	Nice but looks kinda small lol but 30 x 30 is nice man. If not look at the innovative int 150 Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

01/13/2020, 09:59 PM	#12
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	Operation tank retrieval complete. Stand will not be needed, so if anyone needs a stand let me know. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/14/2020, 11:40 AM	#13
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	Let the games begin! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/14/2020, 11:56 AM	#14
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	5 minutes with a pressure washer.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/14/2020, 12:05 PM	#15
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	Next step is to get the back re-painted and get the room ready for a tank. Questions for you all: 1. This use to be a planted tank and I know nothing about the planted world. Should I do anything specific to the tank to "decontaminate" anything from what it use to be? I was going to do a vinegar wash, but that was it. 2. I have the tank out, is there anything I'm overlooking while it's out?

01/14/2020, 12:09 PM	#16
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	Getting my order ready for the rest of this... Trigger Systems Sapphire CUBE Sump Bubble Magus Curve 7 In Sump Needle Wheel Protein Skimmer w/ Bubble Plate EcoTech Marine Vectra S2 return pump (2X) EcoTech Marine VorTech MP40wQD (2X) EcoTech Marine Radion XR30w G4 Pro LED Light Fixture Trigger Systems Sapphire ATO Reservoir Tank - 5 Gallon Should have that put in today unless anyone has any opinions on it.

01/14/2020, 12:45 PM	#17
MarAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 689	I would do a different ato. You will quickly find out 5 gallons isnt enough. Min 10 gallon or more if possible Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

01/14/2020, 12:46 PM	#18
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	Let me take a look at what i can fit under there. I’m planning on running a float switch for the RODI to that container Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/14/2020, 02:05 PM	#19
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	Stand build time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/14/2020, 02:25 PM	#20
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	This build is going to happen very quickly. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/14/2020, 04:18 PM	#21
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	A couple hours later... step one done. Going to do the finish work tomorrow Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/14/2020, 04:38 PM	#22
MarAquatic Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 689	Only running 1 drain 1 return? Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

01/14/2020, 04:39 PM	#23
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	One drain, front returns. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01/15/2020, 08:02 PM	#24
Bonanza Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Seal Beach CA Posts: 53	Update. Got to do some stand skinning before i had to run off to my other hobby. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk