27 Gallon Cube Build

[pelphrey]

Might as well track my progress and mistakes on my first reef build. Been in freshwater for over a year, I am over all happy with the setup of my 75 gallon Mbuna tank but I am done experimenting with freshwater. I am actually looking to replace this tank with a 6 foot tank to better fill the space it is in, and also prepare for this to be converted to salt water!

Onto my first reef build -

• Marineland 27 Gallon Cube and stand
• 5.5 gallon tank for my sump
• Eshopps PSK-75 Skimmer
• Glass Holes 300 GPH Overflow
• Jebao RW4
• 50 lbs of Marco Rock and 40 lbs of Marco Sand (Ordered more for the options)
• Kessil A160we w/ spectral controller
• IO Reef Crystals salt
• Dr Tims Ammonia (Used this to cycle my freshwater tank)
• I've read mixed reviews on using the API freshwater master test kit to test saltwater. I have the saltwater charts so I'll use it to cycle the tank.
• Refractometer w/ calibration fluid
• Hm Digital pH meter

Equipment needed -

• Return Pump (See Below)
• RO/DI (Spectrapure CSPDI-90)
• ATO (Tunze 3152)
• DJ Power Strip
• Probably go the Bayer route and CoralRX for dips
• I have a 10 gallon and some equipment laying around for QT
• Not sure what other test kits I may need at the moment

Just need to figure out if the Sicce 1.0 or Sicce 1.5 return pump will better fit my needs. Hopefully get the tank drilled soon and get the sump configured and all of the plumbing done. My wife and I are expecting our first child at the end of August so the tank has been pieced together slowly, I've purchased nearly all pieces of equipment off various forums. Just have to be patient and shop around.

Trying to shop smart when it comes to a 6 foot tank to replace my 75 gallon freshwater tank... I understand how this hobby goes and am trying to prepare for freshwater to be gone and saltwater to consume all my money. Since we aren't close to the ocean and love it so much why not build a small foot print of it in our home. The 27 gallon is actually going in our bonus room, so it isn't a high traffic area. My hope is that I do this right and my wife says "We need one of these downstairs".. I can hope!

All in all I am more so looking forward to the challenge as I have the freshwater Cichlid tank down pretty well.

Used the DIY Stand template (Rocket Design here on ReefCentral) to build the stand for my 75 gallon -

27 Gallon -

 

[homer1475]

The API kits are fine for cycling(just make sure you use the SW charts and not the FW ones), but get yourself some quality kits down the road. Salifert, red sea, or the hanna checkers are the better quality ones.

Now what you need to ask yourself, full on reef, or FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock). That will determine what test kits you need.

PH is moot, what you need are Alkalinity, Magnesium, and Calcium. Once these 3 are in order, everything else falls inline.

Depending on how you aquascape the tank, you'll want to look into one or 2 powerheads for better flow around corals if you go that route. Impeller driven pumps are far superior to more conventional powerheads, as you can sometimes depending on the pump, control how fast the pumps runs. Also, impeller driven pumps give multi directional flow rather then one single direction like traditional power heads. Corals prefer turbulence from all sides rather then being blown in one direction all the time.

 

[pelphrey]

The API kits are fine for cycling(just make sure you use the SW charts and not the FW ones), but get yourself some quality kits down the road. Salifert, red sea, or the hanna checkers are the better quality ones.

Now what you need to ask yourself, full on reef, or FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock). That will determine what test kits you need.

PH is moot, what you need are Alkalinity, Magnesium, and Calcium. Once these 3 are in order, everything else falls inline.

Depending on how you aquascape the tank, you'll want to look into one or 2 powerheads for better flow around corals if you go that route. Impeller driven pumps are far superior to more conventional powerheads, as you can sometimes depending on the pump, control how fast the pumps runs. Also, impeller driven pumps give multi directional flow rather then one single direction like traditional power heads. Corals prefer turbulence from all sides rather then being blown in one direction all the time.

I have an excel sheet that I use to keep track of items I've purchased and items I need. My Down The Road items include Hanna Alkalinity Checker and the Salifert Calcium & Magnesium test kits . This will be a full on reef. I am waiting to get the A160 in the mail to see if I should have gone the 360 or if I need to get another 160. But I got a great deal on the 160 and controller on a forum so I couldn't pass it up. I figured worst case I could possible start a 10 gallon frag tank in the future and use the 160 and upgrade my cube to the 360.

I have the Jebao RW4 for water movement. I haven't used the RW4 yet, but after reading reviews I can't justify the MP10.. Yet!

Thanks for your input!

 

[homer1475]

I just switched to two MP10's from 2 hydor korralia nano's. I can tell you in my cube I have them turned down to 45% and its plenty of flow, probably more then I need, but it works and I have 0 deadspots. Only reason I ponied up for the mp10's was the compatibility with the apex. Still haven't figured out the exact programming I want, but I'm getting there.

Looks like your on the right track, just remember there is a ton of knowledge around here, and if your ever unsure, ask! People around here are more then willing to help, and aren't looking to take your money, so any info they give is usually very sound advice, as opposed to some LFS's.

 

[codyreed29]

What are the bottom dimensions on this tank and how much was the tank itself.

I think I wanna get one of these.

 

[pelphrey]

What are the bottom dimensions on this tank and how much was the tank itself.

I think I wanna get one of these.

Bottom dimensions? The tank is 20"W x 18"D x 20"H stand isn't very tall I'd have to measure it. I can fit a 5.5 gallon in it without cutting the stand. A 10 gallon tank could fit in the stand if the stand was cut. I opted to not cut the stand and just use a 5.5 gallon as my sump in order to keep half the inside of the stand available for an auto top off container.

Normally this runs $250 I believe. I got the stand/tank/glass lid and a Marineland led light from pet smart for $146 during a sale they had a few months back.

 

[pelphrey]

Received the Kessil A160WE yesterday. Anxious to see the amount of coverage once I remove the glass lid and fill the tank up. I think I either need to get the 90 degree adapter for the light and gooseneck or get some 80/20 and mount this thing to the wall. First my wife and I need to determine where the final resting place will be in our bonus room.

I plugged in the controller but I did not get a chance to adjust any of the features.

 

[timnem70]

Move that thing away from the window for Sure. Good luck and keep it up.

 

[fishstick41]

I would move it away from the window also. Nice tank wish I found one .

 

[pelphrey]

I might put it right in front of the window so the neighbors can see it also.... That is a joke! This is my first reef tank but not my first tank. The location is temporary which is why there is no water in it, not to mention that bonus room is a work in progress and will be getting curtains. Bought a couch last week and it came in yesterday, once I go pick it up the tank moves since that location is for the couch.

 

[pelphrey]

I got my Sicce 1.5 return pump yesterday and the 90 degree adapter for my kessil. I think adding the adapter will help out a lot. May be able to get my sump built, tank drilled and hopefully some plumbing done this weekend.

Kessil A160

Ignore the mess as this has become a short term storage facility!

 

[pelphrey]

I got the tank drilled over the weekend as well as sprayed the back and bottom with Plasti Dip. I will have a sand bed, but I wanted to go ahead and spray the bottom of the tank in case I ever decide to take the sand out and run bare bottom. I didn't have the wooden template for the overflow and this is my first time drilling a tank. My concern is that I may have drilled the hole just a hair lower than I wanted to. I wanted my water line above the top plastic trim. I'll know for sure if this is a concern once I have the system plumbed and tested. I have a few solutions. First is to pick up another powerhead if the RW4 doesn't create enough wave movement. Second is to ditch this overflow box and get another box. Third is to mod my stand to hold a 10 gallon sump instead of the 5.5 gallon sump. I want to ensure I have enough free space to fill the sump and not overflow it if the power goes out. Luckily in the 3 years I've lived in this area our power has gone out 3 times with the longest being 10 minutes. So I'll probably put a battery backup on my return pump. Drilling the tank was super easy and it turned out well. Hopefully get some more done this weekend.

 

[fishstick41]

Looking good !

 

[pelphrey]

Since I drilled the hole to low for the GH overflow I had to go a different route.

Here is the GH overflow, I want the water level a little higher -

Ordered a bigger overflow which now will allow me to run a herbie overflow with emergency drain -

And possibly the best purchase yet... My RODI unit! Went with the Spectrapure 90 gpd unit. It is overkill for my 27 gallon cube and 5 gallon sump. But I have plans to go bigger one day and wanted to be ready!

 

[pelphrey]

Started to dry fit the 1'' plumbing tonight. Need to install the gate valve on the drain and glue all fittings in place. Moving along... Slowly!

 

[pelphrey]

Just a little more progress -

Got all of the fittings glued. I did add unions between the 45's so I can easily remove the sump if needed. I need to work on building my sump and installing my overflow box and this part will be complete.

I cut some cardboard and sprayed the back of the tank where the overflow box will be installed.

This week I'll be ordering 50' of mur-lok tubing and getting my RODI unit mounted. The RODI will be installed in my laundry room and I'll be running the line out into the garage to make water.

The only concern I have at this point is that my 5.5 gallon sump will handle any back flow from the tank. I'll be testing this thoroughly and if I see a concern I'll be adding a APC battery backup to the system. Is is rare that we have power failure, but they can and will happen at some point.

 

[pelphrey]

Got all of the plumbing glued and finished up along with the overflow box in. Today I started the freshwater test. Pump has been running for about 6 hours and no leaks. Emergency drain is working as it should. Need to get glass to build my sump and I'll be ready to make some RODI!

Super glue and black ASI silicone -

Water line is just above the black trim on the tank just like I want!

 

[ReefWreak]

Looking great. Well thought out so far, and looking like a quality build.

Any thoughts on theme/stocking yet?

 

[pelphrey]

Looking great. Well thought out so far, and looking like a quality build.

Any thoughts on theme/stocking yet?

Haven't put a lot of thought into it yet. Plan to work on that once I add ammonia and start the cycle.

 

[pelphrey]

Wanted to see what all of the hype is about so I bought a used MP10wes. Picked up the glass to build my sump. Moving forward slowly!