60 Cube 3.0 Build

[MHG]

So its time for the 3rd incarnation of my system. The first two can can be looked at here.

This time its a complete tear down and rebuild. So some would say this is 2.0... New fish room (well fish closet), new sump, bunch of new gear, and a rebuild of the stand and canopy. If I can come across a 150 DD for a good price, I would upgrade. Perhaps a 150H. The problems with the 150H is the return is on the wrong side. I found a 74 gallon Deep Blue "Cube" (not really a cube) but its only low iron glass on the front and the return is on the wrong side. Could just spin it but then I am looking at the side seams with the star fire glass facing the stairs.

The fish room is the closet located in my basement directly below the tank. Just finished the electrical , covering the walls with plywood. I am starting on the shelves now.

 

[MHG]

Made a few changes since these pics were taken.

 

[MHG]

here it is today

 

[MHG]

30 gallon across the top will be the new FT. Below that will be a 29 gallon on each side. One is the sump for the DT above, the other is the sump for the FT. Will be just enough room for me to stand between the two sumps... But this will free up the old fish room space for storage.

Here is the old fish room..

 

[MHG]

Needed to consolidate some circuits and get rid of a few wires. Bigger 4-11/16 box now. Cover plate is spring loaded and Ill silicone it after I paint the room..

 

[MHG]

Doing some dry fitting

 

[MHG]

Might actually get it painted today

 

[MHG]

The access panels will be siliconed in. If I ever need to run something I will need them. Next up. Dry fitting

 

[MHG]

Ok, while the paint dry es it's time to drill the FT and install the overflow. Got it on eBay. Fine for the price but if it was for a DT I would have sent it back. Seams are in the front instead of the side. It's the little things that drive me nuts.

It looks like RTV103 is discontinued. Too bad. I like this stuff.

 

[MHG]

I drilled them a little lower than I would have liked. Originally I was gonna do a single drain and an emergency but decided to go two drains for a higher flow rate.

 

[MHG]

Ahh it all fits... Not sure if I am going to leave the ATO in there because I don't want the skimmer reservoir on the floor. I'll pick it too much..

 

[MHG]

One issue.. I prefer the socks in the corners if each sump to the plumbing comes down the corner. Just like the way it looks. This will put the skimmer where I can get to it easier. The problem is the skimmer output makes it a pain to change the sock.

 

[MHG]

Good place y stop for the weekend...

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Skimmer in the front corner near the wall??
Would eliminate sock problem.

 

[MHG]

Skimmer in the front corner near the wall??
Would eliminate sock problem.

Not a bad idea. but I like to run [skimmer][fuge][bubble trap][return]. This requires me to have the sock and skimmer on the same side. I think I will just need to put the skimmer against the wall and the sock to the right?

 

[MHG]

I am so tried of diy sumps. Functionally they are fine. But it is impossible to silicone between the bubble trap and in some hard to reach areas. Sometimes I feel like I would have been better off with an oven mitt.

 

[MHG]

Well first sump is done. Integrated a heater mount. May need to do a double heater mound in the FT sump. The fish room while in the heated part of the house gets cold. I typically need two bigger heaters in the FT and a third in the sump

 

[MHG]

OK, decision time. The drain, emergency drain and return will all have ball valves. However for the purpose of setting the drain valve, I think it should go uder the tank and not in the fish room. Or should I place it in the fish room to keep it all down there and have a cleaner set up by the DT? I am leaning towards upstairs.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Agreed on upstairs as you can watch the water level if adjustments are needed.

 

[MHG]

Committed now. Well actually just dry fitting