60 gal. cube SPS reef

[ClownReef®]

Well.. It has been 8 years since I had my last tank. I got the itch again and here we go.

Let me start off my saying Cad Lights makes an incredibly solid tank. Beautiful, clean lines and detail. Reminds me a bit of Elos (Way less expensive). Fast, easy shipping. VERY affordable and looks like low iron glass standard.

TERRIBLE customer service, terrible stand assembly instructions, TEEEEERRIBLE "plug and play" plumbing (I wasn't going to use the parts anyway). I do hope they change that in the future. They make phenomenal tanks but I have like 30 left over pieces.

These are the BS instructions:



Equipment list so far:

60 gal. cube Cad Lights aquarium, stand, tank.
EcoTech Marine Vectra M1 Return pump
Nyos 120 Skimmer
Hydra 52 HD

On the way:

Two Tunze 6015 nano stream powerheads










Im incredibly excited!! It has been too long.

LET THE PLUMBING BEGIN!!!

Diego

 

[Dendros]

Looks awesome!

 

[Bogue Chitto]

Nothing like a brand new tank. I wish you well with it.

 

[ClownReef®]

Thanks all! I really enjoy the plumbing aspect. Im going to leak test it tomorrow..

 

[Joke]

Keep us updated.

 

[ClownReef®]

Will do.. My RO/DI unit was delivered to my old address and sent back to amazon..lol.. Ill leak test with tap water and report.

These tanks are beautiful and solid for the price..

 

[DrewHaus]

I couldn't help checking the price from their website. Great deal for the 60G cube. I like the footprint of it, looking forward to seeing your aquascape!

 

[ClownReef®]

The preliminary plumbing. The Cad Lights bulkheads are a nightmare.

Thoughts? Constructive criticism? The return is an Ecotech Vectra M1..

 

[mr9iron]

I think you should use both holes as drains then bring your return up, and over the back. I would use the smaller hole for the main drain, put on a gate valve, not that ball valve, and use the larger drain for the emergency overflow. This would give you a Herbie type overflow. Also, the gate valve would allow for better control when trying to tweak the water flow just right.

As you have it now, what happens if the main drain clogs? You will have an overflow which would not only be messy, but possibly costly as well. Bringing the returns up and over the back is no big deal either.

 

[ClownReef®]

Mr9,

You're absolutely right. Switching the ball valve is on my to do list for tomorrow. Switching the plumbing to herbie isn't a big deal. I didn't think about it. Ive just never had a clog..but all it takes is a .75 cent turbo snail to create a $3000 flooding..

 

[ClownReef®]

Update:

Plumbing is all done. The M1 Vectra is pretty incredible.

A few changes:

I have a Tunze Nano Stream 6045, a Vortec MP10 and a MP40 on the way.

As far as lighting goes I replaced the idea of a Hydro 52HD with an GHL Mitras LX 6200



The skimmer stays at the Nyos 120

My RO/DI unit should be here tomorrow. I scored some great dead rock from Marco Rocks. Once the tank is full Ill be seeding it with some live rubble. I hope to have it full of water by Thursday morning.



<a href="http://s328.photobucket.com/user/dgalicia84/media/IMG_8957_zps4nvnh84f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l357/dgalicia84/IMG_8957_zps4nvnh84f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_8957_zps4nvnh84f.jpg"/></a>

Cycling is next. Hurry up and wait.

 

[ClownReef®]

Update:

I cycled the tank with raw shrimp and boosted it with Bio-Spira (It worked for me). It took only 17 days.

I installed an Eheim canister filter and the media it came with released a ton of phosphates in the water and I had a war with algae for a week. All the parameters were perfectly fine. I ran a 24w UV sterilizer and the water was crystal clear in 24 hours.



Here are a few pictures of the system currently. Hope you enjoy!

 

[reefmutt]

So far so good!
Following.

 

[neuwave]

Any updates? How's the nyos skimmer working? I also have a 60 cube and checking out my options for skimmer upgrade. What are your thoughts?

 

[michaelg]

Definitely get a screen cover on top. Bulk Reef Supply has screen kits that are cheap and will keep those wrasse in the tank. They will jump. Another suggestion, use flex tube on the return line, you lose a lot of flow from the elbows in the plumbing. What is your final pump config? I have 2 MP10's in my 60 (one on lower left side at front and other on rear panel upper right corner) and use a seaswirl for the return line. I tried a tunze wavebox, but it was a bit loud for my liking.

 

[ClownReef®]

NEU,

It's awesome! I really like it. Very well built. The skimmer cup is a bit of a pain because it "Screws" into the skimmer itself but it works really good. Im still trying to get the dialing it right. The instructions are incredibly vague and theres none out there.

Micaelg,

so far so good. No issues with jumpers. I used flex tube for the return. I ditched the PVC. I have 2 MP10's, One Tunze 6045, one nano wave box, and the Vectra as a return which I love. Im having issues dialing the wave box and finding a right spot for it.

Here's one of my bulldogs. She does that all day..Literally. I can't get her off the couch.