60 Gallon Cube Build

[MHG]

Dry fit the plumbing

Dry fit the plumbing

Well I dry fit the 1 inch drain and 3/4 emergency drain today. The skimmer will be jamed in there quite tight...


I did have one issue where my threaded union is stuck in the bulk head. trying to take it out is tightening the bulk head. I will need to throw the durso in there and have someone hold it tight so I can get my dry fit union out of the bottom...


Yes I know I need to put the vent in the top of the durso... just dry fitting today...

 

[jcolletteiii]

Hey, I was thinking about doing a splash guard like that on my drain/skimmer chamber as well. Should really help keep salt buildup on the inside cabinet surfaces down. Is that 1/4" acrylic?

 

[MHG]

that is but once alc the braces are in place it will cover almost all the fuge. Should help cut down on evaporation as well

 

[MHG]

Drails are done. return is dry fit...

 

[MHG]

Well I got the wire duct in place behind the return pipe... word of advice.... dry fit all your pipes then get all your wire duct in place before you glue the pipes...


The only place I can fit my meenwell drivers is under the electronics tray. I can put them under the framing but then I will need to extend all the AC cords on them.

 

[MHG]

Cant find a good space for the 4 meenwell drivers..... I am thinking under the electronics tray (upside down) like under your sock drawer...

 

[Arkayology]

Nice build thread and great info. I am currently building my own 60 cube. I am wondering what type of bulkheads you chose and why? I am trying to decide if threaded or slip is right for my durso pipe and return or not?

 

[madean]

Just curious is the electrical up to code next to a water source like that. I remember outlets in a bathroom needed to be gfi protected, but I thought the outlets still needed to be a certain distance away from a water source. Could be wrong, you may only need the gfi protection. Just some food for thought in case anything were to ever happen and an insurance agent needs to get involved.

 

[midTNREEF]

Tank looks good check out my 60 cube in the Nano forum! Ultimate Nano

 

[MHG]

Just curious is the electrical up to code next to a water source like that. I remember outlets in a bathroom needed to be gfi protected, but I thought the outlets still needed to be a certain distance away from a water source. Could be wrong, you may only need the gfi protection. Just some food for thought in case anything were to ever happen and an insurance agent needs to get involved.

Wich water source the RO/DI? or behind the tank? If its behind the tank, this needs to be asked to every signe build thread on fish tanks...Kind of hard to make the pump work without it unless you are running perminant extension cords...

By the RO/DI ... well that is (as all the others) a GFI and the GFI is required when the outlet is within 6 feet of water... It can be right over your bathroom sink without a code issue...

 

[MHG]

Electronics Drawer

Electronics Drawer

Well I started constructing the electronics drawer. I mounted the apes display and my non controlled power to the front of the drawer. On top of the drawer will be the apex base unit. two EB8 modules (I only have one now) a 4 outlet power strip for the 4 meenwell drivers (so they only take up one outlet on the EB8). I am going to mount the 4 meenwell drivers under the drawer.

This all will keep in neat and tidy...

 

[MHG]

Captian, we have power

Captian, we have power

Well started mounting the electronics today. I still need to make the LED cable from the drivers to the canopy. I also need to install the cable management arm for the back of the electronics drawer...

 

[MHG]

I hate it when you wind up with an elecrical cord that is about a foot too short. Now I need to make a bunch of little extension cords or cut off the ends and heat shrink on extensions...

 

[MHG]

LED's Up And Running

LED's Up And Running

light bleeding out of the tank is a bit much. We'll see what it looks like with water...

 

[d0ughb0y]

Is that container in right rear for ATO? How many gallons? What is the dimension? Where did you get it?

 

[MHG]

7 gallons made by ace roto mold and sold at tank depot (I think). I dont have the dimentions on hand but it is about 10 wide by 14 deep (about), The dimentions are on the web site. Much better than a 5 gallon bucket...

 

[TjwBlake]

Awesome work.
This sits as one of my favorite tank setups so far. The planning in the cabinet is great.

 

[MHG]

Thanks, the planning is the key because you get excited to put in a new toy but that gets in the way of something else... It has been 3 months so far and I cant get ahead of myself. All the cabling is the absolute last thing to do because that tray saves space but it gets in the way of moving the reservior in and out or getting to the plumbing...

 

[MHG]

Heater Mount

Heater Mount

Well we all know those suction cups never last. They also dont stick to cheap acrylic (that I used for my baffles...1/4 inch but cheap none the less). Also it is hard to fit a 150w heater in a 20 gallon high fuge. So I made an acrylic mount that I attached the factory heater clip to. It holds the heater diaganally on the baffle and is welded to the baffle so it is not going anywhere...

 

[MHG]

well cut the egg crate for the bottom of the tank, the skimmer table and also made a splash guard for the return side of the fuge...

I am really going to be mad if I need to raise or lower the skimmer much... it is so darn tight un a 60g cube. it will make a real mess if I put water in it. Guess I need to at some point