93 Gallon Cube Build

F

fattytwobyfour

New member
Hello. I have been running a 33 gallon mixed reef system for the past 3 years, and decided that it was time to upgrade to something larger. I had purchased a 220 gallon tank, and a 125 gallon sump, but decided that project was too big for me at the moment. I recently came across a 93 gallon cube with a 10 gallon sump for sale, so I purchased it.

The tank is going in my living room, in front of an accent wall. The wall was orange, so the first thing I did was paint the wall black.
cubetank1.jpg


I received my rock yesterday, and have it in the tank:

Front view:
dryrock3.jpg


Left side view:
dryrock2.jpg


Right side /back view:
dryrock4.jpg



My sand should be here on Monday. I ordered enough to do about 1.5" of sand in the tank. I am also currently mixing up the water for the tank.

The next two things I need to purchase is a powerhead and led lighting. For the powerheads, I'm thinking the vortechs would be good. I like the fact that there are no wires in the tank, and that you can greatly control the water movement. I am unsure which model to purchase, or how many I would need for this tank. If I need more than one powerhead, I think I want to get one that is wireless, so they can communicate with each other.

I am still undecided on lighting. I used a Maxspect Razor over my 33 gallon tank, and it has done me well. I am thinking about trying to find something even more higher end for this tank, so any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

I'll update this thread as things progress. Thanks for reading.
 
Lots of options on the LED side. a single 360WE Kessil would get you pretty close. From my reading you would almost need a second one though. The 30" dimensions make it tough.

If you went a bit older school, the ATI 24" 8 bulb setup would work nicely. and there is always halide, a singe 250 with a couple t5 bulbs or led accents would also work nicely.
 
Thanks everybody for the input. As long as the lights are under $1,000, I think I'll be alright with them. I'm going to research the lights you've all mentioned, and see if I like any of them. I had been looking at the Hydra 52's and the Radion Pros.

As far as the tank, I got it filled and running today. This is my first tank with a sump, so I'm learning as I go. I've not noticed any leaks, and when I turn the return pump off, no floods. So hopefully I'm ready to start my cycle.

tankfull1.jpg


fulltank2.jpg


Also, any powerhead suggestions? I was looking at either two MP10's, or one MP40's. I've tried doing lots of research for the best equipment, but it seems like information is harder to find on a 93 gallon cube.
 
I've done the research, and I really like the 360WE Kessil. I might would try one, and then if it wasn't enough light, purchase another one this Spring. As far as a controller, is there one you would recommend? I see you can purchase one for $100, but would I be better off spending a little more money on a different controller that could control more things in case I decide I need to add stuff in the future? Also, do I have to buy a separate mounting bracket for the light? I think I would just attach it to the rim of the tank. I don't want to try and hang it from the ceiling.
 
Thanks, hopefully it'll be ready to add stuff to by the end of the year.

I just had a friend in my reef club offer me two MP10's. Will those be enough power for this size tank?
 
I would think so. I am running a gyre 130 on mine and it is nowhere near maxed out. I don't think 1 would be enough with the mp10's but 2 of them linked should give you a nice random pattern.
 
Thanks. They are both wireless. I was thinking that being able to link them together would be nice. He's giving me a good deal on them. I can always use them in my other tank if I decide I need something different down the road.
 
I think two MP10s would be more than enough. I'm running and MP40 and a Jebao RW-8 in my 93 cube, and run the MP40 at 60% and the Jebao at 50%, and sometimes even that kicks up some sand lol Nice looking setup, I love the 93 gallon cubes. Mine has been setup for a couple months now and I can tell I'm really gonna love this tank.

As far as lighting, I'm running a Radion xr30w and then supplemented that with a T5 retrofit kit, which is four, 24W bulbs. LOVE the look of it, I think LED/T5 combos are where it's at. Had to build a custom canopy to mount everything in, but I like the look of it. Good luck and keep updating!
 
fattytwobyfour said:
I've done the research, and I really like the 360WE Kessil. I might would try one, and then if it wasn't enough light, purchase another one this Spring. As far as a controller, is there one you would recommend? I see you can purchase one for $100, but would I be better off spending a little more money on a different controller that could control more things in case I decide I need to add stuff in the future? Also, do I have to buy a separate mounting bracket for the light? I think I would just attach it to the rim of the tank. I don't want to try and hang it from the ceiling.
Click to expand...

Hey man ! great build :) I was also looking into the Kessil for the sleek look on my 70g Cube build and from what I found out and some testing I don't think one will be enough :( Your tank is much deeper also so even with 2x Wide Kessils i'm not sure you will get good penetration to the sandbed. My hardest decision on my build was the lighting and I wish I could of tried / tested more options to see everything on a similar setup to mine since Cube are not that common. Hopefully lots of reading and study will get you to a good decision :) I took a chance on the 2x Maxspect razors 120w and upgraded to 120deg optics and I am very pleased with the end result. It takes away the sleek look of my rimless setup but with the corals I plan to keep I can not second guess my lighting system. I have seen a guy on Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/reefcubed/ ) who was running a 93 cube with only t5's and I think he upgraded with 2x LED bars as additional lights down the road. This man was my inspiration for my cube build and Aquascape. If I was not renting and I could hang something from the sealing I would of gone T5 all the way !

Looking forward to see what decision you make in future updates ! Happy reefing
 
Picked up a pair of MP10's from a member in my Reef Club. He gave me a really good deal.

IMG_2797.jpg


I've got them on the back wall right now. Not sure if this will be the best placement, or not. But I'm going to try it and see.

IMG_2794.jpg



I believe that I have a diatom bloom in the tank now. I've been so busy with work, that I haven't had time to test my water to see how the cycle is going. I'm hoping to have some time to do that tomorrow.
IMG_2796.jpg


I'm hoping to purchase lights with in the next week or two. I wish I would've had my money together, b/c there is some good Black Friday deals going on right now. I'm having a hard time to find the proper lights to light the dimensions of this tank. I'd like to only have to purchase one unit, if I could get by with it. I just don't want to spend more than the $800 neighborhood, if I can get by with it. I think what I like the most about the Kessils is their shimmer effect. I run a Maxspect Razors on my other tanks. I'm not unhappy with them, but I was hoping for even better lights on this tank. I don't really like the shimmer effect on the Maxspects. It's not bad, but I was wanting to try something different with this build. But they handle whatever corals I've put in my tanks. I've got a clam in my 33 gallon that has probably tripled in size in a year with the Maxspect.
 
Seen these Kessils over a 93 gallon cube:
e7e26634be815f320e1083205ec64592.jpg


And a fellow reefer in my area is using a xr30 over his 93 gallon. I haven't seen his tank in person, but he said it's working great on his.
fca5f6799563cd6aebc0b6f2e1968710.jpg
 
I agree. I just don't know that a pair would be enough. If I get a radion, and it's not enough, I could always purchase a second unit. I guess I could hang the kessisls and fit a 3rd, but I was really just wanting to mount the lights to the back of the tank.
 
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