Let's Build a Cube Reef Setup!

C

CleanLivin

New member
Given: Back in 1982 I setup a 350 gallon custom tank and focused on growing corals. Had a great time with it going total Berlin logic with Tunze gear, chillers, and huge spike in our electric bill for all the lighting. Dropped out in 1994 to travel and sold all gear.

Now it's time to get back into the hobby - much has changed in the line of lighting and improvements seem to have occured to skimmers.

Logic: Keep it simple and cost effective - don't over sophisticate it! Do it right the first time with quality gear that is state of the art.

Equipment: I've decided to go with a cube tank, probably the Marineland 93 gallon which is 30x30x24h (securing lighting units for a 30" length could be a problem?). I was thinking of a or more likely a 150 with 36x36x27 BUT 27" seems a bit deep for LED light penetration and the price jump to this size is dramatic!

Plan is to not put a canopy on the tank - suspend the lighting for a "floating cube of water" look.

Guidance Requested:
1. With a cube tank, go with corner or center overflow - seems center would be less visually offensive?
2. Berlin sump - suggested manufacturers and size? Tweaks? Alternatives?
3. Skimmer - go with new Cone skimmers? Brand?
4. Lighting - Wow, has this area changed! As my main focus is the coral arena, both hard and soft I'm really needing some guidance here. I'd prefer to avoid a chiller, thus seriously looking into the new LED approach BUT need to be sure that the spectrum needs of the corals can be met. Suggested brands and configurations would be greatly appreciated.

So there is the mission - to build a reef setup based on today's improvements in technology and logic.

I await your guidance.

Jack
 
I recently setup a 30x30x24 cube,here are a few stats:

Tank-external overflow w/BeanAnimal drain,I would not do another tank without this drain system.

Lighting-LumenMax Elite,250w HQI metal halide,great spread,I have 2 Ecoxotic Panorama LED on each side,still experimenting.

Sump-50g w/ATB Flowstar 1500 for return pump.Awesome pump

Skimmer-SWC 160 Xtreme,great skimmer,very quiet.

In tank circulation-2 Tunze 6055's w/7095 controller,these are awesome.

Chiller-Teco 1/3hp,I think I would need a chiller no matter what lighting I use,for my area,at least in the summer.

Some of my goals were to have a quiet ,lower energy use,clean looking,mixed reef
 
Curious - did you go with Marineland brand?
Did you choose the Starphire glass?

Why the External Overflow?
Photos of your setup - particularily interested in the overflow system?

Thanks,
Jack
 
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An external overflow has the benefit of zero in tank footprint. So the inside of the tank is a full box of glass without the ugly overflow box that we have all become so accustomed.
 
My tank is custom built from a builder in my area,3 side Starfire,the back panel is notched using a water jet then a external overflow is siliconed on the back.Like was stated-zero space needed inside.BeanAnimal requires 3standpipes(you can find his thread in DIY section)I highly recommend this drain-silent and zero micro-bubbles.
I will get some photo's tonite :)
 
LEDs actually have amazing penetration when used with lenses and hold their PAR better than halides in deeper tanks. Although expensive at first LEDs pay for themselves very quickly considering you never have to change them, they should last around 13 years, on a 150gal this would prbly save you a couple hundred on bulbs every 8 months. No heat=no chiller, an amazingly smaller electric bill, and adjustable color temperatures.
 
Here are a few pic's( sorry not the clearest)I am still working on the mess on the left side!

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First, thank you for sharing the images of your setup - really helps visualize what you have done - Great looking clean setup.

Next, the stand is excellent looking - assume it was a custom job by a local carpenter?
(I've been very disappointed by the stands that I'm seeing in the LFS's here in SW FL.

How many pounds of Live Rock do you currently have?
Planning on adding more or is the current amount carrying the load well?

Only running a skimmer - great, keep it simple. Having any trouble keeping your tank balanced - all readings staying in spec?

Do you plan on adding any additional gear, such as a calcium reactor, etc.?
What would you have done different if you had it to do over?

Thanks,
Jack
 
Jack-
I did the stand myself,I like to do a little woodworking.It is made out of African Mahogahny,I am happy the way it turned out,I just wish my pic's would turn out better.
I have about 80-100lbs.rock,I started with 60% dry,40% live,I recommend using dry as much as you can.One of the problems I ran into was the aquascaping,I found it hard to go up,yet keep the base somewhat narrow.I think it is a little tricky to do a cube.
Just a skimmer,thats how I have always done it,I don't even run a micron bag anymore.
I plan to add a ATO(I bought a Tunze Osmalator,just need to hook it up)and I am going to build some matching cabinets to go on the side for my ballasts and etc.
I can't say I would do any thing different,this is my 4th tank in the last 12 yrs. & by far the best.My biggest problem has been some dang ZOA eating nudibranches.
Things I would recommend and like about my system:
-Bean Animal drain
-Controllable Tunze
-Digital Aquatics controller
-LumenMax reflector
-SWC skimmer
-A stand light(inside the stand)
-ATB Flowstar pump
-and a big sump
Things I don't like:I am not crazy that I have to use a prop rod to hold up my canopy
 
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Welcome back Jack I too was in the hobby back in the 80's but I was fish only. A lot has changed, protein skimmers and lighting are the two biggest products and the most important is the knowledge gleamed along the way. Sumps are a problem in cubes not much room, that one will take the most time to lay out. I would recommend a small footprint skimmer, maybe a cone with the pump under the body, or the Bubble Magnus 150 Pro, they is a link for a cube build when I find it I will paste it for you.
 
Got bored yesterday and drove from Naples over to the Ft. Lauderdale area - visited several shops - All Fish Emporium was incredible!
Bought a Marineland Deep Dimension Starphire 150 cube, 36x36x24 with a Monteray stand from All Fish Emporium. Got what I feel was a great price, but still a bundle for my budget.

Will be a mixed coral tank with fish that are safe in coral environment.

Now, to equip it.
Planning on a ATB 840 v2 skimmer - recommended by Mojo as a good unit for the tank and he seems to know his stuff.

What next -
Sump - suggestions?
Recirc pump - suggestions?
LED light setup - want to avoid a chiller!
Calcium reactor?

Test kits?

What am I forgetting - I want to keep the setup as simple as possible BUT want to have a thriving tank. Balance here.

Jack
 
you would need a mag 9.5 for return pump...are you planning on running an ato, I found this to be very helpful...at least in orlando you can find sea life systems sumps, if available in your are you would need the 150 model...I have the marineland 150 as well, if you don't mind sharing how much did you get yours for...be careful in skimmer selection, most skimmers are too tall for this stand. I went with the bubble magus 180 cone skimmer, I have been very happy with it. I don't know if it is any better than the reef octopus skimmers, but I couldn't find one of thoes short enough for the stand
 
I'd go with an Eheim pump the 1262 is quieter than the mag 9.5 and compareable with flow. I have a mag but if I had the money for a eheim I would for sure of gotten it. Water Blaster has some great pumps also too look at. I love the DD marineland tanks and I hope you enjoy it too!
 
Jack- Unfortunately...2 x 6060's.These are the only LED's that I have seen in action.A friend of mine works for the company,he came over one night and we set some up on my tank,I think they are awesome.The colors are great,no heat,he figured about 96 watts for my setup.I will be switching over eventually.I know you don't want to run a canopy & these fixtures look really clean.
 
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