rostato's Custom 135G Cube Build Thread

[rostato]

Got a little bit done today. I wired up the box for the GFCI, and extra outlets. I have it wired so I can just plug it into the socket behind the tank. This will make life easier. I just havn't mounted it yet. I am waiting to get back to lowes and buy some shelf bracket for the shelf I cut out today. Then I will mount the outlet box where it fits best.

I also made the first half of the screen cover. I am hopeing that I off set it enough so that the LED's do not get shadows due to the center piece. I really wish I was able to get a piece of the clear netting big enough for the whole tank, but it was not possible.

 

[ctmgardea]

Outstanding start! I will be watching this one, I have a 36 wide by 30 deep by 30 tall, that I hope to get going early this year... It's been sitting in my garage for like 6 months.
Good luck on your build, you look like you really thought this one out.

 

[rostato]

Outstanding start! I will be watching this one, I have a 36 wide by 30 deep by 30 tall, that I hope to get going early this year... It's been sitting in my garage for like 6 months.
Good luck on your build, you look like you really thought this one out.

Thanks. I have always bought "out of the box" systems, and hate the non-flexible nature of them. This tank allows me to do whatever I want to it.

Lucky for my I just found a piece of the clear netting big enough to cover the whole tank. It's going to be close, and it sucks that I wasted about 30 minutes today building the one I did, but this way I will not have any shadow issues. Hopefully I can build it tomorrow.

 

[JAustin]

Are you anticipating having high nitrates? From what I've read running the bio-pellets may reduce nitrates so much that you might have issues with some LPS and soft corals.

Love the dimensions of your new tank!

Also love the LED fixtures. What skimmer are you going to run on this system?

 

[rostato]

Are you anticipating having high nitrates? From what I've read running the bio-pellets may reduce nitrates so much that you might have issues with some LPS and soft corals.

Love the dimensions of your new tank!

Also love the LED fixtures. What skimmer are you going to run on this system?

I for some reason ALWAYS have nitrates in my systems. I usually have a massive fish, and anemone bio load that keep my nitrates elevated even with weekly water changes.

I always have to tell my self that the reason I got into this hobby was the fish/anemones, corals have taken over, but I still love the them.

The Bio-Pellets will hopefully enable me to keep a decent amount of fish well fed, and keep nutrients down.

My little 45 Cube has seen nitrates as high 15ppm at one point, and I started to run some bio-pellets instead of GFO, and have had some success lowering my nitrate levels. Last I checked I was down to about 7ppm.

I got a fantastic deal on an old school Lifereef SVS2-24 Skimmer (thanks txbonds) that I am going to cycle the tank with. If I like it I will keep it, or I will move my Elos NS1000 over to the new tank once I have transfered everything over to the new tank. I have the tall collection cup for the Elos, so that I can add more air to the venturi and skim like mad.

If all else fails, if I ever get a job, I will buy a new skimmer of sorts if these two are not working out. But, I'm confident I have two good choices.

 

[rostato]

Good news/Bad News

Good news... It's up on the stand

Bad News... It's up and the stand and one corner is not even close to sitting properly.

I have no idea what to do. I am kicking myself for assuming my garage floor was level, but it's far from it, so I think that combined with my terrible woodworking skills enabled the stand to be all fubar.

 

[tor101898]

Are you using a base under the tank? a piece of wood? if so use the pink foam board they sell at home depot, it will allow your tank to adjust. If its too big of a gap your better off redoing the stand.

 

[rostato]

Are you using a base under the tank? a piece of wood? if so use the pink foam board they sell at home depot, it will allow your tank to adjust. If its too big of a gap your better off redoing the stand.

Foam won't work because I am using a framed glass tank.

As of now it's just sitting on the 2x4's. I might have to put a bunch of liquid nails on the frame and add a 1/4" piece of plywood to the top. I think that with that tank and some water in it would level it out.

Again, I have no clue if thats a good idea because I'm not a woodworker.

 

[JAustin]

That's what I would do. Add some liquid nails and a 1/4 or even 1/4 plywood and let it dry. That's what I did with my 120g, worked like a champ! Also, the stand will adjust a little when a load is on it.

 

[rostato]

Hmmm. I have a stand build thread going too, and they are giving me some other ideas. Just don't know what to do

 

[ctmgardea]

Really need to be careful to make sure you are level.
I had to tear down my old 180 gl. The old stand started to sag and get uneven caused small stress cracks in glass...
Maybe add a sheet of plywood on top and shim between 2x4's and plywood.

Also, saw you are going to use BRS dry rock, I have used it in the past and like it, but recommend running it in fresh saltwater with skimmer and pumps for flow in a large container. Run it for a few weeks doing water changes every couple of days.

You are doing a great job, don't rush it, and get it right now so you don't have to worry about it later.

Are you going to run a canopy or hang lights from rails or celling?

What are your plans for rock work?

With you new screen top, will you have to remove the whole thing for maintenance?
I liked your first one in 2 pieces, but can understand your shade issues.

Sorry for the 20 questions, just currious. Like I said, you are doing a great job keep it up!

 

[rostato]

Really need to be careful to make sure you are level.
I had to tear down my old 180 gl. The old stand started to sag and get uneven caused small stress cracks in glass...
Maybe add a sheet of plywood on top and shim between 2x4's and plywood.

Also, saw you are going to use BRS dry rock, I have used it in the past and like it, but recommend running it in fresh saltwater with skimmer and pumps for flow in a large container. Run it for a few weeks doing water changes every couple of days.

You are doing a great job, don't rush it, and get it right now so you don't have to worry about it later.

Are you going to run a canopy or hang lights from rails or celling?

What are your plans for rock work?

With you new screen top, will you have to remove the whole thing for maintenance?
I liked your first one in 2 pieces, but can understand your shade issues.

Sorry for the 20 questions, just curious. Like I said, you are doing a great job keep it up!

Thanks. Can I ask why you say that about BRS's dry rock? A skimmer will do nothing in fresh water, unless you meant fresh saltwater.

Hanging the lights will be a challenge. I am not "allowed" to use a canopy because "they are ugly" (fiancé), and cannot hang anything from the ceiling because there are 12 foot ceiling's in this room.

I am going to try and use a Zero Edge light tree, and some 1x2 pieces to hold both LED's over the tank. It'll either look good, or be a waste of my time. I'll figure out something.

I haven't made the new top yet, but I am going to. Yes, I'll have to remove it, but it will only weight about 2 pounds, and I am used to removing it on my old tank.

 

[JAustin]

He's talking about fresh salt water. The rock will make your skimmer GO NUTS! I added 20lbs to my tank and woke up the next morning to an overflowing skimmer.

What are some of the other solutions for the stand.

 

[rostato]

He's talking about fresh salt water. The rock will make your skimmer GO NUTS! I added 20lbs to my tank and woke up the next morning to an overflowing skimmer.

What are some of the other solutions for the stand.

Other solutions are...
using a planer
And clamping a level to the side of the stand and use a circular saw to trim it smooth.

I think I am gonna get some help to get the tank back off the stand, and trim it with my circular saw.

I just check the floor where the tank will sit, and it's perfectly level. so I'll just get the stands top smooth, add 1/2" or 3/4" ply to the top, and level the stand with shims when it's in place.

I think I am going to add a 3/4" piece of ply to the bottom of the 2x6 platform I built too. This should make it even smoother.

BTW, the stands top trim is right at eye level for my fiancé, and myself. It's gonna be nice to not have to bend over to look at the tank!


As for the skimmer...thats fine. The life reef skimmer has a drain in the cup, so I'll just let it go into a 5 gallon bucket for the first few days, and top off with saltwater.

 

[tor101898]

why not add a 3/4 piece of ply to the top and then shim in between the ply and the frame.

 

[rostato]

why not add a 3/4 piece of ply to the top and then shim in between the ply and the frame.

I would, but the gap spans along half the length of the tank on both side of the corner. That would take a lot of shims. I will just get it nice and flat, and then put some ply on it.

 

[ctmgardea]

Thanks. Can I ask why you say that about BRS's dry rock? A skimmer will do nothing in fresh water, unless you meant fresh saltwater.

Hanging the lights will be a challenge. I am not "allowed" to use a canopy because "they are ugly" (fiancé), and cannot hang anything from the ceiling because there are 12 foot ceiling's in this room.

I am going to try and use a Zero Edge light tree, and some 1x2 pieces to hold both LED's over the tank. It'll either look good, or be a waste of my time. I'll figure out something.

I haven't made the new top yet, but I am going to. Yes, I'll have to remove it, but it will only weight about 2 pounds, and I am used to removing it on my old tank.

Saltwater, even though this is dry rock it still has some stuff on it.
Some people do acid bath on it but I just soaked it for about 2 weeks with the skimmer and flow doing water changes every couple of days.

 

[rostato]

Guess I'll figure it out when I set it up.

 

[epic.exposures]

WHy dont you cut a wedge and nail it to the corner. One wedge going on way, and another wedge for the other corner? Just an idea

 

[rostato]

I could do that. I just want it to be as perfect as can be for my piece of mind. I'm extremely anal about most things, and just knowing it's wedged in place would drive me nuts. I look at things like that as last resort. I have the time to get it tight, so I might as well take my time.