Starting a 240 Gal Cube Tank

[Chrisrush]

I think those barrels will always smell. If you rinse it out a couple of times, you won't see any problems. Mine make the house smell like oranges.

Chris

 

[Nammy]

Nice tank! I've been trying to find those 55g drums here in NY without success. Anyone know where I can get some?

 

[mikekman]

Dream is to get a cube tank of the same dimension you have.

Looking forward to more pictures.

Mike

 

[alien9168]

:thumbsup:

 

[chetm2]

I finally got my sump Friday evening so the plumbing can begin I will post some pictures soon.

 

[massman]

Looks pretty good so far mate.

Only thing I might do a bit differemt is to push the mh in closer to the centre of the frame, as I'm guess in there will be more coral placement in the middle of the tank as opposed to the perimeter?

 

[binaryterror]

More pics!!!

 

[finrod2]

Chetm2,
There is probably a really simple answer for my question on your stand. I had planned to do a welded steel stand for by 60x36 250 gal. I was going to go with a 40" tall stand when I realized I'd never get the stand down to my basement because of the 32" wide doors. Does your stand disassemble? I did not the tabs you had welded on the steel so you can skin with wood later on, great idea. Thanks for your answer on this.

 

[chetm2]

I have had a bad case of food poisoning so no progress on the tank... massman, thanks for the compliments, the lighting is actually pretty tightly arranged to the middle of the tank, I believe there is about 8" around the outside that will get refracted light. finrod2, i made it 36" tall and barely made it thru my sliding door in the back so be careful. Nammy, have you tried your local soft drink companies? The tank dimensions are 48"l x 48" w x 24" tall. The sump is 40"l x 18"w x 18"t.
Hopefully I will be feeling better tommorow and can finally start plumbing.

 

[jakem]

very very nice setup.

 

[chetm2]

Well I finished all of the plumbing and did a fresh water leak test and had a few leaks, 2 at the intake and out from one of the dart pumps and also at the intake from the OM 4 ways. I guess I didn't use enough teflon. I replumbed and used alot of teflon and still leaks I definetly will only use slip fittings in the future. I wonder if the pressure is just to high? Any tips anybody? Here are a few pictures of the plumbing and sump. I just added all of the reef ceramic rock, not sure if I'm sold on the layout but at least it's in the beast.

 

[chetm2]

Here are the pictures with the reef ceramics, the pictures don't do it justice, very open and porous. Let me know what you think and how you would lay it out. I think the biggest piece (in the center) will probably be moved towards the back.

 

[cerreta]

I replumbed and used alot of teflon and still leaks I definetly will only use slip fittings in the future. I wonder if the pressure is just to high? Any tips anybody?

Try using "Pipe Thread Compound." I have been using the ACE Hardware brand exclusively on all threaded conections the last five years. It will be soft for a day then begins to harden. I try to wait a day before running water through it, but I often don't have the time and it rarely leaks even when still soft.

I have also used this compound on slip connections on expensive gate valves and unions. Again, no failures. The best part about using the pipe compound is that when its time for a change, grab some heavy wrenches and break the semi-hard compound joint to recover your expensive fittings.

I have given up on leaking teflon. This stuff rocks!

 

[cerreta]

now I wished I had a cube. There is so much room in there!

I think it looks great. Try leaning them back to creat an angle for mounting corals. I would also suggest that you cement them in place so they are stable. Thorite Rapid Vertical is made for this task. I had great results with it on my 110 tall build. I still have some too if interested. It is hard to find locally.

 

[olgacadam]

Nice job. more pics please.

 

[ReefWaters]

I really like the ceramics. Maybe a little crowded for my taste though. That could just be the way you have it arranged right now and the angle of the pictures. I would definitely try to make some more room for coral growth.

Are you going to be "seeding" the ceramics with any natural live rock or mud or something cool that I don't even know about?

 

[chetm2]

Thanks for the comments, and cerreta THANK YOU! I was going nuts trying to figure out a way to fix the leaks.

 

[vest0830]

I love that rock you created for the tank.

 

[chetm2]

vest0830 - Thanks, it's actually made in germany and it's called Reef Ceramics.

 

[Scottkelly911]

is the opposite of a Nano-cube a Mondo-cube? Just thought I'd throw that out there. Great looking setup! I'm along for the ride.
~Scott aka Mouse