60G Cube Dream Tank!

jcarlilesiu

Active member
All looking good. I have basically the same setup. I have the PSK 150. Good skimmers. It should be in the muddle it first section, that is where the water level is constant.

Better get some more Micron socks, they clog up fast but are easily washed in the washer (no soap of course) and reused.

Are you going with an internal or external return pump?

Sent on tapatalk for Android
 

xtlosx

New member
All looking good. I have basically the same setup. I have the PSK 150. Good skimmers. It should be in the muddle it first section, that is where the water level is constant.

Better get some more Micron socks, they clog up fast but are easily washed in the washer (no soap of course) and reused.

Are you going with an internal or external return pump?

Sent on tapatalk for Android
Yea it is essentially in the middle give or take a few ticks... I will have some questions shortly like proofreading my plumbing setup.. I would like to get it drawn out, make sure j am right and get everything.. might try for that today if I can. If anyone is local and feels like helping, I pay in beer :)

A couple of the questions I have regarding firing everything up the first time, since I'm a virgin to this I want to do it right! What is the process?

Do I start with adding the live sand into my fuge, couple pieces of live rock, and chaeto, then filling some tank water into each of the three chambers... Then add water into the tank so the overflow starts working, then crank the return pump and skimmer on, and let it all go?

Regarding the fuge... I have heard people do a DSB in the fuge, any thoughts on that? If not, how much sand will I want in there? Is there anything else other than Chaeto that I can put in to clean up the water a bit? I will have a coralife fuge light that I have lying around powering that area..

Thanks!
 

xtlosx

New member
Very cool! Congrats on the new tank! Cubes are awesome!
Thanks, I am very much excited to get this bad boy going.. We're getting there... the only challenge now is rock scaping and what I should do with this much vertical real-estate!
 

xtlosx

New member
Alright, so a quick update, just jumped out and picked up the firs 15lbs of dry rock locally... I'm trying to diversify the type of dry rock I am getting to get some nice variety... Once I get the scape how I want it, I'll get some nice live rock and seed it.. when the tank is all plumbed up of course!



 

xtlosx

New member
Another nice 15lb piece I picked up today from another shop... This is Texas Wholly Rock... and might be one nice big piece, or might be broken up, not quite sure yet....




I will post some pictures once we figure out what we are doing with the rock-scape..
 

xtlosx

New member
A couple of scape ideas... can you tell I'm bored today?! :)





I actually like the third setup myself.. This is to be right in the middle covering up the overflow.. or going upwards to cover up the overflow... We'll see about the arch, might just do a nice island in the front and connect them somehow.
 

xtlosx

New member
Question for you guys... I'm looking into a Red Sea Wavemaker Pro (I'm being offered an appetizing deal), and was wondering if I combined that with 2x maxijet 1200s, would I get enough flow for the tank? I'd probably eventually add a third one as well later down the road...

Also, any thoughts on the Wavemaker Pro?

I'm as well going to get a new heater, any thoughts on a good heater for this cube that will sit in the fuge? I was recommended the Fluval heater... 200W to be particular... Which heater do you guys recommended that is fully submersible and can sit on its side.
 

xtlosx

New member
Alright... my Rio 3100 came in today, unpacked, and in the return chamber... Now just the plumbing that is what is holding me up.

If anyone in the NW burbs is bored and cares to help me get this plumbed up, I can pay you in beer, live rock from my 36G tank when it is migrated over, and sand. I am NOT good with plumbing\electricity, so I'm not attempting this myself! Anyone kind enough?? :)


 

jcarlilesiu

Active member
Im confused.

You have a bulkhead in your return chamber, yet have an internal pump. Keep in mind that an internal pump like that has the potential to heat your water up. Depending on how you cool the house in the summer and what kind of lights you have, this could contribute to heat build up.

Since you already have a bulkhead installed in your sump, why not use an external pump? This prevents the pump from heating the water.

Unless of course you have some other plans for that bulkhead.
 

xtlosx

New member
Im confused.

You have a bulkhead in your return chamber, yet have an internal pump. Keep in mind that an internal pump like that has the potential to heat your water up. Depending on how you cool the house in the summer and what kind of lights you have, this could contribute to heat build up.

Since you already have a bulkhead installed in your sump, why not use an external pump? This prevents the pump from heating the water.

Unless of course you have some other plans for that bulkhead.

Well, that is a good idea I had not thought of that.. The Rio 3100 can be used externally correct? I've never done an external pump, so shouldn't be so difficult should it? The only problem I can perceive happening is the bulkhead is close to the wall as it is because of the size of the fuge, just not sure how PVC piping wise that would work out, that's all. I appreciate the idea though.

We cool our house rather well in the summer.. We have a husky and he doesn't tolerate heat, so our home is always colder throughout the entire year. I am running LEDs so heat up there shouldn't be an issue either...
 

jcarlilesiu

Active member
Well, that is a good idea I had not thought of that.. The Rio 3100 can be used externally correct? I've never done an external pump, so shouldn't be so difficult should it? The only problem I can perceive happening is the bulkhead is close to the wall as it is because of the size of the fuge, just not sure how PVC piping wise that would work out, that's all. I appreciate the idea though.

We cool our house rather well in the summer.. We have a husky and he doesn't tolerate heat, so our home is always colder throughout the entire year. I am running LEDs so heat up there shouldn't be an issue either...
Yup, size under the tank is of course another concern. External pumps take up more room.

I am unsure if the Rio pump can be used externally. Looking at your picture I wouldn't think so since the intake is in the bottom. It is possible you could remove the screen assembly and see if there is a threaded connection in there. Then its just a matter of getting the correct components to plumb it to the bulkead.

If you are using flexible PVC for the overflow and return, it shouldn't really matter where the pump is, internal or external.

Just food for thought.
 

xtlosx

New member
Another question.. Right now I have no overflow, and my assumption is the overflow should be in the sump. Where should it be in the sump, and what is my best option?

Thanks for all the help guys!
 

jcarlilesiu

Active member
Another question.. Right now I have no overflow, and my assumption is the overflow should be in the sump. Where should it be in the sump, and what is my best option?

Thanks for all the help guys!
You lost me here.

What do you mean by "overflow"?

An overflow, in your case, is that black compartment in the back of your tank where the water flows "over" (Really through the little openings) to drain to the sump. Your tank is predrilled with 2 holes, one for the supply and one for the return.

Marineland has overflow kits that you should have purchased when you got your tank. It will have 2 bulkheads for the drilled holes, a pipe with a curve at the top and a small tube and then a pipe that fits into some ball-joint bendable flexi tubing with the return diffusers on it.

Did you get all of that? If not, you need to call marineland and order the set. Make sure to tell them what size tank it is so they know the pipe diamter and height.

If that isn't what you are talking about, what are you refering to as the "overflow"?
 
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