The Perfect Cube Set up... I Hope?!

brentv

brentv

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My mixed tank is full, full (2700 x 600 x 600)
I'm really, really keen to build a cube that will mainly be SPS & LPS dominated! Then the bigger tank I can keep softies etc with more angelfish and the likes!

I wanna do this properly so need best advice from you guys!

So far my thoughts:

DT- 800 x 800 x 700height with a water level of 600 to allow for surface wave action. Total water volume before LR 384L (DT only!)
Glass - 15mm all around rimless at the top

I'm thinking 3 side views with the back being in black and overflow across this whole panel.

Stand - think I'm gonna do a timber treated stand, with a black cabinet

Sump - debating the natural DSB sand ,LR & Chaeto vs Zeo or a combo!?

Hardware - Skimmer rated about 600 - 800L ( advice?):whistling:
Reactors for Calcium, Kalk stirrer, phos & Carbon RO unit and small chiller coz I'm using LED's

Waterflow - I do not want my 3 view sides to show any cables etc so on the back panel thinking of maybe vortechs??:blush:

On top of the rimless DT I would like to go without a cabinet and have a Mazarra LED lighting unit.

Please guys I really wanna make sure I do this right!
My aim is neat, neat, and best way to utilise space in the sump.
I collect my own NSW so don't need mixing chambers!
Advice appreciated;)
 
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Reefhead said:
DT-900x900x600 Thats a nice size
Click to expand...
Hi Reefhead,
What is your preferance to this size? lighting units, area below for sump!!!
or just coz it's nice;)
 
You wont be able to run Vortech's on the back panel if its an overflow.
Given the system size, would a kalkstirrer not be sufficient?
Would just a dosing system not be even more simpler?
 
AfricaOffroad said:
You wont be able to run Vortech's on the back panel if its an overflow.
Given the system size, would a kalkstirrer not be sufficient?
Would just a dosing system not be even more simpler?
Click to expand...
I thought about the Vortech's being on the same glass panel as the overflow, was thinking of mounting them lower down... really only want all working bits to be on the black panel... not the 3 view sides. also need to really make my return pipe as neat as possible with the open top!

Now regarding the reactor side of it, really got a lot to think about coz at the moment I'm manually adding kalk by dripping into a bottle from my RO unit and adding a bit of vinegar, shaking it up and turfing it in the sump! you reckon I should stick like that and the rest of the calc etc get via calcium reactor?
 
leslie hempel said:
sounds wicked brent, something to see :) now when can we expect pics :)
Click to expand...
Hey Les..
getting waves from the hurricanes that hit Moz yet?? We haven't had good surf the whole weekend!!:dft004:

I'll try sketch up something soon, really getting my head around what's gonna be the 'perfect cube!!!
Your ideas would be most appreciated! :biggrin:
 
brentv said:
Hi Reefhead,
What is your preferance to this size? lighting units, area below for sump!!!
or just coz it's nice;)
Click to expand...
Cause I had your orginal size and found it was just that little bit too small and then upgraded to the second size and found it to be perfect
 
Reefhead said:
Cause I had your orginal size and found it was just that little bit too small and then upgraded to the second size and found it to be perfect
Click to expand...
Reefhead, you are saying that the 900 x 900 is a better size? (I'm still keeping my 2700 x 600)
I'm liking a little smaller 800 x 800 but I'm all for opinions before I start drawing designs though!
 
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For the major water movement I want for this tank was thinking either the vortech's MP40W maybe 2 or Tunze Wavebox 6212 also 1 or 2. both seem like neat options????:whistling:
 
Why not have your return or returns in built into the sides of your overflow; that way you dont have any unsigtly return pipes in the tank. Leave a gap between the glass for you overflow/return and the side panels for your flow pump/s. All you need to do is to run a strip of glass as a divider and block off the top so that the water is forced through 90deg back into the tank.
 
cclarity said:
Why not have your return or returns in built into the sides of your overflow; that way you dont have any unsigtly return pipes in the tank. Leave a gap between the glass for you overflow/return and the side panels for your flow pump/s. All you need to do is to run a strip of glass as a divider and block off the top so that the water is forced through 90deg back into the tank.
Click to expand...
Hi cclarity,
Good idea with the return pipes will have 2 outlet pipes and 1 inlet that will come behind the glass divider... but really trying to keep everything on the back panel. I know it will have to be done correctly coz don't want to circulate the same water,
But if your wavemakers are good, surely the water will mix properly even if wave pumps are mounted 200mm below overflow
especially if I'm going for a single pinnacle style scaping idea with loads of flow area???:whistling:
 
Drill a 25mm hole for the water to return into the DT and a 45deg. bend will fit on the 25mm very short pipe that fits snugly into the drilled hole. Then you can angle it any way you want. Have a look at one of submariners threads with the picture of his cubes for sale.
 
AfricaOffroad said:
You wont be able to run Vortech's on the back panel if its an overflow.
Given the system size, would a kalkstirrer not be sufficient?
Would just a dosing system not be even more simpler?
Click to expand...

brentv, If you check on my thread, you'll see that my 4x MP40 ES Vortech pumps are built into the back of my skinny overflow! No unsightly pumps on my 3 viewing panels. It looks good and works!
Contact Adriaan from Idol Marine who built my tank for technical info. He will gladly give give you advise.
 
Helga said:
brentv, If you check on my thread, you'll see that my 4x MP40 ES Vortech pumps are built into the back of my skinny overflow! No unsightly pumps on my 3 viewing panels. It looks good and works!
Contact Adriaan from Idol Marine who built my tank for technical info. He will gladly give give you advise.
Click to expand...
Will check yours out, Thanks :thumbup:
 
brentv said:
Hey Les..
getting waves from the hurricanes that hit Moz yet?? We haven't had good surf the whole weekend!!:dft004:

I'll try sketch up something soon, really getting my head around what's gonna be the 'perfect cube!!!
Your ideas would be most appreciated! :biggrin:
Click to expand...

boetie its cooking down here 3 weeks of waves and the sand bar is laying just right at the one spot to get properly barreled, we are actually getting waves at a break that has been dormant and barely breaking for almost 5 years, now its gone from flat to cooking but super crowded..

im actually exhausted and pulled a muscle in my thigh while surfing there yesterday..

maybe its a little close to you guys? and the fish nothing happening?
 
Helga said:
brentv, If you check on my thread, you'll see that my 4x MP40 ES Vortech pumps are built into the back of my skinny overflow! No unsightly pumps on my 3 viewing panels. It looks good and works!
Contact Adriaan from Idol Marine who built my tank for technical info. He will gladly give give you advise.
Click to expand...

I checked your pics - very clever, looks like he has created a kind of recess in the back panel so that the Vortech is attached to the inside of the overflow glass.
 
Doing some more research...
Thinking a Vortec MP60 13000L - 28000L in combination with radion lighting and wireless controller working both!!?? hhhmmm :whistling:
check ecotechmarine.com
 
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