Cube tanks, great or awful?

[G2theRam]

I was thinking about buying a 93 gallon rimless cube tank from marine land. The tank will measure 30X30xX24. What are your opinions on cube versus a long tank?

[robs.mark]

i personally love them!

amazing aquascaping options on a tank that size

[jwoyshnar]

I'm going from a 180 gallon to a 93 gallon cube. I'm really looking forward to it

[imchris]

As is true with so many thing in this hobby, it's all about personal taste. I don't really care for cubes. A lot of people love them. Maybe it has a lot to do with the spot you want to put it in and the viewable sides?

[d2mini]

I love cubes.
Had a 36x36 cube before and in the future, my dream tank would be something like a 5 or 6 foot cube.

[imchris]

I love cubes.
Had a 36x36 cube before and in the future, my dream tank would be something like a 5 or 6 foot cube.

Wouldn't the fish naturally stay in the back of a tank like this? You'd never see them and you'd spend time telling people what fish are in there since you can't see them. Remember in Jurassic Park when they stopped in front of the T-Rex paddock and he was nowhere to be seen? I guess you could tie a goat in the front(feed them) to get the fish to come out.

[kc350twin]

I agree. I run a 36x36x20 cube and love it. I wish it was 48x48. I have had cubes most of my hobby so I am bias. When I did have a non-cube I liked the long side for my bigger fish to swim and the the pumps to flow and not blast the corals that grew tall. It's all how you do it though.

[kc350twin]

Wouldn't the fish naturally stay in the back of a tank like this?

I my experience it depends on the fish. My yellow tang hides most of the time. The hippo, Naso and various Anthias all swim in the open. They all seem to swim into the flow which are Vortechs on the back wall.

[Saltydrip]

Depending on the space we end up with when we move I would love a 48x48 semi shallow cube. 12"-15" deep and have some mangroves and such stowing out of it.

[d2mini]

Wouldn't the fish naturally stay in the back of a tank like this? You'd never see them and you'd spend time telling people what fish are in there since you can't see them. Remember in Jurassic Park when they stopped in front of the T-Rex paddock and he was nowhere to be seen? I guess you could tie a goat in the front(feed them) to get the fish to come out.

Hahaha, no. There is no "back" with a proper cube. Walk-around for the win!!! :thumbsup:

[dkeller_nc]

I have a 24X24X24 cube and like it very much. This was my first cube, so it presented some challenges, such as room location (it sticks out further than an 18" front-to-back traditional tank).

Because it doesn't have much horizontal "swim" distance, I've limited myself to a group of threadfin cardinals, a couple of coral gobies and a pair of dragon-faced pipefish.

But, it has some distinct advantages. One of them is cost of lighting fixtures. If I'd gotten the equivalent 3' long 50 gallon, I would've bought 3 Vegas instead of 2. And it also is pretty easy to keep the whole tank stirred up with 2 Vortechs running at 1/2 capacity. If my tank had been 3' long, I'd have either needed more Vortechs, or cranked the snot out of them. Also, with the 2' cube, I can locate both vortechs on the back wall. That wouldn't have been optimal with a long tank - they would've had to go on the (viewable) sides.

[TY31088]

I don't have one, but I think they look cool at the LFS.

[G2theRam]

I'm glad no one really has a negative besides the cosmetics. I had planned to set one up this month until my adult decision making realized that was counter intuitive to saving for a house. I have told myself once I buy a house I will set my tank up. Probably even before I furnish a house. I mean who needs to sit down if there's an awesome reef to walk up to. This will also help solve my problem of finding a sump. I have yet to find a cube sump just long rectangles. When looking for a new house I will probably try and find one that will have a good spot for the tank and a closet near by or share a wall with the garage so that I can hide all the filtration in a different area.

[cakemanPA]

I love my 24x24x20 cube. I would love to have a 36x36x24 cube. Could happen :-)

[organism]

I have a 34 gallon cube and love it, having a cube tank is like having the same awesome viewing space on three different sides. I've aquascaped it so it looks like a different tank on each side's view with corals you can only see on one or two sides. Really fun tanks :)

[biecacka]

I'm setting up a 48x48x24 cube and SUPER excited about it. Can wait, I love the footprint and aquascape options

Corey

[G2theRam]

I've heard that the photography rule of thirds apply to aquascaping, why wouldn't it both are something to look at. By having a cube will allow me to make that rule three dimensional. I was thinking about hanging 8 brass plumbs from my ceiling on the day that I scape so that I can design my tank to catch your eye on each side.

[benjc]

I had a 60 gallon cube and the biggest downside; the sump and all the support equipment rapidly took up all the space inside the stand.

[Reefer94]

I had a 60 gallon cube and the biggest downside; the sump and all the support equipment rapidly took up all the space inside the stand.

+1 on this. My cube is still in the "build" process, but I've already run into this issue and am currently delaying setup to build a stand to accommodate the sump etc.

That said, this thing looks amazing an it doesn't even have coral in it yet, lol. I'll give you an update when it's done though, maybe my opinion will change.

[moppy]

I love the fact that you can usually see through all four sides, especially if you have a center overflow.

[KeepNitReel]

I love fish more than coral, so my first choice is a long tank. If I ever decided to run a second tank, it will be a cube with plenty of coral and few fish.

[G2theRam]

I love fish more than coral, so my first choice is a long tank. If I ever decided to run a second tank, it will be a cube with plenty of coral and few fish.


With a 30x30 cube that would give diagonal swimming distances of 42 wouldn't that be enough for most fish that you could host in a 90 gallon

[KeepNitReel]

With a 30x30 cube that would give diagonal swimming distances of 42 wouldn't that be enough for most fish that you could host in a 90 gallon

With the proper aqua scape I would agree that it's enough for MOST. I however prefer the long run over short though, my current build is 84" long. My secondary tank would be a cube definitely though because I love the look. Just my personal preference.

[G2theRam]

With the proper aqua scape I would agree that it's enough for MOST. I however prefer the long run over short though, my current build is 84" long. My secondary tank would be a cube definitely though because I love the look. Just my personal preference.


Show off hahaha man I wish I had that kind of room to house a tank. Post a photo of that set up

[Ambition]

Aren't all sides of a cube supposed to measure the same?

For technical purposes I like true cube tanks, my LFS has a 36x36x36 cube that I've been tempted to buy, but the need for extremely strong lighting has kept me from doing so. Otherwise, I do like the tanks that have a square foot print other than the fact that the majority of these tanks don't have the proper dimensions for large species of fish that I'd like to keep.

[mcrbar910]

I my experience it depends on the fish. My yellow tang hides most of the time. The hippo, Naso and various Anthias all swim in the open. They all seem to swim into the flow which are Vortechs on the back wall.

I love my 50 gallon cube and we get to see all of our fish:) my blue spotted jaw and mccosters a wrasse are amazing

[G2theRam]

Aren't all sides of a cube supposed to measure the same?

If we are all hanging out in freshman geometry then yes all three dimensions of a cube should be equal. I think for this hobby the term has adapted a bit. Once you get much more than the tank you described it wouldn't be good to have the height have a 1:1 ratio. Imagine working with a 60X60X60. You would need to be scuba certified to preform any maintenance

[KeepNitReel]

Show off hahaha man I wish I had that kind of room to house a tank. Post a photo of that set up

I don't think you want to see a pic of a leak test, lol! Like I said I'm currently building the tank & it's only a 160g (84"x18"x24"), so it's not that big just long. Here it goes anyway
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/24/e5umugu9.jpg

[G2theRam]

I'm still jealous I only have a 30 to play with currently. I'm saving for a house and the projected $3000 set up that I would like to have will have to wait until I have bought a house

[KeepNitReel]

I'm still jealous I only have a 30 to play with currently. I'm saving for a house and the projected $3000 set up that I would like to have will have to wait until I have bought a house

Sounds like you have your priorities in the right order, your time will come. I played with a 55g pancake (hated after the first week) for 13yrs, so anything less than a 125g was not an option in order to make up for those wasted years. This is as big as I'm going though, I have no desire for anything bigger.

[MrG]

I'm still jealous I only have a 30 to play with currently. I'm saving for a house and the projected $3000 set up that I would like to have will have to wait until I have bought a house

I just left a 93gal Marineland for a shallow 80gal 48" x 24" Deep Blue and my primary reason for changing was the lack of length. I really wanted a longer run for my more active fish (anthias, wrasse, tomini tang). Another issue that I think was mentioned elsewhere is that there is not a whole lot of space in the stands for these tanks which can limit your equipment options. For example, a 20L is 30" long and will not fit fully inside the stand. Stand height can also be an issue for skimmer selection. I will also say, on the full frame tank I had, the 30" length applied to the frame which sticks out further than the glass. Take out the glass thickness, which I think was around 5/8" and that 30" tank is a lot closer to 27-28". It may be that this is different on the rimless tanks, you may just want to investigate more.

Not trying to talk you out of your choice, just passing along first hand experience with what should be a similar, if not identical, tank. It really is all about what appeals to you and what you want. I'd also be lying if I said the idea of a 48" x 48" tank didn't really intrigue me.

[dkeller_nc]

I'm still jealous I only have a 30 to play with currently. I'm saving for a house and the projected $3000 set up that I would like to have will have to wait until I have bought a house

If you're just talking about the tank alone, that might be about right for a >150 gal tank. But the total cost of setting up a 150g + is going to be more in the $8k - $20k range with all equipment, live rock and animals.

[KeepNitReel]

If you're just talking about the tank alone, that might be about right for a >150 gal tank. But the total cost of setting up a 150g + is going to be more in the $8k - $20k range with all equipment, live rock and animals.

For a full blown reef maybe but FOWLR the price is more in the 3k range.

[billdogg]

I got a 60g cube (2x2x2) in about 1992. I carved my one and only piece of rock (pumice, actually) into a reef scene with multiple caves/tunnels, and countersunk some pieces of pvc in the sides to mount artificial corals to make it look more natural. Only one of the fakes remain, it acts as a shelf for several real corals now that lighting & filtration have advanced enough to make it possible to keep them. Because there is pretty much no room at all in the stand, I went with a Marineland Emperor dual biowheel and a fluval 405 for filtration. I used 3 x 75w 24" VHO, sitting directly on the glass top for many years. I upgraded to a single AI Sol Blue (and ditched the glass top) and could not be happier with the results.

That will all be history soon. I will be posting a build thread for a 120g 4x2x2 stand and tank soon. I'm about ready to stain and finish! Next thing up will be to drill some holes (THIS stand will have ample room, tyvm)

[impur]

I went from a 75gal to a 60gal cube. I loved the size, but the internal overflow really cut into the footprint of the tank. It took up about 7" right in the middle of the tank. So I just went to the 93gal rimless this past weekend. It is perfect! The amount of room front to back is so great. I'm very happy with this tank.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/impur/Tank%20pics/93gal%20cube/IMG_4311_zps6429062b.jpg

I was able to fit a 20L in the stand, it hangs off the back about 2" though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/impur/Tank%20pics/93gal%20cube/IMG_4191_zpse26cb85c.jpg

[rachelcb80]

I started out in the reef hobby with a standard 125 gallon. I took a break for a few years and have come back with a 50g "cube" (24x24x20). I have enjoyed working with the greater depth from front to back in this tank as opposed to the very limited space I had in the 125, especially in front of the overflows. I much prefer the more modern look of the rimless cube and any short comings it may have (stand space, fish selection) are more than made up in its positive aspects.

[JHiestand]

I'm glad no one really has a negative besides the cosmetics. I had planned to set one up this month until my adult decision making realized that was counter intuitive to saving for a house. I have told myself once I buy a house I will set my tank up. Probably even before I furnish a house. I mean who needs to sit down if there's an awesome reef to walk up to. This will also help solve my problem of finding a sump. I have yet to find a cube sump just long rectangles. When looking for a new house I will probably try and find one that will have a good spot for the tank and a closet near by or share a wall with the garage so that I can hide all the filtration in a different area.

I used a 20 gal cube (18x18x16) for the sump on my 60 cube (24x24x24)

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/JohnRHiestand/null_zps6a7f663e.jpg (http://s1199.photobucket.com/user/JohnRHiestand/media/null_zps6a7f663e.jpg.html)

[G2theRam]

I went from a 75gal to a 60gal cube. I loved the size, but the internal overflow really cut into the footprint of the tank. It took up about 7" right in the middle of the tank. So I just went to the 93gal rimless this past weekend. It is perfect! The amount of room front to back is so great. I'm very happy with this tank.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/impur/Tank%20pics/93gal%20cube/IMG_4311_zps6429062b.jpg

I was able to fit a 20L in the stand, it hangs off the back about 2" though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/impur/Tank%20pics/93gal%20cube/IMG_4191_zpse26cb85c.jpg

That makes me jealous seing yours with water in it mines on order and due to my budget will sit empty for a a few months till I get all the parts

[G2theRam]

I used a 20 gal cube (18x18x16) for the sump on my 60 cube (24x24x24)

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa478/JohnRHiestand/null_zps6a7f663e.jpg (http://s1199.photobucket.com/user/JohnRHiestand/media/null_zps6a7f663e.jpg.html)

That's a great simple idea and dumbfounded how I never thought of it too. The 60 framed cubes are pretty inexpensive and I could just add some acrylic baffles to make a sump

[impur]

That makes me jealous seing yours with water in it mines on order and due to my budget will sit empty for a a few months till I get all the parts

I just got it setup this month and absolutely love it. It will definitely be worth the wait!!!

[larcomak11]

I love cubes! I love the depth that you can create with scaping

[Morpheus'Reef]

I am in the process of planing for my next tank and have pretty much settled on a shallow cube. Going to go with a 48"x48"x20" rimless cube... I love the aquascaping options available with this dimensions...

[G2theRam]

The aquascape possibilities are what drew me in. I really want to create an arch of sorts. Have it start in the front right and stretch to the back left


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[kevantheman35]

Ive always had cubes. I am about to set up my third. I feel that rimless cubes have the potential of being the best looking aquariums out there. The problems are that
1. aquascaping is fairly hard
2. I think it's hard to get proper flow, atleast in smaller cubes since cranking the flow up can give corals on that side way too much flow

[CIGARSC351W]

I had a 60 gallon cube and the biggest downside; the sump and all the support equipment rapidly took up all the space inside the stand.

+1 other than that I love my 45 cube

[Lilmatty5dimes]

I love cubes.
Had a 36x36 cube before and in the future, my dream tank would be something like a 5 or 6 foot cube.

if its anything like your other cube by all means when are ya starting. lol
i had a 150g cube from marineland and i loved it. def a sweet dimension. cubes are def a great tank.
empty after the move and crash
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l526/lilmatty5dimes/150g%20Cube%20Dream/null_zpsfb6d1803.jpg (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/lilmatty5dimes/media/150g%20Cube%20Dream/null_zpsfb6d1803.jpg.html)
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l526/lilmatty5dimes/150g%20Cube%20Dream/IMG_6895_zps9551ed44.jpg (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/lilmatty5dimes/media/150g%20Cube%20Dream/IMG_6895_zps9551ed44.jpg.html)
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l526/lilmatty5dimes/150g%20Cube%20Dream/AEB1CCB9-2F48-4DD7-82C0-AB943EC843A2-5211-000006CA4C7EC2F1_zps1c3583cd.jpg (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/lilmatty5dimes/media/150g%20Cube%20Dream/AEB1CCB9-2F48-4DD7-82C0-AB943EC843A2-5211-000006CA4C7EC2F1_zps1c3583cd.jpg.html)

[3dpilot]

My next tank will be 72x72x24....probably wont happen anytime soon though.lol

[stevedola]

I like my 2ft cube. wish it was 3ft

[MrIcky]

I really like cubes but I think they take better planning to pull off, both for aquascaping and equipping.

[ruiny]

I see soo many people do it backwards. You start with a room than add the tank. The tank needs to compliment the room even if empty.
I see a lot of tanks in front of windows, or sticking way out into the room or blocking hallways.
A really nice tank can be had with just about any size. So get the size and shape that fits your room.
And if that is a cube, great cus I do love mine.

[sabodish]

i have a 36x36x30 cube and the only thing i would do next time is make it 5x5 and have an external overflow