Starting a 60g cube

[WILDTHING]

About a year ago I went to a friends house and saw his 30g cube and it was AWESOME, every time I went back to visit I'd find myself running to the cube first to see what was new even tho he has several other beautiful tanks I just couldn't get that cube out of my mind.

Well, I finally have my own cube.:rollface:

I'll be keeping seahorses as the centerpiece fish, eventually I'd like to have a nice selection of gobies to eat the scraps that the seahorses leave behind and to add some activity to the tank.

So here's the set up

The tank came with a 1.5 drain and a 1in return. I'll be running my Iwaki 30 as my return from a little 10g sump. Aqua C remora that I switched out the maxi jet and replaced with a mag3. (hope it works) And a 175 MH.

I wanted NO internal power heads in the tank for aesthetic reasons as well as the safety of the Seahorses. So my Iwaki has been split into 2 returns that come up through the overflow box that I can angle for current. Hopefully all equipment can be kept in the sump.

This will be a high nutrient tank because of the seahorses so I have decided to go with it and also add my suncorals and gonies to the tank as well.

I'll be posting some pics of the progress tonight.

colleen

[navajo]

Sounds AWESOME!

We'll need LOTS of pics!

Just because I'm too lazy to look it up, what are the diminsions of the tank?

Also, what kind of substrate are you going to be using?

I can't wait to see this in action.

HORSIES!!!

[CaptainDave]

sounds pretty nice Colleen. can't wait for the pictures.

have you picked out a bulb for the halide yet?

[hokiefish]

Yeah sounds awesome. That will make a really nice tank. 20K XM on a luminarc reflector would look sweet but what were you thinking for lighting?

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7006810#post7006810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by navajo
Sounds AWESOME!

We'll need LOTS of pics!

Just because I'm too lazy to look it up, what are the diminsions of the tank?

Also, what kind of substrate are you going to be using?

I can't wait to see this in action.

HORSIES!!!

thanks Tom!

the tank is 24x24x24. I can't wait to start aquascaping it. I'll be using sand. Not a DSB but a few inches. I'm thinking about reusing some sand I have, its southdown. I can't find anymore around here and after talking to a friend I don't want to use Silica sand because I really don't want to scratch my beautiful cube OR ruin my pumps with inevitable grains in the pump. Do you thin it would be safe to use it if I washed it really well first?

LOADS of pics tonight, promise.:strooper:

[navajo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7006916#post7006916 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WILDTHING
thanks Tom!

the tank is 24x24x24. I can't wait to start aquascaping it. I'll be using sand. Not a DSB but a few inches. I'm thinking about reusing some sand I have, its southdown. I can't find anymore around here and after talking to a friend I don't want to use Silica sand because I really don't want to scratch my beautiful cube OR ruin my pumps with inevitable grains in the pump. Do you thin it would be safe to use it if I washed it really well first?

LOADS of pics tonight, promise.:strooper:

It would be a LOT of washing, but I am sure you could do it. As it happens, I MAY know of a guy in Northern VA that has about 600 lbs of new Southdown sand in the basement and he MIGHT be willing to help you out with some if you ask nice... :D

Do you think a chiller will be needed? Or going open top?

Anxiously awaiting the pics.

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7006815#post7006815 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CaptainDave
sounds pretty nice Colleen. can't wait for the pictures.

have you picked out a bulb for the halide yet?

I was running the 175 a coralvue 14k (I think) on my other tank for a couple of months. I really liked it, and I have some life left in the bulb so I'll just be using that for now.

colleen

[reefdadx2]

I'm hooked. Can't wait to see the pictures. Michael R :D

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7006885#post7006885 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hokiefish
Yeah sounds awesome. That will make a really nice tank. 20K XM on a luminarc reflector would look sweet but what were you thinking for lighting?

Thank you. The Luminarc are nice but I got a good deal on a reef optix that has such a neat and streamlined profile that I am willing sacrifice some light in the tank for the look outside the tank. The back and overflow of this tank are black so with the reef optix it will look really nice as a unit. Also my 200g tank will be sitting right next to this tank, it will also have the reef optix pendants so it should give a nice uniform look to the entire set up. (I hope)

colleen

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7007052#post7007052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefdadx2
I'm hooked. Can't wait to see the pictures. Michael R :D

HAHAHA, I've been clicking away with pictures, but I'm using a new camera so 1) I'm a techno idiot:rollface: and the pics don't look that good 2) I'm a techno idiot and can't figure out how to get this "new fangled" camera to upload to my comp.

When my techno geek hubbie comes home tonight I'll have him help me.

colleen

[navajo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7007167#post7007167 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WILDTHING
HAHAHA, I've been clicking away with pictures, but I'm using a new camera so 1) I'm a techno idiot:rollface: and the pics don't look that good 2) I'm a techno idiot and can't figure out how to get this "new fangled" camera to upload to my comp.

When my techno geek hubbie comes home tonight I'll have him help me.

colleen

We don't need no steenkin excuses, just pictures!

:lol:

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7007192#post7007192 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by navajo
We don't need no steenkin excuses, just pictures!

:lol: :rollface: :rollface: :rollface: patience is a virtue!

Thanks for the offer of the Southdown from your errrr "friend":rolleye1: but I really want this tank up ASAP. I'm hoping to have the sand in and washed and the last of the plumbing done tonight.

And yes, pictures too.:)

colleen

[gnrlee]

Why don't you use Caribsea pre packaged sand? I think everyone should get away from this sounthdown junk. Just my opinion. I know of people that have used southdown and now it is one hardened clump.

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7006952#post7006952 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by navajo


Do you think a chiller will be needed? Or going open top?



Going open top, I really don't want to have to use a chiller. I'm hoping that during the summer doing an evening lighting schedule will help keep the temp in check.

colleen

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7007304#post7007304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gnrlee
Why don't you use Caribsea pre packaged sand? I think everyone should get away from this sounthdown junk. Just my opinion. I know of people that have used southdown and now it is one hardened clump.

In my little town I haven't been able to find any locally and I've procrastinated for so long deciding what I wanted to use that now I really only have 2 choices if I want this done today..........re use the southdown or Silica.

colleen

[NbMaxx13]

Collen ... your killin' us .... where are the pics ...lol ..... I 'm super interested because we are setting up both a cube right now and a seahorse tank in the next week or 2. Can't wait to see it... keep us posted....

[aural]

http://www.rtimaging.com/aquarium/TTIWWP.gif

sorry - patience isnt my strong point :)

[WILDTHING]

you guys are too funny.:lol: :lol:

turns out that I wasn't just being a techno idiot but that the camera was a POS. Anyway charged up the old one and got some decent pics I hope and will post them in a sec.

colleen

[navajo]

THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING US!!! HAHAHAHAHA

BTW, how many horsies you got?

[Scarlett]

Hey, Colleen.

I'm anxious to see pics too. ;) How's my former girl doing? Fiesty little thing, isn't she? Glad to know you made it home safe with that beast of a tank.

[WILDTHING]

ok pictures at last

full tank shot
http:////images1.fotki.com/v290/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02448-vi.jpg


durso and returns
http://images17.fotki.com/v296/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02447-vi.jpg

http://images17.fotki.com/v293/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02446-vi.jpg

[navajo]

That is by far the COOLEST red X I've ever seen!


:lol: :rollface: :lol:


You know I'm just kidding!

[navajo]

OK, let's get this thread back on track! ;)

So, you have a 60 GAL cube with plumbing, southdown, etc...

What kind of Seahorse is it?

And what (if any) macroalgae are you going to use for "hitching"?

Sandman

[WILDTHING]

look at all this space to aquascape!

http://images5.fotki.com/v80/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02445-vi.jpg

this is my tiny 10g sump. Because of space considerations I had to put the remora in this small compartment where my bulkhead return is. I did it this way hoping that the skimmed water will mostly fall back into the compartment that my return water is drawn from.

http://images17.fotki.com/v293/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02442-vi.jpg

But I am drawing raw tank water from all the way on this side of the tank again hoping to keep some seperation from skimmed vs raw water

http://images16.fotki.com/v283/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02441-vi.jpg

full sump shot

http://images1.fotki.com/v291/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02444-vi.jpg

[WILDTHING]

I had some acrylic cut to fit in the overflow box because I didn't want to look at those pipes. Only AFTER I had them cut did I realize that the smarter thing to do would have been to have it cut to fit over the box on the outside, that way I would not have had to look at the silicone seams but Oh well it looks pretty good.

http://images17.fotki.com/v296/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02449-vi.jpg

this is a really bad picture of what it all looks like with the acrylic in place

http://images16.fotki.com/v283/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02452-vi.jpg

[navajo]

Pics are looking good! Keep 'em coming!

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7008796#post7008796 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NbMaxx13
Collen ... your killin' us .... where are the pics ...lol ..... I 'm super interested because we are setting up both a cube right now and a seahorse tank in the next week or 2. Can't wait to see it... keep us posted....

cool! what size is your cube? And what kind of Seahorses are you getting?

colleen

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7010109#post7010109 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by navajo


BTW, how many horsies you got?

I only have 1 Seahorse:( The other one died the morning I was to pick them up. She is a Reidi, kinda brownish on her back and yellow tummy and chin.

[navajo]

Awwww, so sorry, but the other sounds beautiful! Any chance of a quick pic?

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7010144#post7010144 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Scarlett
Hey, Colleen.

I'm anxious to see pics too. ;) How's my former girl doing? Fiesty little thing, isn't she? Glad to know you made it home safe with that beast of a tank.

Scarlett, she made the trip very well. Unfortunately I broke the heater I was planning to use in her temporary home so I put her in the reef and turned off most of the pumps. I watched her for hours and she seemed fine so I went to sleep. When I woke up I immediately went to check on her and couldn't find her. She had gone over the overflow and was in the durso pipe. I got her out hoping for the best but expecting the worst. She seemed a bit droopy but otherwise she has eaten and seems ok.

Here is a picture of her temporary home, please excuse the salt creep streaks



http://images16.fotki.com/v3/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02468-vi.jpg

Here she is

http://images1.fotki.com/v290/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02453-vi.jpg

http://images1.fotki.com/v291/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02454-vi.jpg

http://images1.fotki.com/v290/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02458-vi.jpg

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7010623#post7010623 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by navajo
OK, let's get this thread back on track! ;)



And what (if any) macroalgae are you going to use for "hitching"?

Sandman

Not really sure about the macro. I saw some really pretty red grapeish looking stuff but honestly I'm concerned about putting any macro in there, it all just seems to go wild and take over the tank.

I was thinking about putting some in the sand away from the rocks hoping I could controll it that way.

colleen

[WILDTHING]

This really doesn't have anything to do with the cube but this is the most amazing colored fish I have ever seen. thanks Steven:thumbsup:

http://images17.fotki.com/v297/photos/4/416046/2190440/DSC02461-vi.jpg

[CaptainDave]

what kind of fish is that colleen?

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7011740#post7011740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CaptainDave
what kind of fish is that colleen?

He's some kind of wrasse. Believe it or not the pic doesn't do it justice, its brighter in real life!

I think I am going to be getting some more wrasse, they are the coolest fish.

colleen

[melev]

Colleen, I would suggest a larger sump to help maintain water quality. You said high nutrient system, and you aren't kidding. Seahorses, suncorals, and goniopora - oh my. ;)

Turtle Grass would be nice for the horses to hold onto. Any caulerpa will become invasive and be ugly. How about a few mangrove pods? I've seen some in peoples tanks that are completely submerged and they'll sprout leaves underwater. Kinda of neat and look like a great hitching post.

Nice job so far.

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7012273#post7012273 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
Colleen, I would suggest a larger sump to help maintain water quality. You said high nutrient system, and you aren't kidding. Seahorses, suncorals, and goniopora - oh my. ;)

Turtle Grass would be nice for the horses to hold onto. Any caulerpa will become invasive and be ugly. How about a few mangrove pods? I've seen some in peoples tanks that are completely submerged and they'll sprout leaves underwater. Kinda of neat and look like a great hitching post.

Nice job so far.

I wish I could do a bigger tank as the sump. I'll have to look around to find something that fills the bill, but for now it will have to do.

I love the mangrove idea! The Seahorses will love to hitch to them and since its an open top tank the mangroves can eventually grow out the top.

Do you think the Turtle grass would grow under 175"s. I thought about using it but was under the impression they needed super high light.

colleen

[melev]

I don't know. I bought some for the first time in a club group buy, and put it in my refugium. The urchin in the 'fuge mowed it down that day, leaving a root ball. I don't know if it will come back. :(

[WILDTHING]

Arrrrrgh, LEAK. The bulkheads are both leaking. The person I bought it from told me that the 1.5 hole was drilled a bit too big and I needed to try to play with the placement to stop the leak but it looks dead on to me but leaks like a sieve.

Do they make 1.3/4 in bulkheads?

[CaptainDave]

I don't think they do, Colleen. If it comes down to it, you can run a bead of silicone around the flange before you put it on - this has worked for me in the past.

[navajo]

Hey Colleen,

I HAVE seen 1 3/4" BH's somewhere. Let me do some digging. But in the mean time, have you called the guy at Blue Ribbon Koi?

If he has them I can pick them up on the way home and fedex them to you tomorrow am.

[Patwa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7012273#post7012273 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melev
How about a few mangrove pods? I've seen some in peoples tanks that are completely submerged and they'll sprout leaves underwater. Kinda of neat and look like a great hitching post.



I don't think the mangroves will last too long at all if they are 100% submerged....but i do agree the seahorses would enjoy them..

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/ac/feature/index.php

Zach.

[Doc's69]

Colleen, just a heads up HOC has about 300# of southdown he will begeting rid of this week, tank is looking great

[Hokiejoe]

Wow Colleen things look great. Keep it up.

[WILDTHING]

Navajo, pm sent. Thanks.

colleen

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7015312#post7015312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Patwa
I don't think the mangroves will last too long at all if they are 100% submerged....but i do agree the seahorses would enjoy them..

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-12/ac/feature/index.php

Zach.

Zach, thanks for the link. I guess I could put them in my overflow till they were tall enough to then plant in the tank. Tho they grow soooo slow it would probably take about 2 yrs for them to be tall enough. Still, they would look nice growing there.

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7020382#post7020382 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Doc's69
Colleen, just a heads up HOC has about 300# of southdown he will begeting rid of this week, tank is looking great

thanks for the heads up!

[WILDTHING]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7021576#post7021576 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hokiejoe
Wow Colleen things look great. Keep it up.

Thanks!

colleen

[Hokiejoe]

By the way the seahorse pictures are very cool. I would love to see your tank in person. We need to get Matt and group to hit your town one weekend.

[NANOFOOL]

tank is looking great!

[NbMaxx13]

How we doin' Colleen? ...what's the latest?