I just finished downsizing from a 72 gallon bowfront to a 45 gallon Marineland Cube. There were many reasons for this downsize, but mainly it was to keep everything simple, and use high quality equipment. To me, it's much easier to accomplish these goals with a smaller tank. I'll go into this more when I get a chance.
I love cube tanks, and this is the largest one I can fit in the space of our admittedly small Long Island apartment.
I have a few goals with this tank:
-Have fun!
-Keep everything as simple and automated as possible. This automation will also help keep consistent water parameters which will be crucial when I jump into the world of SPS corals.
-Only buy things that I really LOVE looking at. I’ve spent a lot of money on corals and fish that were only “OK” but not my absolute favorite just because they were cheaper at the time.
-Buy or trade as many corals as I can from other local reefers, thus lessening my negative impact on the oceans. (Also a great way to fulfill the previous goal).
-Do as much DIY as I can. This isn’t just to keep costs down (which is a main reason) but also to force myself to go slow and learn a lot about the whole process. In addition, this gives me flexibility and customization that I wouldn’t get with store bought.
OK, on to the details:
Equipment list. I've put a lot of effort and planning into the equipment stage, including many, many hours of reading, drawing up sketches, and asking silly questions.
Tank:
-45 Gallon Reef Ready Cube by Marineland. Dimensions are 24 x 24 x 18h.
-DIY stand and canopy. Painted black.
-20 gallon high DIY sump.
Lighting:
-PFO 250 Watt Metal Halide Pendant with Ushio 14,000K bulb.
-Ice Cap Electronic Ballast.
-2x Current Powerbrite Actinic LEDs
Flow:
-Vortech MP20.
-Marineland Utility Pump 1700 return pump.
Filtration:
-Vertex IN-100 skimmer.
-BRS Carbon Reactor.
-BRS GFO Reactor.
-I’m also going to start dosing 2 part and a carbon source (probably vodka, but no need yet. I need to research this a lot more before it happens though).
Other Equipment:
-Reef Keeper Lite to control MH, LED’s, and heater
-autotopoff.com ATO unit.
-(Eventually) a dosing system.
Livestock List:
-2x Onyx Clowns from Sea Quest Marine
-Purple Firefish.
-In the future, I might get a pearly jawfish or a neon goby and a flasher/fairy wrasse. I’m not 100% set on the livestock, but it must get along with current inhabitants who are extremely peaceful.
Corals:
-My tank will be a mixed reef full of corals. I’m going to have mostly LPS, SPS, and Zoanthids.