37 gal cube build (Advice) (1 Viewer)

[Reefdad]

I want any and all input as if it were your build!

I Currently have a 16 gallon bowfront with medium cpr fuge, small skimmer, Koraila, and 20" 150W Sunpod. This was a rush setup that turned out sweet, but once completed I dreaded using my old tank that was scratched up. This hobby can get out of control quickly and yet this was suppose to be for my 4 year old daughter.

So, should I drill the tank and use my 16 gallon for a sump? Try the 150w Sunpod or is it not enough? I would like to use some of the equipment I have, but more importantly I want to do it right.

Now if it was your build what would you go with (skimmer, powerhead, Lighting, auto top off, the works.) Thanks, Dave

 

[RocketSurgeon]

I'm not familiar with cubes, but I'll give you a free bump.

I'm thinking the larger the sump, the happier you will be. Drilling is safest way to go.

I used the beananimal design. http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

 

[flexrac]

for a sump, i think you would be happier with a 20 long. it's easy to design a drain section/skimmer section, fuge and return, all with just 2 baffles or more if you want. look up cichlidtx, he shows his sump build with a 20 long.
for a overflow, beananimal would be nice.

150w on a 37g should be plenty enough light.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

if you want. look up cichlidtx, he shows his sump build with a 20 long.
for a overflow, beananimal would be nice.

150w on a 37g should be plenty enough light.

http://marshreef.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=48638&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

This may be the article of interest.

 

[Reefdad]

Really appreciate the info. Rocket, I am going with the bean animal for sure, but first I'm going to paint tank trim and stand to match my furniture. Also, going to paint the back black.Then I'll start on the plumbing. Oh yeah.... I will be drilling so this could be a short build. Flex, not sure about the sump yet. Pick up tank tomorrow, so should have a better idea (visual) on the stands internal room. Thanks again, Dave

P.S. Looking for a good return pump, skimmer, sump, hole saw.

 

[RocketSurgeon]

Wont b much room with a hex stand. Hex's have limited purposes in reefing. Narny the Great may have helpful insight.

 

[Llama]

Get the stand and give us some dimensions. Once we have that info we can start throwing ideas at you.

Can't recommend any equipment until we know how much room we have to work with.

 

[Reefdad]

Alright, picked up the tank, stand, and bubble magus skimmer today. Stand inside dimensions are approximatley 17" by 18". I realize this is not going to give me much room but I'm all in now. Skimmer first slot, refuge next, then return. Tight I know. Still looking for sump, and return pump, holesaw, and plumbing parts. If you know of any for sale let me know. Thanks, Dave

 

[NarnyTheGreat]

Well its more than I had lol. I have a 35 gallon quarter circle tank and the stand had I think 10 inches front to back with 8 inches wide... something like that anyway. I had like 2 feet tall but ended up using the stand as storage. It just wasnt workable for me. What I did instead was pulled out the tank from the wall just a bit and put a 5 gallon refugium in there. My nitrates are never above 10 and free ammonia is nothing after 2 weeks even though this tank houses an octopus.

 

[Reefdad]

Put the first coat of paint on the tank trim and stand today. Out of curiosity i decided to measure the tank...Instead of a 37 gallon cube I have a 30 gallon cube. Feeling ambitious I thought I might build a sump, but after pricing some acrylic I'm having second thoughts. I suppose I'll start on the plumbing next, so if anyone has a holesaw for the job let me know I'll buy or rent. Thinking about a 1200 gph pump, but haven't completed what my turn over will be.

Thanks for the help It is always welcome, Dave