Marineland 60G Cube - Bad design

[lfsmarineguy]

First, some pics of what you are talking about would be a huge help. Second, the Marineland 90 gal cube is only 30x30 so it should fit in the same area without taking up much more space and you increase the volume by 50% and I know for a fact the 90 is drilled on the bottom in a corner.

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

First, some pics of what you are talking about would be a huge help. Second, the Marineland 90 gal cube is only 30x30 so it should fit in the same area without taking up much more space and you increase the volume by 50% and I know for a fact the 90 is drilled on the bottom in a corner.

That was my original plan but backed out. The 90 would require more lighting (Another $600) plus more pumps (Vortechs $500-1000). Plus a bigger sump and possible bigger skimmer.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

what lighting were you planning on using for the 90? I actually setup this exact tank as a display in the last store I was at and it took a few weeks before I figured out how best to light it since it is an odd size. I could definitely help you figure out what lights and equipment for efficiency.

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

I am planning on using a Aqua Illuminations Sol LED. 24 inches is pushing the width of the spread of light. I got a Tunze return pump (792 GPH), Reef Octopus Super Space Saver Octopus XP-1000SSS Cone Skimmer and my existing Vortech MP10.
I was planning on adding ~ 50 lbs of LR n addition to the LR I have in my BC29 now.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

As far as circulation pumps, I find in a cube if you make the rockwork open and more towards the middle, you can get away with fewer pumps. The vortechs are awesome and generate a good amount of flow for their size so the single mp10 with smart rock work might be enough for that tank, especially with the return. As for the lighting, I'm not a huge LED fan like some people. I don't doubt the technology, I just don't like the color they produce yet. Are you suspending the lights or do you have a custom canopy?

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

Suspending them some how. According to AI with the single fixture I need to hang the light 12-18 inches over the water (Not happy about that either) or change the lens (void warranty) to cover 24 inches from one fixture. I went LED since my power is limited - the circuit is shared by the TV, Stereo, Xbox, cable, and 5 x 65W recessed lighting fixtures. Adding MH's was out of the question as I would then need to add a chiller as well.

I just called Marineland and they said they can make a custom tank but they themselves can do nothing about the current tank. I would have to deal with the LFS on trying to return it but since the tank is opened I may be out of luck.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

could always go with a T5 retro in a wooden box and suspend it. 6 24" across with another 24" on each end for coverage. These cubes are deep tanks for their sizes. Just because you have a halide doesn't mean you need a chiller. I ran a 400w ushio with 4 24" ho T5s on the 90 cube and the temp never went over 81 degrees (and the halide was on for 10hrs a day). If you design it properly and the room doesn't get too hot normally you should be fine without one. I honestly think chillers are one of the most misused and over sold pieces of equipment out there. It really depends on the setup and no two are alike.

You could also use LEDs for the 65w fixtures or even CF to reduce the load and go with T5s on the tank. You'll save money on the fixture and you won't have to settle for the light not being exactly where and how you want it.

This goes for the 90gal.

If you are set on the 60 you could go with a halide and some LED actinic strips for ease.

What kind of coral are you planning on keeping?

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

The T5's were about the same price. The ATI 6 x 24W (24 inch) fixture was $600 plus the bulbs - same as the AI LED and half the wattage and I do not need to change the bulbs every year. I am planning on SPS/clams on this tank. Even a retro kit of 6 T5's is ~ $3-400 with reflectors plus someone to build a canopy.

A MH fixture is similar in price but more wattage plus the T5 actinics. And I still do not have a canopy that I would need built.

The room gets to ~ 75 degrees in the summer. so I can easily see the tank over 84 degrees in the summer with a MH. I had a 250W MH over my old 58 and the tank was usually over 84 in the summer.

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

Regardless I need to see if I can even return this tank/stand since its opened.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

if the room gets that hot normally you would have to remote the chiller anyway. Keeping it in the same room, in that situation, is only going to run the meter and reduce the pull down.

I don't know if you have a budget on this but it isn't hard to build an open top wood box to house the lights and for these tanks, I can honestly say retros make the most sense.

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

if the room gets that hot normally you would have to remote the chiller anyway. Keeping it in the same room, in that situation, is only going to run the meter and reduce the pull down.

That was the reason I did not want to go MH along with the wattage. T5's are not much better as far as heat into the tank as the lights are closer to the water. LED's do not add heat and are much less wattage.

The 93G would be nice but I do not think it will happen. Too much money plus I may have to find a way to get this 60G to work. I may have to plug the holes and use it as a normal tank and get a in tank skimmer with no sump. I do not know how I would plug the holes though.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

I would cut a slot in the wall behind the tank and leave some plastic at the base to catch any precipitation and keep it out of the wall (just in case). If you ever need to fix it, it's just a simple patch and it will never look like anything was ever there. It's sounds like a bigger deal than it really is. Cubes are awesome tanks for displays and I think you would be unhappy with an in tank skimmer pretty quickly and want to change it.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Also, as for timing, it's best to cut holes in walls when "she" is not home because it's almost always easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission. At the very least you have plausible deniability when you're the only one there.

 

[pweissma]

I had a bad experience with the 18" cube in the series. I messed up one of the bulkheads and had to cut out and then resilcone the overflow. Adding to the trouble, Marineland uses non-standard bulkheads that require odd sized holes. Marineland was kind enough to sent me new bulkheads. I ditched the tank for a Solana. The larger tanks in the series are drilled in the bottom.

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

Just got home and looking at the wall idea. The room behind it is the boiler/laundry room. These pipes would be about a foot away from the boiler. I am worried about heat issues.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

get intake or exhaust pipe wraps from a car parts store.

 

[tomtoothdoc]

Also, as for timing, it's best to cut holes in walls when "she" is not home because it's almost always easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission.

+1....lol....so very true.
i had my buddy cut out a section of the wall so i can have a through the wall "show refugium" when "she" took the kids on vacation. by the time they got back everything was plumbed and running.
it only cost me a nice dinner and a show.....lol.

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

 

[KathyC]

Not so bad!
You might want to paint the PVC the color of the room to make it a little less noticeable? After a while you won't even notice it.

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

That's the view from my front door. Horrible IMO.