Marineland 60G Cube - Bad design

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

I was planning on upgrading my 29 biocube to a 60G cube (24x24x24). My wife picked up the new tank the other day and brought it home. The tank is fine except for the fact that it is drilled in the BACK and not the bottom. This has to be one of the dumbest designs ever. You can not even get the bulkheads out without breaking the overflow off. And since the bulkheads are in the the back once you add plumbing the tank needs to be ~ 5 inches off of the wall now. This is huge. I was planning on putting the tank along a wall that is seen from the stairwell/front door. Meaning that when you walk in the front door of my house and look downstairs you see a tank that is way off the wall and pipes. Not a pretty site.

I am now seeing if I can return the tank and do not know if I will upgrade now as that is all that will fit on that wall (Its between 2 doors) and there is ~ 38 inches between the doors and a light switch that I need access to. Leaving ~30 inches for a tank so that is why we chose the 60G cube (24x24). Any other 24 in wide tank is too small.

This is a bummer since I bought all the lights, skimmer, pump, and a custom sump for this tank already that is not returnable. Why could they not have drilled the tank on the bottom like every other reef ready tank?


Venting................

 

[fishman1069]

I dont see why you would have to be that far off the wall? I have a tank that is drilled in the back and Im only 3" off the wall. How is it set up in the back? Maybe you can snap a pic and we can figure out if you can modify it so it can be used. It would suck for you to return the tank, especially since you have all the equip. already!

 

[CONSTANTNE]

Im also using a drain drilled on the back with my glass-holes overflow. Tank is maybe 3 inches from the wall like fishman

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

The bulkheads are 3 inches off the tank. Add a 1 inch PVC elbow and that adds another 2 inches.

 

[fishman1069]

Cut the bulkheads down and use an elbow that will slip into the bh's

 

[NL146]

The bulkheads are 3 inches off the tank. Add a 1 inch PVC elbow and that adds another 2 inches.

The elbow will be installed on/over the bulkhead so about 1" should overlap.

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

if I do that and the bulkhead breaks I am screwed.

Also the slip section of that bulkhead is only ~ 1 in deep. Not much room to cut and still get a seal. I can possible shave 1/2 inch off of the bulkhead if I an careful.

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

The elbow will be installed on/over the bulkhead so about 1" should overlap.

No one carries 1 1/2 inch thread elbows. Might be 1/25 but I am not sure. I called a local plumbing supply and they said they do not carry them.

 

[fishman1069]

Try glass-holes.com. They might have something like that

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

I am not sure of the size - 1.5 or 1.25. I am going to try to return the tank if I can or possibly a restock fee. At most the tank will still be 3 inches off of the wall.

Sucks is this is the only tank I can get to fit where I want it. No room for a longer tank. Time to sell the biocube as well and call it a day. I just hope I can return the light, skimmer, pump.

 

[CONSTANTNE]

My glass-holes kit had a bulkhead that was really short and worked out great.

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

I can not remove the existing bulkheads.

 

[jaa1456]

You should be able to remove them are the glued together or something? They should just be threaded and if you have a long enough wrench to fit inside it will work.

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

The overflow is too narrow. It appears the installed the bulkheads first then the overflow. The only way to get the bulkheads out is the break the overflow off.

 

[masterswimmer]

Why not unscrew the nut from the bulkhead and cut it from the outside so that you can slip the bulkhead out of the overflow?

Russ

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

I still have the problem of the pipes behind the tank. At best the minimum clearance will be 3 inches. Unless there is flat pipe?

 

[Tim]

Is your wall sheetrock? If it is you can cut a channel for the pipe`s behind the tank and push it up against the wall.Just the bulkheads and the pipe will be in the wall so to speak.

 

[Rob_Reef_Keeper]

Not a bad idea but do not want to trash the wall for a fish tank.

 

[NL146]

You could also consider doing some sort of frame to hide the pipes from view. It would hide the gap between the tank and the wall from the side.

 

[tomtoothdoc]

another option is to see if marineland will exchange the tank for a "custom" overflow one. i have the 200 gal. 48x36x27. i had them relocate the overflows. instead of the two corner ones, i had them make a center overflow. my overflow is drilled at the bottom.....don't know if a stock tank is side or bottom drilled. i don't recall how much i paid for relocation of the overflows but i also had them do 3 sided starphire.
it's worth a shot....make a phone call....doesn't hurt to ask. and while you're at it explain your location.....perhaps they may be able to suggest something to do with the existing tank. many times i find if you talk to the service department rep. nicely instead of complaining, they'll try to help you out. good luck.