A 93gal Dream Cube, Well Worth the Wait!

[RandomReefer]

Nice build

Thank you.

These are 4x mp10?!

You called it! [emoji6]

 

[pelphrey]

I'm a sucker for a well built stand that has endless options!

 

[tdyrkacz]

very nice work. looks beautiful. You may already have thought of this, but in case you did not I highly recommend throwing a few fans in there for ventilation. Otherwise the humidity will build up and could destroy your stand. I have 2 small quiet fans which keep the humidity down. It helps a lot.

 

[RandomReefer]

very nice work. looks beautiful. You may already have thought of this, but in case you did not I highly recommend throwing a few fans in there for ventilation. Otherwise the humidity will build up and could destroy your stand. I have 2 small quiet fans which keep the humidity down. It helps a lot.

Thank you, and great advice! [emoji106][emoji4]

Humidity was on my mind, even from the beginning of the stand build. I have most of the back wall of the stand wide open for good ventilation.

My only worry will be about sound escaping, but with Trigger Systems enclosed drain compartment and a skimmer airline running outside for fresh air, it may be pretty dang silent. (Fingers crossed.)

I will also be adding a fan, to run on changes in temp and at regular intervals.

 

[tdyrkacz]

While I'm at it i would also recommend lifting the vortech battery off the bottom even if it's only an inch. If you have a spill you don't want water getting inside of it. I run 2 MP40s on my cube. I will be interested in hearing how you like the 4 mp10s... I think the 4 x 10s will be a great option as it will be much more flexible than the 2 MP40s I have.... When i first setup my MP40s they were sliding down. I then had to install them where the cable was hung off a bracket to help support the power head and stop it from sliding down.
Hopefully you won't have this issue, but if you do don't despair there are solutions.

I have the Trigger systems 20" cube. Trigger systems are great sumps for the money.

What are your plans for ATO?

 

[jlanger]

very nice work. looks beautiful. You may already have thought of this, but in case you did not I highly recommend throwing a few fans in there for ventilation. Otherwise the humidity will build up and could destroy your stand. I have 2 small quiet fans which keep the humidity down. It helps a lot.

The stand was built in separate layers; the white stand and then the cherry face frames and panels.
The white stand was primed and painted with multiple coats of each. And then the cherry panels were all stained, sealed and finished prior to being attached to the white stand. Once the panels were attached, a couple of final coats of pre-catalyzed lacquer were sprayed to finish the completed stand with trim.
Long story short; there's plenty of protective layers covering the wooden stand.

But thanks for the comments and concerns.

Back to you, Randy!

 

[RandomReefer]

While I'm at it i would also recommend lifting the vortech battery off the bottom even if it's only an inch. If you have a spill you don't want water getting inside of it. I run 2 MP40s on my cube. I will be interested in hearing how you like the 4 mp10s... I think the 4 x 10s will be a great option as it will be much more flexible than the 2 MP40s I have.... When i first setup my MP40s they were sliding down. I then had to install them where the cable was hung off a bracket to help support the power head and stop it from sliding down.
Hopefully you won't have this issue, but if you do don't despair there are solutions.

I have the Trigger systems 20" cube. Trigger systems are great sumps for the money.

What are your plans for ATO?

Agreed about the Battery Backup, and good eye. When I finalize the it's placement, I will definitely lift it off the base. (At the time of the photo, the battery was placed there for aesthetic purposes.)

I'm pretty excited about the MP10s as well. The master/slave and alternating pulse current options with 4pumps is really going to be fun to play with. I thought about putting my MP40s on this, but talked myself out of it after acquiring the 3rd/4th MP10.

David, at Trigger Systems, was super at getting me into the sump. I was pleasantly surprised at the minimal cost difference between the Emerald26 and my customized E26. I'm, again, very excited to see it in action this week.

For ATO, I'm headed to BRS tomorrow to pick up my matching Trigger Emerald 5gal ATO box. Along with my green colored Sch40 PVC. (Perks of living 15mins from the BRS mothership!)

 

[RandomReefer]

The stand was built in separate layers; the white stand and then the cherry face frames and panels.
The white stand was primed and painted with multiple coats of each. And then the cherry panels were all stained, sealed and finished prior to being attached to the white stand. Once the panels were attached, a couple of final coats of pre-catalyzed lacquer were sprayed to finish the completed stand with trim.
Long story short; there's plenty of protective layers covering the wooden stand.

But thanks for the comments and concerns.

Back to you, Randy!

Ladies and Gents.... My stand builder at his finest!

Thanks, Jason! [emoji4]

 

[RandomReefer]

Well folks, it's time for a water test!


The space that was looking all neat and clean quickly filled up with cords. Trust me, these photos make it look WAY more busy and unorganized than it really is. I'm sort of disappointed that it doesn't come through.

Anyway, here's what happened today.

-Added Trigger Systems 5gal ATO box.
-Painted sch40 joints gray to match the unions and valve.
-Hooked Apex up to the Internet and added under cabinet light to operate with Breakout Box. (Skimmer lid float switch was hooked up on previous build.)
-Cord Management!!!! This took most of the day.


Quite a few other things as well, but those are the big ones. Next update should include water!!! [emoji4]

 

[blesk]

Nice vhot you cona run in reactors Gfo and Carbon.

 

[RandomReefer]

Nice vhot you cona run in reactors Gfo and Carbon.

Thanks!

Eventually, yes, those will be for GFO/carbon.

 

[RandomReefer]

Full of RODI water and slowly heating up, compliments of the new Finnex HMO line of titanium heaters. (Seems it's just the digital control that's changed..?)

Anywho, boring pics of water in a tank....

Borrowed the "Durso" drain from my Marineland 125gal (not currently setup.) Will make some adjustments to the airline. Drill bigger airline hole with a valve.

All full now, but here we were at 3/4 full.

 

[RandomReefer]

Aquascape day!!

Pre-lighting aquascape pics. Can't wait to see this under top-down actinics. [emoji4]

Picked up some giant Pukani pieces from Bulk Reef Supply today. They're dang good at picking choice pieces matching my request!

Laying out the scape.

Got the final scape in the tank. I used some fiberglass rods to mount the overhang and another piece.

 

[revhtree]

Dude that's looking great!

 

[fredro]

Awesome rockwork!

 

[MRRBW]

Awesome thread so far. I just picked up a 93 Marineland with it's matching stand. Probably going to be making my own stand as I don't really trust it. You've given me some great ideas on how to get the thing organized. Will be following along for inspiration!

 

[RandomReefer]

Dude that's looking great!

Thanks, Rev!

Awesome rockwork!

Much appreciated! I feel really good about it and best of all, no dead spots. (But hard to have any with 4-MP10s! [emoji23])

Once the water clears and I get a light over it you'll really be able to see it.

 

[RandomReefer]

Awesome thread so far. I just picked up a 93 Marineland with it's matching stand. Probably going to be making my own stand as I don't really trust it. You've given me some great ideas on how to get the thing organized. Will be following along for inspiration!

Thanks! It's been 4-5months in the making, but it's finally coming to fruition. Good luck with your build!

 

[renato120]

Wow! Nice buid!

 

[RandomReefer]

Wow! Nice buid!

Thanks!