DIY Custom 60gal Cube

[Jon_1985]

Hey all so this is my return to the hobby after over a decade. My last tank was a custom built 90gal total water 120g peninsula tank. I tore it down when I was leaving for school and I haven’t been able to get back in for one reason or another.

With that said I am planning my comeback and I have designed, begun to purchased and eventually build my entire system myself. This will be a 60gal cube with a floating aqua scape as I personally love the look of it.

The other thing about my tank is affordability so nearly everything is either used, sale or DYI.

I’ll be building my welded tank stand and powered coat it, as well as all the cabinet panels that will be magnetic and a custom recessed control board for the modules and other parts.

I hope everyone enjoys this thread as this is going to take a while to do so let have some fun.

Bellow is my equipment list as well as the things I still want to purchase.

Also I haven’t decided on the final design of my stand backing whether to go full stand width of tank width let me know what you think?

Testing:
1x Hanna Checker Alk
1x Hanna Checker Nitrates
1x Hanna Checker Phosphates
1x Hanna Checker Calcium

Neptune:
1x Apex A3 Base
2x Energy Bar
1x Power Head WAV
1x Auto Feeder
2x LED DOSE Units
2x Flow Sensor 1/2”
4x Solenoid
1x Liquid Level Sensor 15”
6x Optical Sensor
6x Solid Leak Sensor
3x Temperature probes
3x Power Extension
3x Break-out Box
1x PM1 PH/ORP/Temp bus
1x PM2 Salinity Box
1x 1 Link Box
4x FMM Fluid Monitoring Box
1x Apex ATO
1x Magnetic Probe Holder

Ecotech:
2x Vortech MP40
1x M2 Vectra Pump
1x Radion XR30 Pro G4
2x Versa Dosing Pump

Reactors/ Sump:
1x Cheato Reactor
2x Aquamaxx Reactors
1x Abyss Kalk Stirrer
1x Fiji Cube FIJI-24 Advanced Reef Sump G2
1x Aqua Vu 15watt UV Sterilizer
1x CO2 Scrubber
1x 50gal Water container
1x 3 Chamber dose in container

Plumbing Purchased:
2x Siphon Stop
1x 1” Gate Valve
1x 1/2” Gate Valve
6x 1” Slip Union
6x 1/2” Slip Union

Items to Buy

Neptune:
1x Salinity Probe
1x Trident
1x ORP Prob
1x PH Probe
1x 1” Flow Sensor

Ecotech:
1x Radion Braket
1x Vectra M2 Pump
2x Vortex Batter Back up

Pluming:
10x ft 1” Schedule 40 PVC Blue
10x ft 1” Schedule 40 PVC Purple
10x ft 1/2” Schedule 40 PVC Blue
10x ft 1/2” Schedule 40 PVC Purple
4x 1” Schedule 80 Slip Unions
7x 1” Schedule 80 PVC 90 Degree
7x 1/2” Schedule 80 PVC 90 Degree
2x 6” Loc-Line Pipe 1/2”
2x Loc-Line Threaded 1/2” Base
2x 1/2” Slip to Threaded Bulkhead
1x Esopps Prodigy M Over Flow
20x 1” PVC Pipe Holder
1x Manifold
1x 1” Schedule 80 PVC Tee
1x 1” Union Ball Valve
1x 1” Gate Valve
3x 1” - 1/2” Schedule 80 Reducer slip

Miscellaneous:
1x Custom ATO Reservoir 24”L x 2D4”W x 8”H
1x 60gal cube Aquarium
1x Tank Stand 38”L x 26”W x 30” H
1x RODI Water Filter
2x Titanium Heater Plus Controller

 

[jsker]

Nicely planed system!!

 

[Reign1]

Nice.. similar to my “build” that I have been working on (or dragging my feet on lol)

 

[Jon_1985]

Nice.. similar to my “build” that I have been working on (or dragging my feet on lol)

Yeah I’m planning on this taking a while to put together. I’m in not rush as I want to do this right the first time. I’m also planning on an insanely long tank cycle. I did that for my last tank and it turned out near perfect. Everything I’m doing is has been to satisfy my gear addiction so it’s going to be completely automated and controlled.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Hey all so this is my return to the hobby after over a decade. My last tank was a custom built 90gal total water 120g peninsula tank. I tore it down when I was leaving for school and I haven’t been able to get back in for one reason or another.

With that said I am planning my comeback and I have designed, begun to purchased and eventually build my entire system myself. This will be a 60gal cube with a floating aqua scape as I personally love the look of it.

The other thing about my tank is affordability so nearly everything is either used, sale or DYI.

I’ll be building my welded tank stand and powered coat it, as well as all the cabinet panels that will be magnetic and a custom recessed control board for the modules and other parts.

I hope everyone enjoys this thread as this is going to take a while to do so let have some fun.

Bellow is my equipment list as well as the things I still want to purchase.

Also I haven’t decided on the final design of my stand backing whether to go full stand width of tank width let me know what you think?

Testing:
1x Hanna Checker Alk
1x Hanna Checker Nitrates
1x Hanna Checker Phosphates
1x Hanna Checker Calcium

Neptune:
1x Apex A3 Base
2x Energy Bar
1x Power Head WAV
1x Auto Feeder
2x LED DOSE Units
2x Flow Sensor 1/2”
4x Solenoid
1x Liquid Level Sensor 15”
6x Optical Sensor
6x Solid Leak Sensor
3x Temperature probes
3x Power Extension
3x Break-out Box
1x PM1 PH/ORP/Temp bus
1x PM2 Salinity Box
1x 1 Link Box
4x FMM Fluid Monitoring Box
1x Apex ATO
1x Magnetic Probe Holder

Ecotech:
2x Vortech MP40
1x M2 Vectra Pump
1x Radion XR30 Pro G4
2x Versa Dosing Pump

Reactors/ Sump:
1x Cheato Reactor
2x Aquamaxx Reactors
1x Abyss Kalk Stirrer
1x Fiji Cube FIJI-24 Advanced Reef Sump G2
1x Aqua Vu 15watt UV Sterilizer
1x CO2 Scrubber
1x 50gal Water container
1x 3 Chamber dose in container

Plumbing Purchased:
2x Siphon Stop
1x 1” Gate Valve
1x 1/2” Gate Valve
6x 1” Slip Union
6x 1/2” Slip Union

Items to Buy

Neptune:
1x Salinity Probe
1x Trident
1x ORP Prob
1x PH Probe
1x 1” Flow Sensor

Ecotech:
1x Radion Braket
1x Vectra M2 Pump
2x Vortex Batter Back up

Pluming:
10x ft 1” Schedule 40 PVC Blue
10x ft 1” Schedule 40 PVC Purple
10x ft 1/2” Schedule 40 PVC Blue
10x ft 1/2” Schedule 40 PVC Purple
4x 1” Schedule 80 Slip Unions
7x 1” Schedule 80 PVC 90 Degree
7x 1/2” Schedule 80 PVC 90 Degree
2x 6” Loc-Line Pipe 1/2”
2x Loc-Line Threaded 1/2” Base
2x 1/2” Slip to Threaded Bulkhead
1x Esopps Prodigy M Over Flow
20x 1” PVC Pipe Holder
1x Manifold
1x 1” Schedule 80 PVC Tee
1x 1” Union Ball Valve
1x 1” Gate Valve
3x 1” - 1/2” Schedule 80 Reducer slip

Miscellaneous:
1x Custom ATO Reservoir 24”L x 2D4”W x 8”H
1x 60gal cube Aquarium
1x Tank Stand 38”L x 26”W x 30” H
1x RODI Water Filter
2x Titanium Heater Plus Controller

Incredible looking tank!

 

[kevgib67]

Well done, following!

 

[Jon_1985]

Well today I just ordered a bunch of PVC parts for plumbing. It seems like everyone is out of stock of the 1” Neptune flow sensor in Canada. Need to pick up my pipe when this order is ready. Also grabbed my heaters. The to buy side of my list is shrinking by the day! Once I have everything I’ll write out my cost on everything I purchased. As so far for a build with as many premium parts I’ve done a good job of saving money so far… well at least I think so, I’m sure my wife would disagree lol

 

[InsaneClownFish]

Lookin good

 

[Jakejtown]

Beautiful! How do you get the look of floating aquascape?

 

[Jon_1985]

Beautiful! How do you get the look of floating aquascape?

I'll be using 1/4" thick acrylic shelf silicone to the back wall with holes drilled in for flow. Basically a giant L bracket

 

[Jon_1985]

So some updates. My Radion G4 XR30 failed me so I found a brand new in box G5 XR30 for crazy cheap so I decided to pull the trigger. Also grabbed to AI Blades 21" with the mounting brackets for the XR30.

Also got a new used Aqua UV 25watt UV filter and I'm much happier with the hard plumed option.

So I rejigged my tank design and started to build the plumbing based off my CAD design, pictures bellow.

Also updated my gear list and prices, I was shocked to find out how much I have spent so far and this isn't including the tank stand and tank. I can't imagine if I had bought everything new.

The tank had been ordered from Miracles Aquariums and I ordered an Ultra clear glass tank with clear silicone and a Euro Brace. I ordered my last tank from them a million years ago and I couldn't believe the price difference in 18 years lol. GETTING OLD AND INFLATION SUCKS!!!LOL

Skimmer is just a place holder for now. I have a bubble king mini 180 but it's not so mini and doesn't fit. So I'm trying to figure out what skimmer I want. I think wither BK 160 mini of BK Cone 130.

Let me know what you think.

Cheers

 

[Jakejtown]

I'll be using 1/4" thick acrylic shelf silicone to the back wall with holes drilled in for flow. Basically a giant L bracket

Cool! Thank you!

 

[Jon_1985]

So I haven't post anything in a while as progress had been slow. Started fitting the plumbing and built the acrylic ledge for the floating rock scape.

Started work on the tank stand as well, working with aluminum extrusion is fun and tedious work...lol Anyways this is from a few weeks ago and tonight I just rock scaped the tank as the silicon I used to mount the acrylic to the glass needed a minimum of 14 days to set, it will be fully cured in another week.

I can't wait for you to see the most recent update but I'll post that in a few days. Tomorrow I finish the stand and start the plumbing.

Wish me luck.

 

[Jon_1985]

So got the rock scape done and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I have a few rock on the bottom one for under the hanging scape non photosynthetic corals and one bigger rock on the bottom will be for a calm. Lots of caves and hole for fish to swim through and lots of room for coral. Before people make the comment on how high the rock work is on the tank this was intentional. I needed more room under for cleaning and not being able to clean the sand bed is far worse then having to prune corals more often.

After this will be the stand build. I can't wait to show all of you as the stand turned out pretty ****** sweet. Also have been doing a final dry fit of the plumbing before the glue up.

 

[Jon_1985]

Stand frame is built and top added. I built it on 8x 600lb casters with levelling feet once stationary. Got the stand in place behind my set at work and I happy with how it looks. Also got the plumbing mostly done, water is in the tank and put the sand in. Water needs to clear up a bit but so far everything is working as it should. A few things I would change with the set up now that I have it together but over very happy with my first tank in 17 years.

I started to do the cable management so next up is getting that done then running all the items for my Neptune and configuring everything. After that I'll finish up the cabinet and tidy things up.

Also I have a vector M2 pump randomly going to full blast after awhile and rest it then a few minutes laster its doing the same thing. Can anyone offer any guidance on this?

Cheers

 

[TheWB]

Stand frame is built and top added. I built it on 8x 600lb casters with levelling feet once stationary. Got the stand in place behind my set at work and I happy with how it looks. Also got the plumbing mostly done, water is in the tank and put the sand in. Water needs to clear up a bit but so far everything is working as it should. A few things I would change with the set up now that I have it together but over very happy with my first tank in 17 years.

I started to do the cable management so next up is getting that done then running all the items for my Neptune and configuring everything. After that I'll finish up the cabinet and tidy things up.

Also I have a vector M2 pump randomly going to full blast after awhile and rest it then a few minutes laster its doing the same thing. Can anyone offer any guidance on this?

Cheers

Great details. I have similar casters on my stand. I’m enjoying following your build.