New 60cm Cube Build

[mattitheowl]

So I've taken the plunge and treated myself to an Evolution Aqua 60cm cube. I've only ever done an all in one tank before and that's been running now for 15 months with a decent level of success with a small fish stocking and a number of LPS and softies.

So after much huffing and puffing and a good amount of help with the lifting from my dad I've got the tank in place and half filled with water (second half going in tomorrow).

If anyone has any inspiration for stocking I'm open to idea. I've got 2 clowns and a scooter blenney that will be going in but beyond that, I'm open to some suggestions. Obviously something with plenty of personality, a splash of colour and that isn't too difficult to keep happy.

 

[mrbluewildcats]

Watchman goby with pistol shrimp are always cool, watching how they interact.

 

[shaggydoo]

I second the goby pistol combo. I also really like my red hawkfish. Good colors and fiesty attitude. They love lps and after your corals get used to it, they will hide and perch on them as gently as a clown in it's host.

 

[ReeferSteve]

that’s gonna be sweet! I love the look of a cube but don’t like the idea of having such a deep tank. Wish I could convince myself to do one anyway

 

[Silverfish]

I was completely floored with the weight of my Red Sea 525. 2 years later and I may still b recovering fm lifting it. I wonder up to what size is doable till u need to switch to acrylic?

 

[mattitheowl]

I was completely floored with the weight of my Red Sea 525. 2 years later and I may still b recovering fm lifting it. I wonder up to what size is doable till u need to switch to acrylic?

I was reading the manual and it said for this model you'll need 2 people. I figured that would be for connecting the pipework, but there is no way I could have lifted the display on my own. The sump on it's own was bad enough. The 1500x600x600mm says you need 8 people!

 

[mattitheowl]

Day 2. Added a little bit more of the Area rock (it's on offer 50% off at a local shop). Added a nice little arch and hollow dome. Got the filter up and running. It's my first DC pump and I can't believe how quiet and powerful it is. I've got it running on like 15% (4000lph on my 250l system) and it's blasting away. The second hand skimmer I was offered turned out to be about 2cm too big to fit in the sump (due to a little valve on the side) so I've ordered a different one that will definitely fit. Got the heater on now to bring the tank up to temp. Lights and wave maker arrive on Tuesday all being well. Once we're up to temp I'll dump in the Fritz 9000 and wait for the magic to start.

 

[mattitheowl]

So today we got a lovely package containing the light and flow pump. Cycle appears to have started (using Dr Tims).
Got the lights (Maxspect Ethereal) and pump (Maxspect Gyre XF330) linked up to the IVC6 wireless controller. I'm absolutely blown away with the options available for lights and flow. I've just set it to the preset LPS/Softie setting on the light and gone with an "Oceanic Gyre Cycle" with Lunar cycle function on the pump (mainly because it sounded amazing).
The whole set up looks amazing now. Just awaiting the skimmer to arrive (probably Thursday) and we're good to go. Thinking of getting some CUC at the weekend (once I'm happy with params obviously).