150 cube build

[okiestranger]

Well today I went and did it. I picked up the marineland 150 D cube. Came with a sump. Marineland 4 bulb t5 with duel timers and 6 lunar leds that come on when both timers are off. My coralife t5s fit perfect so I will have the option to run up to 8 bulbs. Yall think that's overkill? Also comes with a 1200 gph sump pump. Not to sure on this sump ill post more info tomorrow along with picks. Really want to do this one right. So I'm asking for all the help and opinions I can get. Also its reef ready with drilled overflows to get rid of all the hob equipment. I'm excited about this one but its going to be a slow build. Can't wait to start asking questions. And start piercing this together.

[twisted]

congrats okie! i dont think 8 bulbs is overkill. i ran that on my 75 and was happy. that gives you options with bulb layout. cant wait to see the build!

[Chasman]

Okie

Well done on the new tank.
What don't you like about the sump? And don't worry about the time line. I've been putzing around with mine since December and It's still not ready for water. Take your time and do it right.
Chasman

[okiestranger]

Here are some pics ill be back with more details later.








heres pictures of the sump i really dont understand the layout.

[okiestranger]

Thanks everyone.....

The sump that came with it is a marineland model 2 700 gph not sure if its salvagable or not the layout is strange not what i was planning. might just ebay a basic 30 gallons refugium. not going to reuse any equipment save for the lights and heaters. looking at ordering a c skim 1800 protien skimmer. also looking at two koralia 750 gph power heads. not sure what pump im going to use to run the skimmer need a good one running 450 gph any suggestions on pumps? lights i think im ok i will have the option of running 8 t5s not sure on the color setup i want. I also have a coat closet on the other side of the wall where ill be placing the tank. i am planning an idea to turn this into a water mixing room plumbed through the wall with a sump pumping back to the tank so that when i remove water all i will need to do is turn on a pump to fill the tank back up. any way i have alot to think about and any suggestions my ears are open..

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Congrats on the upgrade Chris!

[Chasman]

Nice looking tank and stand. That sump is an odd one though. As I'm sure you have discovered on the net, that thing is supposed to have a wet/dry piece and a big bio wheel.
If the thing is water tight, you may be able to cut out those baffles and put new ones in where you want them. That would be cheaper than starting from scratch. If you have access to a table saw and some Weld-On #4 acrylic adhesive, you could turn that into a nice sump for about $40.

[Original Fin]

I'm psyched you ended up with this setup...I think you're going to love it. And so will we!

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

That sump is kinda funky. Like Chasman said though, you should be able to modify it to suit your needs. Or you can sell it and get something pre made. Either way, I'm sure it's going to be an awesome build! 8 bulbs should do nicely with all that height and depth. You may not need all 8 but I don't think it would be overkill.
The bulb combination is going to be fun figuring out. I've got 6 bulb fixture and Im still trying to figure out the right combo. At $20+ a bulb, it can wait till it's time to replace a few bulbs before I mess around with it.
I'm not sure about the skimmer pump. Lots of people swear by the mag drive pumps. I haven't even looked into pumps yet for my set up.
I'd love to get a cskim but I think it's above my price range. I'm thinking about the super reef octopus for mine.
I'm looking forward to the build on this one and again, congrats!

[okiestranger]

Yeah chasman i have the wet dry and bio wheel portion but to me that seams like another spot to trap bad stuff and farm nitrates correct me if I'm wrong about this. Really i don't have any tools to do a sump myself. maybe i can find someone local but if not i seen some on ebay about 200 or less. not really in any hurry to throw this together. also thinking about drying all my live rock from my old tank out it is infested with bristle worms lots and lots of them.

Heres a question If i remove the live sand from my old aquarium could i dry it and reuse it? i understand that this Will kill all beneficial bacteria but I really don't mind going through a cycle again


Thanks everyone one the kind words.

[Original Fin]

I have a Mag 7, and to me, it's pretty noisy, but otherwise works as it should. I've heard that Eheim pumps are much quieter, run cooler, and are more energy efficient to boot.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

You could dry out the sand and rocks and reuse them. Be sure to give em a rinse too.
Bristle worms are usually beneficial as they are primarily scavengers. Only when they are huge, do they pose a real threat. It would be good to keep them unless they have reproduced to plague proportions.

[Chasman]

If you have all the parts to that sump, they are selling new for $350 so I'm sure you could get a decent price for it on Ebay. Then you can get something that suits you better.

[okiestranger]

James they have gotten pretty large one of them is crazy massive. anyway i think im going to need 80 lbs more live rock most that i have is base rock. well should be live by now. 80 lbs should put me around 250 lbs total. so if i order 80 lbs good rock it should be carrying hitchhickers. also that will be a good way of starting a new cycle. Im also going to need more sand i would like to have about 2 1/2'' to 3'' by the calculations im going to need about 60 lbs more. not going to do the live sand thing if i get more live rock it should seed the sand.


Thanks Fin the mag 7 is more in my price range. Looked up those Eheim pumps. Wow those things are expensive... Any way i need to look up the pump i have in my running sump now. I need to get about 450 gph for the protien skimmer i want may be i have the perfect pump running and dont even know it. the pump that came with the tank is like 1250 gph


Also been looking at this from the filter guys

$240.00 - OCEAN REEF + 2 SIX STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI

• All systems are made to order with clear 10" canister housings
• Stage One 5 micron poly sediment filter
• Stage Two 5 Micron Matrikx NSF rated CTO/2 Workhorse carbon block
• Stage Three 0.6 Micron Matrikx NSF rated chlorine guzzler carbon block
• RO membrane 75 GPD Dow Filmtec
• Stage Five refillable cartridge with color-changing DI resin
• Stage Six refillable cartridge with color-changing DI resin
• 100 PSI pressure gauge
• Auto shut-off (Requires Float Valve or Switch To Work)
• Dual TDS meter
• Membrane flush valve
• Quick connect fittings
• Self Piercing Saddle Valve Water Supply Connection
• Drain Connection
• Filter wrench to make cartridge replacement easy

[okiestranger]

Wow 350!!!!!! have no idea how to sell on ebay... but i think it might be time to learn.. any way chase thanks for all the help im really impressed with your build mine is lame compared to all the cool mods your thread has..

[twisted]

ive used the Quiet One pumps for a few years and am reall happy with them. i run them on my skimmer and returns and never had an issue. if you get the c-skim, you'll love it! ive had mine since november and will never use any other. the quiet one 2200 is what i have on mine and i have to choke the flow to it just a little and perfection!
tank looks great! i think you should build a sump. its so easy and saves alot of cash

[mutiger91]

Exactly the tank i have been looking for? If you dont mind me asking, where did you find it and again if you dont mid me asking what did it go for? Im thinking two halides over it in the 250w range myself.

[okiestranger]

Twisted.. I really don't have the tools to build a sump myself. I would love to build on I might still look into it. Read up and see exactly what I would need. I'll look up the quiet one today when I get back home. I am pretty set one the c skim 1800 I have read and heard nothing but good things about it and since you swear by it that just pushes me a little more in that direction. Thanks..

Mutiger...

I picked it up in lawton Oklahoma. Drove everywhere looking at tanks and that's the one I keep going back to.. the price was originally 2999 went on sale for 2499 I put 2300 on the counter and the owner took it. I'm happy with it. Good luck tank hunting

[okiestranger]

What do yall think about something like this?


Eshopps R-200 Specifications:
• High quality acrylic refugium filter with unequaled value
• First Compartment is 8.5" x 13" to fit in-sump protein skimmers.
* Refugium Compartment: 13.5" x 11.5"
* Return Pump Compartment: 5.5" x 11.5"
• 2x1" threaded inlets with prefilter bag
• Rated for tanks up to 225 gallons
• Dimensions: 30L x 12"W x 16"H

Price is a little more then I like.$259.95 This is kind of what I'm looking for any suggestions to site where I can find something like this please drop a line.... Thanks Chris

[Chasman]

Chris

I like the layout of that sump. I did mine a bit different so I could control (slow down) the flow through the fuge but I still like it and that isn't too bad of a price.

It's a shame you don't live down the street as I could turn the sump you have now into that in a heart beat for cheap. Oklahoma is just a bit too far.

But if you're ever in Cleveland.........LOL......I'll fix you up!