150 DD Cube

ECreefer · Apr 10, 2016

Well do you want LED, T5, MH or a mix. I think 4 blackbox (I like the arctic-t247 ocean revives, but they all work pretty good honestly!) LEDs with 2-4 T5 would be my vote =) LED will give you good growth and the T5 will help with growth, but mostly color! Nice tank and awesome build!

Breadman03 · Apr 10, 2016

I just got a Hamilton 400 watt metal halide with the dimmable ballast and would recommend at least considering it.

dmax525 · Apr 13, 2016

My smaller tank is an LED lit tank and I would like to stay in that category. I'm just a little worried how many it will take with the depth of the tank being 27". I have been looking and for the money I might take a chance on some eBay lighting. If it does the job that would be great if not I can supplement from that point with some T5's. Canopy should have plenty of room to fit it all!

Breadman03 · Apr 13, 2016

If you're going to look at budget LED, Reefbreeders is a sponsor here and has lots of good feedback.

ECreefer · Apr 13, 2016

I'd say 4-6 of the black box LED with 80-90 degree lenses. 4 for mixed, maybe 6 if you're going all sps.

PPi · Apr 13, 2016

+1 on reefbreeders if you decide that route. I have the new photon v2 32's over my 150 cube and love it. The other option was 8 bulb t-5 with reefbrites, but the cost started to out weigh. I ran reefbreeders photon series prior to the upgrade to the v2's and had great success with anything i put in the tank, so i decided to stay with led. Good luck on the build and keep us updated.

dmax525 · Apr 13, 2016

PPi said:
+1 on reefbreeders if you decide that route. I have the new photon v2 32's over my 150 cube and love it. The other option was 8 bulb t-5 with reefbrites, but the cost started to out weigh. I ran reefbreeders photon series prior to the upgrade to the v2's and had great success with anything i put in the tank, so i decided to stay with led. Good luck on the build and keep us updated.

So you're running two of the v2 32s over your cube? The tank will be a mixed reef tank my current tank has no SPS, and unsure if I'll make that move anytime soon.

PPi · Apr 13, 2016

The light spread is 32x24 on these. You could get away with one if hung high enough. I just wanted full coverage due to sps dominated

dmax525 · Apr 15, 2016

Pressure washed the rock, Got it soaking! Started on my RO set up and I am making water and managed to get some sand bought today. Still need to pick up a return pump and I'm really leaning towards buying a DC pump and pick up a couple of heaters. Lights are also ordered should be here Tuesday. Tomorrows to-do list includes starting on some plumbing! Closer to getting this thing wet!

dmax525 · Apr 17, 2016

Suggestions?

dmax525 · Apr 17, 2016

Breadman03 · Apr 17, 2016

I like how you have the rear set up. I would add in an island on the front right side to give some more perceived dimension.

dmax525 · Apr 17, 2016

Breadman03 said:
I like how you have the rear set up. I would add in an island on the front right side to give some more perceived dimension.

I like that idea. Makes it a little more difficult because the tank is viewable from three different rooms.

Breadman03 · Apr 17, 2016

See if you can make some pass-through holes in that wall and make sure you leave room for coral growth+room to get your algae scraper between the rock and glass. 3-4 inches should be enough. I must say, I like how it looks now. Just don't leave that light over the tank when it's wet

That is what I'm striving for in mine. I'm going to be ordering some more rock in the not too distant future and using acrylic rods to help provide a backbone, so to speak.

dmax525 · Apr 17, 2016

Breadman03 said:
See if you can make some pass-through holes in that wall and make sure you leave room for coral growth+room to get your algae scraper between the rock and glass. 3-4 inches should be enough. I must say, I like how it looks now. Just don't leave that light over the tank when it's wet

That is what I'm striving for in mine. I'm going to be ordering some more rock in the not too distant future and using acrylic rods to help provide a backbone, so to speak.

Ok, good looking out on the pass throughs. And I did account for my algae scraper, I made that mistake on my last tank! I was thinking of using acrylic rods but I did use some putty between the rocks and it seems more sturdy than I expected.

dmax525 · Apr 17, 2016

And ya this light is just to give some working light. New ones should be here tomorrow! Hopefully before the wife gets in from work! Ha! "Na honey, we already had those lights!"