WickedReefs 60 gallon cube build

[WickedReefs]

Hello fellow reefers! Long time lurker and not much of a poster. Decided to jump on the band wagon and get this new build posted. I currently have a 40 breeder setup housing SPS and some LPS. Long story short 2 weeks ago I was moving and came across a 60 gallon cube for sale for cheap so why not. I always wanted one. My 40 breeder is currently setup in the garage and is now my frag tank. Advice is greatly appreciated throughout this journey now Let’s roll this beautiful bean footage!


here’s the current setup, the container to the left is cycling about 120lbs of rock.

here’s the cube (24"x24"x24") Had it soaking in citric acid for a few days to get it cleaned up and leak test.

A week after my move I visited the local petco and they where having the 50% of select fish tanks so say hello to the 40 breeder sump.

Received the trition refugium baffle kit in the mail yesterday! Can’t wait to get that installed. Ordered a skimmer from BRS Black Friday sales so that should be here in a week or two.

Did a quick mock up of where the tank and stand will go for ideas.

started building the stand last night.

quick test fit. Ended up lowering the stand a few inches and making it longer by a few inches. The frame isn’t done yet so I need to swing by home depot today and get some more lumber.

 

[blaxsun]

Looks really good so far! I enjoy these DIY builds as I'm not much of a craftsperson myself.

 

[Adrift]

Same here DIY builds are amazing! Not a craftsmen either sadly. Just started doing some wood working. But yea!

 

[WickedReefs]

Improvements todays, maybe a little over engineering on the stand and my GHL unit now has a home! Believe it or not all the wood cutting has been done with a hand saw. I’m going to have to buy a table saw here soon.

 

[WickedReefs]

Light installed and Kamoer doser’s now have a home.

 

[WickedReefs]

Started to reseal the cube. Previous owner destroyed the silicone and a quick sump layout, can’t silicon anything till the skimmer and return pump come in

 

[WickedReefs]

My skimmer was delivered over the weekend. I may have went a little overkill on this one. I did get all the baffles installed in the sump.

 

[Kimosobey]

Any updates? Looking awesome so far

 

[WickedReefs]

Any updates? Looking awesome so far

Thanks! This is where I currently stand at the moment. I’m debating right now about getting rid of the corner flow and adding a overflow box to have that emergency drain and peace of mind.

 

[WickedReefs]

Small update and money saver. I was going to throw this old Eshopp sump out when it clicked that I can remove the baffles and use it as a new ATO container instead of a 5 gallon bucket. So now I have a 12 gallon ATO and all I got to do is add a lid. A weekend project.

 

[WickedReefs]

Decided to go a different route with the cube. The wife and I decided to put the tank in a different location so now it’ll act as a peninsula.

I got rid of the corner flow. drilled some holes, filled the bottom holes (need more silicone). I went with a Fiji cube 800gph overflow and dual 3/4” returns. Now I can officially finish the stand. My plan is to have both side be removable for easier maintenance

 

[genericfishname]

This is looking interesting. I just picked up the same tank and having been brainstorming how to set it up. Any updates to the build?

 

[WickedReefs]

This is looking interesting. I just picked up the same tank and having been brainstorming how to set it up. Any updates to the build?

No build updates as of yet. I did purchase a table saw, lumber prices are finally starting ease a bit and I’m finally getting my hours back at work so hopefully in the coming weeks I can get this stand finished and the tank up and running.

 

[WickedReefs]

Finally picked up some lumber this morning! I need to grab a few other things today and then it’ll be nice to get back rolling on this stand.

 

[WickedReefs]

Got the bottom set, panels cut and painted, almost got the first coat of paint on the stand, as you can see where I ran out. Tomorrow I should have the second coat on and the panels installed.

 

[WickedReefs]

The stand is almost done. Next is to figure out how I’m going to do the doors and finish the exterior. I ended up putting in a center brace but the perk is it’s removable.

 

[WickedReefs]

Picked up some trim pieces and another sheet of plywood today after work. Since this weekend is going to be rainy I’m hoping to have majority of the stand done and painted.

(pic) in the mean time i finished the aqua scape and and now I got it sitting in the Brute can curing.

 

[WickedReefs]

More progress on the stand this weekend. Trim set and primed. Hoping to have the final coat on the trim today.

 

[WickedReefs]

Stand is 80% done. Finally making some good progress. Next are to get the doors made up. (Wife chose the color )

 

[WickedReefs]

Doors are done and ready for paint tomorrow after work. Next is to get the tank on, holes drilled for plumbing and then leak test. So close to getting this system up and running!