60 gallon (previously 45) cube updated on 8/19/2010

wisesam · #1 02-24-2009, 11:32 PM

Thought I'll start a thread for my new 45G cube tank.
I plan to have this tank skimmerless with algae turf scrubber in the sump.
I'm using a Styrofoam back ground as the overflow divider.
Here are a few pics with the background installed.

My progress has been slow. Keep putting it off. But hopefully I can have it filled with water by end of this week.

JDigital · #2 02-24-2009, 11:48 PM

Awesome overflow!!!! Stealth mode..

Rbacchiega · #3 02-25-2009, 12:01 AM

Like the background...where'd you get it at?

Pazil · #4 02-25-2009, 12:04 AM

That background is awesome!!

wisesam · #5 02-25-2009, 12:10 AM

I got it from a member on bcaquaria.
I believe the guy brought it back from China.

A couple things that concerns me:
1) Not sure what paint was used on the BG. It doesn't seem to be sealed by anything. But the styrofoam itself is black. I realized it after cutting out the notches. I will let it sit in water for a few days to see if anything leaches out.

2) Not sure if it will withstand the pressure of the water. The styrofoam is about 1.5'' ~ 2'' thick and not that flimsy. But I am still concerned. I plan to have the water in the back relatively high. Maybe that will balance out the pressure?

Doug · #6 02-25-2009, 01:20 AM

For sure a great looking overflow but I agree with making sure it does not leach anything into saltwater. May be designed for fresh only?

Perhaps it can be sealed by whatever method others use to make styro backgrounds? I have seen some threads on here with it being used and on RC for sure.

wisesam · #7 02-25-2009, 03:19 AM

Hmm, it doesn't say it's specific for fresh or salt water..

I read epoxy or fiberglass resin can seal it. But where do I find those?

wisesam · #8 02-26-2009, 09:24 PM

Well.. found that cold cure epoxy resin should do the job. Industrial plastic & paints sells it.
I'll be taking the background down to apply a coat of that, then add a piece of glass in the back to make sure the pressure doesn't break it.

wisesam · #9 03-03-2009, 07:56 AM

Again, slow progress, but I've got the background sealed with epoxy resin. Glued a glass behind it for reinforcement and installed the light.

Next to do is plumbing then I'm ready to add water.

wisesam · #10 03-08-2009, 04:07 AM

Finally got the pipes plumbed out.
I've added fresh water to test out everything and flush the whole system.
So far, I've noticed that my pump(Mag 9) is pumping the water faster than my drain pipe can handle if open at full. Maybe I should've gone with a weaker pump. So I need to throttle it down.
Also I need to raise the height of the drain pipe in the overflow so the sump doesn't get overflown with water when the pump is out. This will also allow the overflow chamber to hold more water so that the water splash won't be so loud.