White Biocube 32 (DIY Heavy)

[BrandonD32]

Hi all! I have been a long time lurker on here, but I have never created a build thread. I just recently downsized, and I decided to make a build thread for my new setup.

I have kept tanks in one form or another for my entire life basically after having a Goldfish tank as a young child. I started keeping corals in a 55 gallon mixed reef when I was 13. I have now been keeping reef tanks for 17+ years.

I just downsized from this 90 gallon to a Biocube 32:

Biocube 32 setup list:
• Aquamaxx NF-1 protein skimmer
• Jebao DCP-2500 return pump
• Inkbird temp controller with 100w Titanium Finnex and 100w Eheim Jager heaters
• Tunze Nano ATO with 20 gallon reservoir
• Tunze Kalkwasser Dispenser
• DIY Chaeto Reactor
• Ecotech MP10MQD with Leafgreen Solutions Nem Guard
• Ecotech Radion XR30

 

We wanted something to match our decor/color scheme so leaving the Biocube black wasn't an option.

First thing was to prep the stand and tank trim for white paint:
 

I wanted the return chamber water level to be higher to hold my heaters and to help quiet the water trickling noise. I cut a piece of acrylic to silicone into place. Don't mind the messy silicone job. I didn't take my time as it wouldn't be seen anyway.
 

 

[BrandonD32]

I bought a Gen 3 Radion with upgraded Mobius chip. I plastidipped the lens cover white so that it would match the tank. I made an aluminum mount for it with slots so that it can be adjusted up or down. My friend runs a fabrication shop so I had him make me an aluminum shade for the light. I gave it a swirled brushed finish to match some other metal pieces we have in our house.
 

 

I made a cover for the tank out of window screen frame, acrylic cut to match the curve of the tank, and clear mesh. I don't have a picture of it alone right now, but you can somewhat see it in this picture:
 

I also started making an acrylic cover for the rear chambers. I wanted it to be more low profile, but we decided that taller was better than having it shorter with a hole cut for the protein skimmer.

[BrandonD32]

I ended up trimming a bunch of the aio plastic out of the first chamber to get an Aquamaxx NF-1 to fit. It now fits almost perfectly. I am going to drill and add an overflow drain on the collection cup soon.

The middle chamber is completely packed full of rubble from my 90 gallon. I bought a roll of felt and cut it into the right size to use as makeshift filter socks. I also used a couple layers of egg crate to raise the felt up higher.
 

 

 

The Jebao return pump was too big for the return chamber, and it also didn't come with an adapter small enough to run the Chaeto reactor. I did a bit of modifying to get things working correctly.
 

 

 

 

[BrandonD32]

My 20 gallon ATO reservoir is in the entry way closet behind the tank. I had to move the pipe and hoses/wiring coming through the wall. I still have to sand the mud, texture, and paint the patch.

I also started adding white silicone to hide the black silicone on the tank. I have a bit left to do.
 

 

[BrandonD32]

Rear chamber cover is primed:
 

 

Rear chamber cover is painted and ready to use. I also added brushed handles to the stand.
 

 

[BrandonD32]

I asked Ecotech about adding a thin layer of white plastidip to the MP10 dry side to help it blend it. They couldn't give me an answer since they obviously don't coat and test their products with it.

I am working on selling my corals and going with only anemones. The back wall will have Monti cap on it though.
 

 

 

Temporary holding for my clown pair, anemones, and corals during the build and transfer:
 

 

[BrandonD32]

Finally getting the texture fixed up and ready for paint.
 

ATO hose and wires coming from the closet.
 

Better picture of the lid.
 

[NoOneLikesADryTang]

You’ve done a ton of work. It looks great in white!

[BrandonD32]

5 minutes ago, NoOneLikesADryTang said:

You’ve done a ton of work. It looks great in white!

Thank you! I think my final plan is going to be going Bubble Tip Anemone heavy, Monti cap on the rear wall, and a few different types of Euphyllia in the sand bed after I clear some of these other corals out.

[Ratvan]

Beautiful, all that attention to detail really makes it look brilliant in white. 

[BrandonD32]

2 hours ago, Ratvan said:

Beautiful, all that attention to detail really makes it look brilliant in white. 

Thanks! I definitely still have a lot of little things left to do, but it's coming along. I'm also still considering adding plastidip to the dry side of the MP10. A thin layer shouldn't affect the cooling much. I also only run it at 62% and it is not really much warmer than room temp at that speed.

[aclman88]

3 hours ago, BrandonD32 said:

Thanks! I definitely still have a lot of little things left to do, but it's coming along. I'm also still considering adding plastidip to the dry side of the MP10. A thin layer shouldn't affect the cooling much. I also only run it at 62% and it is not really much warmer than room temp at that speed.

 I know @SaltyGallon spray painted the cage for a power head of his (not mp10) and it turned out really nice. 

[andyjandy]

This is CLEAN

[FISHnChix]

Sheez this is nice. Well done sir! Following 

[BrandonD32]

Thank you all. I will continue to post updates as it progresses along. I am considering building a sump/refugium when the weather warms up. I feed heavily, and the Chaeto reactor is doing a great job, but at it's current growth rate I will probably be emptying it at least every other week. I was hoping it would take longer than that.

 

I'm going to be fragging my Utter Chaos colony in hopes that frags will sell quicker. I really need to make room in the tank for nems. I just threw everything in there after downsizing and I have yet to start a final aquascape.

[BrandonD32]

Finally got the old hole patched up where the 90 gallon was.

 

[BrandonD32]

Added an overflow drain to the protein skimmer collection cup. This is mostly for extended periods away from the tank.

 

[DevilDuck]

Looks great! The biocube in white looks fantastic!

[BrandonD32]

This is slightly over a week after harvesting. I left only a golf ball sized chunk in there. So the reactor is working well, I would say.

[BrandonD32]

Getting a little morning sun.

[BrandonD32]

I decided to lower the light a bit in order raise par without cranking the intensity up.

[BrandonD32]

It has been awhile since I've updated anything on the tank. The nems were getting out of control. I sold all of them off, and removed my sand. I am now going Euphyllia and Monti dominant. I will be getting a few small SPS and a few more Euphyllia within the next week. The palys are getting rehomed. I will probably call it good after that and just let everything grow. I will also be adding a Midas Blenny.

 

New aquascape

[DevilDuck]

Another great clean build!

[banasophia]

On 2/1/2022 at 9:08 AM, BrandonD32 said:

Hi all! I have been a long time lurker on here, but I have never created a build thread. I just recently downsized, and I decided to make a build thread for my new setup.

I have kept tanks in one form or another for my entire life basically after having a Goldfish tank as a young child. I started keeping corals in a 55 gallon mixed reef when I was 13. I have now been keeping reef tanks for 17+ years.

I just downsized from this 90 gallon to a Biocube 32:

Biocube 32 setup list:
• Aquamaxx NF-1 protein skimmer
• Jebao DCP-2500 return pump
• Inkbird temp controller with 100w Titanium Finnex and 100w Eheim Jager heaters
• Tunze Nano ATO with 20 gallon reservoir
• Tunze Kalkwasser Dispenser
• DIY Chaeto Reactor
• Ecotech MP10MQD with Leafgreen Solutions Nem Guard
• Ecotech Radion XR30

 

We wanted something to match our decor/color scheme so leaving the Biocube black wasn't an option.

First thing was to prep the stand and tank trim for white paint:
 

I wanted the return chamber water level to be higher to hold my heaters and to help quiet the water trickling noise. I cut a piece of acrylic to silicone into place. Don't mind the messy silicone job. I didn't take my time as it wouldn't be seen anyway.
 

 

Wow, love your tank! Happy to follow along!!

[BrandonD32]

Things are starting to fill in, and I've really been trying to keep my hands out of the tank. I have added a Midas Blenny, Royal Gramma, and Chromis in the past month. I'm going to be selling off the Utter Chaos palys, Grandi palys, and scoly to clean up the bottom a bit.