85 Almost Cubed

[bobbyM]

Hello R2R fam, I’m back! So, a lot has gone on since 2015. I found and fell in love with the most amazing woman in the world and fellow hobbyist Elena Johnson. We fragged off future hobbyist extraordinaire, one year old Hudson. And, we moved to central Florida. Our move consisted of breaking down 16 aquariums, packing them off into a Uhaul, then throwing what we could fit of our household items and furniture to fill it up.

Enough, about the past. This thread marks the birth of the 85 Almost Cube.
It’s a rimless, 36” x 30” x 18” with three panes of low iron glass, frosted backing, and black painted bottom. I am using an eShops hang-on overflow. In my experience, they can be quite reliable and in case this project goes a different direction, I don’t have a hole in a bad spot.

Sump is also an eShops. I like this sump because it doesn’t have a refugium section area. If it did I wouldn’t have room for my Reef Octopus POV-DC2 skimmer and the rest of the filtration I’ll be adding soon. Lighting is a Radion Gen 2 Pro upgraded to Gen 3 Pro.

That’s all I have for now. I’ll update as progress forms.

 

[bobbyM]

I’ll have to figure out why some photos loaded while others didn’t. Annoying.

 

[bobbyM]

Little bit of an update. It’s got water. It’s been cycling since I posted the thread. One of my rocks I added I didn’t rinse off from my vinegar bath and sparked a bacteria bloom. It’s not 100% clear yet but progress is progress. I’ve been VERY busy at work so no worries. Letting it do its thang. Second water change coming up this weekend.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Woot! Excited!

 

[dutch27]

That's about the size I always figured would be perfect for a tank, great room for aquascape options, and not so deep you need high power lights. Good luck with this. Do you have any livestock from those 16 tanks in a rubbermaid somewhere waiting for a new home?

 

[bobbyM]

I don’t. We brought minimal livestock. All my saltwater stuff could be replaced easily in Florida. Elena’s livestock couldn’t. So, we brought hers. Mainly her L46 zebras I bought her.

Asolene spixi snails

 

[bobbyM]

I’m starting over from scratch. Not going to have any issues finding good livestock to start up with.

 

[bobbyM]

My ammonia cycle is done. Water is clear now. I added a starry blenny and a few trochus snails last night. Didn't have time for a photo. Leaving for work in a few. Just wanted to log it in my tank thread.

 

[bobbyM]

Not the best photo.

 

[bobbyM]

 

[bobbyM]

 

[bobbyM]

No pic update. Just want to log it in my build. Added an American DJ power bar. Mounted* my mp40 controller, and DC skimmer pump controller. I also dusted off my bio pellet reactor and GFO reactor, filled them with new media and got them rocking. My skimmer is dialed in really good now. Even tho there isn’t much nutrient to deal with. Time to start feeding this thing more regularly.

 

[reefanova]

Can't wait to see this thing coming life, looks good already!

 

[bobbyM]

Thanks reefanova. Me either! Just taking my time. Letting it do it's thing.

 

[bobbyM]

Loving my hard scape. Not a bad angle except for the reflection of the window IMO.

 

[revhtree]

Looking good!

 

[bobbyM]

Thanks rev.

Cheers!

 

[bobbyM]

Yesterday, I added a female carpenters flasher wrasse. No picture. I’ll get one once she settles in and starts coming out.

 

[bobbyM]

Not a lot going on with the tank for now. just keeping it slow. I'm replacing my RODI filters this coming week and going to start dosing. So, soon there will be some action.

 

[bobbyM]

I've been really bad about not getting my camera out. I do have a update. I bought a powder brown and a yellow eye tang this week end.