11 Gallon Cube Build

[finn_reef18]

Hey everyone! Starting a reef tank and I’m really excited about it. Have been researching for months. Finally went to my LFS and pulled the trigger. PS - Hello from Canada!

Started off budget conscious but already planning some upgrades. Currently 4 days into fishless cycle.

A few photos so far:

Not in love with the scape right now but I’ll figure that out. Might take that live rock off the top.

Cycle details:

• 6lbs dry rock
• 4lbs live rock from LFS
• Water purchased from LFS tanks
• CaribSea Arag-Alive 10lbs
• Seachem bio start dosing
• Ghost feed eventually
• Threw a raw shrimp in there to get things going

Im charting the cycle on a Google sheet:

I wish I could go larger on the tank, but I live in a condo and space is hard to come by. I know I know, 11G as my first tank may be challenging, but I think I can do it.

Starting this build thread to document my entire tank journey.

Equipment

Tank	11G crystal rimless cube
Filter	Aqueon Quiet Flow 20
Heater	Aqueon 50W preset 78
Light	Coralife white/blue clip-on
Pump	Hydor Koralia Nano 240
RODI	Aquatic Life RODI Buddie 3 stage
Salt	Tropical reef plus

• Bought a salinity tester and a magnetic tank cleaner today.
• I want one of those VorTech pumps. You just can’t beat that low profile look. Maybe I’ll reward myself if I find some room in my budget the next few months.
• I can tell already I’ll have to get a different light. The one I currently have is probably way too high intensity and will fry any coral eventually have in there. PAR meters are expensive but we’ll see how things go.
• Also thinking about auto top up and protein skimmer. But like I said, space is limited and I’ll have to play that by ear. Since it’s a nano I’m pretty sure I’ll do auto top up sooner than later.

I think that’s about it For now. If you made it this far thanks for reading, and I can’t wait to post more updates! And please let me know if you have any feedback.

Can’t wait for my reef to look like this

 

[fishguy242]

hi welcome ,nice start ,should post in meet and greet meet the reef ,happy reefing

 

[Ruben's Reef]

Looking good. Remember, patience is the key for success on this hobby..

 

[finn_reef18]

Home from work and woah! My ammonia spiked pretty rapidly, 4ppm. Was only at 1ppm 24 hours ago. The shrimp I put in there is completely rotted/dissolved, im assuming that's why. But I'm hoping things don't go over 4ppm, stalling the cycle.

 

[finn_reef18]

I’m having a lot of reservations about not having a sump. I’m hoping to have a variety of corals, some inverts and clowns, and with all the research I’ve been doing the most important things seems to be that consistency is key.

My tank is only 11 gallons and parameters can change super quickly. I think I’ll be able to do consistent maintenance like water changes etc but what if I go on vacation?

I’m also hesitant about water changes and mixing salt water etc. It seems like it could potentially a lot of work rather than having a sump, refugium and ATO system.

Anyone with a sumpless nano have input?